The Ibiza is a simple car by design. Simple in a good way. Unpretentious but reliable. Basic when it comes to equipment, but inexpensive to own.
That’s why, when it came to the audio system, I simply decided to keep the factory one. My Ibiza is a fourth-generation 2010 model. Back then, sophisticated multimedia systems were still more of a premium-car feature, and SEAT, perhaps in keeping with the philosophy of the Ibiza, made do with a conventional audio system and six speakers.
I love music, and I enjoy listening to it on good equipment. I’m sure a Bang & Olufsen system would sound great in the Ibiza.
But somehow, that kind of premium audio doesn’t quite fit the calm, budget-minded character of this little Spanish hatchback.
And I’m not even talking about adding a subwoofer. It would take up half the trunk, which isn’t particularly large to begin with. Although, objectively speaking, what am I going to carry in an Ibiza besides a couple of bags from the supermarket?
As for the sound quality of the factory stereo, it’s acceptable. Listening to a few songs or having the radio on in the background while driving around town? Absolutely.
Highways and long-distance trips are a different story. On a long journey, great audio can become another enjoyable part of the experience. Just like having a car slightly bigger than an Ibiza would be nice.
But 95 percent of my driving is in the city and the surrounding area. Most of my trips are fairly short.
Of course, this is entirely my personal view, and a very biased one at that.
And it isn’t really about money. It’s about a certain mismatch.
I wonder how I’ll feel about that “mismatch” when the old factory stereo finally needs replacing.
But I’m only replacing it when the old one says:
“I’m tired. I’m leaving…”