totally clueless!

[Vic2165]

Ok, I have read through as much as I can and unfortunately I really am completely clueless. I don't understand most of what I read about the stereo system, so if someone could type slowly and use really small words, I would appreciate it!

My situation is this: I have an 05 convertible with the Monsoon stereo that has a CD player. My listening needs are very simple, I mostly listen to talking (NPR) but I listen to it LOUD! I have blown out all of my stock speakers. People just sound like they are mumbling all the time.

Clearly I need to replace the speakers.

I am not interested in spending a lot of money, I don't care about high quality sounds beyond I want clear speech at high volumes.

Can anyone help me to figure out what it is I am looking for? I am thinking I will start with the speakers in the doors and then later fool with the speakers by the back seats. I am hoping this is something I can manage to do on my own, but the choices out there are overwhelming!

Thanks!
-v

[Deserion]

Wow, not many people rock out to NPR.

Doors each have one speaker, with two speakers under each grille in the dash, and the two in each rear panel, so 10 total...

If you're still in warranty, I would go that route. I believe the door speakers are 6.25" but I haven't checked in years. Could take out the dash panels to get the size of those units as well.

[Vic2165]

Originally Posted by Deserion

Wow, not many people rock out to NPR.

Doors each have one speaker, with two speakers under each grille in the dash, and the two in each rear panel, so 10 total...

If you're still in warranty, I would go that route.

Yeah, I know, my 13 yr old son is completely humiliated by the whole thing (maybe that is why I do it...)

I don't know if I am still under warranty or not, I bought the NannyBeetle used and the VW dealer here SUCKS When my Bug ate my son's homework (the latch for the trunk broke and we couldn't get his backpack out of it for about 2 months--try 'splainin that to your teacher!) They told me they would have to remove the back seat and basically tear the whole back end apart. A friend was able to reach through and pop the inside latch and with a solder gun had it back in order in about 10 minutes. I give up on the dealer being any help at all!

Wow, 10 speakers! I had no idea.

anyone have any ideas about what I should be looking for as far as the door speakers or are there any others that are super simple for a clueless dolt such as myself to get to and replace?

Thanks,
-v

[hestersu]

www.crutchfield.com is your friend. Go there to find some inexpensive, properly sized speakers. As far as the install goes, if you really are clueless, then you might want to consider going to an independent car audio shop in your area and having them professionally installed. Getting the door cards off, etc is not fool proof. Do not use Best Buy.

As for the hatch issue, you could have done that yourself in under three minutes. The back seat bottom lifts up and flips to the back of the front seats. There is a button on top of the rear seat that you push and it folds forward - enough that you could have used a clothes hanger to reach the backpack.

I understand you like it loud but you will continue to blow out the speakers if you keep up the loud sound not to mention that you will destroy your hearing and the hearing of your son. Long term repercusions for both of you. You might want to consider dialing it down a notch or two.

[Vic2165]

Originally Posted by hestersu

www.crutchfield.com is your friend. Go there to find some inexpensive, properly sized speakers. As far as the install goes, if you really are clueless, then you might want to consider going to an independent car audio shop in your area and having them professionally installed. Getting the door cards off, etc is not fool proof. Do not use Best Buy.

As for the hatch issue, you could have done that yourself in under three minutes. The back seat bottom lifts up and flips to the back of the front seats. There is a button on top of the rear seat that you push and it folds forward - enough that you could have used a clothes hanger to reach the backpack.

I understand you like it loud but you will continue to blow out the speakers if you keep up the loud sound not to mention that you will destroy your hearing and the hearing of your son. Long term repercusions for both of you. You might want to consider dialing it down a notch or two.

So I will have to remove the door panels in order to get to the speakers? I saw that on some websites but was not sure if that applied to my car. hmmm...

My car is a convertible and the only way we have found to get into the trunk was through the little hole between the seats that they told me is for skis to go through. I have had the seat up but it did not seem to want to pull out (I did not press my luck either, so maybe it just needed a little more persuasion). My friend had long enough arms that he could reach the red latch release and pull it and pop the trunk that way. I had to find someone with long enough arms (I am only 5'2" and even shoving myself as far through that little ski hole as I could I did not have a chance.) Anyway, now my son has grown a bit and he can probably reach that latch and open the trunk up for me if it happens again.

I appreciate your concerns about my hearing and they are very true for most people, but I am deaf and use a Cochlear Implant so that ship has sailed. Turning the volume up drowns out the road noise and helps me to hear the words far better since I have no face to help me to understand what is being said. The implant's processor controls how loud things can be and really no matter how loud things are it evens it out so it can not damage anything. That is the main reason that I do not listen to music at all, I am not able to understand music and it just sounds like noise to me but I work very hard to understand speaking and do a pretty good job. When my children are in the car they are in control of the radio and turn it to stations that they prefer to listen to and keep it at comfortable and safe listening levels for their hearing. My son just rolls his eyes when he tells his friends that his deaf mom blew out the speakers in her car listening to talk radio.

Cheers,
-v

[hestersu]

Since we were unaware of your hearing difficulties, my response may have seemed harsh. It was not my intention. I have a good friend who is deaf and drives a beetle. He is not a candidate for the implants but uses the latest digital hearing aides. He also has issues hearing the radio and does a couple of things to help the situation.

He went to a local car audio store and they helped him adjust the base, mid range and treble to get optimal sound. Since you like NPR, you may want to consider the same. The mid range and treble are more suitable for talk radio. Set the base at 0. Adjust the others until you find something that works for you. You might also want to set the fade to the fronts.

I would also suggest asking the audio shop about the possibility of discreet (small) speakers that can be mounted on the "A" pillar (the posts on either side of the front windshield). This might get a speaker more level with your head and enhance your listening ability. If the shop is really good, they might be able to put in a small, separate amplifier for the discreet speakers with its own control knob so you can control just those without blowing out the others. Its worth looking into to see if someone can help.

The door card comes off as one complete unit (from the bottom of the glass to the bottom of the door). There are several connections that have to be unplugged as well as the cable for the door latch. The speaker is down in the corner.

There should be speakers in the back seat cards. They are a little more of a challenge to get to.

The tweeters and midrange are in the dash.

There may be one more set in the trunk but I don't know for sure on a vert.

[The Cheat]

speaker sizes:

rear panel takes 6.75" speakers with a seperate tweeter.

front door takes a 6.75, dash takes a 3.5" midrange and 1" tweeter.

hope that helps, an aftermarket speaker should provide lots better clarity and durability.

i'm half deaf, so i feel your pain. i find infinity speakers to be the clearest speakers for vocals and high frequencies. if you were anywhere near ct, i'd be happy to do the install free of charge.

[Candyman]

I know that you dont want to spend very much money, but nobody makes cheap speakers that you can blast. I dont remember if you said that you had monsoon, but if you do they are high end speakers that can handle pretty loud volumes. I highly recomend a nice speaker that can handle high watts. The higher the watts, the LOUDER the speaker will be!!!!!!!

[Luv My 02 TDI]

Doesn't your bug have a hallow head rest? Have a speaker fitted in it. I did that for my Police Scanner ... err I mean weather radio.... that way you have one good quality speaker just inches from your ears.

[LadybugEwa]

You could have accessed the trunk by folding down the rear seat.
Takes about 5 seconds. Better not tell your son

[Vic2165]

Originally Posted by LadybugEwa

You could have accessed the trunk by folding down the rear seat.
Takes about 5 seconds. Better not tell your son

Do the rear seats fold down on a convertible? If so, how?

-v

[OldSkoolVWLover]

Originally Posted by Vic2165

Do the rear seats fold down on a convertible? If so, how?

-v

not the same as they do in a hard top from everything I remember (been a few years since I poked around a vert).