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HELIX Soundbox (Like) Upgrade Option for Golf TSI.

G

gopi_rm

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Germany
snobrdrdan said:
No on the tab above...the wires are in there, but that just locks/secure them in the harness.

It wouldn't hurt to throw it in there though, IMO.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. As of now I pulled the complete cable harness to the rear so there is no play at the front and I cannot remove the radio unit from glovebox.

I will try to push the harness to the front to remove the radio and insert this clip inside the power socket.
 
B

Bakili

Ready to race!
Location
Uk
I have installed Helix recently in my estate too. Best way to feed wire through is behind seat, lift plastic storage thing and run wire through side where boot floor clips when you lift it. I can take few photos if you want.


Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 
A

adamweld

New member
Location
Seattle
Just ordered a Helix. Anyone know where the best place is to try and find a dongle to borrow/rent from someone? Or a link to an installation guide?

Thanks
 
snobrdrdan

snobrdrdan

former GTI owner
Location
Southeast Michigan
adamweld said:
Just ordered a Helix. Anyone know where the best place is to try and find a dongle to borrow/rent from someone? Or a link to an installation guide?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Threads to rent the dongle:
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28448

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29190

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19829

There are videos on YouTube for the install

Here's the wiring behind the unit in the glove box:


Then just route the harness to the trunk & plug it into the Helix amp
 
A

adamweld

New member
Location
Seattle
Got mine installed last night - the whole process was pretty painless and I'm already very pleased with the sound for a $235 upgrade. Feeding the cable through the glove box was the toughest bit, but I probably could have taken more trim off to get better access. Some very fine needlenose pliers did the job of removing the power terminals; I didn't mess with removing the battery and didn't blow any fuses.

I ended up throwing the Helix on the bottom, facing upwards, with the spare tire on top. I wonder if it would be better to have it facing down?

Has anyone messed with the "gain" dial on the amp?
 
snobrdrdan

snobrdrdan

former GTI owner
Location
Southeast Michigan
adamweld said:
I ended up throwing the Helix on the bottom, facing upwards, with the spare tire on top. I wonder if it would be better to have it facing down?

Has anyone messed with the "gain" dial on the amp?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand what you mean....you want the speakers facing down (closer to the floor)...glossy side up on the box.
You can put the spare on top, or the box on top of the spare....whichever you prefer.

See here:
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31070

And yes, you can adjust the gain on the amp. I think it's (usually) dialed up all the way already from the factory though -- both of my boxes were
 
mech23

mech23

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Central coast
snobrdrdan said:
So, what I did was put the Helix on top of the spare (in my Passat).

I bought a longer OEM "bolt" (is what VW calls it) that holds down the spare tire and then another OEM bolt with the nut. ($13 in parts from the dealer for both).
The longer "bolt" didn't come with a nut, so that's why I had to order another OEM one....to get another nut (can't buy it on it's own)....
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for this! I had the spare held in place above the Helix with a kayak strap, which was fine, but used up cargo space and didn't let the load floor sit level. The OE parts with shipping were $17US and installing took 15 minutes including a quick clean under the spare.

This gets my vote as one of the most useful posts of the year. :D
 
C

Chkine05tdi

New member
Location
Indiana
Another issue is I do not know how to route the cable harness under the rear seat through the additional storage box (golf estate) to the spare wheel well. Please guide me.
Click to expand...
On my Wagen, I routed the harness under the floor. The part right behind the seat will come loose, there is a cover piece on top that snaps loose, and there is a frame piece below that screws into the car with a couple torx screws. I pulled both up and drilled a large hole towards the edge, then cut the remainder out to make a little cave to run the wires through.

http://imgur.com/jyXmQkP

http://imgur.com/qno27hN
 
Last edited:
M

mickR

Ready to race!
Location
Yorkshire. UK
Guys I'm in the UK and have been reading this thread with interest and would like to pass on thanks to all who have contributed.

I have just bought the VW Helix sub (sits in spare wheel well) and have been checking up on wiring before I start fitting to my brand new (2018MY) Golf which has the non nav head unit. I have seen the 2 videos on youtube, but his method seems to contradict in parts with the instructions that came in the box. What method did you use? How many wires did you have to change around?
 
Gawernator

Gawernator

Go Kart Champion
Location
Fremont, CA
o_a_ravi said:
HELIX Soundbox (Like) Upgrade Option for Golf TSI.

Hi,

I own a 2017 Golf TSI Wolfsberg 1.8T., with the base audio system (MQB Infotainment with Car Play, etc). Its not a fender or any upgraded package. The sound is very average or rather below average and looking to upgrade the audio retaining the factory head unit.

My Requirements are -

1. Do not want to replace factory head unit.
​
2. Better than existing audio, not a big fan of heavy bass or boom boxes. So I am good with the mid to high tones improvements. So just need a DSP/Amp setup to drive the existing or new door speakers better.
​
3. Do not want to install additional sub-woofers in the hatch/trunk or inside the spare wheel area sacrificing the Spare tires.
​
With further reading and researching, the options, I have is as follows (Sorted by Price)


  • 1. Just replace front (and may be rear) door speakers with a quality aftermarket 6.5 inch drivers (2 way speakers with built in tweeters). Install some butyl sheets (dynamat) sound proofing behind the speakers. I will be trying this method first and see if i like the improvements.


  • 2. Install a VW HELIX Soundbox kit, Custom fit without the Sub-woofers., the trick here is, we don't know if the DSP/MODULE would work without the Woofer connected by just driving the existing speakers. Also coding it from the dealer or rented dongle is going to be a challenge.
This option seems to be cheaper, with the whole kit running at 250 - 300 USD. (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-volkswagen-audi-parts/subwoofer/000051419/)
​
  • 3. Go with the other options like
Audison Bit Ten and a 4 channel amp
HELIX/MATCH PP50 (which is a DSP/Amp combined) and custom code it.
Not sure if there is a Y adapter available to feed factory output to Amp setup and channel the audio output back to the speaker lines. I do not want to cut/spice the factory wires.
​
Any suggestions/experience will be appreciated.

Again, there may be a similar topic already posted., but the one I require is not similar.
Click to expand...

If you think the Wolfsburg has below average audio you should get in a base Jetta... lmfao
 
A

ATR

Drag Race Newbie
Location
Baltimore
Car(s)
'17 Golf R 6mt
mickR said:
Guys I'm in the UK and have been reading this thread with interest and would like to pass on thanks to all who have contributed.

I have just bought the VW Helix sub (sits in spare wheel well) and have been checking up on wiring before I start fitting to my brand new (2018MY) Golf which has the non nav head unit. I have seen the 2 videos on youtube, but his method seems to contradict in parts with the instructions that came in the box. What method did you use? How many wires did you have to change around?
Click to expand...
Pretty sure that there is a YouTube video on this in the thread...

Edit... I was thinking of another thread.
Here's the how to videos
Part 1: https://youtu.be/mtvFvXa2AaY

Part 2: https://youtu.be/59bKOruoJys
 
G

gopi_rm

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Germany
Chkine05tdi said:
On my Wagen, I routed the harness under the floor. The part right behind the seat will come loose, there is a cover piece on top that snaps loose, and there is a frame piece below that screws into the car with a couple torx screws. I pulled both up and drilled a large hole towards the edge, then cut the remainder out to make a little cave to run the wires through.

http://imgur.com/jyXmQkP

http://imgur.com/qno27hN
Click to expand...

Here are few pics to show how to route the cable under the rear seat in Golf Sportwagen/Estate/Variant.

Link: VWVortex Forum

Thanks Chkine05tdi for your help.
 
K

kave2

New member
Location
Ireland
Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums.

Just bought my Golf Estate(2015). Very happy with it. Anyway, interested in getting the Plug and Play helix sound upgrade. Spoke with my local dealer today, 400€ for sub and around 90€ for installation.

Is it worth it for 500€?
 
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