[Kanuck]

I just got my Jetta 2011 TDI with the Premium 8 sound system and I must say that the audio is no where comparable to my Passat 2007.

- I find that there is not much punch and the sound is not very good.
- Also have quite a few glitches with my Ipod. The song titles do not always show up and for some reason it is a random type issue.

It's almost as if I am missing a power amplifier and decent speakers. If I would have knowned that before I would not have paid for that package.

My question is that does anyone have any recommendation on how I can fix the sound ? DO I need to install a power amplifier or is there one already ? Also what about speakers, any recommendations ?

Thanks for the help.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

Correct, there is no external amplifier.

The new mk6 Jetta platform currently does not yet have a "top of the line" sound system. It will though, the Fender-Panasonic sound system will be installed in next year's GLI so if you're willing to do some wiring and buy those parts it will be an OEM system.

However, due to the expense of OEM parts, it's really only economical if you can find a salvage car and pull the parts from it. I suggest going with an aftermarket amp due to cost and availability.

Your Passat probably had the hi-fi system or Dynaudio. There is currently no option in North America for this yet until next year with the Fender-Panasonic systems and they may not be available on the Jetta TDI anyways (will be on the Passat).

 

[ULMJackDaniels]

I was actually surprised that the 2010 Jetta Sportwagen's speakers sound pretty nice. I'm assuming you have the Sedan since this is the MK6 forum. You could probably get away with doing the same as I am. I'm trying to upgrade my system soon because I just want more bass and a little more clarity, so I'm going try to install a after market amplifier, sub-woofers, and back door speakers. Just be aware that if your speakers are like mine, the front doors are components and I think the back are coaxial, although the back may be components as well. I don't feel like bothering with component replacement right now, that's why I'm doing just the back at this point. I assume the radio's built in amp should power most after market speakers, unless you get something REAL expensive that requires a lot of wattage.

 

[Kanuck]

I upgraded everything in the car are far as speakers. The front were full range 20watt made in China speakers and the rear dorrs were the same 20 watts woofer speakers.

I changed them all for EarthQuake VTEK 6.5" speakers and an 8 inch subwoofer in the trunk. I drive all for speakers with an amplifer and a seperate one for the sub. I tapped into the speaker wires and fed everything into a Scorpion high level to low level output RCA converter in order to reduce engine noise, computer noise and feedback to the bluetooth in the radio.

Also threw in a remote switch that powers the amplifiers when the radio or bluetooth is triggered on.

It was a very big job but the sound is great and clear. Oh ya, loud too....

 

[ULMJackDaniels]

Dude, that sounds nice! If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions. It does sound like there are some differences, being you have a 2011 sedan as opposed to me having a 2010 Sportwagen. 1st, where did you tap into the speaker wires for the amplifier? Was it at the back of the radio or somewhere else? I need to do the same thing (my amp has speaker-level inputs), but I was thinking of tapping beneath the floor sill.

2nd, were you able to put the speakers directly into the door, or did you need an adapter/ring to go under the speakers?

Also, where did you tap into for the remote turn-on wire for the amplifier?

I hope mine turns out as good as yours. :nana2:

 

[Kanuck]

I tapped into the speaker wires running on the door baseboard panels in the front and rear. Decided not to even go into the back of the radio. It a bit more wiring but it was worth it. I would have ran a RCA output from the radio feeding my amps but the new Premium radio does not have any RCA outputs.

I also have amps that accept the speaker line levels but in my case it was a nightmare of noise and EMI noise. So that is why I converted my inputs to low level. All my wiring and extra components like the line level converters and remote on/off fit nicely underneath the rear seat.

My speakers did fit directly into the door without no adapter rings. The window does not interfere at all. You will need to drill out the pop rivets used to fasten the stock speakers and just use good steel crews for the new ones.

You can use any speaker wire to feed the remote switch and from there your amplifier usually has a remote input.

I kept my front tweeters hooked up on the radio and added a set in the back to bring the audio up from the floor because the speakers are located lower in the back doors.

Good luck on your project.

 

[ULMJackDaniels]

Thanks Kanuck, sounds just as I am planning to do, so hopefully it works well. I was worried before that the baseboard panel wasn't pulling up easily, but Chitty said just pull, it should pop up. I may just try to run directly with the speaker-level inputs, but may have to redo them if I have noise like you did. Thanks for all the input!

 

[Kanuck]

Thanks Kanuck, sounds just as I am planning to do, so hopefully it works well. I was worried before that the baseboard panel wasn't pulling up easily, but Chitty said just pull, it should pop up. I may just try to run directly with the speaker-level inputs, but may have to redo them if I have noise like you did. Thanks for all the input!

The line convertes are pretty cheap. You can get them for around 10$ each (one for front the other for rear)... I would go that route if you have a stock VW radio.

 

[ULMJackDaniels]

Yeah, they are only 10-20 bucks, so I'll probably just do that. Do you happen to remember the speaker wire colors? I think I found the colors on another website, but I wanted to ask someone who has done it the way I planned. I hope I'm not being a bother. lol

 

[Kanuck]

Yeah, they are only 10-20 bucks, so I'll probably just do that. Do you happen to remember the speaker wire colors? I think I found the colors on another website, but I wanted to ask someone who has done it the way I planned. I hope I'm not being a bother. lol

No bother at all ! As for the speaker wire colors, I can't remember but I know they are the bigger wires and the others are all used for data. Remember to check polarity also when connecting the speakers. I use a 9 volt battery and check for the speaker to push out and that would be positive.

Also if you have excess RCA cable, do not roll it up in a circle because you will create a coil and that's not good. I just placed the extra under the rear seat lengthwise.

Oh by the way, get yourself some tools for removing the door panels and save you from breaking anything and take your time. The 2011 Jetta doors are real hard to take apart.

http://www.sourcingmap.com/larger_image.php?products_image=ux_a09021400ux0245_ux_&p=30471&products_imageType=jpg

http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.m...ode=TRIM-01&Screen=PROD&Store_Code=camaro6769

 

[ULMJackDaniels]

I don't have those exact tools, but I do have a mini pry-bar tool. I guess that will work for the floor board as well.