Seat sound system worth it?

neil_f225

Full Member
Mar 14, 2005
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After a few years away from Seat (currently have a 2010 Octavia vrs 2.0tsi) I'm thinking of purchasing a new (or used) Leon ST 20.tdi FR. Don't want to spend a fortune on options but must have is panaromic sunroof. Also thinking of seat sound upgrade. What's everyones thoughts on the standard system? Is it worth or necessary to upgrade?
 

Syphon

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Staff member
Feb 28, 2002
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It's been discussed a few times on here. Personally I have the sound pack and think it sounds great. Without it isn't supposed to sound that bad either.

I like my music so figured the relatively minor extra outlay was worth the investment to get the best sound I could in the car,

Scott
 

ayjaysee

Active Member
Aug 11, 2014
5
0
I have the SSS in my Leon Fr 184 because of recommendations from others on here as Syphon says. I am very impressed with it. I use it with 320kbit/s mp3s and it has blown me away from day 1. You can manually adjust the subwoofer level as well as a manual equaliser. There is also the facility to move the focus of the sound around the cabin or on the driver. The subwoofer is neatly integrated with the spare under the boot which I have yet to deconstruct and hopefully won't have to! You can also set the 'back on volume max' so if you cruise home one night listening to some gut rumbling tunes you don't spill you coffee the next morning.

Having said all this I don't actually know what is included with the standard sound system in terms of control. I don't have the sunroof but have all other bells and whistles bar the adaptive CC and use them all regularly.
 

Richie1985

Active Member
Nov 21, 2010
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Darlington
I'd definitely recommend the seat sound option, it's only about £250 extra but the sound quality is really good.
I haven't had chance yet to hear the standard system but I can't see how it can compare to the extra bass from the sub, it makes all the difference.
 

forge197

SE>FR>CUPRA
May 14, 2002
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My first mk3 had standard which for a factory setup not bad really doesn't have either the top end clarity or low end bass but was content with it. That said.......

Seat Sound does seem a bargain, it's pretty tunable, sounds good too, our second mk3 has it and we have sought a Cupra with it, But I like music on the move, it adds top end clarity and low end bass, sounds great.

I'd say it's worth every penny.
 

cptSparko

Active Member
Apr 11, 2014
83
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I've only heard the normal system on a short test drive, the SSS is a noticeable step up. I've HiFi speakers costing multiple times as much and they get used less than the car! SSS is no match for the B&W at home but their value for money is outstanding.
 

cptSparko

Active Member
Apr 11, 2014
83
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Just like with any HiFi purchase you are the only person who can decide if it "is worth it". £250 is a lot of money to most people. Best advise I can give is that you'll need to make the value judgement after listening to both.
 

marjohn56

Active Member
May 31, 2014
118
13
London
My first mk3 had standard which for a factory setup not bad really doesn't have either the top end clarity or low end bass but was content with it. That said.......

Seat Sound does seem a bargain, it's pretty tunable, sounds good too, our second mk3 has it and we have sought a Cupra with it, But I like music on the move, it adds top end clarity and low end bass, sounds great.

I'd say it's worth every penny.

Once you get to my age afer years of abusing my ears at concerts and wearing headphones at too high a level, then the top end starts to deteriorate anyway...

The way I would like it would now be far to top endish for many.

Have to say though, having just taken delivery and now having listened for an hour or so whilst setting things to my liking, I am well impressed with the standard system. My just about to be sold lexus has a mark Levinson system with 14 speakers ( or is it thirteen? ) and it's pretty damn close.

As I said, age is a leveller, they all sound the same now.:shrug:
 

Seastormer

Cupra Leon VZ2 300/CBF1000
Apr 25, 2014
5,333
853
69
Edinburgh (Scotland)
Once you get to my age afer years of abusing my ears at concerts and wearing headphones at too high a level, then the top end starts to deteriorate anyway...

The way I would like it would now be far to top endish for many.

Have to say though, having just taken delivery and now having listened for an hour or so whilst setting things to my liking, I am well impressed with the standard system. My just about to be sold lexus has a mark Levinson system with 14 speakers ( or is it thirteen? ) and it's pretty damn close.

As I said, age is a leveller, they all sound the same now.:shrug:

I'm in the same boat, the test car I had for the day had the standard system, and I thought it was great, so I kept that in my 280. My neighbor has a fancy system in his BMW and he was well impressed with my car's, and he reckoned the SEAT's was better.:D
 

simonali

Active Member
Apr 3, 2014
834
36
Wiltshire
Personally I think it sounds good, but only when the car is stopped. There is so much tyre roar that the bass is drowned out by it, so probably not worth having the extra sub in the boot...
 

marjohn56

Active Member
May 31, 2014
118
13
London
Personally I think it sounds good, but only when the car is stopped. There is so much tyre roar that the bass is drowned out by it, so probably not worth having the extra sub in the boot...

haven't had chance to get out on the open road yet, away this weekend (without the car) so it will probably be a couple of weeks before I get chance to check out the road noise.

Is yours on 18" wheels?

One of the reasons I stuck with the 17 inchers was road noise. Been caught like that before. They look great but noise is an issue.
 

Peter W

Active Member
Aug 8, 2014
109
0
Larne, County Antrim
haven't had chance to get out on the open road yet, away this weekend (without the car) so it will probably be a couple of weeks before I get chance to check out the road noise.

Is yours on 18" wheels?

One of the reasons I stuck with the 17 inchers was road noise. Been caught like that before. They look great but noise is an issue.
I have the standard system, and find it bassy enough for me. As for the tyre roar, I don't find mine noisy at all. I have the 18'' performance alloys which came with Bridgestone potenza S001 tyres. I know a lot came with Continentals. could it just be the tyres?....
 

mc-obesity

Active Member
Personally I think it sounds good, but only when the car is stopped. There is so much tyre roar that the bass is drowned out by it, so probably not worth having the extra sub in the boot...

Ill second this... sounds pretty decent (compared to most cars) when driving.

However after going from a custom sound system that cost me well over a grand in the Scirocco, it sounds abit poo.

HOWEVER when the car is stood still and not moving, the bass is spot on and even gives your cheeks a little bit of a wobble. Sounds awesome!

Its a little pants how it changes so drastically when driving :(

Never mind eh! Not everything can be perfect ha. Still decent though and probably worth the money!
 

TMO

Active Member
Feb 15, 2008
192
1
Stafford, Staffs
I agree with the sub in the boot problem, my Octavia had the sub under the drivers seat so the sound wasn't so hidden, plus the feeling of it thumping under the seat made it feel more satisfying.
 

andrewpain

Active Member
Jul 5, 2014
1,852
3
Meppershall Beds.
I'm delighted with SSS in my ST 184FR. My hearings going, especially top end, and I've been able to set it up to sound ace.
I'm not complaining about road noise - I was picky about tyres on my previous car because of noise. Had Micjhelin Primacy HPs for years, then switched to Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance, which were also quiet.
my Leons on 17s and came with Pirelli P7 Cints, and I'm happy with that - not excessively loud, not loud at all:)
 

Safari Joe

Active Member
Apr 16, 2015
14
0
Sorry to jump in and reactivate this old thread but I'm after some advice.

I've just took delivery of my Cupra 280 and after your thoughts on my order.

I requested the Navigation System High option when I ordered the car on lease in April (only just had it because I had to wait for my old lease to expire). I was under the opinion that the Navigation System High option also included the Seat Sound System with sub? Can anyone confirm if this is correct. I think it might have changed to two seperate items recently but at the time I thought it was included as one package.

I' think I've got the upgraded nav fitted as it's got 3D maps, mirror link and Apple Car thing but there's no "Seat Sound System" labels on the speakers and there's no sign of a sub in the boot or inside the spare wheel?

Anyone able to help?
 

Obee72

Active Member
Jan 7, 2015
210
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From memory I think it was included for MY15 but MY16 separated it out as an extra orderable item.
 

Obee72

Active Member
Jan 7, 2015
210
0
I'd rather have the updated Nav with better screen and Apple Car than SSS. Its not a patch on the HK system I had in my previous Merc. But then that was 550watts !!
 
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