[dg4prez]

Is your Subaru amp Class A, AB, D, or something else? I could see that Class A (and maybe AB) could draw significant power when idle.

Class A is basically never used in stereos unless you're specifically saying "I'm going to get a class A amplifier" or if you're talking about headphones and such. Even idle they pull a lot of power.

 

[dg4prez]

Has anyone tried the IS 165 kit yet? For $350 and no wiring I just might try it out.

Fronts: Focal Integration IS 165VW Integration Series 6-3/4" Plug & Play component speaker system designed to fit select Volkswagens at Crutchfield

Rears: Focal Integration IC 165VW Integration Series 6-3/4" Plug & Play 2-way speaker system designed to fit select Volkswagens at Crutchfield

Tools: Amazon.com: MR CARTOOL 3 Pcs Auto Trim Removal Tool Car Pry Tool Kit, Door Panel Clip Window Trims Removal Set for Vehicle Dash Radio Audio Installer Fit for Porsche Audi VW Equiv T10383 T10383/1 T10383/2: Automotive

 

[dg4prez]

I think I'm going to wait. I really just want better mid and lows, but I suspect there will be more options available soon.

 

[dg4prez]

Please be aware that these ref are the older one.. New version are IC VW 165 and IS VW 165. The newer are way better speaker than the one you listed..

Hope this helps

How can I tell which ones to order? I'm honestly lost as to the difference. I'll probably start with the fronts and go from there.

 

[dg4prez]

IC VW 165 are for the rear doors and IS VW 165 are for the front doors + tweeters.

That I understand. I don't understand how you can tell which are newer and which are older. The crutchfield ones look the same as the ones in your list.

 

[dg4prez]

Awesome. I didn't even notice the difference.

 

[dg4prez]

These aren't going to be super easy to get better in the states right away I expect. So far all the sources I can find are on the other side of the pond.

 

[dg4prez]

Can you share the seller for the speakers? I think I'll start with the IS VW 165.

 

[dg4prez]

I've ordered the IS from Italy, should be here within a week or so. Guess I'd better see about removal tools and clips. I've got about 28 hours of driving in July so it'd be nice if it sounded good.

 

[dg4prez]

Sure, this is what I bought: Focal ICVW165 Coax Speaker VW Up (Aa-Aan) 12/2011 - 2016 Doors Front | eBay

Did you need to buy separate adapter rings for the speakers or are those in the box? Also, which clips are used to hold on the trim? Looks like there are multiple types.

 

[dg4prez]

I doubt the ICs are actually getting any high frequencies. I should think the crossovers would prevent that. It's probably all going to the stock tweeters.

 

[dg4prez]

That's so weird.

I'll probably go for the upgraded tweeters just for funsies. Worst case it seems like I can easily glue em in.

 

[dg4prez]

Anyone interested in a set of the IS VW 165s? I ordered a set from Italy and one from GB. The italian ones are going to be later than expected and I'm planning on cancelling, but if someone wants a set I could resell and ship em to you in the US. They're hard to get so I want to give someone here the dibs. Otherwise I'll have them refund me.

 

[dg4prez]

Both pairs of my IS VW 165 are arriving this week. I'll report back on results. I'm happy to sell the second set of anyone is interested here else I'll just eBay them or something. I suspect I'm going to get the ICs pretty quickly from what I'm hearing.

 

[dg4prez]

Well you can't buy anything yet cause i don't have them in hand and I'm not about to take money for things I don't have yet. So you've got a few days to contemplate.

 

[dg4prez]

well, one set is the newer version, and the second set, which came today, is the old version. this despite the fact that they listed it as the newer and used the newer graphic. they claim it was a packaging accident.

uh huh.

their generous offer is return or i can get a 20 pound discount. and the return is only up to 30 pounds. i've told them they can pay for all of it up front or i'm taking it up with paypal and ebay. i don't believe for a second that they did this accidentally. it's a completely different box shape and size and the packaging is quite clear.

 

[dg4prez]

Got my speakers in. So far big difference but I've still got to let them break in. The VW speakers benefited greatly from that too. But well pleased so far.

The door was easy enough, but whatever engineer came up with the two stage clips in the a pillar can go straight to hell. As far as I can tell the best way to deal with those is cut them and replace them but I've not found a source yet.

 

[dg4prez]

You can get the clips at your VW dealer.. These are really standard for airbags.. They are hard to remove because you don't want to get the pillar in your face when the airbag explode..

You don't get to tell me what I want.

 

[dg4prez]

So, long story short, sending these speakers back is going to cost the original seller 85 bucks and he's not really wanting to do that unless he has to. So if anyone is interested in an unopened set of IS 165VWs - not the latest version but they've got to be miles and miles better than factory - I'm happy to sell em to you at cost ($180) plus shipping. Not a bad deal since crutchfield has em for $350.

First to send a paypal or venmo or whatever gets em. I'm not out to make any money, just figured I could help the ebay guy and someone from this site get a good pair of speakers for short money at the same time. I'm also fine with pickup if it's someone nearby who wants to drive to NH to save on shipping. Electrons are cheaper than mail. If I don't get any nibbles today I'll put em out on the wider internets, maybe try and make a couple bucks on em, but I'd rather keep it in the family so to speak. Honestly if they were the rear version I'd have just kept em and put them in the back.

 

[dg4prez]

Speaking for me, just with the two fronts so far, I've found it to be quite substantial. I don't even have an amp, just the is vw 165 speakers.