Adding a little extra bass to the Golf.....

[TDIESEL]

Am interested to see how your set up turns out Jason. I'm looking at a stereo upgrade for my golf now that warranty is almost gone.

I'm also after extra bass but not after a doof doof chariot. I think the jaycar sub should be ideal. I think some people go overboard with sub specs etc and spend way too much on something that essentially just gives you thump, not clarity. I've also seen a few stealth looking sub set ups but price is certainly way up there.

I was also initially looking at getting a set of Rainbow speakers for the front but from what I've read around the place I'm better off replacing the factory head unit first and seeing how the factory speakers sound after that. Apparently they are way under powered from the factory head unit. What power output does your head unit have? I'm looking at going with an Eclipse head unit if I decide to replace the original one.

[85turbo]

I currently have the stock rcd300 fitted.
Shortly to be replaced with an rcd510 that I bought last week.

I'm fairly happy with the clarrity of the system as it stands, I just want a little more bass.

If I do decide on further upgrades down the track, I'll probably just amp the factroy speakers. Something like a good 4X50 amp would be perfect I think.

I would run the speaker level outputs from the rcd510 into an audio processor like the JL audio cleansweep. Then into the 4X50 amp.
I think that setup would sound great, even with factory speakers.

I will post my results once I get the sub hooked up.

Jason.

[poyta]

1st question..... can i sefely "tap" into the rear speaker wires ?
ie run the sub in parallel with the rear speakers ? (hope so, as i dont want to loose the rear speakers.

also, would it be a good idea to buy something like an audiocontrol LC6i or JL audio cleansweep to interface between the head unit and the sub amp ?
the major advantage to the processors is that they both provide a remote turn on signal for the sub amp. something the RCD510 lacks.

any ideas or opinions ?

Jason.

Yes you can safely tap into the rear speakers to get your signal. Like I said, just pop off your rear door sills and the wires will be there. Not sure exactly which wires they are but you can look in up on the net or maybe even this forum. You wont loose your rear speakers. Why would bother going for something like the JL Clean Sweep, that thing probably cost 4 times the amount your sub did? Get a cheap Jaycar high level to low level convertor and get your remote signal from the power wire in your cigarette socket located in the boot. I did this on mine and it worked perfect.

[85turbo]

thanks for the info.

i actually ordered a PAC trunk LOC for the high to low conversion.
this will give the sub amp a nice line level input, and also generates the remote signal too.

only reason i mentioned the Cleansweep, was if i decide later on a more complete upgrade, it would be really useful.
they can be had for well under $300. i might still go that way in the future, but for now the jaycar unit and the LOC will do the job i think.

Jason.

[scotty1991]

Am interested to see how your set up turns out Jason. I'm looking at a stereo upgrade for my golf now that warranty is almost gone.

VW Doesnt seem to have a issue with warranty on my car except for the stereo as its obviously not a volkswagen item.

I'm also after extra bass but not after a doof doof chariot. I think the jaycar sub should be ideal. I think some people go overboard with sub specs etc and spend way too much on something that essentially just gives you thump, not clarity. I've also seen a few stealth looking sub set ups but price is certainly way up there.

Unless you do the install yourself, the stealthed installs cost a lot more than a removable box in the hatch.

I was also initially looking at getting a set of Rainbow speakers for the front but from what I've read around the place I'm better off replacing the factory head unit first and seeing how the factory speakers sound after that. Apparently they are way under powered from the factory head unit. What power output does your head unit have? I'm looking at going with an Eclipse head unit if I decide to replace the original one.

Most headunits have 50x4 output, the stock is 20x4 i believe.
However the stock speakers are definitely not anywhere near as good as rainbow and you will be up for more cost if you dont get both the headunit and speakers done at the same time.

only reason i mentioned the Cleansweep, was if i decide later on a more complete upgrade, it would be really useful.
they can be had for well under $300. i might still go that way in the future, but for now the jaycar unit and the LOC will do the job i think.

Jason.

If you get a complete upgrade get a new headunit




I enjoy my doofing

[85turbo]

Scotty,

i think i may do a further upgrade in the future, but i will be keeping the RCD510 head unit. just a personal choice, that's all.

i too enjoy a bit of doof doof from time to time.
however, i now have tinnitus (industrial deafness) as a direct result of many years of abusing my ears with car stereos,
and as a result, i now limit my exposure.

i had (many years ago) a VN calais that had $6500 worth of alpine in it. at the time the car was only worth about half that.
(i was young and dumb) now im not so young anymore.....

now im more interested in SQ, if it happens to go loud while doing it, that's just a bonus.

the addition of the JL cleansweep to the stock head unit with a good 4x50 would sound tons better than the 4x20 that the RCD510 has to offer.
but that's for another day......

Jason.

[scotty1991]

My car is very much SQ oriented, with a 4 channel schnieder amp powering the hertz splits, which are all mounted with much sound deadening. The bass doesnt overpower it even at full volume, i quiet like the setup, though I can understand you like the headunit, I guess a digital signal processor is the other option.

[85turbo]

I guess a digital signal processor is the other option.

my thoughts exactly. the JL Audio Cleansweep is reportedly a very good option for upgrading OEM audio.
the cleansweep comes with a CD that calibrates the output to a very flat EQ for the aftermarket amps.

it takes a 4ch high level input and turns it into a 6ch line level output with flat EQ and all other OEM processing and noise removed from the signal path.
there has been at least one unit used to win a SQ comp in the USA running from a stock landcruiser head unit.

they are not that expensive either.

that's where ill go next. then ill look at after market speakers.
maybe boston SL60's or similar.

Jason.

[Fury]

Audison Bit One is a very nice unit, i'd check them out...
Then hook that up to a quality 4ch amp to power your fronts + sub, and away you go

[85turbo]

i have heard of some people having "issues" with the Bit One though ?

Jason.

[Fury]

i have heard of some people having "issues" with the Bit One though ?

Jason.

All the issues have supposed to have been fixed with the latest firmware update.
Got a mate who's got one in his car and reckons it's awesome. Very easy to use.

[85turbo]

good to hear.

either way, if i do a further upgrade, it will be a ways off.
finances are a little tight at the moment.

Jason.

[85turbo]

no probs.

looks like you used 4ga cable ?
i am just gonna run a single 8ga to the boot with a 35A fuse.
that will be more than sufficient for my needs.

the PAC LOC that i bought can be seen here....
http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/...&productId=129

it not only converts the speaker outs from the head unit to line levels for the amp,
but it turns on and off when it detects a signal on the speaker wires, and it also has a remote turn on function too (for the amp).

i bought the two ch one, as i only need the two inputs to run the sub amp.

once i get all the gear and get it installed, ill post a few pictures.

Jason.

[Greg Roles]

my thoughts exactly. the JL Audio Cleansweep is reportedly a very good option for upgrading OEM audio.
the cleansweep comes with a CD that calibrates the output to a very flat EQ for the aftermarket amps.

it takes a 4ch high level input and turns it into a 6ch line level output with flat EQ and all other OEM processing and noise removed from the signal path.
there has been at least one unit used to win a SQ comp in the USA running from a stock landcruiser head unit.

they are not that expensive either.

that's where ill go next. then ill look at after market speakers.
maybe boston SL60's or similar.

Jason.

Mate I have actually DONE the headunit only, then the full upgrade, and have to say the system sounded 80% better with just an Alpine driving the stock GT level setup, that is no 3 way fronts like the GTI. The front mids are 7" and quite well installed for a factory item, rear mids are the usual 6" size. I'd say you'd be very happy with the sub and either an amp with suitable LOCS to amp up the stockers ( go easy they won't handle much ) or just a head. The alpine puts out about 18rms a speaker from memory, and the sound quality boost was amazing to me, and like you I've had a few decent stereo's over the years, first one in 1987 actually! I had car subs before they were readily available!

The step up from factory speakers to Boston's like you suggest was indeed better, but not by as much as the headunit alone made. I have SL60's squeezed in the passenger doors ( it's tight in the factory plastic mounts ) amd some Pro60's in the front ( with Z60 spacers ) but any 6" metal spacer will do, had to industrial adhesive them in ). Wood spacers would be the ultimate, but getting the height and alignment with the door trim was too much hassle, given I did a custom boot install, and spent forever getting it all in. There is no rattle fron the factory mounts, and my ears tell me it's working fine!!

You're on the right path, and making real world sounding good decisions.

My vote is a headunit next, one with a crossover and sub out, and run the sub like 100-80hz down, mids 100-125hz up. Dynamat the doors a bit, jaycar stuff will do just fine. Pick up a used Alpine, Panasonic etc on fleabay, all you really need is cross and sub out / control

[85turbo]

thanks for the tips.

but, as i have just spent 540 pounds on an RCD510, ill be keeping it for the foreseeable future.
i just liked the fact that it's a VW unit, and blends in with the dash, and i keep my existing steering wheel controls.

i understand what your saying about factory speakers, and good power though.
my last car (a Toyota soarer) i did an upgrade that consisted of just changing the head unit. the sound improvement was amazing.

the factory amp (it had an amp in the boot, 2 actually one for the front and rear and another for the factory sub)
in the soarer was supposedly rated at 4x45 (but it was 20 years old) the new head unit (A JVC KW AVX810) was rated at 4x50
and sounded like i had changed all the speakers too.

good clean power is the key to a good sounding system. imho.

Jason.