9n door speaker fitting + replacement questions

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:38 pm

Well some time (not really going to be soon) I shall look to work on my stereo system in my 9n.

Currently it has a factory speaker in each of the front doors, running off a VW headunit (casette) with a CD player int he other slot.

Now I want to change this to:

- new headunit with an iPod connector lead
- new front door speakers
- fit rear door speakers
- fill empty space in dash

My questions are:

What's involved with replacing a headunit?

What's involved with replacing front speakers?

What's involved with fitting rear speakers? There are places where it looks like speakers can go (speaker grilles in the door pannel). Is there an easy wiring route?

What type of speakers do I need? And can you offer any advice with regards to which speakers to get?

The pocket thing to go in the dash, how much will that be (we're good mates with a guy who owns a garage, won't be buying it from a VW garage)

Anything else I should know?

As I said, this is just so that I can get an idea as to what will be involved.

Cheers guys.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:54 pm

To get the Headunit out you just need the correct keys, you can buy them from halfords and they just pop in either side and pull out.

After that pick a headunit of your choice
this ones good for using an ipod

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -22867.htm

they come with wire adaptors that simply plug into the original wires and then into the back of the headunit.

Front speakers I'd recommend some quality 6.5" components, for the price these are really good

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -22579.htm

You could just plug these into the original wires and have them run off the headunit,

But its advisable to get a seperate amplifier for them to run on their full potential.

Personally, if you get good enough front speakers I wouldn't bother with rear speakers, just get a subwoofer with seperate amplifier

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:02 pm

cheers for the advice.

I want speakers in the back because I'd prefer sound from all around, and backseat passengers getting a better audio-experience.

As for running a sub and amp, I don't want to spend a lot, but mainly, I want all my boot space, it gets used a lot.

I've heard a lot of good things about this pioneer:

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/arch ... index.html
but that needs a ssmall thing fitted to it to connect to an Ipod. Also I prefer the price of that. I don't really want to spend much north of Â£150 as a rough idea.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:10 pm

Well the alpine one is only Â£129 and you can control your ipod through the interface on the unit, its really handy.

If you want speakers in the back I'd suggest getting some 6.5" coxials that match your front components,

Or even (dare I say it) 6X9s as they have a slightly better bass response,

I'd strongly suggest getting a good set of coxials though.

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:12 pm

sorry coxials?

where is the best place to buy speakers and a headunit from? so i can browse their range and see what's what

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:31 pm

check out caraudiodirect and caraudiocentre, they're the best places to look.

coxials are round mid-range one piece speakers

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:57 pm

cheers mate

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:05 pm

what about this headunit?:

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pioneer ... 33678feac9

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:27 am

yeh it looks ok, in terms of audio equipment you get what you pay for

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:58 am

Tim_GTi wrote:yeh it looks ok, in terms of audio equipment you get what you pay for

Ah yes.

So that alpine HU you mentioned:

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -22867.htm

with 4 of these speakers:

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -20267.htm

Would that be good? Or would I be better off spending elss on a headunit and more on speakers, or vica verca?

What sort of fitting is involved with speakers like these?

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:17 pm

Nah thats a good average setup youve chosen there,

if you buy a cheaper headunit, at some point you'll just want to get a bettter one.

And those speakers are good for just running off the headunit (as appose to a seperate amplifier)

to fit as I said get the correct keys to pop the old headunit out, and the new one comes with connecting cables that simply pop into the original wire and new headunit.

Not 100% sure how the 9N works with speakers reaplacing, but usually its just a case of taking off the doorcards, and simply replacing the old ones witht he new, with speakrs like that the original wire will be fine

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:58 pm

sounds good.

with the tweeters that come with them... where do they go? as I only see 4 speaker grilles in the car, there are no small "tweeter sized" ones... do the tweeters go next to the speakers behind the same grille?

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:18 pm

An ideal place for tweeters is in the corner of the door (right next to the wing mirror), that way its at head height so most effective.

I dont own a 9N personally so dont know the best placement for them, someone else will ahve to help you there.

Keep in mind you also need to find a space for the crossovers.

These are little boxes that the speakers, tweeters and head unit wires all connect to.

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:42 pm

Is there not already a crossover in there? Or will I need a new one due to having more speakers?

Cheers for all your advice and patience.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:49 pm

When you buy a set of components, they already come with crossovers, and will tell you clearly which wires to put on which terminals,

You just need to find a place to put them, on mark5s they fit in the doorcads no problem, should be pretty similar with a 9N