B6 R36 Passat - Dynaudio Retrofit

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Does one have to remove the passengers seat to fit the amp?

The amp install was the easiest part and only took ~15 mins (I'm not that mechanical either).

I didn't have to remove the seat. Just slide it all the way back and up (lift the front of the bottom cushion - ie. tilt it back).



Remove the radio fuse - it was f19 on my R36 (back-right corner of the engine bay)



Then you remove the amp cover and unscrew the two bolts. Each have a 10mm socket and Torx screw option - my T30 bit seemed loose, so used the socket. There are only two bolts at the front, I originally thought there were four (two front + two back) based on the amp.

You can then slide the amp out and with a little gentle manipulation access the plugs. There are clips on the top and bottom of each plug that need to be lifted while gently levering the plug out - a little fiddly, but possible.



Once you remove the amp, there will probably be a bunch of fossilized french fries, dust kitties and hopefully money under there. I was lucky and found a dollar to go towards the subwoofer fund =) ..



The Dynaudio plugs are facing the opposite direction. Turn the amp upside down, plug it in, gently turn it back over (be very careful while twisting the wiring around) and manipulate it into place. Slide it back in, do up the bolts and replace the plastic cover.



Finally, replace the fuse and turn on your head unit to ensure it all works ok and you get sound. Just be careful not to turn it up past ~60% or you may eject the Blaupunkt cones out of their baskets - my bass starting making 'blarp!' noises at that volume.

Is there much real estate under there? Do you reckon I'd be able to fit the TV tuner under there as well?

TV Tuner? Sounds interesting =) .. another mod for the TODO list.

There should be enough room behind the amp, but you may need to remove the seat for that one. Try sliding it all the way forward/up and see what the access is like.

I've seen the Dynaudio stickers/labels on eBay somewhere I think... bugger changing the grills!

Really? Sounds good enough. Do you know where I can find these (I'll start searching)?

[booba]

yeah mate, i have vcds in brisbane at moorooka. i have dynaudioin the b7 . Let me know if you need a hand with the cable.

[booba]

I was a bit disappointed when the grills in the b7 didn't have dynaudio like some previous generation cars. I want this but don't want to bother doing the whole plastic melt thing. i will be taking door cards off soonish for door warning light mod.

Yeah, it'd be good to catch up sometime to do a side-by-side comparison (use same track, tone settings etc).


BTW - does anyone have access to VCDS in Brisbane? The next step is to code the RNS-510 to use the Dynaudio setting.
Not sure if I'm going to replace the speaker grills. They are available online from China, but are melted into the door panels and will require some surgery to replace =S

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yeah mate, i have vcds in brisbane at moorooka. i have dynaudioin the b7 . Let me know if you need a hand with the cable.

Thanks! YGM

I was a bit disappointed when the grills in the b7 didn't have dynaudio like some previous generation cars. I want this but don't want to bother doing the whole plastic melt thing. i will be taking door cards off soonish for door warning light mod.

Really, the B7 doesn't have the grills? interesting..

What is the warning light mod and how does it work? (I just can't help myself, must be made to haqq with things).

[R36VW]

The amp install was the easiest part and only took ~15 mins (I'm not that mechanical either).

I didn't have to remove the seat. Just slide it all the way back and up (lift the front of the bottom cushion - ie. tilt it back).



Remove the radio fuse - it was f19 on my R36 (back-right corner of the engine bay)



Then you remove the amp cover and unscrew the two bolts. Each have a 10mm socket and Torx screw option - my T30 bit seemed loose, so used the socket. There are only two bolts at the front, I originally thought there were four (two front + two back) based on the amp.

You can then slide the amp out and with a little gentle manipulation access the plugs. There are clips on the top and bottom of each plug that need to be lifted while gently levering the plug out - a little fiddly, but possible.



Once you remove the amp, there will probably be a bunch of fossilized french fries, dust kitties and hopefully money under there. I was lucky and found a dollar to go towards the subwoofer fund =) ..



The Dynaudio plugs are facing the opposite direction. Turn the amp upside down, plug it in, gently turn it back over (be very careful while twisting the wiring around) and manipulate it into place. Slide it back in, do up the bolts and replace the plastic cover.


Finally, replace the fuse and turn on your head unit to ensure it all works ok and you get sound. Just be careful not to turn it up past ~60% or you may eject the Blaupunkt cones out of their baskets - my bass starting making 'blarp!' noises at that volume.




TV Tuner? Where can I get one and how much?

There should be enough room behind the amp, but you may need to remove the seat for that one. Try sliding it all the way forward/up and see what the access is like.



Really? Sounds good enough. Do you know where I can find these (I'll start searching)?

Sounds really great! (excuse the pun!!)
How long did it take to find the bits. I cant imagine wrecks come up too often?
I found some parts stores online that have all the bits but the "H" version amp is the most recent one available.
Your amp was a "K" out of an Aussie car wasn't it?

Let me know if you haven't found anyone with a Vag-Com setup up there. I have the cable (when find it!) but i'm in Sydney.

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I've started a Howto Guide over in the VW Car Audio and Electronics section for anyone who needs info on the install. I'll be building this up as I get time to post the pics/instructions.

Also, if you're in the Brisbane area and need help with your install, drop me a PM (no promises).

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Sounds really great! (excuse the pun!!)
How long did it take to find the bits. I cant imagine wrecks come up too often?
I found some parts stores online that have all the bits but the "H" version amp is the most recent one available.
Your amp was a "K" out of an Aussie car wasn't it?

Let me know if you haven't found anyone with a Vag-Com setup up there. I have the cable (when find it!) but i'm in Sydney.

Right - it was a 'K' version (Australian car).

It took me a couple of months to find the parts. I had actually emailed the wreckers (via eBay) around a month ago, but they didn't want to split the door trims up at that time - I asked again around a week ago and they had changed their mind

ebay.de seem to have a lot more Dynaudio listings - regardless of the site, make sure to select 'Worldwide' (or 'Weltweit' ) in your search. If German is a difficult language, a lot of the German listing show up on ebay.co.uk (once again, select 'Worldwide').

I was also looking into using speakers from an Eos (also 10-speaker, 600W 'Confidence' system) - more abundant and cheaper. I'm still researching this and it seems at this stage that the 7" bass drivers are the same (both have 'T85770' on them, which I presume to be the Dynaudio part#). The 5.75" rear bass drivers also appear to be the same, though I'm still trying to find a clear photo of the labels to confirm this. The tweeters have different numbers but appear to be the same size/impedance - may just be the different frames that justify a separate number. Either way, you would need to do some surgery to get the Eos speakers into the Passat frames, but it does provide opportunity to build better (custom) baffles etc.

The 'Confidence' system is shared across Eos, Passat, Passat CC, Touareg and Multivan models, though the VW part numbers and housings definitely differ. The Passat system at least is supposed to be specifically tuned for that model, which I would expect to be done in the DSP (where tuning is usually done) and not the speakers (?? somehow).

Also, JKU.com.au (Sunshine Coast Qld) can source the system and fit it for you. The price I was quoted for the parts was higher, yet quite comparable to the price I ended up paying. I was also told it would arrive within 10-15 days.

[Timlin]

I changed my car door lights to all LEDs awhile back, all white and VERY bright. Since then I've seen other versions that are RED on the vertical face and white underneath, which is exactly what I originally wanted.

See: Bold-Sport.com :: Search - Door Warning Lights

I got the two front doors to work, but we can't get the rear door ones to work. Tried various codes etc on the VAGCOM thing, but no joy. It remains a work in progress!

The TV tuner sounds very cool too. Someone advised be that it may fit on the "lid" of the glove box. It'd make the opening system a bit heavier, but it would be kinda cool to have TV as well as DVD facilities - plus the new RNS510 I just bought has "video-in-motion" too, so the kids can watch TV on trips etc. But, it is $1k or so including installation, so, its on the list, but aways down!

I'll let you know how I go...

Rgd's


AT

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Here's a set of the woofers that showed up on ebay (missing tweeters and amp): 06 08 VW Passat Dynaudio Speackers Subwoofers Woofers | eBay

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The unit has now been coded via VCDS and the splash screen now has the Dynaudio symbol. I met up with booba this morning who did the coding for me - nice guy.

Still considering the labels on the doors... Melting the panels isn't too appealing, but there are a lot of Dynaudio panel options on ebay.de: starting at EUR 59 and up to EUR 180 for one with a roller-blind build in.. just search for "Türverkleidung".

The only problem is that European cars are Left-Hand Drive (LHD), so the driver/passenger panels aren't compatible - unless maybe I can get a UK version =/ (ebay.co.uk it is)

[nermal]

The guide is now complete: http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ide-96586.html

Please remember that all amplifiers may not be compatible - there's been an issue reported with a different plug/harness on the standard system (MY09 Wagon, Blaupunkt Amp)..

[Timlin]

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I'm still waiting on a spare chance to pull my OEM amp out again so I can get you the part numbers... This weekend for sure!


Rgd's


AT

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I'm still waiting on a spare chance to pull my OEM amp out again so I can get you the part numbers... This weekend for sure!

No problem =) - hopefully we can find a solution for you.

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FWIW - I've started the custom subwooffa box. Want to install a Dynaudio Esotar2 1200, so I need every square mm I can find.

It's been pretty painful, but I think the hardest part is just about complete - a little carbon fiber reinforcing and it should be ready to come out of the mold (no more hours in the boot for me!)

I think this is one job that is better to pay the extra $$$ and leave to the experts. I think I've logged around 8-9 hours so far and have sore back and sides =S (So far a good learning exercise and just a little fun at least)

Will post a pic shortly

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A little carbon fiber and the base should be ready for lifting out of the mold and can be completed (mostly) outside of the car.