VW OEM Sound System

[nameless1]

First of all HELLO 2 ALL, as I'm new here and secondly, if I posted in the wrong section please (admin) move the thread.

I searched the internet for some information about the VW 3B Passat (mine is a 2000 European model) OEM Soundsystem, but didn't find too much info.
Basically I want to put in the best VW OEM Soundsystem that was made for this model.
Maybe you guys can answer some of the questions I have about it.

Here it goes:

I saw that the MONSOON system is a VW OEM Upgrade. However I haven't seen too many Monsoon radio-heads, speakers, etc. in europe.

1. Is Monsoon typically for the US ?

2. If I buy Monsoon speakers for my non-Monsoon passat, will the radio-head(Gamma Radio-Cassette) be able to use the Monsoon-speakers at their max. power ? Or do I need the complete Monsoon wiring ?

3. Were there other VW OEM Soundsytem upgrades made (for my 3B 2000 model) ?

4. If I use speakers from newer passat models, will they sound better (than a pair of new ones made for my model) ?

5. I attached here a photo of a VW DSP (Digital Sound Processor):



Why would I need one ? Don't all/almost all radio-(Cassette/CD) heads, for example Gamma 5, have this kind of thing (POP,ROCK,etc. modes) incorporated ?

6. Was there a VW OEM Subwoofer made for the passat 3B model ? If yes, which, as I found no info about this.


Thanks in advance!

[Sam]

Welcome to VWAF

1. Yes, N/A Market only and not just VW specific either

2. Monsoon consisted of an amplifier, headunit, speakers and wiring. You won't be able to use the Monsoon speakers with a non-Monsoon headunit without the wiring.

3. Not to my knowledge, no.

4. First thing I always change is the headunit. Unless you have a problem with the speakers, I'd start there. Blaupunkt make some very nice OEM looking HUs

5. Correct, it was an optional upgrade for the 3BG Passat and usually came with the MFD unit.

6. Not to my knowledge. You can add one, but I don't think there was an OEM one.

[nameless1]

Welcome to VWAF

1. Yes, N/A Market only and not just VW specific either

2. Monsoon consisted of an amplifier, headunit, speakers and wiring. You won't be able to use the Monsoon speakers with a non-Monsoon headunit without the wiring.

3. Not to my knowledge, no.

4. First thing I always change is the headunit. Unless you have a problem with the speakers, I'd start there. Blaupunkt make some very nice OEM looking HUs

5. Correct, it was an optional upgrade for the 3BG Passat and usually came with the MFD unit.

6. Not to my knowledge. You can add one, but I don't think there was an OEM one.

Thank you for the quick and helpful info!

4. A while back I bought a 100$ Pioneer Radio-CD head unit but after I installed it the sound was a bit worse (at least from what I could hear) and the radio signal was weaker, so I gave up aftermarket and stuck to OEM.

[Sam]

Thank you for the quick and helpful info!

4. A while back I bought a 100$ Pioneer Radio-CD head unit but after I installed it the sound was a bit worse (at least from what I could hear) and the radio signal was weaker, so I gave up aftermarket and stuck to OEM.

An aftermaket HU will need an amplified antenna adaptor, but that won't fix the sound.

17cm speakers will fit the doors, the tweeters are ~2cm

[jammy86]

Don't waste your time with oem kit, trust me. The monsoon is an active system so will be much better but you'll need to change speakers and wiring.... I expect this will be more expensive than going after market.

I suggest you get a good quality pioneer or alpine head unit, not the cheapest one at halfords! Second hand is a good way to save cash.. You will find you need to swap the red and yellow wires round but this is done on the harness that comes with the headunit, dead easy and may be the reason you had trouble the last time.

You can get the amplified antenna adaptor for a few quid on eBay.

[nameless1]

Don't waste your time with oem kit, trust me. The monsoon is an active system so will be much better but you'll need to change speakers and wiring.... I expect this will be more expensive than going after market.

I suggest you get a good quality pioneer or alpine head unit, not the cheapest one at halfords! Second hand is a good way to save cash.. You will find you need to swap the red and yellow wires round but this is done on the harness that comes with the headunit, dead easy and may be the reason you had trouble the last time.

You can get the amplified antenna adaptor for a few quid on eBay.

What about a complete (speakers, amp, headunit) Blaupunkt soundsystem ? Is it any good ? Does anyone have any reviews about Blaupunkt ?

[Sam]

What about a complete (speakers, amp, headunit) Blaupunkt soundsystem ? Is it any good ? Does anyone have any reviews about Blaupunkt ?

The stock speakers and headunit are Blaupunkt.

I replaced my Gamma unit with a Blaupunkt (LA MP74) ~10 years ago and only now am I looking to replace it with something a bit newer.

Highly recommended