The Mk 7 stereo upgrade thread

[Paul_R]

There seems to be very little out there on this. I'm trying to encourage anyone who has upgraded their Mk 7 stereo to tell us what they have done and for people to post links to stuff they have found.

At this point I know and can find very little on upgrade options for the Discover systems. Has anyone enquired about the Helix plug and play in Australia? Is it available? How much does it cost?

I did find this on one of the UK forums.

http://www.synergy-automotive.com/download/i/mark_dl/u/4011457291/4608559514/Audiotec%20Fischer%20online%20retail%20catalogue.pdf

The price is one the last page for a typical system. 600 quid. It's the same company that make the Helix and it is also a true plug and play from what I can find. You can download the specific DSP profile for your car from the company website and load it onto the amp so there should be no tuning involved. They also have vehicle specific replacement speakers that plug in too. I haven't found an Oz distributer or local pricing.

There is the sub box option for the boot plus one that replaces the spare tyre which I don't personally wish to do. For those that want spare wheel and full boot use an option might be Uberstealth Uber-Stealth Audio - Home He does custom boxes that fit under the floor around the spare. I got one for my Mk 6. It cost $450 just for the box delivered from the USA. Very neat though.

That's all I've got for now. Anyone else found anything?

[Kesh]

I'm also surprised at the lack of speaker upgrades being done! I thought by now there'd be quite a few! I think I've only come across one guy on the Mk7 forums who's had a subwoofer fitted to his mk7!

[team_v]

I'm also surprised at the lack of speaker upgrades being done! I thought by now there'd be quite a few! I think I've only come across one guy on the Mk7 forums who's had a subwoofer fitted to his mk7!

Speaker upgrades seem to have dissapeared given cars now come with a 4-6 speaker system standard, upgradable to an 8 speaker system from the factory.
Also, with the increased electrical and coding complexity of these cars it makes it harder to install = more cost for little benefit.

[Kesh]

That is true, but having said that, the added complexity isn't substantial because when you do upgrade speakers, you're not altering any communication with the head unit and the car whatsoever are you? I'm thinking of getting the speakers upgraded and with more power through a line level converter and an amplifier. All that does it takes the wire from the head unit to the speaker, and instead of it going to the speaker, it'd go to the amp which then sends the signal out to the speakers/subwoofer. The only difference on the car side would be an increase in power consumption I guess.

[BCK]

I'm with Paul on this,

I really want an integrated system like the helix, but are they available in Oz through anyone???

[mattex69]

Check out the new Mosconi new all in one processor and 4 channel amp. Was checking out on the other day at Northfield Moorooka. Very cool piece of kit with a tiny foot print. Perfect for integration into factory head units and with enough power to run a front stage and sub.

[slashj]

There seems to be very little out there on this. I'm trying to encourage anyone who has upgraded their Mk 7 stereo to tell us what they have done and for people to post links to stuff they have found.

At this point I know and can find very little on upgrade options for the Discover systems. Has anyone enquired about the Helix plug and play in Australia? Is it available? How much does it cost?

I did find this on one of the UK forums.

http://www.synergy-automotive.com/download/i/mark_dl/u/4011457291/4608559514/Audiotec%20Fischer%20online%20retail%20catalogue.pdf

The price is one the last page for a typical system. 600 quid. It's the same company that make the Helix and it is also a true plug and play from what I can find. You can download the specific DSP profile for your car from the company website and load it onto the amp so there should be no tuning involved. They also have vehicle specific replacement speakers that plug in too. I haven't found an Oz distributer or local pricing.

I am interesting in speakers upgrade too, the stock speakers in the Comfort Line (Composition) are nothing to write home about. It's too bright, more than likely a bump in the high freq responses.

The Synergy system looks interesting though I am not sure I need a new DSP/Amp, at least, not until I figure out what my current amp/speakers are capable of, so will do a sine sweep recording to get the transfer function one of these days.

Also, it's annoying that Composition Media cannot play FLAC files.

[BCK]

Or have a USB iPhone connection.

[Paul_R]

The following is not my work. Big thanks th VW7R over on the rforum in the UK. All I would add is about the Uberstealth under boot floor sub box option and the Mosconi Gladen amps with built in DSP that others have found.

So far the choices seem to be:

(1) Audiotec Integrated 5 channel Amp/DSP PP 52DSP (under driver seat or passenger front seat) + Passive Audiotec PP 8E-Q Sub Bass unit (in the boot sitting on the false floor. On further examination it is not that small and it does eat into boot space.
Audiotec Fischer GmbH | Innovative Car Audio ... tml?type=N - Audiotec PP 52DSP (£369.95)
Audiotec Fischer GmbH | Innovative Car Audio ... -8e-q.html - Audiotec PP 8E-Q Passive Sub (£149.95)
No loss of spare wheel.

Or,

(2) Audiotec Integrated 5 channel Amp/DSP PP 52DSP (under driver seat or passenger front seat) + 8" Gladen SKU HG 200 Slim 4 Passive Sub specifically for VW.
Audiotec Fischer GmbH | Innovative Car Audio ... tml?type=N - Audiotec PP 52DSP (£369.95)
Products | Monster Audio Design ... er-for-vw/ - Gladen SKU HG 200 Slim 4 Passive Sub (£209)
No loss of spare wheel.

Or,

(3) Audiotec Integrated 4 channel Amp/DSP PP 41DSP (under driver's seat) + Active Sub Woofer (under front passenger seat). There are good active subs from Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, Gladen. Depends on which one is the best fit for the space available under the seat.
Audiotec Fischer GmbH | Innovative Car Audio ... 41dsp.html - Audiotec PP 41DSP (£249.95)
Products | Monster Audio Design ... subwoofer/ - Gladen US 08 – 8″ Under Seat Active Sub (£169)
http://www.roadradio.com/Pioneer/TS-WX110A/ - Pioneer TS-WX110A Active Sub (£139.99) - fits under seat
http://www.roadradio.com/Pioneer/TS-WX610A/ - Pioneer TS-WX610A Active Sub (£218.99) - fits inside spare wheel
No loss of spare wheel.

Or,

(4) VW Plug and Play, £503 fitted. Loss of spare wheel.

The Audiotec Integrated Amp/DSP components have sound files specifically for the Golf 7. Hope these units can fit under the driver's seat. Otherwise, it is Plug and Play with a Sub Woofer change.

Also required with the Audiotec Integrated Amp/DSP: (1) 'T' Harness: 92b, £25, (2) Remote Control URC-2A, £30

Regarding the door speakers, I'll cross that bridge if I am not happy with the standard speakers. Then, either Gladen or Autiotec-Fischer Speakers specifically for the Golf 7 could be chosen.
http://www.monsteraudiodesign.co.uk/pro ... eakers/vw/ - Gladen Door Speakers for Golf 7 - Prices £139, £189, £249
Audiotec Fischer GmbH | Innovative Car Audio ... tml?type=N - Audiotec Door Speakers for Golf 7 - £199.95.

Some relevant links:
http://www.audiotec-fischer.de/lng/en/match/ - Audiotec-Fischer
http://issuu.com/synergyautomotive/docs ... talogue_v2 - Audiotec-Fischer UK Pricelist
http://www.gladen.com/index.html - Gladen
http://www.monsteraudiodesign.co.uk/ - Monster Audio
http://mosconi-system.it/ - Mosconi
http://www.bladeice.com/ - Blade ICE

PS: Thanks to Mainframe for his information regarding Gladen Loudspeakers.

[Paul_R]

Was in the dealers today and asked about the Helix plug n play. They have an option coming that doesn't lose the spare wheel. Basically it's a big box that sits up against the back seat but is "easily removable" if you need the full boot. It weighs 10 kg and about 75 x 24 x 17cm in size. Price is $955 inclusive of fitting. They are getting one in to demo that has a big on off switch so you can hear the difference. Spec wise it seems to be the same as the system that replaces the spare - 4 x 35 rms and 200 rms on the sub.

[Paul_R]

One more

[bammbamm]

That's cheap junk and looks shocking, not much power either at 4 x35rms @ 4 ohm at 14.4 Volts, imho far better to go and see a specialist and have something fabricated to aesthetically blend in with the car interior. If you are going to just drop a big black box in the back you can use just about anything. If you wanted to keep the factory head unit I would be looking at something like an Audison Bit10, JL Audio XD700/5, quality speakers and subwoofer(s)to suit your musical tastes. All in one solutions have never previously been any good, happy to be proven wrong here but I doubt it will happen

[Kesh]

Yeah doesn't look too great. I'm trying to find the best prices for installing 2 fronts, a sub and an amp. Will get more info today.

[VW7R]

Paul_R:
Just replied this to you on the UK forum:

Yes, that actually does not look too huge in the pictures but I think you'll get annoyed with it if and when you wish to drop your seats.

I have asked the UK Importers for Audiotec-Fischer - Synergy - to try and design a sub for me that will sit in the spare wheel for an R. The boss there (Nick by name and very knowledgeable) will go and measure up an R from a local dealer. I will contact him in the next 2 weeks to see how far he has progressed.

I think that fitting the Audiotec-Fischer door speakers will also make a huge difference, especially with the Silk Dome Tweeters.

I think Dynaudio use metal dome tweeters and I dislike the sound of these as they are too bright sounding. I have heard the Dynaudio in a Golf 6 GTI and it sounded too bright and sibilant.

I have a Harman Kardon sound system in my BMW with metal dome tweeters and they too are a bit bright and sibilant.

[Paul_R]

Welcome to Oz VW7R.
I agree on the bright Dynaudio tweeters. I have the treble turned right down on the Mk 6. I think what you are suggesting might be the way to go. I'm going to see what Nick at Uberstealth comes up with in terms of a sub box that fits around the wheel a la the one I've got. Then as you say replace the front speakers and sort out an amp and DSP from some where.