Upgrading '91 spec standard speakers

[Gone Elvis]

Hi,

I have a '91 spec Mk2 8v, which has standard speakers in the doors and boot, and am after some help/recommendations on upgrading them.

I am looking to retain the standard locations and I don't have a fortune to spend but was hoping to do one of the following;

either run some speakers off the head unit, just upgrade the speakers,

or run some components up front with the mids in the doors and tweeters in the dash and some 6x4's in the standard holes in the back all running off an amp.

Any advice/help/recommendations is much appreciated,

thanks,

Dale

[Godzilla]

[quote author=Gone Elvis link=topic=50112.msg391755#msg391755 date=11634061

or run some components up front with the mids in the doors and tweeters in the dash and some 6x4's in the standard holes in the back all running off an amp.

Run comps off an amp mate and the 6x4's from the headunit. 6x4's will sound no better of an amp, maybe a bit more treble but you will have plenty of that from the front. Depending on what music you listen to is a big part when buying comps. Jap speakers (Kenwood,Pioneer, Sony etc) all have good bass and very high tweets. English speakers (Focal, Alpine etc) have far more clarity so not really great for dance music. American comps are good but most need a bit of ampage to make them sound good. Check the sensitivity on the speakers before you but them.

[Gone Elvis]

hi

thanks for the reply, I listen to a very wide range of music (which is a problem when choosing speakers), everything from The Alarm, Motorhead, Prodigy, REM, soul music, punk, even opera. Anyway been having a further look and thinking of going for Infinity or Alpine comps up front and forgetting the 6x4's and having a 10" sub in the boot instead.

cheers,

Dale

[Godzilla]

Excellent idea mate with the 10" in the boot and not having the 6x4's. I have found a 12" to be a better all rounder. 10's are good if you want a tight quick bass. Alpine comps it must be!! If amped up you will be amazed at the sound. Im running Focal comps. 13's in original door pockets and tweets at the top of A pillar all run from a Vibe Black Box 1 amp and am very impressed. I tried tweets under original dash covers and found they were not as effective as having them higher up.

[Gone Elvis]

I have been having a look at various reviews for Vibe amps and Focal speakers, and must say I am very impressed with the write ups. Which Focal speakers have you got, and do they fit in the original door pocket speakers without modifications? I am looking at combining the Focal 130V1 comps with the Vibe Black Box 1 amp, they come out at just over £200 together, which I would be happy with. Where is the best place to mount the amp? I was thinking of somewhere under the dashboard on the passenger side, so it is out of sight, or maybe under the passenger seat.

As for the sub, speaking to a few other people a 12" is the one to go for, and have been told to go for either a Vibe CBR12evo, or an Alpine Type S. Hopefully I will be able to check some out over the weekend.

cheers

[Godzilla]

PM sent mate 

As for the install I would advise the amp to go underneath the passenger seat (still have all your boot space  )  Get some velcro and stick it to the bottom ot the amp. The carpet on a Golf acts as the other half of the velcro so only the rough side of the velcro needs to be applied to the amp! I have Focal 130v's and they fit perfectly, no mods needed. I did use some Dynomat inside the speaker pockets. As for Sub I dont think you can go wrong with a Vibe 12".....he will need some power to make him work nicely though....a bit more power than a Black Box 1 can give.

[Gone Elvis]

Hi,

thanks for the info, much appreciated.

I got an email saying I had a pm from you, but unfortunatley I can't access my pm's, it says there is an error . Will chase it up with the mods and get back to you.

Will keep you informed of the install. Hopefully will get pm's working soon.

cheers,

Dale

[Bluefox]

Need to have over 10 posts to read PM's...
As for this install goodness thats going on, is the amp under the passenger seat a good idea? Does it effect rear seat passenger legroom too much?
I've always run my front comp's off the head unit and left the amps to feed the subs/rears, but reading the recomendations here think I'll find an ex-display 4 channel at work! Anyone got any pics?

[Gone Elvis]

Need to have over 10 posts to read PM's...

cheers, thought it would be something straightforward,

is the amp under the passenger seat a good idea? Does it effect rear seat passenger legroom too much?

no bothered, as no one goes in the back, we have the other car for that

[golfpro]

a good 4 chanel amp, components, and a 12" sub is always a good reliable set up. I listen to a massive range of music so went for quality and clarity with focals. However if i was doin it now Id get Rainbow's. Less money for better sound! they are truely superb. My sub is a vibe black air and does the job nicely, and its all running off a genisis p4 ultra amp. In general the more you spend the better each bit will be, though I would say don't try to scrimp and save on wiring. Decent speaker cable makes a massive difference and is a must. Also, if you do go for focals, they tend to be quite a trebly speaker so mount the tweeters low or make sure you can control the EQ on your head unit.