1999 New Beetle Stereo Installation

[beetletdi]

Hi! I have some questions that perhaps some of the members might be able to answer concerning a stereo installation in a 1999 New Beetle. Non-Monsoon stereo factory installed.

I would like to have 6-3/4" Pioneer ts-c720prs speakers installed. I called Crutchfield and they indicated modifications would need to be made because the speaker in the front doors is 6-1/2" and not as deep as the Pioneers. The rear speakers will accept 6-3/4". Has anyone mounted these size--or even these specific speakers in their New Beetle?

My A-Pillars have a grill on them and I was wondering if this is a good place to mount the tweeters? With the 6-3/4" component in the doors. Has anyone mounted speakers in the top of the dash? If so, any pics and how does that sound? Does anyone have a center-channel speaker in the dash?

Has anyone installed a DVD/stereo unit in the New Beetle? How is the viewing position?; being the radio is close to the driver and passenger somewhat. I like the Kenwood kvt-817DVD player. http://www.srslabs.com/technologybya...602.asp?App=AM This is SRS Labs website. This Kenwood has something called SRS Automotive and WOW. WOW is a feature which expands the apparant size of the music. It's a great enhancement and sounds beautiful. Most people have never heard it--so they don't know what they're missing. SRS Automotive has Circle Surround which can make 5.1 sound from stereo. This I have not heard. It also incorporates TruBass and Focus. TruBass is supposed to make the bass much deeper without the use of a subwoofer. Focus raises the height of the soundstage, so the speakers low in the doors sound like they are mounted at dashboard height. http://www.srslabs.com/demosmain1300.asp There is a Christina Aguilera demo of the WOW feature. It's pretty nifty. Hers is the Crutchfield link for the Kenwood unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Sm5tZHi...vd&i=113817DVD. This unit also has capability for an add-on HD Radio unit (~$170) which is cool. Plus modules for navigation and tv. The only feature I would like that it does not have is the ability to play DVD-Audio.

Any suggestions as to a small 8-or 10" subwoofer?

Will appreciate your responses and any pics or links. Thanks!

[HaloUmpaLumpa]

Originally Posted by beetletdi

Hi! I have some questions that perhaps some of the members might be able to answer concerning a stereo installation in a 1999 New Beetle. Non-Monsoon stereo factory installed.

I would like to have 6-3/4" Pioneer ts-c720prs speakers installed. I called Crutchfield and they indicated modifications would need to be made because the speaker in the front doors is 6-1/2" and not as deep as the Pioneers. The rear speakers will accept 6-3/4". Has anyone mounted these size--or even these specific speakers in their New Beetle?

My A-Pillars have a grill on them and I was wondering if this is a good place to mount the tweeters? With the 6-3/4" component in the doors. Has anyone mounted speakers in the top of the dash? If so, any pics and how does that sound? Does anyone have a center-channel speaker in the dash?

Has anyone installed a DVD/stereo unit in the New Beetle? How is the viewing position?; being the radio is close to the driver and passenger somewhat. I like the Kenwood kvt-817DVD player. http://www.srslabs.com/technologybya...602.asp?App=AM This is SRS Labs website. This Kenwood has something called SRS Automotive and WOW. WOW is a feature which expands the apparant size of the music. It's a great enhancement and sounds beautiful. Most people have never heard it--so they don't know what they're missing. SRS Automotive has Circle Surround which can make 5.1 sound from stereo. This I have not heard. It also incorporates TruBass and Focus. TruBass is supposed to make the bass much deeper without the use of a subwoofer. Focus raises the height of the soundstage, so the speakers low in the doors sound like they are mounted at dashboard height. http://www.srslabs.com/demosmain1300.asp There is a Christina Aguilera demo of the WOW feature. It's pretty nifty. Hers is the Crutchfield link for the Kenwood unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Sm5tZHi...vd&i=113817DVD. This unit also has capability for an add-on HD Radio unit (~$170) which is cool. Plus modules for navigation and tv. The only feature I would like that it does not have is the ability to play DVD-Audio.

Any suggestions as to a small 8-or 10" subwoofer?

Will appreciate your responses and any pics or links. Thanks!

The 6-3/4" speakers in the door isn't a problem, there is enough empty space in front of the speaker that if you need a spacer ring so that the window doesn't hit it you can add one. They say you need to modify the door simply b/c the stock speakers are riveted in place and have to be drilled out, not a big deal. I have infinity refrence components up front and two ways in the rear. The grill on the a-pillar is where the factory tweeter is located, if you look at the thread on my bug (see the link in my sig) you'll see my setup. There are a few people that have mounted the subs in the dash, the monsoon system came with the tweeter and mid range mounted there. I'll be moving my speakers from the door up to the dash later this summer. If you plan on upgrading all your speakers and headunit I would also suggest not using the stock wirirng and running your own off an amp using the pre-amp outputs. You'll get a cleaner sound and can go louder without distortion.

[barrabiuri]

I have installed a DVD player on the dash... It does pretty good for me, it's not too close or anything...you can also adjust the tilt of the screen to see better..the only problem I have after installing it is that i can't find a dash kit to cover the gap between the dvd player and the "dash hole"..they dont fit too well, and theres gaps all around...but im working on that, ill let u know if i find anything..and the dvd player also sticks out of the dash a bit, but with the right dash kit, that should be resolved...

[msbarrelchaser]

Originally Posted by barrabiuri

I have installed a DVD player on the dash... It does pretty good for me, it's not too close or anything...you can also adjust the tilt of the screen to see better..the only problem I have after installing it is that i can't find a dash kit to cover the gap between the dvd player and the "dash hole"..they dont fit too well, and theres gaps all around...but im working on that, ill let u know if i find anything..and the dvd player also sticks out of the dash a bit, but with the right dash kit, that should be resolved...

Hi. Do you know the model and info on your dvd player? I'm trying to find one that fits in my 2000 nb glx. Thanks!!