MK4 Audio options, fitting new head unit, front speakers etc

[The Dave]

Hi guys. Not long had my 1999 1.8 GTI turbo MK4 Golf, but it's soon time to be sorting out the sounds in there...

I think all in all I'd be better off with a new head unit than trying to run amps etc into the Gamma one... although it does look perfectly in place which worries me with swapping to a new unit!

Anyway providing I get one which looks at home... is there anything I need to know re: fitting it? I have the Gamma tape deck and a single CD player mounted below it.

Am I best leaving the CD player in there to "fill the gap" or is there a cubby hole type thing I can buy for it which looks decent?

Re: front speakers... I am assuming they're 6.5" for midbass. Someone said they're riveted in as standard? Is there any special mounting hardware I need to fit new components and is there a mounting depth figure in mm's for the Golf 3 door front doors before windows or other obstacles get in the way?

Cheers guys

[troublestarter]

you need speaker adapters autoleads part number SAK-1303 these are the same for both front and rear speaker applications
you will also need an antenna filter/booster because when you fit an aftermarket stereo the radio reception goes to pot
yes the front speakers are riveted in place but you just drill them out
thereis nothing you need to worry about regarding mounting the speakers as the do not protrude into the door

[Madmax]

I used these:

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/vw-seat-speaker-adaptors.html

[troublestarter]

they are exactly the same as the autoleads ones either will do

[Mr_Orange]

Or fill both gaps with a double DIN unit, perhaps find something that looks standard?

[The Dave]

Was thinking that, but be a bit big and cumbersome for my needs.

Will check the links out now.

Not sure wether to consider keeping the Gamma stuff in, changer in boot and amp all the speakers.. I dunno! lol

[Madmax]

Was thinking that, but be a bit big and cumbersome for my needs.

Will check the links out now.

Not sure wether to consider keeping the Gamma stuff in, changer in boot and amp all the speakers.. I dunno! lol

I kept my Gamma units, & just run components with an amp in the boot. Even had an ipod adapter running from my Gamma unit.
There's no reason to get an aftermarket stereo really, unless you don't have an amp.

Are you thinking of rear speakers as well? I just had front comps with stock rears & it sounded good enough, don't think aftermarket rears
would make much of a difference.

I liked the stock look.

[The Dave]

I'd have to fade them right down due to distortion but yeah probably have rears for a bit of minimal rear fill, or just fade them in when passengers are in...

Kinda tempted to just amp everything as is, saves a new head unit and the current one looks wise suits the car perfectly. It's good to know I can get RCA adapters for the current head unit

[asif]

I have the Alpine X-100 I think that is the moedel, basically it is an Ipod dedicated stereo but you can also use a the USB for a key or even a hard drive as I do on long journeys.

The stereo lights up blue and matches the blue inside the car so don't look out of place and much the looks at home look lol

For sounds I have CDT Audio components in the front and a Cerwin Vega Sub running at 2 ohm, all powered by to Mission amps. I tsounds amazing and is crystal clear.

The back speakers are standard and sound sh!te so I fade them out but looking to replace them also.

Deffo get components in the front they make a huge difference if you get a decent set.

Does anyone know if the back doors have tweeters as standard? Or is it just the speaker at the bottom of the door only as the back one's sound really sh!te.