sound systems

[FSH2LIV]

What have you done to get the most out of your system? Any recommendations on a cd player that fits into the stock cut out. Speaker rec's are appreciated too.
Tanks-Markus

[odie]

Standard DIN head unit sound fit stock dash. DIN is European standard which is now world wide.

You can mount 5x7 in the stock speaker panels if you cut the grill and mount front the outside. Real clean looking install.

[red-beard]

I used Blautpunk components - A San Jose MP3/CD player. It's very very good at playing MP3s, but not so good as regular CDs. There may be better choices now, especially if you want to remote mount a CD changer.

Speakers - I used Blautpunkt 5x7's in the speaker grills. I had to trim the speakers a little bit to make them fit, but nothing that was part of producing sound. I think I also was only able to use 2 of the 4 mounts and the magnet interferes a little behind, so only 2 of the 3 grill mounting screws are used.

When sitting still this is one of the best sound systems I've heard in a 914 using only 2 speakers and factory mounts.

While moving - who cares if you can hear the stereo over the sweet sweet sound of a 6 in motion....

James

[jackmech]

I have an Eclipse system with 5 1/4" speakers installed in the doors. Most people don't like cutting the doors, but the bass out of there is quite impressive. You have to spend over $100 on a head unit to really get any decent volume levels without distortion. I added some 4" eclipse speakers in boxes behind the seats. Gives a nice kick in the kidneys at volume. I plan to add a JL 6" subwoofer and an amp at some point.

Not sure what to do about the box for the sub. I was thinking of remaking the passenger footwell foam piece in fiberglass as a box, but I don't think it'll be big enough. Another idea is remaking the center console to be a bass box. The final idea is to remake the center console to be larger/taller. All have their pros and cons.

[bludden]

How do boxes go begind the seats? Can they be backed up all the way with the boxes installed?

[iamchappy]

I went with alpine speakers, a pair of 5.5 X 3.5 in the kick panel speaker grills which look very nice as they are rectangular and fit the outer front panel of the speaker grill mounted to the outside, i use these primarily as tweeters.
5.25 's in the doors and 8's in the back pad behind the seats, I cut two 6.75 " holes in the firewall and laid a ribbon of window weld around the inner parimeter of the hole, then pressed a pair of nice stainless steel revereware bowels into the holes in firewall, stuff the bowels with speaker sound deading material. everyone who looks into my engine compartment always points to the bowels and asks me what there for. they actually look very nice, I had to shop around to find ones that didn't have any writing on them I actually had to buy a set of a half dozen bowels to get the ones I wanted.

James I was looking at the Blautpunk San Jose Mp3 player deck, why do you say it doesn't play cds well can you explain ?

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE KEY HOLDER

David

[jackmech]

The seats don't go back all the way, but I fit comfortably. The boxes fit nice and snug and I'm pretty happy with how they turned out overall. They're definatly not optimal for the speakers, but at least they hold them in place and really round out the sound in the cabin.

[Jim Smolka]

For pure listening delight, get rid of the radio and install a flat 6 cyl motor

[JmuRiz]

I agree Jim, a well tuned motor is the best sound system in a 914. I spent a little bit of money and made a great sounding system in mine...but just last week I drove with it on for the first time in over a year. I'd rather listen to the engine (and try and hear what will break next, haha).

Nathan
PS: I have a CD head-unit, 6.5" 150 watt bazooka tube right in front of the pass seat, custom between-the-seats speakerbox w/ 2 up-firing 3.5" 2-way Blau's, and 4x6" infinity kappa plates in the stock location. I CAN hear it at highway speeds too, and feel the bass...too bad I never turn it on, hahahaha

[bludden]

Thanks for the pics Jack! Actually I'm pretty darn short and could get away with something like that. A couple of my passengers might complain...

I usually just have the sounds of the motor to keep me company as well. But when I'm stuck in rush hour traffic it's nice to have the music to break the monotony.

[joseph222]

Brian,
I installed a simple wedge shaped speaker box in place of my passengers foot rest. I like the fact that it's behind the carpet and out of sight for those times with it parked and the targa top off. Also, my CD player disappears when it's turned off - just looks like a piece of flat plastic in the dash.
With 100w driving the sub and 30w for the small speakers in their original location, the volume can drive you out of the car.

Like many others, I usually prefer just the engine sound, but what I find the audio system is REALLY useful for, is to drown out all my cursing when I'm working on the teener.....

[tat2dphreak]

I used to do semi-ro installs...
for subs... look for boxes made for small single cab pickups, you can get a lot of bass out of a small space using the right speaker in these boxes, just don't push as much power to them, or the bass will get sloppy.

Kicker Solo-barics are great for apps like this. you can also cover the box in similar material to your back(behind-seat) pad. and even 75w/ch amps will sound huge!

for head units: you can't go wrong with alpine!

pioneer makes good quality speakers that will fit in the stock holes.

[chief914]

Blaupunkt CD player, 5X7 calrion plate speakers in stock boxes with poly-fill, homemade powered sub between seats in place of center tray. The system as a whole sounds really good even with the top off at 70. Good luck!

[red-beard]

On the San Jose -

In MP3 mode it never skips with bumps or anything. In CD mode, I regularly have skips when I hit bumps. I hardly ever use it in CD mode, since I've ripped most of my CDs into MP3s and save them to a few CDs for the car. Saves lots of space.

I've been looking to add a couple of surface mount speakers, on top of the back pad, mounted against the rear window. Haven't found a set of speakers I like yet. I haven't been looking too hard either. The San Jose has lines setup for rear speakers. Some day I'll put them in.

James

[BillySpaceman]

early 70s Motorola AM/FM Radio (even has 5 or 6 preset buttons ) and a stock pair of kick ass paper coned speakers!!