speeding_ant
Go Kart Newbie
- Location
- NZ
I was looking for a bit more bass from the stock MIB2 sound system, but didn't want a visible subwoofer and I didn't want to spend any more than $500 NZD. I would have stretched to the Helix subwoofer, however from what I read it replaced the spare tyre which wasn't acceptable to me. It was difficult to ascertain if anyone had managed to fit a spare tyre subwoofer in the Golf R due to the limited space, so I researched sub dimensions and bit the bullet to try one.
Ended up with a Nakamichi subwoofer, which just fits. It comes with everything but power / speaker cable, and it sounds pretty good. With a bit of fiddling it integrates nicely with the stock system. I am now investigating MIB2 sound profile editing to remove the stock LPF filter, but the current setup still gets deep bass. No rattles, and the spare is still held in securely and can be removed easily.
Learnings / Tips / Annoyances:
Ended up with a Nakamichi subwoofer, which just fits. It comes with everything but power / speaker cable, and it sounds pretty good. With a bit of fiddling it integrates nicely with the stock system. I am now investigating MIB2 sound profile editing to remove the stock LPF filter, but the current setup still gets deep bass. No rattles, and the spare is still held in securely and can be removed easily.
Learnings / Tips / Annoyances:
- The Nakamichi sub doesn't need a remote power trigger, and can deal with high level outputs (as MIB2 doesn't have low level / RCA outputs). Win! It automatically powers down, and there doesn't seem to be any noticeable parasitic battery drain.
- Had to trim down the included threaded rod precisely so it cleared the boot liner, and replaced the included wingnut with a normal nut and larger washer to make it flush with the top of the sub. The sub has rubber on all contact points, and is rattle free and feels solid.
- Running power from the battery wasn't too bad, but there was a bit of swearing. I didn't need to remove the battery in order to pull the cable through the spare grommet, but likely would have made life easier.
- The inline fuse from the battery was annoying. The Mk6 Golf had an available slot in the breakout box, but the mk7 doesn't. Not sure how else to do this, so there's a fused cable coming directly from the battery. If you have any ideas please shout out.
- I found an MIB2 harness extension so I wouldn't have to splice into the factory harness for the speaker high level output, however I learnt there isn't enough space behind the MIB2 unit in order to fit it. So, annoyingly, I crimped and soldered a four core cable for the two front speakers and ran the wires alongside the power down the trim and under the back seats. Wrapped with fabric tape to stop rattles.
- Velcro on the remote and wrapping up the cables stopped any rattles. I ran a remote to the front of my last car and proceeded to never use it. Figured I'd save hassles pulling up another side of the car trim and leave it in the boot.
- Placed a square of felt underneath the boot liner handle, which was the only thing coming in contact with the subwoofer. Without the felt, it would rattle.
