The situation:
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A VW Golf V6 (-00 model), no head-unit installed, the basic (but a very good; what I've seen myself and heard other people say of them) set of factory Golf speakers installed. Not going to change the pre-installed speakers but actually wishing to use them, buying an amplifier (as the Empeg mk.2 needs one) and also a (boxed) 10" sub-woofer for the trunk. I am not looking forward to getting any other head-unit than the Empeg.

The dilemma:
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What amp and sub would you guys recommend? I know this is a tough question as there are probably thousands of different options. My point is: I want a clear but powerful sound, not anything that sounds like a mangled washing machine. I want the bass sounds cut sharp from the sub so that it will not rumble all frequencies. I am not looking forward to pay too much but on the other hand I'm not trying to get the cheapest possible option.

My thoughts:
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I've been going through some local stores' websites and have found several options. The following 'brands' are available to me and seem to have some fair priced options: Rockford, Ultimate, JBL, Phoenix Gold,..

I must admit I have no real knowledge which of these brands are worth my thoughts, other than the little that I've heard from some of my friends. What would you guys go for?


Currently these sound like a fair choice to pair with the Empeg:

amp - Ultimate UHC 5 4x60W + 1x150W
sub - Ultimate Max dB MAX 10" 2 x 2 Ohm / 225 W

Am I being stupid here? Is this a good brand compared to the others mentioned?


Antti 'Amarth' Luostarinen
#14229 in queue
try BatMUD - telnet bat.org ;)

You didn't say how much you were willing to spend. We could assume "price is no object", but if that were the case, then you'd also replace those crappy (yes, they are) factory speakers with something real. Since you want to keep the factory speakers, I assume you're planning on cutting some corners.

Best thing is to call Crutchfield and work with their people to come out with something satisfactory. They know their stuff and will give you good recommendations. Warning, though: their first recommendation will be to replace the factory speakers.

As far as a subwoofer goes, for about $300.00, I put together a 10-inch Polk DX woofer, in a Q-logic hatchback box, with a very beefy Jensen amp. It sounds fantastic.

When I did that, I already had the other speakers and amplifiers covered. You seem to be looking at a 5-channel amp which is a good starting point because it'll have the simplest installation and least chance for ground loops. 150 watts RMS to the subwoofer should be considered the bare minimum.

Try to get a sealed-box enclosure for your sub, and make sure the woofer can handle sealed operation. Then make sure to match the amplifier output power to the woofer's power range.



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Tony Fabris

I think you are on track with your selections. I wouldn't worry to much about changing those factory speakers if you are adding a subwoofer. I used to have the exact setup in my car (same size and shape as the VW) and it sounded fine. The only people that will tell you to upgrade the main speakers are those that want perfect sound. For most of us this setup is really not bad and its a really easy change later if you feel the need. The 5 channel amplifier is a good choice for you. I don't know anything about the particular brand you have picked out but I would recommend one that has a remote level adjustment for the subwoofer channel. I have since upgraded for this reason. Just make sure the amplifier has high pass filters for the 4 main channels.


Alex Lear

I wouldn't worry to much about changing those factory speakers if you are adding a subwoofer. The only people that will tell you to upgrade the main speakers are those that want perfect sound.

(sobbing) Have I taught you all nothing?! (runs into his room and slams the door)

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Tony Fabris

In my car, the crappy factory speakers are almost impossible to replace because of the lack of room where they are mounted. My eventual plan is to get some good speakers mounted somewhere else, and reconnect the old head unit (which has been used about twice since I got my empeg) to the factory speakers. That way, I will at least be able listen to something when my empeg isn't in the car.

Richard.

I'd better clarify my position on the subject before Tony has a heart attack!

Like you said "A thousand answers..." Everyone is going to have their own opinion. I have been dealing with car audio equipment for a long time and I have also had experience building my own amplifiers, equalizers, filters, etc. The reason I mentioned not changing the speakers is because most people are happy with their stock stereos except for low frequency response. Car manufacturers have been paying more attention to speaker placement and quality recently. I'm sure the 2000 VW is no different. There could be other problems at high volume (and even low volume). So, here's my point: If you are happy with the current sound, don't waste your money on new speakers (don't buy the speakers just because someone here says you "NEED" them). I could be wrong but I thought the VW came with a fairly descent matched woofer/tweeter component set speakers(maybe thats an upgrade or maybe I made it up). Like I said before, it sounds like you are on the right track.


Alex Lear

You're right, of course, Alex. Most people are happy with their factory speakers until they've heard a direct comparison with good aftermarket speakers. Ignorance is bliss, you know.

Although I think the VW with the woofer/tweeter set is the "premium stereo upgrade", like you said, and I think he said his car came without a stereo at all and only the speakers. So you've got to assume it's the cheaper version of the speakers.

In fact, now that you mention it, I didn't know VW shipped cars with speakers but no stereo. Are you sure there's speakers in there, or is it just the grilles with holes behind them?

I don't know for sure on any of these things, of course, these are only guesses...

___________
Tony Fabris

Thank you for the nice response already, people.

Actually, my first thought was to change the speakers but after my brother got his VW Golf variant Pwd just about two months earlier I did change my mind as I heard the good sound that they actually were able to provide. I'm very much against factory speakers otherwise. To my ear, the new VW ones sound the same quality as the 7-year old Pioneer car speakers I have in my closet.. As a car-car comparison they beat BMW 318i (-99 model) basic radio set speakers easily.

The VW's in Finland come with pre-built set of speakers (factory) and the car-radio itself (the head unit) is chosen and installed at the dealer end. There was no option for the Moonsoon Sound System at all, though the Golf V6 USA seems to have one.. what I heard this would have caused some additional work with the Empeg installation itself. So basically everything's there, I just need to rewire the VW wirings in the otherwise fine Euro DIN slot and get the amp + sub connected.. I guess I'll have a professional car audio technician do it.

The 'stunning' quality of the speakers compared to other car manufacturer speakers is the main reason why I'm pushing to only buy an amp and a (small) 10" sub in a box. I would be looking for some top-notch speakers if I was sitting on a pile of gold but right now I will settle for the amp as getting a full set of speakers now would reduce my chances of getting a decent amp. The sub is just something I thought could be nice to have, I may drop it to get a better amp. The Empeg already costs perhaps more than what I can afford; having a car and a house loan but oh well..

One young woman told me a couple of months ago that the difference between boys and men is just the price of their toys.. Kind of got me grinning since I had just ordered the car back then ;P


Antti 'Amarth' Luostarinen
victim #14229
try BatMUD - telnet bat.org ;)

I must admit, the 6.5" standard speakers in my new beetle are pretty good for stock speakers - though as I had some Inifinity Kappas "spare" from my last car, I got these installed at the front.

My beetle now sounds better than the empeg demo car (though not *quite* as loud...)

Hugo

I might be of use here. IMHO, go for Blaupunkt stuff. Why? because they design their products mainly for german cars, like yours (mine's a 99' golf IV too... very nice car. Is it your first Golf? have you noticed the great quality leap from the Golf III?). Of course their amps and stuff will work on any car model, but Blaupunkt normally designs their head units to blend perfectly with Opel and VW dashboards. Well, my system setup is full Blau, with some pounds of sound deadening material added all around the car too.
For Tony: VW is not like your normal compact car company. Their factory speakers are pretty good, they only lack a good sub or two :-)
And for the boys/men topic: That's true, indeed. We (guys) never get tired of toys, and that's cool. Girls, that's a different story. They soon get tired with their dolls and then they discover the ultimate toy: guys :-)

Wait a moment: why am I a (stranger)?
I've been participating in this group before the Mk.1 was out! More than a year ago. So I feel disappointed.
Is there any way to fix this? I don't like being a (stranger) here. Is it only related to the number of posts?
It could use some other parameters.

I don't like being a (stranger) here. Is it only related to the number of posts?

Yes.


It could use some other parameters.

Talk to the people at wwwthreads.com.


Is there any way to fix this?

Post more.

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Tony Fabris

"Afterall, they can't fulfill our EVERY need (we just let them think they can, it makes them happier that way) :)"
Heheh got that... course sometimes we (so limited creatures) are insuficient. Another reason why marvellous stuff like Empeg exists.

I think there's are trade offs you have to make between purity and loudness and money. :-)

Calvin "not being helpful by stating the obvious"

Seems interesting that a man's toys is stereotypically expensive, technological, etc...whatever, whereas a woman's toys are often stereotypically sexual in nature. I could be wrong here. Perhaps if the next rev of the empeg is slanted more towards the sexual then more women will buy it.

Calvin "don't take me too seriously"

No, no, no. I meant girls play not only with our bodies, but more importantly with our emotions and minds (uh-oh thank god there are few girls on this group)
Anyway, I am "owned" too, by my girlfriend and very happy about it.

[quote]Seems interesting that a man's toys is stereotypically expensive, technological, etc...whatever, whereas a woman's toys are often stereotypically sexual in nature. [quote]

Mine are not but then again maybe I am not a typical woman. I'd much rather look at the tools in a hardware store than shop a damn mall but then I like my Victoria Secret's catalog too! I may not always have the technological or mechanical understanding that alot of guys have but I am trying and learning more all of the time. But maybe it helped growing up with 7 brothers and no sisters. I resented having to take home ec in school and not being allowed to take shop at the time, so I tried to flunk it. I am happier under the hood of my car than in the kitchen :) (but I can and will cook when I have to)

Laura

I live to launch.

As with all stereotypes, they only exist in the minds of people and not in people. But to further draw sweeping generalizations, Women Thirst for Knowledge and usually from human beings. Men like to obtain their knowledge from the world at large, manuals, objects, technological paraphenialia, etc. Men are drawn to these, but women will home in like bees for those that seem to have the knowledge. Whether that knowledge is how to nail a deer from a mile away, boring out a throttle body or whatever.

Calvin "sweep, sweep..."

I would say that you have made a very wise observation about life. (I do read books and manuals and even take things apart but I learn best from watching and being shown by others.)

Laura

I live to launch.