I recently bought a used GTI, love the car but with the tuning and downpipe it is a bit loud.

I am looking for a way to make it just a bit louder while maintaining or even improving the clarity of the sound. The speakers were a bit sketchy when I had Ava Maria (Celtic Woman version) cranked.

Not looking to spend more than $500 and I want to maintain the factory head unit

What year is your GTI, dewhorse?
The audio systems have changed, even in mid-generation, on GTIs.

Sometimes just upgrading the components with some solid 2 way or 3 way w/ a good crossover. Will really brighten up the audio.

But I'm no audiophile. Just what I did for several of my past rides.

Definitely need to list your year GTI (and how many doors does it have?). There's barely any straight drop in component options for the MK7. Actually can't think of any. The MK6 has some drop in options that are good.

Either way - you need to seriously think about your budget. $500 isn't going to cut it. You need to quadruple it if you want to take it to "11". Otherwise you're better off fixing the crappy exhaust. What downpipe does it have, and does it still have the stock resonator and muffler?

Sound deadening the door metal can help. Audio control has processors and processor/amp combos to let you keep the factory head unit and not take up too much room.

quote:

Originally posted by VictimNoMore:
What year is your GTI, dewhorse?
The audio systems have changed, even in mid-generation, on GTIs.

Sorry 2017 sport

quote:

Originally posted by DonDraper:
Definitely need to list your year GTI (and how many doors does it have?). There's barely any straight drop in component options for the MK7. Actually can't think of any. The MK6 has some drop in options that are good.

Either way - you need to seriously think about your budget. $500 isn't going to cut it. You need to quadruple it if you want to take it to "11". Otherwise you're better off fixing the crappy exhaust. What downpipe does it have, and does it still have the stock resonator and muffler?

Ouch...4 door, sounding like I can live with the stereo

Haven't had a chance to look at the resonator or muffle and it has a ARP DP

If they've removed the resonator - your exhaust probably is super loud and has terrible drone on the hwy. Stock cat back with the APR downpipe will not be that bad. I have a 2016 Autobahn with the "Fender" audio - subwoofer in the spare tire. It's actually fantastic for a stock stereo. I'd love to change the speakers but there simply isn't any drop in option, and I'm not willing to take the time/effort to customize components. I have an APR stage 1 tune but the exhaust is stock. There aren't many options for good sounding exhausts for the MK7 GTI (for grown men that is).



If you have the base stereo - you might look into at least this for a subwoofer upgrade:
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums...rmation-post.346458/

After that look in that subforum for any speaker upgrade threads. It's doable for sure but just won't be plug and play.

It is not super loud, it's a fairly nice rumble. I don't mind it at non highway speeds but on a 10 hour drive it get's slightly annoying.

I will check out the Fender sub

Thank you

I do know there have been threads on VW Vortex forums of people transplanting the 8" screen/radio/entertainment unit from a Mk 7.5 and into a Mk 7 with good results.

Like Don, I have the Fender 8" unit with the subwoofer in my 2019 SE...and it's pretty dang good for a factory unit. My wife has a 2015 S model, and I've kept this in the back of mind as a possible upgrade for her.

First, you'll need this: Link

Then this: Link

For a grand total of about $25. Barring that, you'll need more of this: Link

https://youtu.be/KOoT-RNpsyI

This guy has a very good/detailed 2-part video on just changing the front door speaker/woofer. He didn't change his tweeter. So if you are willing to drill out the riveted woofer in the door, reinstall it or a custom spacer, and do some wiring, and then source a tweeter that will fit in the A pillar (and take that apart, basically cutting out the oem tweeter and gluing/bonding the new one in place, etc. It's definitely doable, could possibly source decent parts for under $500. Haven't seen what the rears look like but only the 2 door is really hard to do for the rears.

Any factory speakers will probably have to go, it's not a bad job at all. You can add an Alpine amp that has speaker level inputs with the new speakers that will probably make it much more pleasant.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-...-EAQYASABEgKNWvD_BwE