vw "fender" oem add-on project
 

Hi - I have some nice gear I might not want to part with. I bought 2012 VW Passat with the Fender stereo (made by Panasonic). When I bought the car I thought the stereo would be sufficient but I want to see about installing my Focal fronts now...

Has anyone added amps to this new VW Fender system without replacing the stock deck/Nav etc?

I'm not sure where to start - maybe I need a processor of some kind that will help tie in my Zapco amps?

Thanks!

You need to convert your hi output from you stock hu to low output, then feed it to your amps. Here is a simple unit for that AudioControl LC6i (lc6i-gray) NEW LC6i VERSION! - 6 Channel Line

Ok thanks. I'll have to find some manufacturer specs on this stereo to find out where everything is. I actually wouldn't mind by-passing the car's amp if possible so not sure if that will hi hi-level at that point.

Lots of brands make a DSP that takes speaker level in, cleans up the signal, and gives you an RCA output.

I already have one from JL audio called Clean sweep (previous system), which I will use in my VW CC, but i plan to upgrade to an Audison bit ten when I have the money. I will be running a Mcintosh 6 channel amp with Dynaudio 3-way components and a sub (to be determined later).

Good luck, PM me if you have any questions, we can struggle through this process together.

Thanks - the local car audio shop was suggesting the Bit 5 (fronts only) or Bit 10 (if I want to add subwoofer amp too).

I'll let you know what I come up with here.

Will be focal fronts and either my Diamond Audio TDX 12, Diamond Auio MKII 10, or my pair of JL Audio W3 8 for sub. I have the Zapco digital amps... I should check and see if Zapco has something I can use for high level...

Zapco has a great preamp. Definitely check it out.

Which preamp dpes Zapco have? I have the DC amps with all the processing so I just need something to take the high-levels to RCA. For lowest $ I think I might try the LC6 from audiocontrol.

I just realized I'm not sure anything will work since the high-level signals from the OEM will likely not be what I need for my Focal fronts... hmmm, going to be tricky - might be better getting a HU but that costs $$!

I dont get what you mean. these processors are exactly what is needed. They were developed for this purpose.

a good DSP does cost around what an aftermarket h/u costs anyways.

I mean that the signal in the high level speaker going to the stock tweeter is already crossed over at that speaker's cross-over point from within the OEM amp which means even if I run it through a DSP I can't cross it over any lower if I needed to (I can't create a signal that isn't there to begin with). The opposite is true for the speaker signal going to the misbass drivers in the door. The full signal is not in those lines either. My only hope is there is a full range signal from the amp that goes into the VW crossover that I can bypass.