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Thread: Post Your Audio Setup !

  1. Junior Member
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    02-21-2012 03:14 PM #1
    Interested to hear what audio upgrades you've gone with, or are planning to go with.

    What caveats you came across. Are you happy with the SQ ?

    Post your car, the HU you're running with, the setup you've gone with, Which EQ ? which AMP. Stock speakers or upgraded.

    Share amoung us all.

    As for me? Well I'm planning to upgrade my RCD-510, but keeping the HU , hence this post !

  2. Member NFrazier's Avatar
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    02-21-2012 03:38 PM #2
    Quote Originally Posted by TheDoc46 View Post
    Interested to hear what audio upgrades you've gone with, or are planning to go with.

    What caveats you came across. Are you happy with the SQ ?

    Post your car, the HU you're running with, the setup you've gone with, Which EQ ? which AMP. Stock speakers or upgraded.

    Share amoung us all.

    As for me? Well I'm planning to upgrade my RCD-510, but keeping the HU , hence this post !
    SQ is a definable term, but if you're asking individuals their opinion on the SQ of their vehicle w/ their equipment it's not going to be very beneficial. What sounds good to A won't sound good to B, etc. etc. Not to say that there are not definitely speakers that will yield/produce quality sound. But the processor and/or amplifiers and source unit have a large part of that as well.
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    02-21-2012 04:25 PM #3
    Quote Originally Posted by NFrazier View Post
    SQ is a definable term, but if you're asking individuals their opinion on the SQ of their vehicle w/ their equipment it's not going to be very beneficial. What sounds good to A won't sound good to B, etc. etc. Not to say that there are not definitely speakers that will yield/produce quality sound. But the processor and/or amplifiers and source unit have a large part of that as well.
    As is anything and everything in life, when an individual opinion is asked ! Anyway keeping it simple, are you happy with the SQ after you spent out all that money.. Yes or no.

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    02-22-2012 12:15 AM #4
    My system is listed in my signature. Overall I'm happy. Still not entirely happy with bass. Right now I'm waiting for warmer weather so the fiberglass will set properly. I'm going to go with either a JL 10w3 or an IDQ 10. I have a 5 channel amp but using it in 3 channel mode. The rear speakers are connected to the factory HU and I keep them faded all the way down unless someone is actually in the back.

    If I was doing it all again I'd order the car without NAV and use an aftermarket HU
    2010 JSW Tdi-DSG-Nav-Sunroof
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    Tint 50%front 40%rear 30%cargo 20%hatch
    JL Audio 700/5, Hertz HSK163, JL 8W3V3, Audison Bit-10

  5. Member babarber's Avatar
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    02-22-2012 12:25 AM #5
    i have the kenwood kdc-x995 headunit factory mk4 speakers 2 10in comps in the trunk and a kicker 500w amp overall it costed me 650$ and i love it it has great sound at all frequencies and really can thump when i want it to the best part of the whole system though is the head unit it made night and day difference

  6. Member NFrazier's Avatar
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    02-22-2012 09:13 AM #6
    HU: AVIC-Z130BT
    Front Stage: Infinity Kappa 6.75" components (60.9CS)
    Rear Stage: Infinity Kappa 6.75" 3-way coaxial (63.9i)
    LFE: Rockford Fosgate 12" T2 in a custom ported enclosure.
    Mono: Rockford Fosgate T1000-1BDCP
    4 Ch.: Rockford Fosgate T400-4

    Extremely happy with the response of the full range speakers, the tweeter construction yields a rather bright tweeter, but can easily be adjusted.

    LFE is clean, hits extremely hard, and has great response.
    12v Installation Services: Audio, Alarms/Remote Starts, OEM Integration, etc.
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  7. Member sabbySC's Avatar
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    02-23-2012 01:00 AM #7
    I have a budget setip that performs well for what I desire.

    Image Dynamics 6.5 components up front
    CDT 6.5 mid bass drivers in the rear
    Precision Power s580.4 amp
    Alpine deck

    Lots of dynamat in the doors and rear quarter panels

    I just got everything in recently but I am very happy with this setup. Soundstage is great in the front and the mid drivers in the rear produce enough bass for me. I miss having a sub but thats just not on my lit of priorities right now. I need to get some fine tuning done now.
    CTS gt3071r and more

  8. Member jockhater2's Avatar
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    02-23-2012 08:22 PM #8


    That was an old set up.

    Currently I am working on.

    2 runs of 1/0 gauge

    1 XS power D3400
    2 XS power XP3000s
    Either a 3k US Amp, or a 5K amp. Haven't decided.
    380 amp Iraggi alternator (for a chevy but am going to machine brackets for my jetta)

    2 12" Sundown z.3s with upgrades Nightshade cones/coils

    Wanted to do an Ascendant Audio Mayhem 18" But my box builder said the trunk won't allow the 18 to breathe properly.
    PM for Audio equipment. Brand new stinger RCAs. wiring kits, and so on. Check Argent-Audio USA on ebay
    WTB: Or have someone make Kick panels and C-pillar tweeter mount
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  9. Member NFrazier's Avatar
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    02-23-2012 10:47 PM #9
    Quote Originally Posted by jockhater2 View Post


    That was an old set up.

    Currently I am working on.

    2 runs of 1/0 gauge

    1 XS power D3400
    2 XS power XP3000s
    Either a 3k US Amp, or a 5K amp. Haven't decided.
    380 amp Iraggi alternator (for a chevy but am going to machine brackets for my jetta)

    2 12" Sundown z.3s with upgrades Nightshade cones/coils

    Wanted to do an Ascendant Audio Mayhem 18" But my box builder said the trunk won't allow the 18 to breathe properly.
    Could just get a DC power, that's what I have. After using Iraggi, DC power, mechman, etc. I'd say DC power is direct fit too
    12v Installation Services: Audio, Alarms/Remote Starts, OEM Integration, etc.
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  10. Member jockhater2's Avatar
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    02-24-2012 06:38 AM #10
    Quote Originally Posted by NFrazier View Post
    Could just get a DC power, that's what I have. After using Iraggi, DC power, mechman, etc. I'd say DC power is direct fit too
    Except the largest alternator all of those companies make for jetta are 260-270 amps.

    So instead I bought the largest alternator I could fine for a good price.
    I might think about installing a second 1 in the future.
    PM for Audio equipment. Brand new stinger RCAs. wiring kits, and so on. Check Argent-Audio USA on ebay
    WTB: Or have someone make Kick panels and C-pillar tweeter mount
    Join the Ron Paul Revolution
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  11. Member NFrazier's Avatar
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    02-24-2012 09:10 AM #11
    Quote Originally Posted by jockhater2 View Post
    Except the largest alternator all of those companies make for jetta are 260-270 amps.

    So instead I bought the largest alternator I could fine for a good price.
    I might think about installing a second 1 in the future.
    ...I have a 320A alt, 230 at true idle from DC power. A lot of Iraggi alts are just rewound factory alternators w/ a smaller pulley to increase output. The ones I've seen from Iraggi don't really have a decent amount of output at idle compared to the advertised maximum output.
    12v Installation Services: Audio, Alarms/Remote Starts, OEM Integration, etc.
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  12. Member jockhater2's Avatar
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    02-24-2012 11:56 AM #12
    Quote Originally Posted by NFrazier View Post
    ...I have a 320A alt, 230 at true idle from DC power. A lot of Iraggi alts are just rewound factory alternators w/ a smaller pulley to increase output. The ones I've seen from Iraggi don't really have a decent amount of output at idle compared to the advertised maximum output.
    Where did you find a 320 for an MK2? The most I could find was a 270 from DC and mechman.

    I already know the idle output for the 380. Its 200.
    PM for Audio equipment. Brand new stinger RCAs. wiring kits, and so on. Check Argent-Audio USA on ebay
    WTB: Or have someone make Kick panels and C-pillar tweeter mount
    Join the Ron Paul Revolution
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  13. Member NFrazier's Avatar
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    02-24-2012 12:10 PM #13
    Quote Originally Posted by jockhater2 View Post
    Where did you find a 320 for an MK2? The most I could find was a 270 from DC and mechman.

    I already know the idle output for the 380. Its 200.
    Oh my bad, totally overlooked your car. Haha, thought it was a MK4. Sorry.
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  14. Member jockhater2's Avatar
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    02-24-2012 01:20 PM #14
    Quote Originally Posted by NFrazier View Post
    Oh my bad, totally overlooked your car. Haha, thought it was a MK4. Sorry.
    The largest DC has is a 260. But it doesn't matter really. Because like I said. The one I bought is for a chevy. But will make brackets to mount it.
    PM for Audio equipment. Brand new stinger RCAs. wiring kits, and so on. Check Argent-Audio USA on ebay
    WTB: Or have someone make Kick panels and C-pillar tweeter mount
    Join the Ron Paul Revolution
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    02-26-2012 09:42 PM #15
    I have a 2011 Golf TDI with the Premium 8 system.

    I just finished replacing the front speakers with Polk Audio DXi 6500 speakers. I think the sound quality is improved, but not as night-and-day as I expected. Even so, I am enjoying the smoother sound, as I think the stock tweets were pretty harsh.

    No amp -- the speakers are efficient enough for there to be plenty of loudness.

    The frequency response is pretty uneven for both before and after. But the sound is smoother and bass is more detailed. The biggest loss is the low-end bass. This is probably a deal-breaker for most people. If you planned on adding a sub, then it doesn't matter.

    I'm sure that things would be better if replacing everything and adding a sub, but then I only spent about $200.

    If I were to do it all over again, I would consider just replacing the tweets, although that would be trickier to tune (probably requiring an l-pad). As it is, at least the component set is designed to work together with the matching crossover, and I enjoy hearing the details in the music.

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    02-27-2012 10:39 PM #16
    My Setup:

    HU: JVC KW-NX7000
    Fronts: Infinty Kappa 60.9CS( Comp.)
    Rears: Infinity Kappa 62.9l
    Sub: 15" Incriminator Audio FlatLyne Sub. 750RMS
    Amps: Kicker 750.1 and RE XTX 800.4
    Electrical: Optima Yellow Top and Big 3

    Love being heard a Block away

  17. Member NFrazier's Avatar
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    02-28-2012 08:56 AM #17
    Quote Originally Posted by GtiJrock View Post
    My Setup:

    HU: JVC KW-NX7000
    Fronts: Infinty Kappa 60.9CS( Comp.)
    Rears: Infinity Kappa 62.9l
    Sub: 15" Incriminator Audio FlatLyne Sub. 750RMS
    Amps: Kicker 750.1 and RE XTX 800.4
    Electrical: Optima Yellow Top and Big 3

    Love being heard a Block away
    That's cuz the audiowave doesn't develop in your car with a car that small and a woofer that large. just playin around.
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  18. 02-28-2012 09:42 AM #18
    I'll play... the build is done, but the "finished" photos are trash due to HD failure
    I'll reshoot (and maybe redo some work, like moving the 4"s up to the A-pillars) in the spring/summer.

    Here's my build log:

    http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ighlight=Audio

    Quote from 1st page for those that don't want to click through:

    Equipment:

    JDM Pioneer Carrozzeria DEH-P01 for the head unit, speakers are Hybrid Audio Technologies Legatia 3 way... tweeters in A-pillars, 4" L4SE midrange in the kick panels, and an 8" L8SE mid-bass either in the stock speaker area in the doors or under the front seats in fiberglass enclosures.

    The tweeters and midranges will be driven by a JL Audio HD 600/4 4 channel, and the mid-basses will also get a 600/4, bridged to get 300 watts to each. Two IDQ 15"s will be in 1.5 cubic foot fiberglass enclosures on either side of the cargo area side walls, hidden from view. They will be driven by a JL HD 700/1 monoblock with a remote level control knob that I'll install in the panel by the light switch.

    All this will be actively controlled by the head units' processing. The amps and crossover will be installed in the "hidden" storage area directly behind the fold-down rear seats, with fans to draw cool air from the cabin and route the hot air into the spare tire section. The spare tire will be completely useable, as will the storage area on top of the spare.

    The entire car is extensively deadened with multiple layers of mass loading material to kill vibrations, and a 1/2 inch of ensolite over that to fight airborne noise. The car's already pretty quiet, but it's a mausoleum now... until the stereo powers on. Arm and nose hairs move.

    The goal was a system that could play loud without ear fatigue, and to have as few tactile cues from any of the speaker mounting locations so the listener can't tell where the sound comes from (no vibrations from the kick panels, or door panels if the mid basses get mounted there). Speaker aiming and path length distances as close to equal as possible will make the sound stage seem as if the music is located a bit in front of the windshield...

    It sounds... well,

  19. Member blazerpounds's Avatar
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    02-28-2012 11:28 PM #19
    No pics, but mk4 gti, with factory head unit.
    Focal 165 vr in fiberglass kicks
    3 focal 27v1 in sealed fg enclosure in trunk area
    Elemental designs nine.5 running active on fronts
    Rockford 3sixty.2 to process all
    With iSimple iPod controller.

  20. Junior Member
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    03-05-2012 08:35 PM #20
    Well my setup on a new 2012 CC is as follows

    VW Premium VIII HU
    Audison Bit/10
    JL XD700/5 5 channel amp, powering the OEM speakers and final channel powering a 10" JL Audio Sub.

    Yes I'm very happy with the setup.

  21. Member jockhater2's Avatar
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    03-26-2012 06:24 PM #21
    Sundown Z.3 with NS cone/coils. This model weights 50lbs the NS (competition model) weights 60lbs











    XS Power XP3000 battery. Weights 72lbs and rests at 13.03volts







    PM for Audio equipment. Brand new stinger RCAs. wiring kits, and so on. Check Argent-Audio USA on ebay
    WTB: Or have someone make Kick panels and C-pillar tweeter mount
    Join the Ron Paul Revolution
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  22. 04-04-2012 12:47 AM #22
    Factory HU to Factory DSP/AMP to Audison BitOne to Zuki Eleets 4ch(front active stock Dynaudio) and Zuki Eleets 5ch Hybrid(rear active stock Dynaudio and RE Audio SX 10" sub in 1.1cuft sealed enclosure)

  23. Member petergiarrizzo's Avatar
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    04-04-2012 10:06 PM #23
    Well, since theres a thread that tailors to my main area of interest (Car Audio):

    2 - 15" Soundstream SPL160's
    2 - HiFonics ISIS VII amps
    2 - HiFonics ULYSSIS VII amps (boards are inside the ISIS chassis)
    Incase thats not clear, 2 amp chassis (ISIS) but inside it has an ISIS Board and a ULYSSIS Board.

    so 4 amps, 2 chassis.

    soon to be:

    1-deep cycle marine battery
    2 - 1 Farad Caps
    False floor etc.

    If i ever get around to posting pictures ill post my Subwoofer Board build... a whole week to make a board fit in my MK4 Jetta trunk against the frame where the seats are.... hoping to be in amature comp's this summer... provided on cash flow

    BTW, im aware of the age of these components, theyre all mint condition. they come from the ultimate days of Car Audio late 80's-early 90's....

    oh and one other treat... soon to be an Alpine 7909 Head unit. greatest of them all!!
    can i haz it?

  24. 04-05-2012 01:20 PM #24
    Old school Soundstream FTW.

    You doing infinite baffle?
    I used to run 4 Soundstream SS10RLimited editions ("The Velvet Hammer") in an IB setup for 15years:


    2 Ref 500s running the subs, 2 Ref 300s for the front stage. So sweet.

  25. Junior Member
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    04-05-2012 06:56 PM #25
    HU: Kenwood DDX418
    Front Stage: Factory Monsoon (Not sure, because I haven't removed the door panels yet)
    Rear Stage: Factory Monsoon (Not sure, because I haven't removed the door panels yet)
    LFE: 2 x Sundown SA-12D4 in a PWK designed enclosure
    Bass Amp: Sundown SAX-1200D
    Mids and Highs Amp: Factory Monsoon (Probably upgrade to a Sundown SAX-100.4)

    I love it as is, but I want a better mid range punch, and want the AVIC-Z140BT.

  26. Member David_Tedder's Avatar
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    04-11-2012 01:36 PM #26


    all that plus alpine type r components front & rear
    Quote Originally Posted by groggory View Post
    Put the money in a jar. When you have $5k post on here..
    "I have $5000, help me spend it"

    and we'll lead you down the right path. :-)
    PAG PARTS

  27. Member petergiarrizzo's Avatar
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    04-11-2012 10:29 PM #27
    Quote Originally Posted by John Reid View Post
    Old school Soundstream FTW.

    You doing infinite baffle?
    I used to run 4 Soundstream SS10RLimited editions ("The Velvet Hammer") in an IB setup for 15years:


    2 Ref 500s running the subs, 2 Ref 300s for the front stage. So sweet.
    yeah infinite baffle... i wish you still had those subs, i would run my 2-15's AND those 4-10s. im trying to find 3 so that i can hang them from the top deck like your two.. cuz the SS12R's are even more rare
    can i haz it?

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    1990 mustang 5.0 1998camaro z28 2001 yukon xl 1999 golf tdi 2006 sti -
    04-13-2012 12:23 AM #28
    I hate when people get so anal about this **** and post there opion about your topic lol
    Anyway i didnt want anything crazy that would be to hard to get out cuz i go threw cars super fast lol

    Sony head unit
    4 gauge power kit from kicker
    Opt battery
    Alpine 6 inch rounds and 1 inch tweets
    Polk audio 880 and a polk dvi dvc 12 in spec ported box
    Sub cut down to 2 ohms for 500 rms for the amp
    1.5 frad
    1990 mustang 5.0 11.3 without the bottle 1998 camaro 355 chevy 400 turbo trans need new slicks 2001 yukon xl for the haul
    1999 golf pos tdi lol 2006 sti only a few upgrades
    Why does everyone post an opinon and not words of wisdom
    Only here to learn some stuff about this 1.9 lol

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