MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Sat Nav and Car Audio => Topic started by: stuartj9 on April 23, 2020, 05:52:00 pm

Title: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 23, 2020, 05:52:00 pm
OK, so I've decided to go for the Gladen upgrade in the front.

I'm going to use an amp but struggling to understand which watt I need and what is a decent one. Can anyone shed some light please? I don't want to spend too much but want to get the best out of my speakers. I will also be changing the rear speakers (5 door) but also need recommendations on these too. Again, I don't want to pay too much for these as the front cost enough.

I plan on using some deadening too but want recommendations on this. Again, nothing too expensive.

Appreciate your input!
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: shail on April 23, 2020, 07:12:53 pm
I recently installed a Kenwood X301-4.  It's a 4 channel amp giving 4 x 50w.  I assume the Garden speakers you have are rated for much higher wattage, so you can use the amp to drive just 2 speakers at 150w per channel.  Good thing about this amp is that it fits well under the front seats.   You could buy 2 amps, one under each seat and drive all 4 speakers at 150w.

Cost me £90 on offer from Amazon, which I think is a good price.

(https://i.ibb.co/J7hvsGq/IMG-20200410-133502.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DCq9RvY)
(https://i.ibb.co/1zG0jzh/IMG-20200410-133459.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xFq2dFP)
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: LC5F on April 23, 2020, 09:14:29 pm
Lots of online info out there on amp to speaker wattage - just look at your speaker ohms and go from there.
Bridged small amps like shail surgests are a good fit under seats, but you do double up power / earth leads and will take a bit more adjustment. Please make sure you fix your amp securely, thin ply under carpet and short screws through into the wood is one of several ways to fix through the carpet under a seat.

Any possibility you may add a sub in future? you can get 5 channel amps - you could bridge the 4 full signal channels for the fronts and 1 mono to drive the sub - but this will be too big to fit under a front seat.
Have you thought how you are going to get a signal to the amp? - line drive or RCA leads will effect your amp choice

Self adhesive flashing tape is pretty cheap for sound deadening -the wider the better.
With all this extra power, look into how to seal your speaker to the door metal and also speaker to door panel, I just got some foam rings off ebay that mold and seal the door panel https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-Black-6-5-Foam-Rings-Car-Door-Speaker-Enhancer-System-Kit-Universal-RC/143545462532?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649  (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-Black-6-5-Foam-Rings-Car-Door-Speaker-Enhancer-System-Kit-Universal-RC/143545462532?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) these force all the sound into the cabin

Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 23, 2020, 09:23:12 pm
Absolutely great advice.

I already have an underseat sub (Pioneer). Would I run this off an amp too? It's a great little speaker to give some much needed bass with the stock R32 speakers. Does this have an amp built in or would I get even more out of it by running this off an amp too?

The Gladen speakers have very little technical info. I'm struggling to find their RMS. They're quoting 225/150w. Surely the 150 part is not the RMS? I know from reviews they're pretty awesome speakers though. These speakers already come with the collars and change my 6.5" speaker into an 8" I plan on silicone to the door and riveting back.

I would prefer to have one amp but I wont rule having two separate ones out.

The father in law has more knowledge than me but what are your suggestions for wiring?
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: shail on April 23, 2020, 09:51:19 pm
What head unit do you have?  That will have a bearing on wiring, and how the sub is wired (RCA or speaker level) If you have a sub under the seat it will have a built in amp. 

Couple of pointers, may be of use, may not from my DIY install a week ago:
- There is lots of space in the door sills for cabling.
- You can also get cables under the carpet along the side of the centre console
- Amazon basics RCA leads are pretty good.  That's what I used.
- Get yourself a roll of automotive loom tape to wrap cabling up. Helps with rattles.
- There are some good grounding points at the side of the centre console

Finally, I've had poor experience using silicone in doors.  I used some on an old car to reseal the inner door carrier.  After a year or so the silicone had gone brittle.   Replaced with butyl tape, which remains flexible at low temps.  Can be bought in various thicknesses on roll fairly cheaply. 
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 23, 2020, 10:23:43 pm
I have a Chinese android unit which improved the sound straight away.
I'll keep the sun running off the headunit. The hu had rca cables to run the speakers off. It's a a pretty decent spec unit.

Done valuable tips there! I'm going to use your advice given you've done your own and have first hand experience.

I'm just struggling with picking amps. The speakers I'll use in the back won't be as good at the front so am I better have x2 2 channels? Would I need a more powerful one for the Gladen's and do I go off the rms?
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: LC5F on April 23, 2020, 10:34:42 pm
Sounds like your under seat sub is an all in one unit - should have signal an power/earth connected - so in theory there is no need to look to amp that.


Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 23, 2020, 10:52:01 pm
Cheers mate

With the speakers in the back likely to be less than 150 rms, am I best getting x2 2 channels with one more petrol for the gladen's?
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: LC5F on April 24, 2020, 04:38:01 pm
Personally I would just disconnect the rear speakers - they will muddy the sound if they are still running
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 24, 2020, 05:39:09 pm
I'm looking at the Gladen M line for the rear and a Gladen amp

Gladen RC Line RC 105c4 600w RMS 4 ch amplifier Class A/B
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: LC5F on April 24, 2020, 09:13:57 pm
Double check that it will fit under the seat otherwise its got to go into the boot - meaning longer cables to and from the amp - thought you were on a budget fella!
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 24, 2020, 09:32:20 pm
It's going in the boot. For the speakers and amp it's 350. I was budgeting 240 ish so 110 more for Gladen, I think it's worth it. Tell me I'm right ha.
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: pudding on April 25, 2020, 01:26:32 pm
That little Kenwood is neat.  Let me know what the Gladens sound like.  Been considering the 8" upgrade for mine but didn't want to faff around chopping things to make them fit.
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 25, 2020, 07:32:09 pm
I've put the drivers side in today. It was pretty straight forward. It's just a bit fiddly with getting the doors cards on and positioning the wires.

I can't give an opinion on sound yet as I've not got the amp. I'll keep you updated though. I'm ordering the amp next week and the rears.

I did discover today though that I only have two speakers in the front (6.5 and tweeter). I thought it was 3 speakers. It's not got 3 in the drivers side.

Not sure how to upload pictures.
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: connorjust on April 27, 2020, 06:54:57 pm
Hey stuart.

Always aim to have the RMS of the amp to match the RMS of the speakers or if anything higher, never lower.

Class A/B is a great idea for sound quality, although class D is small because it’s digital so sonically not as warm as what your looking at. If your looking at front and rear speakers and the fronts require 150w rms I think I remember you saying I would find an amplifier that has 4x150 rather than having multiple amplifiers. You can always adjust the gain down on the tears or fade more bias to the front on the stereo if the rears do not need as much power as the fronts.

Regarding the missing mid range speaker that’s pretty common, I’ve seen a lot of Gti’s and r32’s without this speaker. It must have been an option from new.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: Andy on April 27, 2020, 08:43:01 pm
I've put the drivers side in today. It was pretty straight forward. It's just a bit fiddly with getting the doors cards on and positioning the wires.

I can't give an opinion on sound yet as I've not got the amp. I'll keep you updated though. I'm ordering the amp next week and the rears.

I did discover today though that I only have two speakers in the front (6.5 and tweeter). I thought it was 3 speakers. It's not got 3 in the drivers side.

Not sure how to upload pictures.
Use this site to up load pictures Stu
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: stuartj9 on April 29, 2020, 05:12:05 pm
Hey stuart.

Always aim to have the RMS of the amp to match the RMS of the speakers or if anything higher, never lower.

Class A/B is a great idea for sound quality, although class D is small because it’s digital so sonically not as warm as what your looking at. If your looking at front and rear speakers and the fronts require 150w rms I think I remember you saying I would find an amplifier that has 4x150 rather than having multiple amplifiers. You can always adjust the gain down on the tears or fade more bias to the front on the stereo if the rears do not need as much power as the fronts.

Regarding the missing mid range speaker that’s pretty common, I’ve seen a lot of Gti’s and r32’s without this speaker. It must have been an option from new.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The amp can throw out 400w rms. The speakers I have will take 2x 150w rms and 2x 80 rms, so in total 460 rms. I'll be giving the front that little bit more to use the power effectively.

I'm glad it wasn't just me with "missing" mid ranges. I'm sure I'll see a huge benefit once all done with the extra 2 speakers and the extra power.

Still no idea so I used Imgur. Grateful if you could point me in the right direction for future reference. I've searched the forum too :(
https://imgur.com/16U32LB
https://imgur.com/K5MMm14
https://imgur.com/rnvKikD
https://imgur.com/flZ1YYr
https://imgur.com/a4LvtZe
https://imgur.com/xLU4OhE
https://imgur.com/B69HBOT
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: shail on May 05, 2020, 07:41:41 pm
I'm thinking of getting that Gladen kit, as it looks like an easy install.  Let us know what they sound like when you've got the amp.
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: phrozen on May 06, 2020, 03:33:10 pm
Finally, I've had poor experience using silicone in doors.  I used some on an old car to reseal the inner door carrier.  After a year or so the silicone had gone brittle.   Replaced with butyl tape, which remains flexible at low temps.  Can be bought in various thicknesses on roll fairly cheaply.

Great advice with the butyl tape it stays flexible and tacky for many years

P
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: phrozen on May 06, 2020, 03:35:16 pm
Anyone looking for Gladen stuff I would highly recommend Team SPB.

I always use them for my installs and they are an authorised dealer who can guide you toward whats amp etc

P
Title: Re: Gladen 200 Extreme speaker update - help
Post by: RedSwede on September 04, 2020, 01:22:27 pm
Just looking around for speaker options and came across this.

Just for future reference, everyone seems to be getting really hung up on wattage. The rating on the speaker is just a safety limit. If you want to listen really, really loud, get something with a high rating. Otherwise, apart from subs, it's more or less unimportant.

For front speakers, the woofers probably want 50w each, mid/tweeters, barely 20w will be enough. So 75wpc would be absolutely fine. Most amps have this now, so just buy a) what you believe will sound best and b) what physically fits where you want.

(Not saying speakers aren't worth it at all, but from previous cars experience, I would say speakers are typically the last thing to look to... Get a subwoofer and DSP+amp for the standard speakers and - well tuned (which is the hard bit) - that will produce something an order of magnitude better than amp+speakers)