MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Sat Nav and Car Audio => Topic started by: Scaff on June 12, 2013, 09:23:55 pm

Title: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on June 12, 2013, 09:23:55 pm
Starting on my Audio install tomorrow (first big install I've ever done so go easy on me) and wondered if anyone know's any good tips, tricks or links to anything similar. particularly running speaker wires into doors which I haven't really checked out yet

Starting with sound deadening the whole car with silent coat deadening (opted for the 2mm bulk pack for less weight) and noise isolator including inner and outer door skins then running all the speaker cables, power cables, rca's etc.. Everything's going to be braided and labelled for a really neat install


Here's the kit I'm going to be running

Alpine iDA-X100 Head unit

Hertz HDP5 Amplifier powering the front Hertz HSK163 3 way components and Hertz HX250d 10" Sub

Hertz HE4 Amplifier powering the rear Hertz HSK165 2 way components

See how it goes but may be throwing a Audison Bitone into the mix aswell.

Powerwise Im going to be running 1x 0 AWG and 1 x 4 AWG cable into a digital fused distributor which will then feed into my amps and airride management. Is this sufficient enough?

Ive got 15 AWG speaker cable for front and rear components and 12 AWG speaker cable for sub woofer, again, is this sufficient enough or should I go for a thicker gauge speaker wire?

Most of the deadening and wiring arrived today so can get right stuck in tomorrow  :smiley:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zpsdc00cf3f.jpg&hash=935b23ba442a817b362650a5654186ce3dae0ae6)

Any advice appreciated  :drinking:



Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: rich83 on June 12, 2013, 09:29:21 pm
Take your time...


... i'm out of suggestions!  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on June 12, 2013, 09:30:14 pm
Take your time...


... i'm out of suggestions!  :signLOL:


Good bit of advice right there, will definitely be taking it in  :happy2:
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Squeeguk on June 12, 2013, 09:43:40 pm
Take your time...


Very good advice.

Great set of audio equipment you got there. I have a build on here:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,53582.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,53582.0.html)

and another build I done recently:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,65992.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,65992.0.html)

O AWG will be perfectly adequate for those amps.

Best advice for the sound deadening is to remove the door skins, makes life so much easier for placing the deadening on the outer skin and inner skin in you want to. Also give much better access to routing the cables through the OEM positions in the doors.

Have a read through the above and ask any questions you may have.

How will you be setting your gains? That is extremely important. Another point is, do you have a capacitor to help smooth the voltage to the amps? Also look at upgrading your battery. I am a Four Master and can supply their range of high capacity batteries specifically for car audio systems.
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on June 12, 2013, 09:52:12 pm
Take your time...


Very good advice.

Great set of audio equipment you got there. I have a build on here:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,53582.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,53582.0.html)

and another build I done recently:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,65992.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,65992.0.html)

O AWG will be perfectly adequate for those amps.

Best advice for the sound deadening is to remove the door skins, makes life so much easier for placing the deadening on the outer skin and inner skin in you want to. Also give much better access to routing the cables through the OEM positions in the doors.

Have a read through the above and ask any questions you may have.

How will you be setting your gains? That is extremely important. Another point is, do you have a capacitor to help smooth the voltage to the amps? Also look at upgrading your battery. I am a Four Master and can supply their range of high capacity batteries specifically for car audio systems.

Cheers Mate, Will take a look at your link's now. I haven't looked into power cap's or bigger battery's though, What would you recommend? Also How are power cap's wired up? Never came across one up close so not very familiar with them.
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Squeeguk on June 12, 2013, 10:06:22 pm
I am looking into the right size battery at the minute so can advise in due course.

With regards the cap, it all depends on the amp, with the HDP's you would take your 0 AWG into the cap and then feed off two 4 AWG to each amp. Basically the cap stores energy for the times your system demands extra energy so your lights don't dim and it doesn't put excess strain on the battery at times.
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on June 12, 2013, 10:12:38 pm
I am looking into the right size battery at the minute so can advise in due course.

With regards the cap, it all depends on the amp, with the HDP's you would take your 0 AWG into the cap and then feed off two 4 AWG to each amp. Basically the cap stores energy for the times your system demands extra energy so your lights don't dim and it doesn't put excess strain on the battery at times.

Yes keep me updated Battery wise. I will definitely be looking into a cap then. Just read through your thread, Great write up and a lot of helpful info there especially with regards to running wires though to the doors and mounting the crossovers   :happy2:
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on June 12, 2013, 10:26:29 pm
Just read the recent build you done. Proper stuff! All that kit must of cost a fortune!
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Squeeguk on June 12, 2013, 10:51:18 pm
Yep, it sure did :scared:

Does sound incredible though. The clarity right through the range is awesome. Still some fettling to be done, next week sometime hopefully.
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on June 14, 2013, 07:42:14 am
Where did you get the speaker wiring from? Any links?  :happy2:
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on June 14, 2013, 10:04:48 am
I got the cables from all different company's through eBay, the speaker wire I got from Radioworld, 15AWG 99p a metre with 5 metres free when you buy over 5 metres
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Rob. on June 14, 2013, 10:08:20 am
A bigger battery will be a worthwhile upgrade if you start to struggle with voltage drop (I'm not up on the Hertz amp specs, so don't know the total RMS power of the system).

Avoid capacitors though - they add no value.
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: edd666999 on June 14, 2013, 10:17:10 am
Back when my boot just had 2 ported re audio subs in it and all I did was read about car audio, the consensus was power caps were pointless. Get the big 3 done (grounds and alternator) and run good quality cabling.

I eventually ended up with 3yellow top battery's in my boot and plenty of window flex! I think it's the main reason I can't hear these days.
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JagGTi on June 15, 2013, 03:03:26 pm
Ditto above. Spend your money on 'the big 3' as Ed says, then battery. The general consensus on caps when I was putting together my install a couple years back was that they are a waste of time. Get on to the talkaudio forum where you will find some very useful help and feedback!
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on June 15, 2013, 03:30:49 pm
yeah, I've read into upgrading those cables, I'll do them right away as it doesn't really cost much to upgrade them either.
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 02, 2013, 05:06:34 pm
So,I finished the whole install yesterday, So happy with the results, sounds amazing. All ready thinking about stage 2 of the build now and running the system fully active (Should of ran all the wiring while I had all the interior out but didn't really think I was going to go as far as that till now) :smiley:

Big thanks to Squeeguk for all the help and supplying all the bits even though he was in the middle of a big move to Abu Dhabi!
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Rob. on July 03, 2013, 04:37:40 pm
Good work :) Did you say you were gonna be at VAGabonds on Sunday, or not?
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 03, 2013, 04:39:33 pm
Yes Rob, should be there :)
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 04, 2013, 07:43:09 pm
Any tips / tricks as will be doing mine soon  :happy2:
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 04, 2013, 08:03:59 pm
Any tips / tricks as will be doing mine soon  :happy2:

What you going for mate, squeeguk posted a couple of good links on the first page of the builds he's done which helped me out alot. 1 major tip is to try and not have the whole golf interior scattered all over the house as it can do the mrs head in big time! my little boy liked the recaros for watching peppa pig and ben and hollys little kingdom though lol
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 04, 2013, 10:18:44 pm
3 way fronts. 2 way rears. Sub in boot alcove on the left. Amp under the seat. Rear view camera.

How long did it take you?
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 04, 2013, 11:35:51 pm
took me about 2 weeks but mainly because I kept coming across things I needed and waiting for them to be delivered. I sound deadened the whole floor throughout the car, sound deadening, noise isolator and acoustic foam along the whole sides of the car, inner and outta door skins. braided all the cables throughout aswell bar the ones from the crossovers as I'm eventually going to be running the front components active so will be ditching the crossover. Looks really good even though you cant see any of it lol.

I've still got to sound deaden the whole boot area and tailgate and modify my false floor so only the face of the sub will be shown and everything else hidden. Hoping to get that done next week

Used these connectors for all the tweeters and the front mids as recommended by Squeeguk (COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK AS ITS NOT WORKING FOR SOME REASON, sorry for shouting :) )  http://www.modelsport.co.uk/leads-connectors/rc-car-categories/9920/992045&MSAttributeID[39]=638&MSAttributeID[40]=1043&ManufacturerID=1174

Used 12 gauge cables for the front speaker runs and 14 gauge for the rear, 12 gauge for sub. I took pictures of nearly everything I done. I'll get some uploaded and post them up

Do you know what equipment your going for yet?
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 05, 2013, 12:04:01 am
Here's a load of pics. I'm Too tired to organise them so I'll just throw em up in whatever order photobucket decides lol

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps494e6fa3.jpg&hash=79208b50740de8e26fc79aab67862ba4b40bdfc6)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps2e255ed3.jpg&hash=af554edf1f447106fa1aac6352967a5e32652a28)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps6e63f189.jpg&hash=3733926561d7b28da9a4b8786a9c79592b532028)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zpse2f890bf.jpg&hash=8d51a70a64a43347fd2711a39311f25b0f2786ad)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps7dca69ed.jpg&hash=24a3fb7718371101531afc4c4e93b08049ec7a70)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zpse6b9dfaa.jpg&hash=5f8873f607df19453cd56b2d013e1ecbc8bbc64a)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps3879b39c.jpg&hash=b6a61922039e8994a864bee8ed720d5703122b06)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps1b31955f.jpg&hash=f2ffca97f0325377453a5e4589d0b85e3a1606ca)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps96eea8d3.jpg&hash=d1a71eb7e6186bd649b69587f960a84855cfa6b8)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zpsdd9eb88e.jpg&hash=a3686faecd7f8b878e9290f4c7a6cd73e3e87980)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps904484fb.jpg&hash=070638f5d7007a07c28e3f48e3e15c73ccbc49b9)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps4d347e12.jpg&hash=e19d8ecf1363fbdf7ac0e5a2bb3b1ebebbd584b7)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps7c8521af.jpg&hash=6225440bb1fa8fdc9013bcfadc1ef5f0c21e4b02)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps3b20bf86.jpg&hash=5fd6d3e604837180e89cf90899dbfab97de3bd5a)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zpsbcb2308f.jpg&hash=304acd6b3b3a0643da103cce58a39c002c8a744a)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps4fa18cda.jpg&hash=1a88326f937024d4ad00eaca2080fb6732826671)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps97080222.jpg&hash=b854d95d94b4979e6925c4d724a8c5b0dd23c68f)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps7740af6c.jpg&hash=93ef8ff15dbe7d5e6ed790d8ba02ea0cc6428cdc)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps9943e88b.jpg&hash=561de79778d5992e7e5178d0afb16a41514e4a5f)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps49c77774.jpg&hash=c9331f549b98cc5b59cf55273b0b4d3d56a22626)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zpsc6b9cd69.jpg&hash=7f1916960a9c1a6bf6d1c23f162368db512d3409)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps03bce4af.jpg&hash=3d64bf00249479fe94c9dd563925f9cf1190b311)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps65b24720.jpg&hash=e4d765b3c6647f7acb10b8e0ef6cb79e701b24f0)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fad20%2Fskipdub%2Fnull_zps9b0018d8.jpg&hash=f76a152e278af4dbcefcdfa2b469ba58275ffc60)
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 05, 2013, 07:08:20 pm
Looks sweet
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Squeeguk on July 05, 2013, 10:41:52 pm
Excellent work there Ben. Top notch mate. :congrats:
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 06, 2013, 12:05:19 am
Cheers Luis  :smiley:
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 09, 2013, 10:34:57 pm
Did you rivet or screw the adapters in place? Any idea of the rivet size if you used them?? Cheers
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Rob. on July 10, 2013, 07:43:14 am
Saw this at VAGabonds on Sunday...was gutted I didn't catch you for a listen!
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 10, 2013, 09:47:19 am
I screwed and bonded the adaptors in just in case i was to change to wooden baffles in the future i wouldn't have to take the door skin off to do it. Shoulda gave me a shout Rob :)


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Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 25, 2013, 08:48:33 pm
How did you get the power cable to the battery? Iv started stripping it tonight...
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 25, 2013, 09:56:13 pm
Theres a rubber grommet behind the battery. If you take out the battery and the battery holder you will see it


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Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 25, 2013, 10:11:50 pm
Sweet

Thanks
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Rob. on July 25, 2013, 10:24:26 pm
I started to run some speaker cable to my doors last night...am I right in thinking you basically have to take the outer door skin off to have any chance of feeding the cables through?
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 25, 2013, 10:42:06 pm
I started to run some speaker cable to my doors last night...am I right in thinking you basically have to take the outer door skin off to have any chance of feeding the cables through?

I think thats correct. Im just going to re-use oem stuff
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Andy on July 25, 2013, 10:46:35 pm
I ran my cables through to doors with them complete
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 26, 2013, 01:57:06 pm
Dont be scared to take door skin off, it is really easy to do, theres a guide online showing everything. There maybe a way of running wires into the door without removing it but it will be so much easier just removing the skin.


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Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Rob. on July 26, 2013, 02:04:00 pm
I ran my cables through to doors with them complete

I'd love to know how!

Scaff: the repair guide I've read talks about some special tool needed for re-connecting the door handle? Is that true?
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 26, 2013, 02:37:36 pm
No thats not true, ill post the links when im back later if you like. It is literally undo all the bolts around the door and it just comes off


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Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Rob. on July 27, 2013, 09:30:54 am
It's just the lock/handle bit I wanted to be careful of really. But yeh, would love any tips you've got!
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 27, 2013, 04:16:20 pm
Where can i get a feed from for the remote wire for the amp?
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Rob. on July 27, 2013, 05:07:31 pm
The blue wire on the back of the head unit loom is generally for amp remote turn on (assuming it's an aftermarket headunit?)
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 27, 2013, 05:49:34 pm
It's just the lock/handle bit I wanted to be careful of really. But yeh, would love any tips you've got!

here's a guide that shows the handle bit in detail http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2984471-DIY-Passenger-Side-Door-Skin-Removal

Trust me its so easy, I took it apart and put it all back together first time with no troubles at all. Just make sure you do one door at a time and place everything in a order so you know where it all goes back
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: Scaff on July 27, 2013, 05:52:57 pm
Where can i get a feed from for the remote wire for the amp?

as rob said or if you are using a standard unit, you will need an amp with auto turn on via the speaker outs or one of these little gadgets http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271076215492?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Title: Re: Complete Audio Install
Post by: JoeDarKa on July 27, 2013, 06:42:57 pm
Iv got a LOC but didnt know you can get one with auto turn on. Im using my oem headunit, i might splice into the cig lighter or something