Where to wire in crossovers?

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Bepis
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Posts: 321
Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:19 pm
Drives: 2017 6C GTi Manual
Location: Cheshire

Where to wire in crossovers?

Post by Bepis »

I'm looking at finally upgrading the speakers in my polo with a set of components and a sub.

I'm struggling to find any information on where I should put the crossovers as the factory wiring seems to have the tweeters splice into the wiring for the door speakers before the junction in the door. I'd like to use the factory wiring as I'm not running them off an amp just an aftermarket head unit.

Any help is much appreciated :)
ValleyForge
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2021 1:16 pm
Drives: 9N3 GTI
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Where to wire in crossovers?

Post by ValleyForge »

I can't help with the crossovers, but I'm waiting on a Blaupunkt Sub to fit in the spare wheel.
I put a new head unit in a year ago and put upgrading the speakers into the "too-hard-basket". In the GTi they are pretty much bonded to the trim. No easy swap out.
And it's damn fine with the original speakers.
Bepis
Silver Member
Posts: 321
Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:19 pm
Drives: 2017 6C GTi Manual
Location: Cheshire

Re: Fitting a subwoofer and where to wire in crossovers?

Post by Bepis »

ValleyForge wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 1:42 pm I can't help with the crossovers, but I'm waiting on a Blaupunkt Sub to fit in the spare wheel.
I put a new head unit in a year ago and put upgrading the speakers into the "too-hard-basket". In the GTi they are pretty much bonded to the trim. No easy swap out.
And it's damn fine with the original speakers.
I've had the sub in for a few weeks now and the difference it makes especially when listening loud was night and day. A set of components really isn't needed as long as you have a good head unit.

For anyone interested:
Headunit: Alpine UTE-204DAB https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1
Subwoofer: Alpine SWE 815 (with the box ported rather than sealed) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1
RCA cables: Mogami 2964 (3M) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1
90 degree RCA adapters as the RCA connectors were too long and prevented the head unit from being seated properly into the dash. These worked fine: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1
Some plastic cable protector for the section of wire in the engine bay: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08 ... UTF8&psc=1

For installation, I ran the RCA cables under the centre console then under the rear seats into the boot, the power and switch wire were ran down the passenger side under the lower sill trim then under the rear seats and I grounded it behind the carpet on the left side of the boot near to where the first aid kit holder is as there was already a factory ground there.

I got the power cable into the car via the grommet behind the ABS pump which seems to have now been used by the hose for the rear washer on later models so I took the grommet out and ran it alongside as no matter how hard I tried the wire was not going through the grommet with the washer hose. My car doesn't have a full engine undertray and even in torrential rain going 70mph on the motorway, the carpet was dry however, I'm still going to seal the hole with some silicone as there shouldn't be an open hole.

I have the 1.4 BUD engine with the 90amp alternator and haven't faced any power issues (headlights flickering with the bass, battery warning light etc) even with all electronics and lights in the car switched on with the music at full volume as at most the amp in the sub will draw 150W peak before the 10amp fuse pops. I wouldn't consider a battery upgrade necessary unless you like to sit with the engine off listening to loud music for an extended amount of time but I upgraded to a Yuasa YBX5027 just for the peace of mind. You can fit a type 12 or type 27 battery no problem you'll just need the larger battery surround for the type 27 which is around £30 new from your VW dealer.

Hope this helps anyone looking to do the same :)
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