The Source Sounds Golf
Source Sounds VW Golf MK1 Van
Meet our Demo vehicle, the VW Golf Mk1 Van…
As we go through the audio system, we have a total of 100, yes 100 speakers in a combination of component form (Hertz Energy ESK 165), coaxials (Hertz EnergyECX 165), subwoofers (Hertz Energy ES 250), SPL Show mids (Hertz SPL Show SV 165) and SPL Show tweeters (Hertz SPL Show ST 25). All of these speakers (with the exception of the subs) are mounted in either a custom built fibre glass dashboard or door panels.
The subs are mounted in a custom built sub box and are fitted in 6 banks of 6 subs which are highlighted with custom orange LED lighting. To power all these speakers we also have a total of 17,520 pure RMS Watts which is made up of 9 Hertz HE4 4 channel amplifiers and the SPL Monster MP 15K Unlimited which alone contributes 15,000 of those RMS watts to drive the 36 10″ subwoofers. To drive this behemoth of an audio system, there are 2x 250a alternators fastened to the engine (1.9TDi) using a custom fabricated bracket made from 10mm solid steel.
In the rear of the vehicle there are 6 (plus 1 under the bonnet) Kinetik HC1200 heavy duty audio batteries all linked via 0g cable to the 2 thunderous alternators. To manoeuvere the vehicle you sit on the centre section of the Hertz amps which form the basis of a seat.
The source unit for the entire system is a Kenwood touch screen monitor that is linked to solid state media such as an iPod or USB memory sticks. This was done as CDs were likely to skip and jump with the amount of bass the system creates. The vehicle can also be remotely operated from an iPad and via a Bluetooth receiver from an iPhone.
The Full Range signal from this screen goes into an Audison BitOne before being split into High and Low frequencies. THe higher frequency range then goes into 2 Audio Control Matrix 6 channel line drivers before being fed into the 9 Hertz HE4 amplifiers. The lower frequency is channeled through an Audio Control Epicentre before reaching the monstrous MP15k amplifier.
The vehicle itself has undergone some major engineering work and custom modifications to get it where it is today. The doors have been fully customised in house to motorise outwards and lift up to reveal the inside of the vehicle to the world.
The radiator has been moved from its usual home and has been relocated to the rear of the vehicle underneath the boot floor. This was done to house 2 huge 250a alternators that will power the system, with each alternator having its own voltage regulator.
Due to the location of the amps, a custom handbrake mechanism was designed which now motorises on and off from the flick of a switch instead of the cumbersome original VW handbrake. The vehicle sports a hi-tec Clifford Thatcham category 1 alarm/immobiliser system to keep it secure when it’s not at any events or hows.
All in all, this vehicle has a monster of a sound system that projects sound 360 degrees and we can be heard at all the best car shows in the Uk, or why not come to our store in Sheffield to have a look around our SPL Monster Golf.
The speaker set-up!