Anyone fitted T6.1 Alpine 'Plug & Play' speakers?

[This Eva]

Not going to Busfest but happy to demo mine if anyone is nearby Bournemouth/Wimborne and wants a listen!

Hello Graham. Thanks for the offer. After next weekend if I don’t come across a working system I might take you up on your offer as I am in Andover.

Regards Marcus

 

[GrahamB]

Hello Graham. Thanks for the offer. After next weekend if I don’t come across a working system I might take you up on your offer as I am in Andover.

Regards Marcus

No problem Marcus

 

[Philfox3]

A bit of an update
I’ve fitted the Alpine speakers over a couple of evenings, tweeters yesterday and the woofers today, in-between showers.
I do think they’re a big improvement over the standard fit speakers but the harsh treble is apparent at higher volumes. (I have turned the treble down to 3 on the equaliser and am very happy with the sound). Overall, I think it’s a really worthwhile upgrade and having spent quite sometime deciding am happy with the decision. I’m also very grateful for the views from forum members who ‘egged me on’ with some solid advice.

The down side. Well I did break a door clip in the process and had to take the drivers side door card off twice as I’d forgotten the foam stick on that sits around the speaker. Also when drilling out the old speaker rivets x 8 they get to the point where the drill isn’t effective as they spin with the drill so needed holding with snipe nosed pliers. I had to YouTube how to reset the door panel clips too.

If you are thinking of fitting your self here’s a handy tip or two .

I used the provided instructions and watched Transporter HQ video more than a few times. The second video (link below) in German, relates more to a California in terms of trim, front blinds in the door pillar mainly but is helpful and gives another perspective on a DIY fit.

The window/ mirror/ locking switch unit doesn’t need disconnecting from the wiring it lifts easily (pry from the rear) and can be turned sideways and will go through the door card hole. It’s one less job to remember putting it back together.

I placed a small towel into the door cavities, through the space left when you take the VW speakers out. It helps if you push a rivet through too far or drop one of the four bolts on the alpine speaker holder ( when I say small towel, I don’t mean grabbing anything from the airing cupboard, such as your wife’s new white and pink turbie, not unless you fancy a night in the spare room anyway !).

I used a multi tool to cut the holding plastic off the VW tweeters, this, as you can imagine generates lots of bits of plastic which go onto the blinds. I covered the blinds with clingfilm, held in place with sellotape tape until I’d done the cutting and hoovered the mess from the door pillar.

I didn’t put the door cards back until I’d had a listen incase I’d fluffed the polarity of the cables on the door speakers. You can’t make that mistake with the tweeters the plug only goes in one way.

Overall an easy enough job, made much easier by the TransporterHQ and video.
Overall time around 3 Hours.

I purchased the alpine kit from Transporter HQ. I found them £10 cheaper elsewhere but as they’d been good enough to make a video and send me a detailed replay to an email query I thought they deserved support.
I didn’t use sound deadening, despite what I accept is good advice, and will fit after if I think it needs it.

Phil

 

[This Eva]

Fantastic information thanks so much for taking the time to post it. I am sure several members may take the jump to install these. I am hoping to hear some at Busfest this weekend.
So sad to hear the passing of the Queen.

 

[Philfox3]

Fantastic information thanks so much for taking the time to post it. I am sure several members may take the jump to install these. I am hoping to hear some at Busfest this weekend.
So sad to hear the passing of the Queen.

So very sad. I joined the army at 16 so she was a guiding light for me from a very young age. There won’t be an anyone like her, no one waiting in the wings, so I feel sad for what we’ve lost. Sad for what the nation and commonwealth have lost.

 

[GrahamB]

A bit of an update
I’ve fitted the Alpine speakers over a couple of evenings, tweeters yesterday and the woofers today, in-between showers.
I do think they’re a big improvement over the standard fit speakers but the harsh treble is apparent at higher volumes. (I have turned the treble down to 3 on the equaliser and am very happy with the sound). Overall, I think it’s a really worthwhile upgrade and having spent quite sometime deciding am happy with the decision. I’m also very grateful for the views from forum members who ‘egged me on’ with some solid advice.

The down side. Well I did break a door clip in the process and had to take the drivers side door card off twice as I’d forgotten the foam stick on that sits around the speaker. Also when drilling out the old speaker rivets x 8 they get to the point where the drill isn’t effective as they spin with the drill so needed holding with snipe nosed pliers. I had to YouTube how to reset the door panel clips too.

If you are thinking of fitting your self here’s a handy tip or two .

I used the provided instructions and watched Transporter HQ video more than a few times. The second video (link below) in German, relates more to a California in terms of trim, front blinds in the door pillar mainly but is helpful and gives another perspective on a DIY fit.

The window/ mirror/ locking switch unit doesn’t need disconnecting from the wiring it lifts easily (pry from the rear) and can be turned sideways and will go through the door card hole. It’s one less job to remember putting it back together.

I placed a small towel into the door cavities, through the space left when you take the VW speakers out. It helps if you push a rivet through too far or drop one of the four bolts on the alpine speaker holder ( when I say small towel, I don’t mean grabbing anything from the airing cupboard, such as your wife’s new white and pink turbie, not unless you fancy a night in the spare room anyway !).

I used a multi tool to cut the holding plastic off the VW tweeters, this, as you can imagine generates lots of bits of plastic which go onto the blinds. I covered the blinds with clingfilm, held in place with sellotape tape until I’d done the cutting and hoovered the mess from the door pillar.

I didn’t put the door cards back until I’d had a listen incase I’d fluffed the polarity of the cables on the door speakers. You can’t make that mistake with the tweeters the plug only goes in one way.

Overall an easy enough job, made much easier by the TransporterHQ and video.
Overall time around 3 Hours.

I purchased the alpine kit from Transporter HQ. I found them £10 cheaper elsewhere but as they’d been good enough to make a video and send me a detailed replay to an email query I thought they deserved support.
I didn’t use sound deadening, despite what I accept is good advice, and will fit after if I think it needs it.

Phil

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Great write up Phil. I wasn’t brave enough to do it myself in a brand new van!

 

[bagel.rhodes]

I am going to write a bigger review but I booked my new VW Beach in to Absolut5 to have my speakers upgrade, my god what an difference both deadening and the systems contribute to an extraordinary sound in such a big van. This is a lot more than the alpine but I’m amazed and really happy, here is the set up, Absolut5 focus really on the sound systems of VW so they know there stuff, great team there as well


Signature Audio

Hertz Millie Pro front door and pillar tweeters

Audison SR5.600 amp running active

Audison bass control

JL Audio 10w1 10” sub in our own design and manufactured under seat enclosure

Sound deadening of front doors

Massive bass, but really solid mind and sharp snaps of snare are just great. The van was my dream and I wanted the sound to match the van, it is.

 

[Tomato]

My set up still sounds awful even a year on…I did speak to Bognor Vans they said deadening was recommended but that still doesn’t stop the shrill ear level screech - even with treble adjusted down. Looks cool though…

 

[Philfox3]

My set up still sounds awful even a year on…I did speak to Bognor Vans they said deadening was recommended but that still doesn’t stop the shrill ear level screech - even with treble adjusted down. Looks cool though…

It’s had plenty of time to burn in hasn’t it.
I think I must have got used to mine now. I just avoid playing anything too shrill, some female singers sound harsh and as you’d mentioned before ‘tiring’. I supposed I need to mention BeeGees too for some gender balance. Phil

 

[GrahamB]

I can honestly say I don't find the Alpine tweeters harsh at all, even at quite loud volume. I do have the high frequency eq backed off a bit, mids down very slightly and a bit of extra bass. (The head unit is quite bright sounding, even with standard speakers). Then I dial in as much bass reinforcement as I want with the sub remote, depending on what I am listening to. The whole system sounds really good to my ears so either I am less sensitive to treble or you guys need to invest in subs to get a better balanced sound

 

[PhilR]

Getting these fitted at Leighton Vans next week. Will let you know what I think….

 

[Corradobrit]

Getting these fitted at Leighton Vans next week. Will let you know what I think….

Are you also getting the sound deadening treatment too. I think this is essential if sound quality is part of the equation.

 

[GrahamB]

Are you also getting the sound deadening treatment too. I think this is essential if sound quality is part of the equation.

Yes it makes sense to do it when the door cards are off, for not much extra cost.

 

[PhilR]

To be honest I hadn’t realised that could be needed. I’ll ask LV about it when I take it in. Thanks.

 

[66tim99]

To be honest I hadn’t realised that could be needed. I’ll ask LV about it when I take it in. Thanks.

Recommend you don’t skimp on the sound deadening, Particularly if you’re not fitting a sub under the seat. The door mid/bass upgrade can buzz the relatively flimsy door cards.
If I had my time again I’d have the top level deadening and a sub woofer fitted

 

[PhilR]

Recommend you don’t skimp on the sound deadening, Particularly if you’re not fitting a sub under the seat. The door mid/bass upgrade can buzz the relatively flimsy door cards.
If I had my time again I’d have the top level deadening and a sub woofer fitted

Thanks Tim. I’m taking the van to LV tomorrow and they’re having it all week as I’m getting front spoiler/splitter, black gloss grilles and sidebars fitted, so I added in the speakers last minute so not sure if they’ll be able to add the sound deadening as well. I’ll certainly ask them. Is it much of a job for them to do if they’re fitting the speakers? Or is it something I could easily do afterwards? Also, what is the rough cost? Sorry for my lack of understanding!

 

[Philfox3]

Thanks Tim. I’m taking the van to LV tomorrow and they’re having it all week as I’m getting front spoiler/splitter, black gloss grilles and sidebars fitted, so I added in the speakers last minute so not sure if they’ll be able to add the sound deadening as well. I’ll certainly ask them. Is it much of a job for them to do if they’re fitting the speakers? Or is it something I could easily do afterwards? Also, what is the rough cost? Sorry for my lack of understanding!

How’s the speaker upgrade worked PhilR ? Did they find time to fit sound deadening on the doors ?
Phil

 

[PhilR]

How’s the speaker upgrade worked PhilR ? Did they find time to fit sound deadening on the doors ?
Phil

Hi Phil, sadly when I went to pick it up they said they hadn’t been able to fit it as there were supply issues??? In a way I wasn’t too upset as when I asked them about fitting sound deadening they fobbed me off with some spiel about it not needing that? I’ve just been away in the van for a week on my own, which confirms to me I need to do the upgrade - with sound deadening too hopefully.
Anyone know of somewhere decent in the Midlands that would fit this please?

 

[GrahamB]

Hi Phil, sadly when I went to pick it up they said they hadn’t been able to fit it as there were supply issues??? In a way I wasn’t too upset as when I asked them about fitting sound deadening they fobbed me off with some spiel about it not needing that? I’ve just been away in the van for a week on my own, which confirms to me I need to do the upgrade - with sound deadening too hopefully.
Anyone know of somewhere decent in the Midlands that would fit this please?

They were definitely fobbing you off. I can't make any specific recommendations but any decent independent audio shop that does Alpine gear will be able to do this - its an easy job and a no brainer to fit deadening at the same time. If you are concerned about sound quality you will want to consider a sub - so you can either go the whole hog with the Alpine sub and DSP kit, or add a compact powered sub by Pioneer or Kenwood. There are YouTube videos of you are feeling brave and choose to DIY, it doesn't look too difficult.

 

[studioTUNGSTEN]

Sad to sell T6.1 upgraded to alpine as I felt a far better-enhanced and more separated in mid-range sound.
Totally recommended!

 

[Philfox3]

Hi Phil, sadly when I went to pick it up they said they hadn’t been able to fit it as there were supply issues??? In a way I wasn’t too upset as when I asked them about fitting sound deadening they fobbed me off with some spiel about it not needing that? I’ve just been away in the van for a week on my own, which confirms to me I need to do the upgrade - with sound deadening too hopefully.
Anyone know of somewhere decent in the Midlands that would fit this please?

Not the outcome you’d hoped for ! Disappointing for you. I’m still holding out to adding sound deadening to my doors, its a summer job I reckon, sat on a stool with a brew. I’m still really pleased with the alpine speaker upgrade though it really made a difference. Thanks for the update

 

[PhilR]

Thanks all. Yes I’m considering the DIY option as I can take my time and be very careful with the van. I hate taking my vehicles anywhere to get work done as they don’t take as much care over your pride and joy as you do. I’ll have to do some research on the sound deadening then, it’s something I have no idea about…..

 

[Philfox3]

Thanks all. Yes I’m considering the DIY option as I can take my time and be very careful with the van. I hate taking my vehicles anywhere to get work done as they don’t take as much care over your pride and joy as you do. I’ll have to do some research on the sound deadening then, it’s something I have no idea about…..

I’d be happy to talk you through if you do decide to fit them yourself. It doesn’t matter if you only do one of the four speakers per day. The system still functions

 

[PhilR]

I’d be happy to talk you through if you do decide to fit them yourself. It doesn’t matter if you only do one of the four speakers per day. The system still functions

Thanks Phil, much appreciated. It’s just a bit scary taking a new van apart!! I’ll do some googling on where to buy and also what sound deadening is best, cheers.

 

[Philfox3]

Agreed but it is a job where taking your time and being careful means you can do easily as good a job as a professional. I got mine from Transporter HQ. It was a tenner more than elsewhere but they made a how to fit video and answered a couple of email queries I had so in a way earned my custom.
They’ve got 5% off at the moment if you sign up to the news letter. I’ve decided on Dodo matting.