(Note: Shaun is from South Africa where they get the European Head Unit. This is from an email he sent me regarding his stereo upgrades.)

I recently upgraded the sound system in my car very successfully and with minimal modification. It sounds fantastic now and I would reccomend the following configuration and equipment to anyone looking for a good quality audio system with minimal modification to the looks and functionality to their GTI.

I used the standard head unit (Blaupunkt 2040) with the optional 6 disk Clarion CD changer, which means the existing displays and controls operate as normal. The only modification involved cutting the back out of the plastic speaker mountings in the doors to accomodate the larger speaker magnets and cutting out the grid part of the black plastic covers to flush mount the larger tweeters that I used. Other than that everything is standard so nothing is visible to prying eyes !

Although the standard radio output is pretty pathetic and has no RCA's, it can be put through a preamp and then into a decent amplifier. I used an Audio Control 3in1 preamp which includes an equaliser to shape the sound and a Rockford Fosgate 400a4 50wx4 amplifier. Its important to get a decent line voltage coming out from the preamp into the amplifier so that you get a strong signal. 3-5 volts is recommended.

I replaced the existing front speaker splits with the Rockford Fosgate FNQ2614 6.5" component speakers. These are a truly kick ass set of speakers and i definitely recommend them. In the boot I have installed a Rockford Punch XLC 10" subwoofer in a small sealed box which can be removed should I need to carry something large in the boot. The box is very small and you still have a fair amount of boot space left even with it in place.

The existing rear speakers have been retained and run directly off the head unit. I have however put capacitors in line with the rear speakers to filter off all bass frequencies. They simply provide a bit of rear fill.

From the front seats this system sounds excellent, Very clear and with just the right amount of bass. However, the rear could do with more midrange and hi's. If you don't often have people in the back of the car, don't bother with the rear speakers, however if rear sound is important, I would recommend replacing the rear speakers and amplifying them too.

Shaun

shaunfut@mweb.co.za
(Shaun said if you want more specific infor, then email him)