Audio Install

[dc914guy]

Does anyone out there have pictures of their audio installs? I am looking to add a little sound to the 914 and would like to see what others have done, especially where others have mounted their speakers.

Thanks,
~Eric

[JmuRiz]

Eric,

If you are going to the PCA Potomac meet at Curry's on the 7th for the Dyno's for Charity...I'll be there, and you can check out how my stuff is installed. It's very amature, but you'll get some ideas.

Nathan
PS: I need to see your paintjob, and get back in touch w/ Bill

[dc914guy]

Nathan~
I will be there, and god willing so will my 914

Bill is finishing up the paint work over the weekend, and then I just have to finish up a couple of small details and go (all the need to renew the brakes lingers)!

~Eric

[toman]

sorry I don't have any pics, I'm a techno-idiot. But really the only *good* way to put speakers in one of these cars is to build some fiberglass pod type enclosures to put in the kick panel area, in place of the original panels. Although the doors will work too, just not sound as good. Email me and I'll send you details on how to build some.

[bludden]

I'd be interested in those enclosures as well!

[3D914]

Eric,

I took a slightly different approach to the speaker install - putting them in my center console. You can visit my web sote for detials. Just use the left menu entitled Project Ravenna.

I'll be glad to expand if you need further details.

Enjoy!

[dc914guy]

Brian~
How wide is your center console? My center console has all 3 gauges in a straight line. But I do like the idea of being able to install speakers in there!

~Eric

[Mockmaw]

6.5" 3-way Kenwoods in the doors, kick panels are actually empty.. I constructed a center console (from the center deposit box, not the 'console'.. so it doesn't extend all the way to the armrest) with an 8" Kicker subwoofer. Powered by a 4-channel Pioneer amp in the front trunk.. installation isn't complete yet, but I'll see about getting some pictures snapped this week.

[toman]

The only problem with putting speakers (other than a sub) in your center console is that it's no longer stereo. But if you don't mind listening in mono or listen to only AM radio, cool...

[iamchappy]

Eric
I will post some pictures of my install tomorrow as my digital camera is at my office.
I think my install is by far the best. I played around with boxes and things for years my solution is this, you can put any size subwoofers in the firewall there is more than enough room for even 12 inchers, I have 8" subs in my firewall I may go up to 12s, 5.25 in the doors which I am going to increase to 6.5, and 3.5 X 5's with 4.5 x 7 grills in the kick panels all are Alpine speakers. I use stainless steel mixing bowels for my speaker enclosers for my subwoofers they work great and look nice. they do not interfere with anything in the engine compartment. I had this set up in my 2.0 four and now with my 3.0 six.
You will see when I post the pictures.

David

[iamchappy]

Eric
Here are some pictures of my install as I promised and a few of my 914 in the works.

David

[iamchappy]

[bludden]

I've heard that placing front and rear speakers so close to each other can result in a noise cancellation effect, as the signals can reach the ear out of phase. Can anyone comment on this behavior?

I liked the single speaker in the back pad - my pad is a bit messed up so I wouldn't mind trying something like that on it!

[toman]

Rear speakers are actually not needed in a well designed system. If your front speakers are positioned properly, adding more speakers in the back only screws up your soundstage. think about it; when was the last time you went to a concert and the band was behind you? But realizing that very few systems are even close to well designed, rear fill can help the sound. This works best with mostly mids, because they are less directional than highs. In other words, don't put full range speakers in the back. Now subwoofers are exception, because true subbass is omnidirectional. So in theory, you should be able to place a subwoofer anywhere in the car and not be able to tell where it is located. This is why subs are usually put in the trunk. In real life though, subs up front often sound much better. The idea of using the front trunk in a 914 for subs has always interested me; the only problem seems to be getting the bass through that nice firewall without weakening the car.

[M. Hendrix]

I think as far as audiophilic listening conditions go, we don't stand a chance, there isn't even a place to mount speakers in a 914 to get a simple stereo image of any real quality.

Subs don't help make music sound better, low end is for dancing, and THX.. buy a disco, or a theatre.




M

[M. Hendrix]

Originally posted by bludden
I've heard that placing front and rear speakers so close to each other can result in a noise cancellation effect, as the signals can reach the ear out of phase. Can anyone comment on this behavior?

Noise? No.

Placing 2 speakers with the same program material close together causes induced phase-cancellation.

[Dr. Whatzit response deleted due to respect for the sanity of others]

The problem is also compounded by mixing axis.

Proper listening position is L&R 30 degrees off axis, and at ear level, your head should be the third point in the triangle, and the speakers need to be facing at your head at 0 degrees.

So I guess now that it's never going to really sound all that great in there anyhow, let's go revving.



M

[nein14]

I recently took the stock speaker grills and installed a pair cerwin
vega 4x6 plate speakers in them as well as a pair in a set of 914 driver side door pockets. Then a set of Aura Bass Shakers under the seats. The 4x6's run off a Kenwood head unit that is 45x4 and the Bass Shaker are running of a Kicker subwoofer amplifier.
The system sounds great.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by toman
The idea of using the front trunk in a 914 for subs has always interested me; the only problem seems to be getting the bass through that nice firewall without weakening the car.

Try installing a fuel cell in the spare tire well, and removing the fuel tank. You now have all kinds of space to put a sub and amp, and it will fire directly down onto your feet!!

This idea, BTW, was one that Br@d told me he did for a couple of customers of his back in TX who "had to have" (and were willing to pay for) massive boom-boom stereos.

--DD

[iamchappy]

For those who are looking for true audiophile listening and separation in a 914, you may consider a 914 limo conversion.
Myself, when I am flying down the highway with the top down and need to crank up the volume, my system performs great. All and all, I need to keep my teenage rap music daughter happy, I need thumping bass, the subs take care of that. when the windows are up and roof on, my system sounds plenty good to me.

David

[Rob914]

I dont think anyone can beat the system in my 914, i've got the original blaupunkt in the dash and under the dash i mounted an alpine 7995, (they dont even sell this in stores, got it off ebay), i put infinity reference front speakers in the kick panels, and the rear ones in the front of the door very close to the front ones, tweeters behind the seats where the seat belt comes out, an alpine amp up frony with monster cables and the whole bit. ill take pictures tomorrow, U WILL BE JEALOUS, it sounds crystal clear, i decided not to get a sub since i dont listen to rap or any music that really needs anymore bass than the speakers can handle, but i did run into a 914 guy who put a little one in the center console.