Adding a subwoofer to a standard 2014 VW Polo 1.2 TSI
Discussion
Morning all.
I've recently picked up a 64 plate 1.2 litre TSI 90ps 3 door Polo.
Whilst I'm impressed with the sound quality of the standard 6x speaker stereo system, I'd like a little more bass.
I don't want the hassle of having to replace the head unit as it is 'plumbed' in with the rest of cars on board computers / steering wheel controls etc... but does anyone know if adding a small sub to the standard head unit is possible ?
I already have a sub with attached amp for boot ( from my previous car) but really just need to know whether or not the standard head unit has the AUX output RCA connections available?
I thought I'd ask on here first before going back to VW dealership.
Thanks in advance.
Dom
I've recently picked up a 64 plate 1.2 litre TSI 90ps 3 door Polo.
Whilst I'm impressed with the sound quality of the standard 6x speaker stereo system, I'd like a little more bass.
I don't want the hassle of having to replace the head unit as it is 'plumbed' in with the rest of cars on board computers / steering wheel controls etc... but does anyone know if adding a small sub to the standard head unit is possible ?
I already have a sub with attached amp for boot ( from my previous car) but really just need to know whether or not the standard head unit has the AUX output RCA connections available?
I thought I'd ask on here first before going back to VW dealership.
Thanks in advance.
Dom
Hi,
Yes it is possible and there's a few ways to do it depending on sound quality, best practice and how much you wish to spend.
The simple way is to get a powered subwoofer and wire the power/ground correctly and safely to the car. One of the full range speaker outputs is spliced and the wire fed to the amplifier on the subwoofer enclosure and away you go.
Better sound quality is to use a sound processor which takes all the outputs from the oem head unit and provides a clean, non distorted, as pure as possible signal to which you connect an amplifier (5 channel perhaps) and then use upgraded cabin speakers and the subwoofer (5th channel) for a significant increaase in sound quality whilst retaining the oem head unit.
What you'll find is by keeping the oem speakers in the cabin, they'll have a low RMS power output feeding them and it's easy to push the little amplifier in the oem head unit into distortion. The subwoofer will be much more powerful and the risk is you'll just drown out the cabin speakers. Many people then just turn the level of bass right down on the subwoofer to compensate which kind of defeats the purpose - however, many don't mind doing this.
Cheers, Dennis!
Yes it is possible and there's a few ways to do it depending on sound quality, best practice and how much you wish to spend.
The simple way is to get a powered subwoofer and wire the power/ground correctly and safely to the car. One of the full range speaker outputs is spliced and the wire fed to the amplifier on the subwoofer enclosure and away you go.
Better sound quality is to use a sound processor which takes all the outputs from the oem head unit and provides a clean, non distorted, as pure as possible signal to which you connect an amplifier (5 channel perhaps) and then use upgraded cabin speakers and the subwoofer (5th channel) for a significant increaase in sound quality whilst retaining the oem head unit.
What you'll find is by keeping the oem speakers in the cabin, they'll have a low RMS power output feeding them and it's easy to push the little amplifier in the oem head unit into distortion. The subwoofer will be much more powerful and the risk is you'll just drown out the cabin speakers. Many people then just turn the level of bass right down on the subwoofer to compensate which kind of defeats the purpose - however, many don't mind doing this.
Cheers, Dennis!
Sireatalot said:
Morning all.
I've recently picked up a 64 plate 1.2 litre TSI 90ps 3 door Polo.
Whilst I'm impressed with the sound quality of the standard 6x speaker stereo system, I'd like a little more bass.
I don't want the hassle of having to replace the head unit as it is 'plumbed' in with the rest of cars on board computers / steering wheel controls etc... but does anyone know if adding a small sub to the standard head unit is possible ?
I already have a sub with attached amp for boot ( from my previous car) but really just need to know whether or not the standard head unit has the AUX output RCA connections available?
I thought I'd ask on here first before going back to VW dealership.
Thanks in advance.
Dom
A cheap LOC (line-out converter) spliced into the rear speaker wiring should do the trick I've recently picked up a 64 plate 1.2 litre TSI 90ps 3 door Polo.
Whilst I'm impressed with the sound quality of the standard 6x speaker stereo system, I'd like a little more bass.
I don't want the hassle of having to replace the head unit as it is 'plumbed' in with the rest of cars on board computers / steering wheel controls etc... but does anyone know if adding a small sub to the standard head unit is possible ?
I already have a sub with attached amp for boot ( from my previous car) but really just need to know whether or not the standard head unit has the AUX output RCA connections available?
I thought I'd ask on here first before going back to VW dealership.
Thanks in advance.
Dom
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