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Author Topic: VW speaker upgrade kits  (Read 55594 times)

Offline Richn83

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #15 on: March 22, 2011, 09:19:55 am »
Well they are due to be with me today which is impressive since I only hit the buy button yesterday afternoon, hopefully the tools will turn up sharpish as well.  Will take some better pictures of them tonight side profiles and some of the magnets at the base.

If tools turn up in time I am hoping to get the passenger side done thursday or friday evening so will let you have a review once one side is installed  :happy2:

5Dr Black GTI, DSG, Leather, Xenons. Retrofitted - Cruise, RNS 510, MFSW, Armrest, Skoda BT, 6cd changer, Monza II's, VW speaker upgrade kit, Lux pack, High-line, new CAN gateway, Polar FIS info display, R32 tinted rear lights, RVC

To Come...NQSBBK, highline CCM.

Offline alexperkins

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #16 on: March 22, 2011, 09:33:25 am »
Happy days  :happy2:


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Offline Richn83

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #17 on: March 22, 2011, 02:36:40 pm »
Well a big box has just arrived all very tightly wrapped up but from peeping through bubble wrap they look as expected and certainly a good collection of fixings and better quality speaker materials although the magnets aren't the size of aftermarket they look alot better than the standard fitment.  Photo is of the box description and the box is stickered up Votex GmbH will put up some pictures tonight once Ive lugged them home.

5Dr Black GTI, DSG, Leather, Xenons. Retrofitted - Cruise, RNS 510, MFSW, Armrest, Skoda BT, 6cd changer, Monza II's, VW speaker upgrade kit, Lux pack, High-line, new CAN gateway, Polar FIS info display, R32 tinted rear lights, RVC

To Come...NQSBBK, highline CCM.

Offline alexperkins

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #18 on: March 22, 2011, 02:51:11 pm »
Interesting indeed  :party:


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Offline calculon

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #19 on: March 22, 2011, 07:31:44 pm »
I'm also curious to your findings :-)


Offline Richn83

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #20 on: March 22, 2011, 09:16:36 pm »
Well I have unpackaged the speakers and I am still happy with my decision although one of the mid range speakers has marginal damage to the dust cover as well as the tweeter however for the money Im not going to complain!

Visually they look well put together and the woofer has some decent weight to it and a good range of movement on the cone, the woofer plastic housing is also formed as the outer shell of the speaker and the base of this has foam padding to cushion between the plastic and the metal of the door ensuring a tight and cushioned fit.




The Mid range speakers have the  same polypropolene plastic cone and have a sturdy ABS plastic shell not much more to say about these without an original speaker to compare.




This set also includes a new cross-over this one isn't branded Phillips as the one already in the door but has the exact same shape, as this is the only thing not pictured in the other speaker sets I can only assume these are the items that make up the additional wiring kit mentioned earlier!  :confused:


The tweeters appear to be well put together and have a suprising weight for there size and what looks to be an in-line noise supressor or frequency filter, the kit includes double sided foam pad for the fitment of these into the original position.


I also tried to use the hoover technik mentioned by Creatz to rectify the slight crushed tweeter either my hoover isnt powerful enough or the aluminium cone wont reform easily either way I will install and see if the damage interferes with the sound, if not since each item has its own item number I assume I can simply order a new tweeter unit on its own!


The kit also includes a full fitting kit including dlind rivets for the woofer screws and backing plates for the mid range and foam pad for the tweeter as well as a comprehensive fitting instruction manual.


All in all pretty impressed just hope they sound as I expect.  Not full aftermarket install but an improved sound quality and sound range especially at the lower end of the frequency reproduction, the frequency range posted on the box certainly suggests they can handle a sound range equivalent to hertz 3 way components even if the power is lower.

Provided all the tools arrive in time I will have a crack at the left side on Thursday and provide some audible feedback and a visual comparison to the original fit once one side is removed.

5Dr Black GTI, DSG, Leather, Xenons. Retrofitted - Cruise, RNS 510, MFSW, Armrest, Skoda BT, 6cd changer, Monza II's, VW speaker upgrade kit, Lux pack, High-line, new CAN gateway, Polar FIS info display, R32 tinted rear lights, RVC

To Come...NQSBBK, highline CCM.

Offline james

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #21 on: March 23, 2011, 06:14:14 pm »
cool i might get this speaker upgrade, seems bloody cheap!

Offline Richn83

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2011, 10:41:18 pm »
Right well after a long day at work I decided to take on the task of replacing the speakers! And it was a mission.  :sad1:  It all would have been alot easier but the rivets didnt come out cleanly and I was left with 6 rivet nubs which wouldnt come out without a lot of persuasion with some pliers crimper tool and a hammer  :scared:

Well now its done I think it has definitely been worth while as the sound is improved especially the bass but also the clarity of the mid and tweeter is much better I now have to spend at least the weekend with different quality speaker on both side of the car until I have the chance to change over the other side!  :ashamed:

some comparison pics, I tried a video but the mic on my camera wasnt able to deal with the volume.


The old mid range and woofer were both 4ohm speakers the new is 8ohm this increase reduces the load on the RNS amplifier.




Old and new tweeter both 4ohm
new midrange side

old midrange side

I will try and get a better sound comparison tomorrow by covering the mic but without decent kit I dont think it will really translate well but my own humble opinion is its going to be a worthwhile upgrade, even if not the most simple due to the use of rivets!  But if your taking the door cards off for other reasons like me (fitting new door control modules and folding mirrors) then its a good time to switch your speakers out  :happy2:

Also forgot to mention that it will also add some subtle extra eye candy for those with eagle eyes....

you can see the silver cones through the grills!  :pomppomp:
« Last Edit: March 24, 2011, 10:44:04 pm by Richn83 »

5Dr Black GTI, DSG, Leather, Xenons. Retrofitted - Cruise, RNS 510, MFSW, Armrest, Skoda BT, 6cd changer, Monza II's, VW speaker upgrade kit, Lux pack, High-line, new CAN gateway, Polar FIS info display, R32 tinted rear lights, RVC

To Come...NQSBBK, highline CCM.

Offline Deedub

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #23 on: March 25, 2011, 06:38:56 pm »
i really like my audio but i think i need to replace this piece of crap RCD500, the 6 disc changer is nice but it sounds abit flat at the moment.

This does look like a good option for a quick speaker upgrade. I assume the connections are the same?

Offline Redev

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #24 on: March 27, 2011, 08:35:14 am »
Richn83 were you able to fit the remaining speakers? Very interested to hear how it went and what the sound comparison/improvement is like.

Good work so far!  :happy2:


Black GTI, DSG, Cruise control, MFD2,  Leather, MFSW with paddles, Parrot kit, Xenons, CD Changer, Armrest, Come home lighting/puddle lights, mod list in glovebox waiting for some cash and sunny weather....

Offline alexperkins

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #25 on: March 27, 2011, 08:36:21 am »
So is the verdict thats its worth doing?  :happy2:


VCDS Scanning/Coding, RNS and MDI retrofits, and specialist mechanics services with VAGtek available - Just PM me for details.

Offline Richn83

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #26 on: March 27, 2011, 06:51:48 pm »
The remaining speakers will be waiting until after next saturday when I pick up a new wing mirror housing and folding mirror switch up, dont want to have to take the door to pieces twice.   :chicken:

Im definitely happy with the sound benefit over the original speakers clearer and better sounding bass.  and at the moment I have the ability to do a side by side comparison im just not able to record the comparison for you guys as my camera microphone cant cope with a reasonable volume.

For £80 its worthwhile the difference in quality is clear from the pics and the added bonus the impedance is greater meaning the RNS amp doesnt have to work so hard.  I will update again once I have done the other side.  :happy2:

5Dr Black GTI, DSG, Leather, Xenons. Retrofitted - Cruise, RNS 510, MFSW, Armrest, Skoda BT, 6cd changer, Monza II's, VW speaker upgrade kit, Lux pack, High-line, new CAN gateway, Polar FIS info display, R32 tinted rear lights, RVC

To Come...NQSBBK, highline CCM.

Offline alexperkins

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #27 on: March 27, 2011, 06:54:19 pm »
Can you Pm me the part number from the crossover rich...need to check it against ETKA


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Offline Richn83

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #28 on: March 27, 2011, 10:14:37 pm »
you should have all the part numbers now Alex.

Video of the speakers in action, difference in sound output is clearly obvious and a fitting tune given the start of the season today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qny8RsRXkQZ2Ov0oasj4og?feat=directlink

5Dr Black GTI, DSG, Leather, Xenons. Retrofitted - Cruise, RNS 510, MFSW, Armrest, Skoda BT, 6cd changer, Monza II's, VW speaker upgrade kit, Lux pack, High-line, new CAN gateway, Polar FIS info display, R32 tinted rear lights, RVC

To Come...NQSBBK, highline CCM.

Offline GLIDN

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Re: VW speaker upgrade kits
« Reply #29 on: March 28, 2011, 10:53:33 pm »
very nice write up thus far.

Have thought about perhaps installing a little bit of sound deadening and sound absorbing pads while doing the stereo upgrade?
If these two steps can vastly improve on the factory system.