Confused! Speaker change or more?!

[GE90]

Hi

I would like to generally improve the audio in my VW Golf MK8 Clubsport.

I’ve been looking at plug and play where possible, and thought I’d try Focal front and possibly also rear speaker upgrades. Then someone suggested that I’d need an amp to run them, despite being direct replacements! So Fical do a nice little amp I can hide under the lower dash.

Then it’s been suggested that the output from the standard unit is poor, and that to see any improvement I should keep the speakers and instead go for a wheel well sub with a DSP/amp test would need to be tuned to my car.

Any thoughts appreciated. Not looking for a massive upgrade, but don’t want to waste my money on just speakers if they are not going to function well!

Cheers

[TEKNOPUG]

Have you got the HK system or the 6 speaker standard VW system?

[GE90]

Just the standard setup, not HK I’m afraid.

[TEKNOPUG]

How much do you want to spend and do you care about rear passengers?

[GE90]

Rear passengers not too much. Less that £1k I’d say.

Thanks.

[TEKNOPUG]

Can you fit it yourself or will you need to pay someone to do it?

[GE90]

Thanks - I'd have a go myself, but couldn't tune a DSP if that is decided better than direct Focal speaker upgrades.

[defblade]

GE90 said:

Thanks - I'd have a go myself, but couldn't tune a DSP if that is decided better than direct Focal speaker upgrades.

You really could - or to put it another way, if I can, you can!

Laptop with microphone, a Real Time Analysis program and a USB cable to your DSP. You play a pink noise track (likely included with your DSP) through the HU and the RTA shows you where there are peaks and holes. Your DSP will be showing as a software graphic equaliser, and you can move the sliders up and down while seeing the changes on the RTA as you do it.
I aim for as flat a curve as possible (you can then play with the sound settings from the HU if you want to, day-to-day). It's more about flattening the peaks than it is trying to boost the valleys.
Then "save settings" and forget about it... until the next upgrade

[TEKNOPUG]

https://caraudiodirect.co.uk/products/alpine-pwd-x...

Buy some nice comps upfront, plenty of sound deadening for the doors. Don't bother with the rears. Comfortably less than a grand.

[MattsCar]

TEKNOPUG said:

https://caraudiodirect.co.uk/products/alpine-pwd-x...

Buy some nice comps upfront, plenty of sound deadening for the doors. Don't bother with the rears. Comfortably less than a grand.

I think there would be much disappointment in the overall sound with only 4x25wrms going to the main speakers (or just 2x25w going to the main speakers if only running front components) and the bass from an under seat subwoofer that isn't going to cover all of the sub range with any real authority.

[TEKNOPUG]

MattsCar said:

TEKNOPUG said:

https://caraudiodirect.co.uk/products/alpine-pwd-x...

Buy some nice comps upfront, plenty of sound deadening for the doors. Don't bother with the rears. Comfortably less than a grand.

I think there would be much disappointment in the overall sound with only 4x25wrms going to the main speakers (or just 2x25w going to the main speakers if only running front components) and the bass from an under seat subwoofer that isn't going to cover all of the sub range with any real authority.

True. But you get time alignment, DSP and a sub. Gotta be better than just replacing the stock speakers and amp. Depends how loud you want to go.

Personally I'd always advocate comps and a sub but you need a DSP to make it sing. A grand is a stretch but not impossible if you buy second hand.

[GE90]

Thanks everyone.

By way of an update, I fitted Focal 2 x tweeters and 4 x door speakers. No amp, DSP or sub yet. Really surprised at the difference just this has made! Wasn’t expecting much, but I’m really pleased.

[drcarlos]

GE90 said:

Thanks everyone.

By way of an update, I fitted Focal 2 x tweeters and 4 x door speakers. No amp, DSP or sub yet. Really surprised at the difference just this has made! Wasn’t expecting much, but I’m really pleased.

Everyone under estimates the utter stness of standard speakers. Every single one I have ever removed has been appalling quality with Subaru ones possibly the worst, the jump in quality with even just a set of £50 Vibes (like I added to my wifes van) is amazing. I have focal component fronts in my L200, Bassface co-ax rears and the jump was massive, when I added a small 4 channel Kenwood amp again the difference was big with much more power and control. I also spent a bit of time adding some dampening material (roof flashing is a good ghetto alternative to dynamat and a roll is £15) to the doors which helped some more.
Incremental upgrades will be the way to go as you'll probably reach the sweet spot for you before you get to the adding a big sub and huge amp part, don't under estimate the rear door speakers, you may not hear the highs directly but a decent set of co-ax's in there can add enough bass to not need a sub and as bass is largely non-directional they won't detract from the front soundstage you want to focus on.

[TEKNOPUG]

If you want.rear speakers for bass, don't get co-axials. Just get the biggest midwoofer that will fit.

[GE90]

I should have closed this off with an update, sorry!

I recently fitted the straight swap Focal front speakers, tweeters and rear speakers. This has provided a reasonable improvement, probably in line with expectations. I now have a reasonably good base to add to should funds/time permit!

Thanks.