Any 2017 VW Passat R-Line built and sold in the U.S. uses a standard 6-speaker sound system with an AM/FM HD radio, SiriusXM, smartphone integration, and Bluetooth capabilities. If you want to upgrade your Passat’s sound system, you can replace the factory speakers with aftermarket ones, add a subwoofer, and connect an amplifier to boost power and volume.
With its roomy cabin, sporty look, and turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the 2017 VW Passat R-Line is a welcome improvement upon the base-level Passat. That’s not to say the R-Line is perfect, however. From excessive road noise, mid-level fuel economy, and a rather disappointing sound system, the R-Line is not without its flaws.
If you’re itching to upgrade your R-Line’s audio capabilities but don’t know where to start, don’t worry—Jerry
is here to help! As a trusted super app
for car insurance
savings, and expert on all things Volkswagen, Jerry has put together the following article detailing everything you need to know about upgrading your vehicle’s sound system—without raising your 2017 VW Passat R-Line’s insurance costs
in the process! What kind of sound system does a 2017 VW Passat R-Line have?
All 2017 VW Passat R-Lines manufactured and sold in the United States feature a standard 6-speaker sound system (with no option for an upgrade) making for a rather unremarkable audio experience in an otherwise remarkable vehicle. To its credit, however, the 2017 VW Passat R-Line’s sound system does include an AM/FM radio, smartphone integration, SiriusXM, and full bluetooth capabilities.
It should be noted, though, that the 2017 VW Passat R-Line package did include a premium MIB II and Fender sound system, but only for those vehicles built and sold in Canada. Similarly, later U.S-built Passats with the R-Line package had the option of upgrading to a premium Fender system, but it was never offered on the 2017 model.
Regardless of whether you’re using a Bluetooth connection, the radio, or an aux cord, the overall quality of your music depends on your sound system’s speakers—and seeing as the 2017 VW Passat R-Line is somewhat lacking in that department, you’ll have to start considering aftermarket options if you’re looking to upgrade.
How to upgrade a 2017 VW Passat R-Line’s sound system
There are many ways to upgrade your 2017 VW Passat R-Line’s sound system, but some are much easier than others—to start off, you’ll want to focus on getting new speakers, adding a subwoofer, and installing an amplifier.
Start with speaker upgrades
Generally speaking, the easiest way to upgrade your 2017 VW Passat R-Line’s sound is to replace the factory speakers with a set of aftermarket ones.
Be prepared, however, to shell out a fair bit of cash for your speaker upgrades—and if you’re not familiar with your Passat’s internal electronic components, you’ll need to hire a specialist to perform the installation for you. The speakers that come standard in the Passat are quite small, so many replacements will require modifications before they can be installed.
Additionally, you'll need to decide whether to install coaxial speakers, which are significantly less expensive or component speakers, which produce a clearer sound. Aftermarket speaker upgrades for the 2017 VW Passat R-Line include:
Pump up the bass with a subwoofer
No 2017 VW Passat R-Line sound system upgrade is complete without the installation of a subwoofer, as they relieve smaller speakers of the burden of producing low-frequency notes, allowing them to operate within a more comfortable frequency range.
Ultimately, adding a subwoofer results in richer audio and better handling of low bass notes—two things that allow you to enjoy your music to the fullest, without distortion or crackly interference. Depending on the size of the subwoofer and your own personal preferences, this device can be installed either in your R-Line’s trunk or under the back seat.
Here are some of our subwoofer recommendations:
What’s the difference between 2-ohm and 4-ohm subwoofers?
As you pursue subwoofer upgrades, you’ll start to see that some are marked as “2-ohm” while others are marked as “4-ohm”. If this gets you wondering whether one is better than the other, well, there’s no real, objective answer.
A 2-ohm subwoofer will, however, produce a louder, more powerful sound, whereas a 4-ohm subwoofer will produce a much clearer, deeper sound—which one you choose really just comes down to personal preference.
Boost the power with an amplifier
Another way to enhance the overall audio quality of your 2017 VW Passat R-audio Line's system is to add an external amplifier, as speakers powered by an amplifier won't crackle or distort the music they play.
Additionally, a good amp can still produce loud, clear sound even if you don’t replace your factory speakers because it acts as an additional power source, which helps lessen the load placed on your Volkswagen's OEM speaker setup.
It’s also important to remember that, should you decide to install a subwoofer in your vehicle, an amplifier will be necessary to power it. Look for something like the Kenwood Excelon X802-5
or Alpine KTA-450 Power Pack
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How to protect your 2017 VW Passat R-Line’s sound system—and save on insurance!
Of course, there are some downsides to upgrading your 2017 VW Passat R-Line’s sound system, namely the effect it can have on your car insurance premium. Most standard insurance policies are only meant to cover your vehicle’s original factory equipment, so any aftermarket parts you install won’t be covered.
Fortunately, licensed car insurance
super app Jerry
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“I wasn’t comfortable signing onto an otherwise cheap policy because the provider would track my miles, so Jerry
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