Car audio upgrade

[Mishy]

Hey guys,


This is my first post, so forgive me if I've out it in the wrong place. Also, forgive my ignorance when it comes to car terms and technology.


I'm looking at upgrading the audio in my car (05 2.0L TDI). My current setup is the stock standard RCD300 with 10 speaker setup. I love the quality of the standard system, but I think there's a lot of room for improvement. I've also got a JL amp XD200/2 and a Cadence FXB12C. I'm looking at getting a sound processor and/or a crossover (I don't know if they're the same thing). I also need a volume switch for my sub (some songs at the moment are far too loud with the bass, and it sounds crap).


Any thoughts?


Cheers

[jazd]

You will probably find you only have 8 speakers. There are spots for 10 but I think only the GTI actually has 10.

Crossovers split the full range signal coming to one door into different frequency ranges for each speaker. So its different to a sound processor. I wouldn't bother with a sound processor personally unless you are going to be spending a lot on your sound system.

If you are getting a new head unit then it should have separate preouts for your L/R channels and for your sub. You should be able to adjust the volume of the sub from the head unit.

[Mishy]

Would the RCD510 be a decent enough HU? Or should I try and go for something else? I'm happy to spend a few bob, provided I see the results. Currently the issue that I have is that at loud levels the speakers get distorted, and I want to stop that from happening without having to replace them. How much do you think I would spend on these sort of upgrades?

[99_FGT]

RCD is a decent HU in terms of functionality, but from what you are describing you want more control over the sound. You would also need to upgrade the CANBUS gateway to install an RCD510.
A decent aftermarket HU will enable you to install a low-pass on the sub, and as such will push the low frequencies to your sub rather than the door speakers.
To install a HU you will need a Canbus converter, a dash fascia kit and - if you want it - a steering wheel interface (what buttons do you have on the steering wheel?)
There is a lot of info in the Car Audio thread as well.

[jazd]

So have you already got the 2 channel JL amp and the sub installed? How have you wired it?

It sounds like the first thing you need to do is upgrade the speakers in the front, if you are pushing 100W to the stock speakers in each door then yes they will distort. There is no way around this.

[DkN]

To install a HU you will need a Canbus converter, a dash fascia kit and - if you want it - a steering wheel interface (what buttons do you have on the steering wheel?)
There is a lot of info in the Car Audio thread as well.

Only if you go for the generic Alpine, Pioneer etc units

[Mishy]

Ya, 2 channel amp and a sub. The other channel on the amp isn't being used; should I put anything on it? What would you suggest to replace the front speakers with? Would getting a high pass filter help, and are there any head units that come with HPF and LPF inbuilt?

[Mishy]

RCD is a decent HU in terms of functionality, but from what you are describing you want more control over the sound. You would also need to upgrade the CANBUS gateway to install an RCD510.
A decent aftermarket HU will enable you to install a low-pass on the sub, and as such will push the low frequencies to your sub rather than the door speakers.
To install a HU you will need a Canbus converter, a dash fascia kit and - if you want it - a steering wheel interface (what buttons do you have on the steering wheel?)
There is a lot of info in the Car Audio thread as well.

Hey man,


I have volume up and down, mute (the star) and answer call (which doesn't work with my bluetooth =/). I'd like to retain functionality of those buttons. Any thoughts on sort of a HU would you suggest? dkN said get Alpine or Pioneeer, are they the only ones that'll really do the job and let me retain steering wheel functions (with CANBUS)?

[jazd]

Ya, 2 channel amp and a sub. The other channel on the amp isn't being used; should I put anything on it? What would you suggest to replace the front speakers with? Would getting a high pass filter help, and are there any head units that come with HPF and LPF inbuilt?

Eh? You are running the sub off only one channel of the amp? You sure its not bridged?
Most decent head units will have multiple pre-outs with inbuilt HPF/LPF, the other option is amps with HPF/LPF built in.

dkN said get Alpine or Pioneeer, are they the only ones that'll really do the job and let me retain steering wheel functions (with CANBUS)?

I think you will find he said quite the opposite. He sells direct drop in replacement head units.
If you get a generic head unit you have to buy a facia kit and the adapter for the steering wheel controls.

[DkN]

Hey man,


I have volume up and down, mute (the star) and answer call (which doesn't work with my bluetooth =/). I'd like to retain functionality of those buttons. Any thoughts on sort of a HU would you suggest? dkN said get Alpine or Pioneeer, are they the only ones that'll really do the job and let me retain steering wheel functions (with CANBUS)?

As jazd said, Alpine Pioneer etc are generic fit units that do not retain any steering wheel controls unless you buy their $2k+ CAN-Bus specific models.

The ANS series unit I offer is direct plug and play and retains all CAN-Bus functions and can show info on the MFD and also door open status on screen etc. There is a separate sub pre-out from the back as well as proper line-level outputs for amp and speakers. There are also HPF and LPF capabilities in the equaliser but they have not yet been written into the software.

[Mishy]

The ANS series unit I offer is direct plug and play and retains all CAN-Bus functions and can show info on the MFD and also door open status on screen etc. There is a separate sub pre-out from the back as well as proper line-level outputs for amp and speakers. There are also HPF and LPF capabilities in the equaliser but they have not yet been written into the software.

How much would one of your HU cost? When do you think the HPF and LPF will be written in?


p.s. Jealous of your ride

[Mishy]

Eh? You are running the sub off only one channel of the amp? You sure its not bridged?
Most decent head units will have multiple pre-outs with inbuilt HPF/LPF, the other option is amps with HPF/LPF built in.

I don't know exactly how it's wired. I got someone from JB-HI-FI to wire it . I'll take a picture and upload it soon. I looked on the JL audio website, and they say that my amp has lots of filters and switches on it, mine doesn't though.

[DkN]

How much would one of your HU cost? When do you think the HPF and LPF will be written in?

All the info you need is in my thread linked in my signature. wrt HPF and LPF it's because the current ASP screen does not have enough room to fit them in, so it depends on when the technicians will get to re-arranging it. That's not to say the sound quality now is in any way inferior though, most people agree that the way it is the sound is already much better than the RCD-510.

p.s. Jealous of your ride

Thanks mate, was an effort to get to where it is now that's for sure.

[99_FGT]

As jazd said, Alpine Pioneer etc are generic fit units that do not retain any steering wheel controls unless you buy their $2k+ CAN-Bus specific models.

Actually, I had that functionality of retaining the steering wheel controls with an Alpine $500 2-din unit and a connects2 canbus unit and SWI, pretty sure they can already do that with any of the "steering wheel remote ready" units and a connects2 or similar SWI, you don't need to go the $2k+ units to get this.

The ANS series unit I offer is direct plug and play and retains all CAN-Bus functions and can show info on the MFD and also door open status on screen etc. There is a separate sub pre-out from the back as well as proper line-level outputs for amp and speakers. There are also HPF and LPF capabilities in the equaliser but they have not yet been written into the software.

The ANS units are a nice piece of kit for the $$, and given you will need a gateway upgrade might be a better option than an RCD510 (as you shouldn't need this with the ANS - right DkN?).
But note that the HPF functionality - to stop the distortion you are talking about - is not available YET. You will also not get any MFD functionality from the ANS units as your car only has a half height MFD. They do come with Bluetooth built in though...
If you are chasing more control over the sound, you will need to spend $$ on aftermarket, as I don't think that any of the factory options will give you that control.
Al..

[DkN]

Correct you don't need CAN gateway upgrades.

I did forget about the connects2 modules but those are 3rd party add-ons, I'm not sure how much they cost. I meant Alpine, Pioneer etc themselves don't offer CAN-Bus integration unless you buy the $2k+ models, and at that price range you would go OEM or Zenec.

As far as I'm aware though connects2 modules or similar only retain steering wheel controls and don't offer any further CAN-Bus integration. If you have a half screen MFD though the benefits of further CAN-Bus integration is limited.

I'm actually uncertain if HPF and LPF are already built-in - it's just that the equaliser adjustment of HPF and LPF are not there yet because there's no room in the current design of the ASP control screen. I should get further clarification on that...

Don't forget the sat nav bonus the map will be better, more up to date and more flexible than VW OEM, and Alpine and Pioneer well there won't be any comparison.