Stereo Improvements in 911

[Wickd89]

Hi All,
I know this might not be the place for this, but the stereo in my 1989 Carrera sounds like sh*%!

Previous owner put a nice Alpine CD player and when with Boston Accoustic separates in the doors.

Problem is that it has NO bass. When I turn it up I get total distortion. I am forced to keep the bass level to a -5 instead of a positive number. The original rear speakers (cabriolet) are terrible but I just think they are old and ripped.

Can anyone recommend a good shop in LA or the OC to get this evaluated and fixed?
Probably need some new crossovers and some subwoofers under the rear seats but prefer to use a shop that knows how to do it on 911's.

Thanks, Luis

[RFR]

Check these guys out.

http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/

they are in Northern Ca.

Seem pricey, but deal in high end audio and are Porsche fanatics

[aigel]

I would NEVER drop my car off at an audio shop. Select your equipment, buy it and install it yourself. I have seen lots of butchering around alarms and stereos. Some of it was just sloppy installation but worse, som was carelessness with respect to the car. Holes in sheetmetal, self tapping screws, you name it!. It's not like it is hard to do correctly and carefully yourself.

George

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by RFR
Check these guys out.

http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/

they are in Northern Ca.

Seem pricey, but deal in high end audio and are Porsche fanatics

The boss runs a class act. I have his sub and components. I did the install. Subs aren't necessary as long as you use 6 1/2 speakers and 50-75 x2 amp.

No amp = NG

[sweet97m3]

I see they did a trip east in 1999 when 9 Rennlist members committed to installs. After checking out the website I have got to say I am seriously impressed. Lots of dough and certainly though provoking for that reason but you get what you pay for. Having thought of upgrading the stock system in the cab (hardly worth calling a system at this point) this is intriguing. Not sure I'd sign up just yet but anyone else out there on the "right" coast possibly interested in pursuing this? Could always do a self-install but if enough were interested in having it done by these guys...??

I'm in VA, 45 minutes west of Washington, D.C. (close to Dulles Airport)


http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/

[JackMan]

Hmmmmm. I love music. The music I love in my 911 comes from the engine and tailpipe.

I did have the stereo on once, and that was at the PPI.

'Nuff said.

wj

[sweet97m3]

I "hear" you JackMan and should have offered odds on who would come back with this response first! I think we all enjoy listening to the motor (one reason I opted for the cab in particular) more often than not but there are occasions (for me anyway) where I would really like to hear some tunes.

Guess Ohio won't be a stopover on this trip...

[ben parrish]

I made a unit for subs that is similar to the one audioinnovations makes. It isn't hard to make and install; I used cardboard to make the template and then used 3/8 ply for the "box". There is no back; you use the foot wells to complete the "box". I calculated the volume of the box and went with 8" woofers and a 300 watt sony amp.
I know that the acoustics are not perfect in this type of arrangement but the sound is great.
Good luck,
Ben

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by ben parrish
I made a unit for subs that is similar to the one audioinnovations makes

I penciled out the savings at about $150 a few years ago. It was an estimate as I never had a hard number for the cost of the sub box carpet covering. Subs do become a habit once you get used to the cabin fill.

Rod Birch will also just answer 911 install questions even if you buy elsewhere although his prices are competitive and his info is invaluable.

fwiw.. I stopped at his shop to say I think I blew a tweeter in a Focal install as sometimes it'll sound distorted. Then I showed him the volume level I listened to and he laughed. "That's like 110db and definately ear damage levels."
"Oh." 110db and crystal clear audio is ng as I found out.

[lagrassa]

Stereo? Music? Who needs that in a P-car? I listen to music a lot, but not while driving my 911. The engine sound is the music.

[avalad2]

The greatest music begins when that needle hits 4.

[chuckr]

Funny this comes up now... I have an 89... with Bostons in the
doors and back deck. I replaced the door speakers last
weekend with Alpine 6 1/2 2 way speakers. I have an Alpine
power amp under the passenger seat and a Sony head
unit w/CD changer in trunk. The Alpine speakers in the door
are FANTASTIC !!!!! I got them for about $169.00 at
Best Buy. Pretty easy swap out, the Boston's were the same size,
I did have to do some creative engineering on the plastic shell
in the door the speaker fits in. Very happy with it !
Money well spent !
Chuck

[RoninLB]

member "bell" has a suggestion for some kind of gizmo to clean up the install of rear speakers from distorting with the fronts.

[Wickd89]

Great suggestions. I knew some people would come back with that the car does not need a radio, being true and an expected response. ;-)
I love my car sound (I agree a reason why I swayed towards a Cab) but when cruising at highway speeds, sometimes it is nice to listen to some music.

[Mysterytrain]

you are always going to be fighting the low freq generated by the engine, exhaust, road noise and wind.

[shillier]

I'm not sure of any shops in the LA area given my location but there's are a couple threads that talk to about some decent sub installs. That should fix your bass problem. Lots of other good info when you search "woofer".

Here's a good one with options for a sub that fits under your seat.

Installed a Subwoofer under the seat!

I simply customised a couple 10" subs in the back seat using some fiberglass, some nice components in the doors, a nice MP3 player in the dash and a couple of amps in the trunk.

Have fun!
Shayne

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by shillier

I'm not sure of any shops in the LA area given my location

my bro lives in west LA and goes 1st class with his 911.
Any install he's had they either did the butcher job or at least smacked up his fender for bonus coupons.

Rod Birch is worth the ride for a 911 imo.

[Quicksilver]

Try giving Rawlings Audio in Pasadena a call. Jamey, the guy who owns it is a friend and his business is mostly sports cars. He does a lot of Porsche being a Porsche owner and having a bunch of friends that are hardcore Porsche fanatics.

His number is 626-578-9897. Tell him that Wayne in OC sent you.

BTW - A few months ago he mentioned that he was making up some custom molded subwoofer enclosures for the mid year cars like ours and he might have them available by now.

[JP911]

It's worth the ride just to meet Rod! Aside from knowing all there is to know about car audio and installs, he is a great guy and is very entertaining. I had him put a "stealth" system in my wife's '66 corvette that runs off the stock head unit and her Ipod. I left the car with him for a day and came back to find an incredibly clean install and amazing sound. Give him a call to see what he recommends. You never know, he may have a trip to the OC planned and he'll stop by to see you!

[Wickd89]

Great tips. I will swing by Rod Birch in West LA and Jamey at Rawlings Audio in Pasadena.
My system is probably 50% acceptable but I am sure one of these guys can make it much better.....