Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

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Oli3000
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by Oli3000 »

marky9074 wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2018 12:36 pm Sorry to revisit this, but just got around to fitting. So do I also need the special tools/keys to pull out the infotainment system (or does it come out when the glove box comes out?

Cheers,

Mark
Oli3000 wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:46 pm
marky9074 wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:01 pm

Thanks for that. Same link as I was going to buy from, so good to know. I was quoted GBP 450 for supply and fit I think. I didn't realise you could buy it as a part from the dealer.
Yep they quoted me £357 for the unit and £465 fully installed.

It took me about an hour and a half to do.

I bought these other pieces for fitting:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12pcs-Plastic ... 2749.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3x-Car-Termin ... 2749.l2649

I have a 3 door so I removed the followings items:
Passenger rear seat bench (just squeeze the arms together when it is up)
Passenger sill (http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/ ... r_models)/)
Lower A pillar below glovebox (http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/ ... ger_side)/)
Glovebox side panel (http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/ ... end_trims/)
Glovebox (http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/ ... mpartment/)
Before I removed the glovebox I partially slid out the MIB unit as it makes accessing the cables easier, but I did not completely remove it.

I did NOT remove this panel:
http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/ ... side_trim/
It looked bloody complex and unnecessary, I just removed the bolt under the rear seat and fed the cabling up behind the panel, using my trim tools to lever it up in places.

I then ran the loom from the glovebox, under the sill (adjacent to the existing wiring loom), behind the rear side panel, under the back seat where I coiled the extra, and into the space under the variable boot floor.

Followed the cabling instructions as per this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59bKOru ... e=youtu.be

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2906796467

I bought this set - the little metal keys remove the radio from within the glovebox itself (the MIB is held into a casing within the glovebox).

Then you need a terminal tool to push the wires out.

As I said, you just need to open the door of the MIB and slide it forward so you can get your hands in at the back - it doesn't need to be completely disconnected and removed.
x1022x
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by x1022x »

Hi, if you need the programming dongle I do still have it, and can at the same time send the pin release tool. Good luck - it’s worth the effort!


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marky9074
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by marky9074 »

Oli3000 wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:08 am
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2906796467

I bought this set - the little metal keys remove the radio from within the glovebox itself (the MIB is held into a casing within the glovebox).

Then you need a terminal tool to push the wires out.

As I said, you just need to open the door of the MIB and slide it forward so you can get your hands in at the back - it doesn't need to be completely disconnected and removed.
Thanks for that. A tidy little set with all the bits and pieces, shame I already ordered a big set. Anyway, ordered some keys now...
marky9074
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by marky9074 »

Just managed to fit this yesterday. I guess it was one of those once you know how to do it it's easy. However, there was plenty of cursing throughout. Probably the worst bit was getting the trim back on again (once the cable was run to the boot).... Cutting one of the ty-raps on the infotainment loom helped to get to the back and disconnect the plug (which again was not obvious).

When reinserting the main power and earth into the new connector block I had to use a lot of force (with long nose pliers), to get them in (with a nice click eventually). However, I could not get the clip through the middle to splay properly once reinserted (but the connection was made, and it was not going to come undone).

Now, within a day I think I have blown the pillar tweeters... either that or they are farting badly. I thought this amp set up would be balanced and not overdrive the OEM speakers.... but I guess not.

.... so has anyone got any recommendations for direct swap out speakers? Presume Pioneer must do a set?
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iichel
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by iichel »

My theory is that the sound system is designed with the OEM speakers specifically in mind, so I'm not sure a speaker upgrade is needed or desired.
marky9074
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by marky9074 »

You would think, but for sure the tweeters in the pillars are sounding worse now than when I had the stock set up without the Helix amp.
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iichel
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by iichel »

perhaps you need to program it with the dongle to the right 'programme'?
marky9074
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by marky9074 »

Just a quick update... re-programmed the amp via the dongle (kindly provided by a forum member here), and for now it sounds a lot better (not sure if it is placebo affect or not). It seems most of the distortion has gone, and now just some panel vibration notable....

However, I am a bit perturbed as it seems that the sub box has been sitting directly on the battery clamp, and has scratched and buckled the speaker grill. Maybe I was a bit naive, but I thought it stood off OK (and I did not check once putting it in). I've fashioned a foam spacer, but the damage is done :cry:
marky9074
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by marky9074 »

Hmmm, that sinking feeling in your stomach when you find the spacer ring and realise that you didn't know what it was for earlier.... :roll:
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Re: Plug and Play Sound system (Sub and Amp)

Post by Swanee »

Hi all...to bring this totally up-to-date. I've a 2018 GTi+ and sound system is rubbish so after much research settled on Helix sub, primarily as it won't invalid warranty.
Listers Leamington supplied and fitted and it sounded awful! They were puzzled as the B model is apparently preprogrammed for Polo. After much more research, yes but Polo 5 not 7! Polo 7 requires prog 14, not 10. Listers bought a dongle at no charge to me, after a lot of effort finally downloaded prog 14... input it to amplifier and it blew. Dead as a doornail! They ordered a replacement amp, programmed that and fitted it and boy does it sound good.🎵 Has to be one of the nicest sounding HiFi I've heard in a car. Highly recommended, also Listers highly recommend!
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