hygge
New member
- Location
- Central PA
I just purchased a 2019 GTI Rabbit and upgraded the audio with a Helix sub-woofer system. To make a long story short I wasn't too happy with the sound quality before the install and was somewhat disappointed with the sound quality after. It sounds flat, the soundstage seems muffled and at lower volumes (>25%) the bass is barely noticeable. Even when I turn up the volume, I have to set it to 40%+ to achieve any bass but at that point the mids and highs sound harsh.
Since I purchased the car I've only been using Apple Carplay and Spotify (a big selling point for me since I have a long commute to work). Today I decided to try connecting my phone using Bluetooth audio and the sound is night and day. The audio is richer, the mids and bass are fuller even at lower volumes, overall it's just clearer. I was so shocked at the difference I tested the same songs using Spotify confirming that there is a glaring difference in audio quality between Bluetooth and Apple Carplay (with Carplay having the inferior sound). My wife even confirmed the difference and agreed that the Bluetooth audio source is better.
At this point, I'm not sure what to do. I assumed that using a direct USB connection using Apple Carplay would be the superior sound source but that doesn't seem to be the case with my vehicle. (I also tested two aftermarket lighting cables and one Apple cable) Has anyone else run into this problem with their GTI? I found other people who have had similar experiences on other vehicles but none specifically on the GTI. Is this an issue with the 2019 model year?
For a bit more background, I haven't coded the Helix subwoofer yet but I can't imagine that's a factor in this case since I wasn't happy with the Apple CarPlay sound before I installed the Helix.
Since I purchased the car I've only been using Apple Carplay and Spotify (a big selling point for me since I have a long commute to work). Today I decided to try connecting my phone using Bluetooth audio and the sound is night and day. The audio is richer, the mids and bass are fuller even at lower volumes, overall it's just clearer. I was so shocked at the difference I tested the same songs using Spotify confirming that there is a glaring difference in audio quality between Bluetooth and Apple Carplay (with Carplay having the inferior sound). My wife even confirmed the difference and agreed that the Bluetooth audio source is better.
At this point, I'm not sure what to do. I assumed that using a direct USB connection using Apple Carplay would be the superior sound source but that doesn't seem to be the case with my vehicle. (I also tested two aftermarket lighting cables and one Apple cable) Has anyone else run into this problem with their GTI? I found other people who have had similar experiences on other vehicles but none specifically on the GTI. Is this an issue with the 2019 model year?
For a bit more background, I haven't coded the Helix subwoofer yet but I can't imagine that's a factor in this case since I wasn't happy with the Apple CarPlay sound before I installed the Helix.