2018 VW GTI SE Ep.190: Helix Subwoofer 1 Week Follow-Up

[@mattb4rd]

Thank you for the videos. I was finally able to get my install done yesterday. My 2019 GTI has the amp behind the screen, not in the glove box, so my install was a bit different, but the wiring was the same once I got the head out. I was able to follow your video after watching it about a dozen times. A simple diagram in the Helix printed instructions would have been so very helpful, no?

[@LastHumansGarage]

ya, the instructions were not good at all. congrats on your install.

[@MelodicMurder]

I went with a JL audio 10 inch sub and amp. I fucking love it. It gave the vw fender sound system the bass it was missing and now im very happy with it. It did cost about 900 for everything tho. Your input source is very important for good sound quality. I use either flac music files over USB or 3.5 mm to my phone using tidal music.

[@LastHumansGarage]

i always loved JL 10W3's the most.. i also had 10W0, 10W7, and some other one i think. Twin 10W3's in stereo were always my favorite setup. I never liked one sub in mono. (which i guess i have now, but it sounds killer.)

[@Birmingham_racing]

Good to finally see a review on the helix

[@LastHumansGarage]

Glad you liked it!

[@hendrixandmitch]

I'm glad to see a satisfied customer ! good job mark

[@LastHumansGarage]

been LOVING my helix all day today.. while listening to good quality sources...

[@GTI_CHHA]

Brother, on the speaker upgrade topic. Why not go for the Dynaudio or Fender speakers? I love the mids and highs of the Dynaudio, really crisp and clear. As they were made for Mk7, it should be a direct swap. Just a thought

[@LastHumansGarage]

ah ive thought about it. but these speakers I talked about are better than those oem speaker choices anyway. and much cheaper.

[@GTI_CHHA]

@@LastHumansGarage That's an important point. Do you also plan to swap the speaker covers of the tweeters? The Dynaudio covers have a metal edge, they look beautiful and high-quality. As they are almost in your view all the time when driving, you could it consider it. The stock tweeter covers are just plastic, you normally don't notice them. I can send you a picture if you want to. The Fender tweeters also have a dedicated cover. Maybe worthwhile to compare which one you fancy the most

[@StealthGTI]

Glad to see that you were able to sort things out. I didn't hear the problems you encountered since I don't listen to Sirius. As for the demo switch, I have a demo at the end of my most recent subwoofer video. This link, if you don't mind me sharing it, goes straight to the demo and does a decent job of depicting the difference, albeit not necessarily with high quality: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aF7JZ3WGo9KXoq8 Take Care, -Scott

[@LastHumansGarage]

ya i seen that, hopefully i will get a demo switch some day, not in a hurry.

[@Megaboyd]

Just received my sub box from Uber Stealth Audio. I have an earthquake sub going in with a 5 channel amp and lc2 in the next week or so. I had a similar setup in my MK6. I can’t wait to see how it sounds in the new rabbit.

[@LastHumansGarage]

sick bro, you got a tube or an instagram when u install it?

[@timefliezby]

Bought my Helix during the VW sale as well. Paid $350. Thanks for the install video, it helped tremendously! Installed in a 2019 Rabbit. I haven't had the Helix programmed yet, and I'm really wondering if I should even do it. All the posts say to program it, but I am not sure if I want to. The sound is more than what I expected and with some tweaking of the "EQ" from the head unit, it really sounds good to my ears. Other than the time alignment and boosted mids, what would be the point of programming? One note: i installed my Helix on top of the spare tire. There is a significant difference in bass as compared to installing the Helix on the floor, I think a little too much. Very boomy. I have cured the boominess with just turning the entire unit 180 degrees. The only problem is the Helix logo on the box is facing the front of the car. Not a big issue for me as I will never be looking at the subwoofer, and the sound quality makes up for it.

[@LastHumansGarage]

The time alignment is important to the front stage, but before time alignment existed people were just as happy with sound.. the mids need no boost, which is why the programming can sound muddier to some people like me. it just kinda sucks that you can't un-program it once you have programmed it.

[@tvbuster]

The best deal I can find is $450 for the Helix. It seems like a lot of money but I want it haha. Is it worth that money or would you say it's only worth $350?

[@LastHumansGarage]

ah i was thinking of one myself, but i want about $300 or less..

[@bolebole5255]

Hello,I have seen you video and as you recommended bought the Helix audio system.but in my opinion it did not add a lot to the saund quality i had before,the lows and such are missing,i expected a different effect.i had a vw with dynaudio system and it simply cannot be compared,the sound was way @t it maybe the case that it does not play as good because it is not programed yet?

[@LastHumansGarage]

programming does make a big difference.

[@tyranelewis6936]

Helix spare tire Sub woofer programming. 2018 GTi Mk7.5 SE. Today my dongle came in today and i finally programmed 57 into the Helix DSP and I'm a audio snob. I must share this is night and day so much better than out of the box. Highs became sharper and the mids were cleaner bass was fuller. out of box highs and mids were so much harsher. Do not believe the VW info of pre-programmed for the GTI and Golf R. I called 4 dealerships to program and none would take the time. I purchased DKS-051-419A from E-bay. I used high bit rate SD card music and Pandora on High Quality Rate through Android Auto. This system sounds just as clear as my Mini countryman Harmon Kardon system with Subs under the front seats, but with more low end feel

[@LastHumansGarage]

interesting bro.. after programming, my highs and mids were way too harsh and muddy.. dunno man.

[@richroj]

HI mark, great to see your new video. hope your new sub sounds good!

[@LastHumansGarage]

thanks man

[@kiran.deshpande]

Does the the VW audio either base or premium (Fender) decode FLAC?

[@LastHumansGarage]

the Discover Media unit from 2015+ apparently supports FLAC. "16/44.1, 16/48, 24/44.1, 24/48, 24/88.2, 24/96" all i did was google it.. you younger kids gotta learn how easy it is to google stuff.

[@mahmoudomr]

Hi Mark I just installed helix subwoofer on my arteon I used 57 but when I contact the audiotec Fischer they told me the arteon code is 81 but the dongle at the dealership doesn't have even the codes you just show in the video so can you plz help with that

[@LastHumansGarage]

are you in USA? other region might have completely different codes.. Arteon prob has a custom setup

[@mahmoudomr]

@@LastHumansGarage audiotec Fischer send me the link to download the updates files for all including arteon and the dealer update the SD for the dongle then programmed my car with 81 sounds is clear and bass is wonderful

[@mahmoudomr]

Yes I live in California

[@andersakerberg6192]

Have you changed the speakers to some aftermarket ones? I bought the Helix and speakers from Focal. Also planing on sound deadening the doors for better sound. Here are the focal speakers for Golf www.focal-inside.com/volkswagen/en/vw-golf-vii-compact-2012-2020-au-auf-en/

[@LastHumansGarage]

nice kit. i changed the front woofs only.

[@JShayy]

yea, bitrate is terrible on the Sirius radio. i couldn't stand that in my 2018 SE. After a month of owning the car, i refused to listen to the Sirius. seriously. HD FM was by far superior. I really find amazon music to be the best for streaming over pandora, at least to my ears on the base system. about to install the helix in the next few days.

[@JShayy]

And weirdly, my android streaming seems to have a much better bitrate than my iphone for streaming apps.

[@LastHumansGarage]

i use the high bitrate setting in my spotify or pandora or something, which sounds excellent over bluetooth..

[@JShayy]

Installed the helix! WOW!!! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE GREAT INSTALL VIDEO!!!

[@LastHumansGarage]

@@JShayy you like the sound? did you program yet?

[@JShayy]

@@LastHumansGarage love the sound. Honestly I feel like its dialed in. I think I'll take my time on the dongle.