Enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the new 2006 Volkswagen Passat to see how those crafty German engineers have tweaked and refined their sporty family sedan. Cool new features like the in-dash push-button ignition, 6-speed automatic transmission and electronic parking brake will attract many buyers, but it's likely that the optional 600-watt audio system upgrade by Dynaudio will be the biggest draw for the readers of this magazine-and it should be for other Passat buyers as well. I was recently given the chance to check out a Passat 2.0T with DVD navigation, XM Radio and the Dynaudio audio system upgrade package, and I'm glad I did.
After walking around the Passat several times, taking in the new bodylines and details, I hopped in with some test discs to take a listen. Before I could insert an audio disc into the in-dash slot, I had to eject the navigation DVD first. I was disappointed, thinking that the navigation system was forcing me to choose between CD playback and DVD navigation. After exploring the interior further, my disappointment vanished as I pulled a tab in the glove compartment and a slot-loaded 6-disc changer smoothly dropped down from above the glove compartment to show itself (you have to give it to those crafty German engineers). Note: A regular in-dash 6-disc changer is available for Passats without the DVD navigation option.
After loading in some discs, I fired up the Dynaudio system and was quickly greeted by clean and detailed midrange and strong bass and midbass, atypical for a factory system. I noticed considerable side bias of the soundstage and realized that the rear left door tweeter was less than 10" from my left ear. After fading the audio signal toward the front speakers, the soundstage improved considerably, but still falls short of the multi-channel OEM audio systems I've auditioned in the past. What the Dynaudio system doesn't lack is dynamics and power. The 10-speaker setup includes an 8" woofer, 2" midrange and 1" tweeter in the front doors and a 6 1/2" woofer with 3/4" tweeter in the rear doors. The four woofers are generously powered with over 440 watts, while the midranges and tweeters receive the remaining 160 watts.
Although there are other OEM systems that play cleanly down to 30Hz, the way the Dynaudio Passat does it from the front speakers makes the listening experience more realistic and enjoyable. Jazz and vocal tracks demonstrated the great natural sound of the Dynaudio speakers, although the tweeters were on the bright side and could've used more detail. My R&B and rap tracks were handled very well, but some rock tracks revealed harshness in the higher frequencies.
I adjusted volume levels and switched tracks with the convenient steering wheel audio controls that also feature a mute button. In addition to the 7-inch navigation/audio LCD screen, the display in the instrument cluster provides audio system information as well as visual turn guidance for the navigation system.
The Passat is available with either XM or Sirius Satellite Radio service (but not both), which is a great choice to have. The $1,800 DVD nav option is functional, but doesn't have the features or the intuitive user-interface found in other systems we've used. A button on the steering wheel with a telephone icon and an "aux" option in the audio system menu hint at the existence of a cell phone interface and auxiliary audio inputs, but neither could be confirmed by a Volkswagen representative at press time.
The Dynaudio system upgrade is a $1,000 option above the regular "Premium" sound system. That's a considerable bargain for what is one of the most dynamic OEM sound systems available. As with other top-notch factory audio setups, aftermarket upgrades would need to be chosen carefully, so that sound quality is not degraded. Although the performance of the Dynaudio system is much better than any audio system a regular consumer is likely to own, picky audiophiles may want to upgrade the tweeters and add a subwoofer to enhance the low-frequency output.
| Rating 10 represents the top score |
| Audio score: 8 | Ergonomics: 6 | Navigation: 5 |
Key features
Can be equipped with either Sirius or XM, not both.
Aux accessed in the CD player mode for any video or audio source such as an iPod.
No intergrated phone package available in the U.S. You can only use third-party packages such as a handsfree Bluetooth kit.
Dynaudio system available on the 2.0t and 3.6 variants of Passat, not the value edition.
Dynaudio upgrade available independent of navigation upgrade.