Looking for a suitable installation location for an amplifier in an Audi 80 Avant

Hello everyone,

I want to provide more power to the front speaker system (Hertz ESK 163L, 3-way with passive crossovers, 125W RMS, max. 250W, 4 Ohm) in my B4 Avant than the head unit can provide. To do this, I would need to install an amplifier (2-channel, 2x ~100W RMS at 4 Ohm). But where?

I don't want to screw them to the back panel or the trunk floor of the Avant, because that would make it impossible to load large items - the Avant should still be usable as an Avant. Furthermore, I would be concerned about having to run cables from the front to the back and then back to the front again for the speakers.

Most amplifiers are about 6cm tall. This should theoretically fit under one of the front seats, although I'm not sure about the width, as the brackets are angled between the seats and the seat rails. However, I foresee a problem where passengers in the back seat would constantly be stepping on the amplifier, and potentially in the winter, it could get damaged. Leaving behind water (melted snow).

Has anyone installed an amplifier in the Avant model and still been able to fully utilize the cargo space? What about using a fitting on the side panel of the trunk? I could still see this as a compromise.

Thank you and best regards.

Hi,

I would try placing it above the glove compartment, assuming you don't have an airbag there yet. I seem to recall there being quite a bit of space there.

Best regards, Michael.

I don't have any airbags . However, I do have air conditioning, although I'm not sure if it affects the space above the glove compartment (I think I found something about that on Google earlier).

The smallest (reasonable) power amplifier I've found so far: the Focal Solid 2 (220x200x45), with 2x75W RMS - and all the connections on one side (which I find very advantageous in my case). Hopefully, there will be space for them somewhere.

Hi,
I would simply remove the storage compartment on the driver's side and, alternatively, the glove compartment, and measure to see if there is enough space. Otherwise, there's no room in the front.
Then there are still the spaces behind the trunk linings. A simple solution: there's space directly behind the door on the left side, unless it's occupied by things like a first-aid kit.
If you want to get behind the panels, the disassembly process can be a bit tricky. On the left is the ABS control unit, so there's more space on the right.
I would advise against attaching anything directly to the cladding itself; instead, a bracket should be mounted to the underlying structure. You can use the bracket for the ABS control unit as inspiration.
hg
Herbert.

I definitely don't have any more space under the steering wheel – there's already the alarm system, a DAB tuner, and a crossover unit there. A Bluetooth module will be included, but the DAB tuner will be removed to make room for it.

I've never looked behind the glove compartment on the right side, but I'll check it out next time I have the chance.

Currently, the area in the back left is also completely full, but I could potentially find another place to store those items if necessary. In the back right, besides a 1-liter oil bottle, there's only standard equipment (e.g., a central locking pump). I suppose I'll have to take a look at that, but then there's the wiring involved, and the actual distance that I'm trying to avoid.

I see - I'll probably have to remove the glove compartment (I might be able to fit some of those "driver-side modules" in there). The problem will be that I need to secure everything properly (you can just throw things in on the left side), so that I can still use the glove compartment afterwards.

Hi,
Okay, the central vacuum pump is also still on the right side (I don't have one).
Perhaps there's enough space on the left side. Simply try it out with a model.
hg
Herbert.

When choosing an amplifier, please keep in mind that it will generate heat itself and relies on being able to dissipate that heat. The nested installation above the glove compartment could potentially shorten the lifespan if the heating system is running continuously in winter.

Is there no more space under the (front) seats?

"I checked under the seats last night. The driver's seat, which is adjustable for height, is positioned quite low, so there's really nothing to be found there. The passenger seat initially looked promising, but like the driver's seat, it's usually pushed very far back - and then there's a stupid crossbar (running from left to right) that only leaves about 2cm of space underneath." So, it looks like the front seats aren't going to work.

Then I realized something else about the bed-like structure in the back: When you fold down the rear seats, you see solid cardboard. Various cables run underneath that. I remember tapping into contacts for the central locking pump there – I believe there's quite a bit of space there. If I were to install a powerful amplifier (2x ~200W RMS) there and only load it to a maximum of 50%, shouldn't the heat generation remain within reasonable limits?

When an amplifier has the potential to deliver a lot of power, there's a tendency to occasionally utilize that capability. Depending on the design (analog, digital, or hybrid), this results in varying amounts of heat generation. And there should be some way to get rid of them...

Hello,

possibly also of interest:

Eton MA 125.2, in case you haven't bought the Focal speakers yet.
Dimensions (LxWxH): 214x136x44.9 mm. With overheat protection/shutdown.

Greetings.
Steffen.

Thank you for the tip; I've also been looking at the Etons. The new MA series is supposed to be released at the end of December, and it will be even smaller.

I'm going to take a look tomorrow at the space under the rear seat and see if it's possible to install some kind of ventilation there, perhaps a grate to allow air to circulate into the footwell. If there were enough space, then the size wouldn't matter anymore; it would only depend on the heat output (besides the sound and quality, of course).

Hi,
There is no space under the rear seat/cover. Here comes the body.
hg
Herbert.

PS: should better mean "limited space".