c31561
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Car(s)
- 2017 GTI Sport
Just wanted to share what I am doing with my MK7 stereo. I have a 2017 Sport, which had most everything I want in the GTI: upgraded brakes, limited slip diff, 10hp boost, xenon lights, and the plaid interior, but the standard stereo. I listened to both the standard and the Fender, and I admit the Fender did sound slightly better than the standard, but the SE was not worth the extra cost to me.
Now the base stereo is not that bad compared to some I have had in the past. My biggest grips are simply the lack of equalization ability (only three channels, really?) and some bass. In the grand scheme of things, not a lot. But since I had some leftover equipment, I figured why not do it right? My basic thoughts: To fix the equalization ability add a DSP and a sub to handle the extra bass. Obviously I would need an amp to handle a sub, but since I am adding a DSP, why not go full 3-way active and make use of the 8 available channels?
Here is what I have:
JL FiX82 / TwKD8 DSP
JL XD700x5 & XD200x2 amps
Focal 165KRX2 component speakers (front)
Focal 165KRC coaxial speakers (rear)
JL HO110RG Ported sub
I enjoy my music and I want it clear, that’s why I went with Focal. But I don’t need to shake my teeth out, so a single 10” sub works fine. A stealth sub box would have been nice, but since I stored all the amps in the trunk storage area and I wanted to use the rest of the storage area too (and the spare), I had to compromise. A benefit is that the sub is completely removable if I need the trunk space.
For the output of the factory stereo, the FiX82 really isn’t needed but since I had it laying round, I decided to use it. It takes the speaker outputs from the factory radio, strips out any time delays, combines signals, and outputs a clean, full range signal to the TwK. I use the TwK DSP features to set my crossovers, do all of my equalization, and system tuning. Then the outputs are sent to the amps, then on the speakers. A 3-way active front allows for a lot of customization of my sound.
Attached are a diagram of my layout and my final amp install in the trunk. Still have sound deadening and speaker installs to do and I will get to that in the future. Not a lot to show as far as wiring, it is pretty straight forward if you have ever installed a stereo before. But this Youtube video was great for finding the perfect spot to pull the power through the firewall. At about the 9:34 minute mark he shows the location. Kind of need to be a contortionist to get in there, but what a time saver. The video also shows where to make your radio output tie-in’s.
I ran a couple of calculations based on the ratings of my amps and the length of wire needed to reach from the engine bay to the trunk. Crutchfield has an easy to use formula and chart for those that don't want to get into extreme detail. Based on the power I would be making, I determined I would need between a 6ga or 4ga wire to be able to provide enough current with the system at full load. I went with the 4ga to be on the safe side, which also happens to perfectly fit through the grommet mentioned in the video.
So far all I have done is wire in the amps and connect the factory radio output. It sounds great, even using just the factory speakers. A noticeable improvement in imaging and bass.
Now the base stereo is not that bad compared to some I have had in the past. My biggest grips are simply the lack of equalization ability (only three channels, really?) and some bass. In the grand scheme of things, not a lot. But since I had some leftover equipment, I figured why not do it right? My basic thoughts: To fix the equalization ability add a DSP and a sub to handle the extra bass. Obviously I would need an amp to handle a sub, but since I am adding a DSP, why not go full 3-way active and make use of the 8 available channels?
Here is what I have:
JL FiX82 / TwKD8 DSP
JL XD700x5 & XD200x2 amps
Focal 165KRX2 component speakers (front)
Focal 165KRC coaxial speakers (rear)
JL HO110RG Ported sub
I enjoy my music and I want it clear, that’s why I went with Focal. But I don’t need to shake my teeth out, so a single 10” sub works fine. A stealth sub box would have been nice, but since I stored all the amps in the trunk storage area and I wanted to use the rest of the storage area too (and the spare), I had to compromise. A benefit is that the sub is completely removable if I need the trunk space.
For the output of the factory stereo, the FiX82 really isn’t needed but since I had it laying round, I decided to use it. It takes the speaker outputs from the factory radio, strips out any time delays, combines signals, and outputs a clean, full range signal to the TwK. I use the TwK DSP features to set my crossovers, do all of my equalization, and system tuning. Then the outputs are sent to the amps, then on the speakers. A 3-way active front allows for a lot of customization of my sound.
Attached are a diagram of my layout and my final amp install in the trunk. Still have sound deadening and speaker installs to do and I will get to that in the future. Not a lot to show as far as wiring, it is pretty straight forward if you have ever installed a stereo before. But this Youtube video was great for finding the perfect spot to pull the power through the firewall. At about the 9:34 minute mark he shows the location. Kind of need to be a contortionist to get in there, but what a time saver. The video also shows where to make your radio output tie-in’s.
I ran a couple of calculations based on the ratings of my amps and the length of wire needed to reach from the engine bay to the trunk. Crutchfield has an easy to use formula and chart for those that don't want to get into extreme detail. Based on the power I would be making, I determined I would need between a 6ga or 4ga wire to be able to provide enough current with the system at full load. I went with the 4ga to be on the safe side, which also happens to perfectly fit through the grommet mentioned in the video.
So far all I have done is wire in the amps and connect the factory radio output. It sounds great, even using just the factory speakers. A noticeable improvement in imaging and bass.
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