Alternatives for car speakers

[falcon]

Hi all,

I would like to replace the speakers in my 88 cab. The fronts are 5.25 component speakers and the rears are 4 inchers. I wish I could use the rear deck but with the top down it covers the entire deck. My problem is that there is no bass. I'm no rocker but a little bass would be nice. Along with replacing the speakers, I'm thinking of adding a 6" bazooka.

Anyone out there have an alternate set up that works well or I should avoid.

Thanks in advance.

[mike f]

I too am looking for a stereo upgrade. The Stock Blaupunkt in my 1986 911Turbo stinks. I was also wondering if putting in larger speakers will affect resale value, as the car is otherwise totally stock. I would need to find a reputable dealer in the Long Island, NY area to do the work since most car stereo installers just start cutting and destroying door panels etc. Anybody have any suggestions?

[Pillow]

I use a Orion component system (5.25 and tweeters) in the front doors and no rear fill... I think rear speakers ruin the imaging.

I use a 10" Orion sub box that fits perfectly on the rear seats when folded down. When I autocross just unhook it and take it out... Note that if you really swing your car around the box will move, so might not be the best choice depending on how you drive.

Check out any Excellence for an ad where there are two 8"s mounted right in back of the seats. I cannot remember the name though. Then again they look less removable and kill any passenger hopes in the rear seats.

In all honesty save your money. Put in a good head unit and some good door speakers and stop there. The motor sounds better I would not waste the time or money to do it again... Should have got an exhaust and kept the change.

I agree that the Blaupunkt stuff sucks though, try Eclipse or top notch Alpine products.



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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

You can try to search for old posts about "in car stereo" or "loudspeakers". I asked about better loudspeakers in stock size and found out that it is in fact available from Blaupunkt. Just can't remember the headline for that thread, sorry.

[Pillow]

One more thing as far as speakers go.

If you have the money to burn get Boston Pro series (not Rally) or MB Quart speakers. If you want the best value I like the Orion systems. Also there used to be a Canadian company called AVI that produced incredible products (used to be better than Boston who is now top dog), but I am unaware of a place to buy them anymore.

There are only a handful of people that make decent amps these days so be picky. Rockford Fosgate used to rock, but now that they got the Best Buy contract they are crappy "made in China" stuff. Orion is good and still USA made. Also look into Eclipse ($) and PPI... Alpine amps are good for high range sound, but not mids or lows - no "balls" to it. Kicker has some nice stuff, but requires some weird setups that I find annoying.



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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

[carnut169]

Falcon- I have a Kenwood Excelon head unit (rotates so that when the car is off, all you can see is a black panel),and a matching Excelon 501 amp (mounted in the trunk). The speakers are Boston Pro-Series components up front, mid-range Bostons 5 1/4" in the rear, and a custom made bass box behind the pass seat w/ a JHL 8" sub. They matched the carpet on the box to my interior so it blends right in.


I don't know what you are looking to spend, but my system was $2800.00- and it is VERY loud and clean- even at high speed w/ the top down. The front speakers are rated at 400w, so they do most of the work- but you have to have a sub if you want it to sound right, and you have to have enough power running the whole system (my amp is 600w x2).
Good luck, Sean.


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87 Carrera Cabriolet

[MarkY]

Check out http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/

[nhromyak]

Pillow is talking about MarkY post.

I have this. I LOVE IT!!!

I did not actually screw my speakers in. This way, when I go to the track, I can pop the box out. Tape up my amps connectors, and DRIVE!

I can pop the box back in, pretty tight compression fit. I know, what if you were in an accident speach, well I WAS in an accidient. I was rear-ended, messed up my back for over a year now, the speakers DID NOT MOVE.

Kewl setup.
www.caraudioinnovations.com



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Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera 7 & 9 Fuchs
Havin' Fun in Sacramento

[falcon]

Wow, different ways to go. Thanks guys for your recommendations and the website.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by mike f:
I too am looking for a stereo upgrade. The Stock Blaupunkt in my 1986 911Turbo stinks. I was also wondering if putting in larger speakers will affect resale value, as the car is otherwise totally stock. I would need to find a reputable dealer in the Long Island, NY area to do the work since most car stereo installers just start cutting and destroying door panels etc. Anybody have any suggestions?

I have audio info on LI. I live in L>B. call me
Ron in LB

[howie944]

Rod Birch (Car Audio Innovations) is a friend and lives here in Sacramento. This guy really knows his stuff about 911 installations. You couldn't meet a more personable guy. He did a special box for my 10" Boston Pro subs (usually does 8") came to my house and did about 3 trial fits before all was said and done. Wasted a couple of pieces of MDF before all was said and done. Sounds great. Sure ya lose some of your rear seat leg room (yeah righhhtt ...leg room...more like point yer toes and sit back there). How often do you really carry folks in your back seats? Even if you don't purchase anything from Rod he is willing to give you guidance and direction on what really works.

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Howie
79SC

[Serge]

I had a 6" Bazooka in my 911, and was quite impressed with the sound. For front speakers I like MB Quart. A 4x75 amp will run the whole system, bridge the back two for the bazooka. Unless you are a basshead, this will be more than adequate. Unfortunately, I am a basshead, so I ended up with two Audiobahn tens.

The Bazooka was my first step into the land of bass, and the sound was a revelation. Deep, rich, punchy, and very cost effective.

[Zendalar]

For bass I recommend Peerless XLS-10 Car. These can be put to 5 liter closed box and they still funtion very well! It produces very deep and good sounding bass. This is very popular element here in Finland.

Usually people use 2 elements in 15-20 liter box, this way you get lower bass and more pressure.

[falcon]

Couple of questions since I've never installed subwoofers before:

From Serge,
"The Bazooka was my first step into the land of bass, and the sound was a revelation. Deep, rich, punchy, and very cost effective."

Where did you locate the bazooka? Is this the only location you would install it at?

To all,

I have two kids 7 and 11 and occasionally the wife and kids hop in for a cruise. I notice that many installations have 2 subwoofer right below the rear seats integrated on the floor. Would I get good bass with just ONE subwoofer? Since my 11 year old needs the floorspace for his big feet.

Also (for all) how would you rate ADS components speakers amongst the others mentioned above? Cost is about $150. But I'm not sure what to do with the rear 4 inch openings. Not all companies make a 4 or 5.25 midrange speaker. Should I just put in Coaxials?

I currently have a Sony Mobile ES head and 10 disc CD changer. An Amp or two is definitely needed.

Any posts appreciated

[mwbaum]

I had a nice high end system installed in my 85 Carrera without altering the car's interior. Boston Acoustics in the front and rear speaker locations, and a 10 inch Boston subwoofer in a box that slips under one of the rear seats...even when it is folded down. This is removable...it just plugs in. You can use the system without it or you can remove it and put it in the trunk if parking in a questionable area. I got an Eclipse radio/6CD in-dash changer and a large amp that is mounted under the trunk also, along with the alarm. This system sounds absolutely fantastic, and no cutting of the interior was necessary, which was a condition of mine, to preserve the value of the car. I kept all the stock speakers/components in case I ever sell the car.

[RoninLB]

I had the impression that you were having an audio shop do the install. If you will be doing install CarAudioInnovations [Rod Birch]is the best 911 audio system in the country. Keep in mind that you should get feedback only from 911 people. The same equipment will preform differently in different cars. The rear subs, behind seats on floor can be removed. The more I learned about 911 audio the more complicated my questions became. The answers to these questions was always Rod Birch 1-800-892-6430

[falcon]

I would like to install it myself since the openings are standard. I just needed more bass. I'm leaning toward higher end speakers per the recommendations above, but will give rod birch a call.

Thanks again all for the input.

[Pillow]

I would look into the setup Howie944 is running. Sounds really nice!


If I knew that the box could be made for 2 10"s and still removable that is exactly what I would have done. Especially with two Boston Pros! Sweeet!!!!

I have one Orion 10" box now and want more base... It sounds good, don't get me wrong, but too much is just enough



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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

[bb]

I have 5-1/4"polk up front,4" polk in rear quarters and made a box, that I'm selling on Ebay now, wiht (2) 8" subs. The sub box was the way to go if you want bass. Even with Polk speakers and two amps it wasn't loud enough until I built the box