HELIX Soundbox (Like) Upgrade Option for Golf TSI.

[o_a_ravi]

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.

 

[beardedGTI]

Soundbox will work without the sub connected but I don't think you'd get very optimal sound out of it. I'd look for used MS-8 to accomplish what you want. I say used just because they don't make them anymore.

 

[o_a_ravi]

Soundbox will work without the sub connected but I don't think you'd get very optimal sound out of it. I'd look for used MS-8 to accomplish what you want. I say used just because they don't make them anymore.

Thanks, have you tried these before ? How is the improvement. Seems to be quite expensive even used ones...

 

[erichtn]

For what it's worth, I have the Helix sub installed in my Sportwagen and the space saver spare fits in the wheel well on top of it. That approach might save you a lot of hassle.

 

[o_a_ravi]

For what it's worth, I have the Helix sub installed in my Sportwagen and the space saver spare fits in the wheel well on top of it. That approach might save you a lot of hassle.

[emoji106] seems like good idea

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[snobrdrdan]

For what it's worth, I have the Helix sub installed in my Sportwagen and the space saver spare fits in the wheel well on top of it. That approach might save you a lot of hassle.

Pic of this?
I just installed the Helix and I was thinking of doing this too (in my Passat).
Do you have anything holding the spare down, btw?

 

[erichtn]

Per snobrdrdan's request, here are some photos:

1. Helix sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/10y62v15q1cdawy/IMG_1332.jpg?dl=0
(Sorry for the glare.)

2. Spare tire on top of the sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ll5x98ehj1ww22x/IMG_1333.jpg

3. Trunk floor in place with both sub and spare in wheel well: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3s0xhdpsonaybw4/IMG_1334.jpg

4. Cargo space: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gf5k4yvly27oein/IMG_1335.jpg

I bought a tie-down cargo strap this morning and will secure the tire this afternoon. There are two anchor points toward the back of the car, but I need to find the others.

Hope this helps.

 

[o_a_ravi]

Per snobrdrdan's request, here are some photos:

1. Helix sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/10y62v15q1cdawy/IMG_1332.jpg?dl=0
(Sorry for the glare.)

2. Spare tire on top of the sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ll5x98ehj1ww22x/IMG_1333.jpg

3. Trunk floor in place with both sub and spare in wheel well: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3s0xhdpsonaybw4/IMG_1334.jpg

4. Cargo space: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gf5k4yvly27oein/IMG_1335.jpg

I bought a tie-down cargo strap this morning and will secure the tire this afternoon. There are two anchor points toward the back of the car, but I need to find the others.

Hope this helps.

Very Neat setup. Thanks for sharing the pics., for the space saver spare tires, did you buy it online/used ? Any chance you can share the part number ?

Thanks,
Ravi.

 

[erichtn]

The space saver spare came with my car (17 Golf Sportwagen 4Motion). I'm afraid I don't know the part number, but I'd imagine any dealership should.

 

[snobrdrdan]

Per snobrdrdan's request, here are some photos:

1. Helix sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/10y62v15q1cdawy/IMG_1332.jpg?dl=0
(Sorry for the glare.)

2. Spare tire on top of the sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ll5x98ehj1ww22x/IMG_1333.jpg

3. Trunk floor in place with both sub and spare in wheel well: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3s0xhdpsonaybw4/IMG_1334.jpg

4. Cargo space: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gf5k4yvly27oein/IMG_1335.jpg

I bought a tie-down cargo strap this morning and will secure the tire this afternoon. There are two anchor points toward the back of the car, but I need to find the others.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the pics!
I read that wrong though, lol

I thought you put the Helix on top of the spare tire. That's the setup I'm working on right now and gonna do.

I'll check in once I get the new part I'm gonna try.

 

[ReadTheBook]

Highly recommend SoundSkins Pro for sound deadening. It's a 3 layer system, Butyl/Foil/Closed Cell Foam, all in one.

Sold by the roll for about $75-85 per roll. Myself, and a few others here on the forum have done their car with this stuff and it's very nice. My car took 3 rolls for the trunk/hatch, all 4 doors (inner and outer skins), and a few pieces placed under the rear passenger seat. I have enough left over to put an 8"x14" piece on each of the rear wheel wells too. Just haven't gotten around to it.

 

[Doman]

I put the helix on top on my spare on my Gti, but removed the legs for a better fit.

 

[ReadTheBook]

I put the helix on top on my spare on my Gti, but removed the legs for a better fit.

I was doing that and decided I wanted the space back. So I got one of these after reading reviews. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DZFZPG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[o_a_ravi]

Highly recommend SoundSkins Pro for sound deadening. It's a 3 layer system, Butyl/Foil/Closed Cell Foam, all in one.

Sold by the roll for about $75-85 per roll. Myself, and a few others here on the forum have done their car with this stuff and it's very nice. My car took 3 rolls for the trunk/hatch, all 4 doors (inner and outer skins), and a few pieces placed under the rear passenger seat. I have enough left over to put an 8"x14" piece on each of the rear wheel wells too. Just haven't gotten around to it.

I am planning to do mine and already sourced the materials., I had good results doing a 2013 Passat TDI.

But for the Golf TSI, I do not want to add too much weight as well and would like to keep it minimum and cover the main spots.

I am thing of doing the following -

- 4 Doors, with including the area behind the speakers.
- Front & Rear Wheel well area
- Spare tire Area
- Under the rear Seats.

Any thoughts / Suggestions ?

Thanks,
Ravi.

 

[snobrdrdan]

Per snobrdrdan's request, here are some photos:

1. Helix sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/10y62v15q1cdawy/IMG_1332.jpg?dl=0
(Sorry for the glare.)

2. Spare tire on top of the sub: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ll5x98ehj1ww22x/IMG_1333.jpg

3. Trunk floor in place with both sub and spare in wheel well: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3s0xhdpsonaybw4/IMG_1334.jpg

4. Cargo space: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gf5k4yvly27oein/IMG_1335.jpg

I bought a tie-down cargo strap this morning and will secure the tire this afternoon. There are two anchor points toward the back of the car, but I need to find the others.

Hope this helps.

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)

I put the spare in, used the OEM nut on the longer "bolt" to hold the spare down, then put the Helix box on top, and then used the 2nd nut to hold the Helix in place on top of that.

The spare is heavier than the box, so you'd want that weight lower in the car ideally (to keep the center of gravity lower).
And that way everything is locked down properly/not moving at all. Adding the 2nd nut (holding the spare down), stabilized the "bolt" better too.

Untitled by Dan W, on Flickr

Untitled by Dan W, on Flickr

I don't know how long the OEM "bolt" was on your Wagon, but the one I bought was 7.5" long (end to end) and about 3.5" taller than my OEM one

OEM on left:
Untitled by Dan W, on Flickr

Untitled by Dan W, on Flickr

To accomplish this:
Untitled by Dan W, on Flickr


There's also a longer 8.5" version of the bolt, but my dealer had to get it from Canada and not as easily available as the parts above and more money. The threads were a different pitch from OEM too...so you'd have to buy two of them (to have two nuts).
What I posted above was the easier & cheaper solution, IMO