New Question: Anyone familiar with VW Systems at all?

[SSpiro]

Back to this topic..

2006 VW Passat w/ factory Monsoon.

I'd like to install a 4-ch and a zapco amp with my 3 JL W6 10's.

I'm trying to find out how capable the factory speakers are; and if anyone has had experience wiring up this vehicle?

Also big 3 necessary on this vehicle?

[surealconcepts]

i havent done an 06 passat in a while but if you are planning on hook the amp up to the factory speaks its gotta be a low wattage amp.. im not sure how much the factory speaks can handle but i wouldnt do more than 20-25 rms... what is is the bose or hurricane or whatever premium factory sound systems vw has?

[Notladstyle]

The premium speaker system (with stock amp) has some very nice speakers. They can handle a 400wrms amp and put out level sound with some decent subs.

I just installed a 400.4 off the stock HU using the stock line outs and it was a decent sounding system. The highs were clean and defined but not too bright, the lows were noticably robust but they didn't turn out of phase with the subs like a lot of mids will do without a crossover.

[integralsgreen]

The premium speaker system (with stock amp) has some very nice speakers. They can handle a 400wrms amp and put out level sound with some decent subs.

I just installed a 400.4 off the stock HU using the stock line outs and it was a decent sounding system. The highs were clean and defined but not too bright, the lows were noticably robust but they didn't turn out of phase with the subs like a lot of mids will do without a crossover.

i thought you were too good for car audio lol:crack:

[Notladstyle]

Hot chick. Vagina > Status

[SSpiro]

i havent done an 06 passat in a while but if you are planning on hook the amp up to the factory speaks its gotta be a low wattage amp.. im not sure how much the factory speaks can handle but i wouldnt do more than 20-25 rms... what is is the bose or hurricane or whatever premium factory sound systems vw has?

:lmao: Close.. It's the Monsoon.

The premium speaker system (with stock amp) has some very nice speakers. They can handle a 400wrms amp and put out level sound with some decent subs.

I just installed a 400.4 off the stock HU using the stock line outs and it was a decent sounding system. The highs were clean and defined but not too bright, the lows were noticably robust but they didn't turn out of phase with the subs like a lot of mids will do without a crossover.

Hmm. Maybe I'll just replace the speakers. Anything I need to know about in upgrading the whole setup? Headunit is in.

[Notladstyle]

I would ride with the stock speakers for a while before I went through it upgrading them. The amp can really make or break sound from any speaker.

Personally, I would take oem speakers over mid grade aftermarket any day. oem speakers are designed to last for decades while producing reasonably accurate sound. Most aftermarket speakers cut cost on materials or sacrifice sound quality by using heavier materials(*cough*polypropylene and butyl rubber*) that bend response.

[SSpiro]

I was going to go with BA or Polk.. but you really think the factory speakers are just as good???

[Notladstyle]

depends on what model you are getting.

db and momo can take a lot of power and have serious output, but even the included response graph(in the box) looks like a photo of the rocky mountains. The SR series are excluded - they are competition grade.

Dont have much experience on the BA, but I would assume they are the same.

[SSpiro]

Interesting thought.

[98_GstEclipse]

Factory speakers are horrible. Almost all factory speakers are made of paper even bose. Go with Polk. They carry a decent amount of bass and have a tighter sound or Eclipse, really awesome speakers but you'll only get there full potential out of an Eclipse amp

[SSpiro]

That's what I was thinking..

[Notladstyle]

well, since you guys have gone through 5 years of mechanical, physical, and electrical engineering and have millions of dollars available for research and equipment, have been developing automotive equipment for 50 years, you definitely know better than a stupid automotive manufacturing plant that produce vehicles that can be used and abused daily and still last for decades.

Seriously, you might be able to pump 4000 watts through an aftermarket speaker, but its 4000 watts of garbage sound that isnt even close to replicating the original signal.

[SSpiro]

well, since you guys have gone through 5 years of mechanical, physical, and electrical engineering and have millions of dollars available for research and equipment, have been developing automotive equipment for 50 years, you definitely know better than a stupid automotive manufacturing plant that produce vehicles that can be used and abused daily and still last for decades.

Seriously, you might be able to pump 4000 watts through an aftermarket speaker, but its 4000 watts of garbage sound that isnt even close to replicating the original signal.

No need to be a douche - just confused on this. I have factory speakers in a vehicle that sound like shit. No mid or low range. I want to increase volume and precision of the sound - so I choose to upgrade my headunit and speakers and add an aftermarket amp with crossover - but you tell me that keeping factory speakers will net a superior sound?

Everything I've ever known, learned, or experienced in car audio is now thrown out the window?

[Notladstyle]

accuracy. Not boomy bass or incredibly eminence sounding, OEM speakers will produce more accurate sound.

Didn't you ever wonder why an $800 Bose sound system uses paper cone speakers? They really aren't that stupid. Most poly-plastic based cones are too heavy to maintain accurate sound.

Why is it that most factory amps only put out 10-20 watts of power to each channel? You don't need massive amount of power to create massive amounts of sound.

If you aren't looking for accurate sound, then go with a nice set of anything with a big magnet. They will definitely pump out lots of bass and ear tearing highs, just don't mistake that for accurate sound.

If you splice into the stock harness, use the stock mids and the stock tweeters with well designed crossovers and a decent amp, you will get magnificent sound without needing to throw hundreds of watts of power out the window.

Everything you've learned or experience in car audio is probably based around big sound or big bass. Not many people appreciate the subtle beauty of accurately reproduced music.

[98_GstEclipse]

If money aint a problem you should get rainbow audio. A friend that works with me at circuit city has those and they are the craziest speakers I have ever heard. Real accurate no distortion. Completely amazing. I was listening to Bob Marley and Sublime and It sounded like they were sitting next to me. There from Germany. If you want more info just pm I kno a guy that can get a pretty good deal on them

[Notladstyle]

omghi2rainbow > *

[SSpiro]

I've heard Rainbow as well and they are top notch. Was considering this brand but may be out of my budget range..

NoTLaDStyle - I understand what you are saying.

[98_GstEclipse]

I have no idea what your saying

[taintedme]

accuracy. Not boomy bass or incredibly eminence sounding, OEM speakers will produce more accurate sound.

Didn't you ever wonder why an $800 Bose sound system uses paper cone speakers? They really aren't that stupid. Most poly-plastic based cones are too heavy to maintain accurate sound.

Why is it that most factory amps only put out 10-20 watts of power to each channel? You don't need massive amount of power to create massive amounts of sound.

If you aren't looking for accurate sound, then go with a nice set of anything with a big magnet. They will definitely pump out lots of bass and ear tearing highs, just don't mistake that for accurate sound.

If you splice into the stock harness, use the stock mids and the stock tweeters with well designed crossovers and a decent amp, you will get magnificent sound without needing to throw hundreds of watts of power out the window.

Everything you've learned or experience in car audio is probably based around big sound or big bass. Not many people appreciate the subtle beauty of accurately reproduced music.




i feel you're forgetting the demographics of the forum environment you are posting in. you are 100% correct on the advantages of lighter materials (paper) producing more accurate sounds, which is why the majority of high end home audio speakers use paper (or derivatives thereof). however, aftermarket speakers have 2 major benefits in an auto environment:

1. they WILL last longer. this is one of the reasons for using rubber instead of foam for surrounds, poly instead of paper cones, etc. i can appreciate your experience in the research and develpment phase of the auto industry, but having been in the real world installation phase of the business for over a decade, i can't tell you the number of torn up factory speakers that are replaced on a daily basis, caused by the heat and humidity (especially in florida), and of course, abuse (distortion).

2. the majority of people here are trying to get more volume. keep in mind the original poster is trying to add 3 10" subs to the system, and maintain balance in the mid and high frequency range. the higher wattage capability of aftermarket speakers will allow the rest of the system to keep up with the amount of bass being produced. 10-20 watts per channel is not going to cut it. a good rule of thumb is to have a 2 to 1 one ratio of power from subs to the rest of your system.

[Notladstyle]

1. I've never seen a 10 year old Aftermarket speaker that still worked.

2. There comes a point at which your ears cannot determine volume any more and it simply becomes an issue of how far you can hear the sound. Rather than focusing on more power, the more prudent approach is to eliminate the distortion from your originating signal.

Sound to Distance... Thats a whole other issue :roll:

[taintedme]

1. i'd like to introduce you to my dynaudios. still kicking after 11 years.

2. you are completely correct, and i wasn't trying to debate, as you seem to be an educated realist in the world of audio. it just seems as though this thread took a right turn from the original question of the poster.



(btw, the link in your sig. isn't working) :-)

[the727kid]

My next component set will has prob the biggest magnet on a midbass period but yet are probally one of the most best sounding, accurate, smooth sounding sets on the market.

[kpr10is]

If money aint a problem you should get rainbow audio. A friend that works with me at circuit city has those and they are the craziest speakers I have ever heard. Real accurate no distortion. Completely amazing. I was listening to Bob Marley and Sublime and It sounded like they were sitting next to me. There from Germany. If you want more info just pm I kno a guy that can get a pretty good deal on them

You dont happen to work at the Dale Mabry store do you? And were listening to the Rainbows in Eddie's car? If so I am the said guy who can get good deals on Rainbow, as well as quite a few other high end goodies...and if so, thats also just a taste of the world of higher end car audio. Im glad Eddie is passing on what I enlightened him to...the amazing non-mass marketed non-mainstream brands out there. :)

[98_GstEclipse]

Yea I work at the Dale Mabry Circuit City! Are you the dude that came in to get the alarm programmer? I listened to Rainbows in Eddies car and it sounds fucking amazing. I wanna get em now. PM so we can talk about them.

[the727kid]

I am just curious which brand of Rainbows are they?

I know the only 2 dealers(well that I know of) in the US if you guys wanna buy.

[kpr10is]

Theyre only SLC's. But theyre in fully deadened doors powered very well by an XA4000, so they sound great.

98gst youve got a pm

[the727kid]

Were they Kicks?? Haha you guy should of heard my Germaniums, but I am going with Powerline CS for my next set, if your ever in Largo hit me up I'll let you hear them.

[kpr10is]

I messed with filtor1's CS's when he was installing em...even I thought theyd fit in the doors as we both drive 00-01 maximas which have pretty deep doors. No such luck, the door panel still doesnt sit right. Theyre way deeper than my Dyn 8's. Ridiculous.

[the727kid]

I didn't know he was local....them things are beasts. I will find a way to make them fit! He's not giving any power tho, right??

[Notladstyle]

(btw, the link in your sig. isn't working) :-)

It shuts off when I go to bed. Nothing there but 40gb of porn and various pictures I link to flame people.

[pnrcaraudio]

i believe the monsoon sytem is crossed over in side the system so that when you try to replace the factory amp using a traditional high low adaptor you will lose a but load of frequencies, I am actually getting ready to do this in a Trans Am with a Monsoon system and I found out that Peripheral designed a new 8 channel line output convertor specifically because of this issue it is called the Peripheral PCH8, sorry but I do not have pricing on the unit yet

[02passat]

Personally I hated my monsoon system when it was it. It also sounds horrible when wiring aftermarket speakers to the factory amp. I now have a new HU, speakers, sub and amp and I prefer the sounds 10000 times over the factory system. I dont recommend powering after market speakers with the factory amp because the sound is horrible