MK3 Audio advice on new build????

[mid life crisis]

Afternoon peeps,

Needing some help with a couple of ideas so bear with me if I go off , on a waffle.

1: Keep my existing set up which is a Sony CDX-GT24 HU, 2 sets JBL GTO637 3 ways and the standard tweeters. Problem I'm having is I had the Head unit and the 3 ways in my Ford Galaxy for about a week before it went bang! and they didn't sound too bad, but after moving them into the Golf I cannot seem to get them to sound right I've played around with the HU settings and still no luck. so any ideas? I know some of the problem is down to the door cards, is it worth cutting out the tweeters, or do I run them on a amp? but am thinking of adding a sub at some point too but how do I connect 2 amps to the HU if there is only 1 output or is there a amp that will do all?

2: thinking of changing the HU, not too bothered if it has a CD as I don’t want to use them so maybe a USB or something with a built in HDD, also was thinking of having the bottom half of the door cards rebuilt, then sets of components in the doors with tweeters and then I want to have a sub/subs but would like them in the spare wheel well as its a space saver not very deep. I had a very rough measure up of the well and I make it about 22" across x 6" deep. ( feel free to correct ). however I'm not sure as the best way to make the enclosure and could I squeeze 2 10" shallow subs or just go for one 10" or 12" ? and again what’s the best way to set up with amps etc.?

Any help is much appreciated

[B-chi]

The jbl speakers.

Are the co-ax? If so why run tweeters as well? In my opinion that'll be why they sound gash.

What do you want to do?

How much money do you want to spend?

Do you want it all at once or build it up over time?

All things you need to think about. If you want to spend a bit more over time and build it you'll want a hu with 2 pre outs. One for an amp for front speakers, one for a sub. Ideally up front you'll want components not co-axs. Generally they sound better.

Attach front speakers directly to the door skin (metal part), not the door card (flimsy part). In a lot of cases the deepness of speaker will fowl the window going down and/or get in the way of the door card. Its possible to fit them in there as I and a lot of people have done. Just takes a bit of work. Is that something you would want to attempt yourself?

Sub in wheel well is an nice idea. Can you use Fiberglass? Happy to give it a go?

Single 12 sealed in wheel well with a 50w ish set of comps amped up front will make for a very nice sounding install depending on installation.

[mid life crisis]

Hi B-chi,

Thanks for the reply ,
Money is a bit tight at the moment so will prob be a build over a bit of time, but am desperate to get a sub in asap, Done a little fibre glassing in the past so am happy to give it ago. Am I best to use some form of sound denting in and around the wheel well?


As for the speaker set-up I was in a bit of a rush to change the blown speakers hence leaving the tweeters connected. I will loose the tweeters I think for now until I can afford some component, so for the door modding happy to have ago at that, so have you got any tips for the fowling issue?

Cheers again

[B-chi]

First you need to set a budget for what you want now.

I'd suggest you'll need.

Sub, amp, sound deadening, cables, Fiberglass, mdf.

Figure out a budget then you can figure out how much the cables, fg, mdf, sound deadening will be. This will give you what's left for sub and amp.

Not a lot at a guess so drop the deadening for now to free up a bit more cash.

Have a look at what subs you like the look of. I say this a lot bit get yourself over on Talkaudio. Make a few posts so you can view the for sale threads.

There are loads of bargains to be had. You'll get ten times the equipment if you by second hand. You'll also see what other people are running and there thoughts.

For me JBL are king budget gear. Ive run various setups with them. One was a single 12 inch GT in just over 1cu ft sealed. Sounded lush.

Disconnect the tweeters, ignore rear speakers and put your effort where it matters most. Try fixing your fronts to the door skin, not the card. Use as large a piece of mdf as you can fit behind the door card. The stronger this is the better the sound will be

I'm going to be making an entire door card out of birch ply to get mine as strong as possible.