Is it worth amplifying stock RCD510 speakers?

[zoonosis]

I'm buying a sub and amp for my mk6 gti and wondered if I should bother getting a 5 channel amp or just a mono block.

The rcd510 only pumps out 20w from what I've read so thought giving the fronts a bit more power might help?

Thoughts?

[VRN510]

I'm running a 12" Rockford Punch P1 with a mono block amp and it sounds great with the stock speakers. If you want louder/clearer speakers id say save money that you'd spend on an amp and replace the stocks with the Focal Mk6 speakers, I spoke the the Vic Focal rep just the other day and he said they're leaps and bounds better than the stocks and they're plug and play with a standard head unit and for the price (under $600) well worth it.

[zoonosis]

Really a 12"?!?
I was told by an installer that a 12" would be far too much for the stock system in terms of it taking over.
What your overall sound balance like?
Is it just all bass?

I was looking at the shallow mount kicker comp rt 8". Really tiny box which will still allow me to use my boot.

[MrWolf]

I'm running a 12" Rockford Punch P1 with a mono block amp and it sounds great with the stock speakers. If you want louder/clearer speakers id say save money that you'd spend on an amp and replace the stocks with the Focal Mk6 speakers, I spoke the the Vic Focal rep just the other day and he said they're leaps and bounds better than the stocks and they're plug and play with a standard head unit and for the price (under $600) well worth it.

There's actually a YouTube guide by Focal which walks you through the install. The kit even provides the removal tools.

So if you're that way inclined, it's definitely an easy upgrade option.

[VRN510]

Really a 12"?!?
I was told by an installer that a 12" would be far too much for the stock system in terms of it taking over.
What your overall sound balance like?
Is it just all bass?

I was looking at the shallow mount kicker comp rt 8". Really tiny box which will still allow me to use my boot.
My sub is perfect in my opinion, as well as the opinion of my passengers. The Rockford's come with a bass controller that i have wired into my cubby hole (next to driver door under steering wheel) so i can adjust the sub to be louder or quieter. I will be doing the Focal install myself with a friend of mine, it is really simple and after hearing the Focal reps car, as well as the Alpine Scirocco and Rockford Fosgate Golf GTI - speaker upgrades are a great improvement, although the stock speakers aren't half bad. I will take a photo of my boot to show you what space I have with the 12".

[VRN510]

All up my gear was $395 on sale, and I paid $120 for an installer to come to my house and install it in my garage.http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/11/3ape6are-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/11/a2y4asa9-1.jpghttp://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/11/jydazy9a-1.jpg

[zoonosis]

You're right on the stock speakers, for what they are they're pretty good.

Thanks for the pics btw.

[zoonosis]

Yeah I saw that focal YouTube video. Pity they don't have a kit that has rear speakers in them too. Just changing the fronts seems a bit strange.

They seem quite expensive but I guess I would have to hear them first to make up my mind.

[seangti]

Yeah I saw that focal YouTube video. Pity they don't have a kit that has rear speakers in them too. Just changing the fronts seems a bit strange.

They seem quite expensive but I guess I would have to hear them first to make up my mind.

With a good set of fronts and subs, the rear act purely as "fill", so wouldn't waste time and money on them. You want the majority of the sound stage coming the front, the old 6x9's on the parcel tray are yester-year. If running off the headunit, it'd be worth considering a high pass filter if the head unit doesn't offer that. Essentially removing sub 80-120hz sound from the speakers will protect em from base and allow for more volume, cleanly. Your sub will pick up the lower tones.

I run a shallow mount Option Audio 12" off a precision power amp with the factory (polo) speakers ran off a pioneer indash satnav head unit, which has the high pass filters. RE sub over ruling the rest, as suggested, just adjust the gains on the amp and lower the bass boost on the head unit to protect the speakers, while running the sub for those tones.

[zoonosis]

Some more wise words, thanks.
I'll have to see if my RCD510 has a high pass filter. Not sure.

[brimway]

+1 what seangti said. The stock fronts are the weak link. With a sub and amp, don't waste your cash on the rears.

[Lucas_R]

Yeah I saw that focal YouTube video. Pity they don't have a kit that has rear speakers in them too. Just changing the fronts seems a bit strange.

They seem quite expensive but I guess I would have to hear them first to make up my mind.

You can get the Focal's from Carbon Car Systems in Sydney for a little over $400. Cheapest place by far.

Use coupon code VWCLUBWIN to take another $59 off

http://www.carboncarsystems.com.au/focal-ifvwgolf6-integration-series-vw-golf-6-dedicated-component-speaker-set.html

[VRN510]

You can get the Focal's from Carbon Car Systems in Sydney for a little over $400. Cheapest place by far.

FOCAL IFVWGOLF6 - INTEGRATION SERIES VW GOLF 6 DEDICATED COMPONENT SPEAKER SET (http://www.carboncarsystems.com.au/focal-ifvwgolf6-integration-series-vw-golf-6-dedicated-component-speaker-set.html)
My lord thats cheap, guess coilovers can wait a little longer :cry:

[Lucas_R]

My lord thats cheap, guess coilovers can wait a little longer :cry:

See coupon code info added to my previous post. Save another $59

[VRN510]

See coupon code info added to my previous post. Save another $50
You're hurting my wallet man

[zoonosis]

You can get the Focal's from Carbon Car Systems in Sydney for a little over $400. Cheapest place by far.

Use coupon code VWCLUBWIN to take another $59 off

FOCAL IFVWGOLF6 - INTEGRATION SERIES VW GOLF 6 DEDICATED COMPONENT SPEAKER SET (http://www.carboncarsystems.com.au/focal-ifvwgolf6-integration-series-vw-golf-6-dedicated-component-speaker-set.html)

Wow, $410 plus shipping.
Thanks for the tip.

Now just need to calm down before I impulse buy this. If only it wasn't christmas time.

[VRN510]

Wow, $410 plus shipping.
Thanks for the tip.

Now just need to calm down before I impulse buy this. If only it wasn't christmas time.

No prizes for who guesses what just went to #1 on my Christmas list.... $435.15 to my door is so ridiculously tempting.

[zoonosis]

Just a thought, but for those of you who have these VW focal upgrades, do you really need a sub? I mean obviously it is ideal to have a sub to fill in the low end a bit more. But what is the bass like out of the focals? More of the spectrum covered?

[zoonosis]

No prizes for who guesses what just went to #1 on my Christmas list.... $435.15 to my door is so ridiculously tempting.

I feel your pain.
And Im now more confused. Do I get the sub/amp combo or the focals? I can't afford them both at the same time.

[VRN510]

I feel your pain.
And Im now more confused. Do I get the sub/amp combo or the focals? I can't afford them both at the same time.

For the price, I think the Focals are too good to turn down, but in the end it is up to you, maybe weigh up the pros and cons for a few days and then make the decision.

[Lucas_R]

Just a thought, but for those of you who have these VW focal upgrades, do you really need a sub? I mean obviously it is ideal to have a sub to fill in the low end a bit more. But what is the bass like out of the focals? More of the spectrum covered?

I have the Focals in my Mk6 and although the sound is clearer/crisper etc - im am now considering one of the Focal under seat subs to give it some more bass.

[zoonosis]

I have the Focals in my Mk6 and although the sound is clearer/crisper etc - im am now considering one of the Focal under seat subs to give it some more bass.

I had the same thought once but there isnt that much room between the floor and the underneath of the seat. There does seem to be a gap of sorts, probably for the dynaudio amp which I dont have. It seems to be a bit small though.

EDIT: Just measured it against the spec. No way they will fit under my seats.

[brimway]

I had the same thought once but there isnt that much room between the floor and the underneath of the seat. There does seem to be a gap of sorts, probably for the dynaudio amp which I dont have. It seems to be a bit small though.

EDIT: Just measured it against the spec. No way they will fit under my seats.

Arc audio amps are a nice fit

6516

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f78/golf-r-sound-upgrade-pics-71966.html

[zoonosis]

I was talking about a underseat sub/amp not just an amp. I'll need a monoblock amp eventually. That looks like a good spot for it, thanks for the pic.

[seangti]

Just a thought, but for those of you who have these VW focal upgrades, do you really need a sub? I mean obviously it is ideal to have a sub to fill in the low end a bit more. But what is the bass like out of the focals? More of the spectrum covered?

depends on listening habits and the volume you want. I have a nice sounding system at home (and focal head phones :-)) for when I want to enjoy the music, and until recently didn't drive my car daily so wasn't worth the hassle. Though in the car there's also generally too much road noise to fully appreciate some on the intricacy's of music. $400 is a bargain for focals...

Typically, rule of thumb is to start with fronts speakers which you enjoy the sound of, and build around them with amplification and sub.