Upgrading stereo, Alpine instructions are poor
 

I'm upgrading the stereo in my 964. My goal was to replace everything and add a discrete compact sub for less than $600, and not require any significant mods. I went over budget a little but all in all I've found some good prices, and what is shaping up to be a reasonable upgrade.

I could've gotten the head unit (Alpine CDE-SXM 145) a little cheaper, but I like the vendor (Crutchfield). I did end up getting a compatable Alpine amp (a compact 4x45) from an online vendor for a good price.

Crutchfield goes above and beyond with extra instructions specific for the 964. However the instructions with the Alpine products are amazingly vague, and somewhat generic. I haven't done a car stereo install in probably 25 years, and remember getting very good instructions with gear purchased.

For speakers I went with Rockford Fosgate's Punch line. Besides price, the RF's have a very plain black grill with a small logo. I got 4x6 for the rear deck, and a two piece set of 6 1/4" with separate tweeters for the doors.

For the compact sub, I went with a Kenwood powered small box that will fit under the passenger seat. Another 964 owner did a post using this box, so I know it will fit.

Before family, and two kids bound for college; this would've been a high end, rattle the windows system. Now I just want some decent sound and something that will give me hands free ability with my phone.

The original head unit was a Blaupunkt cassette player that was put in the car at the original dealer. The rear deck speakers were total goners, the surrounds having disintegrated long before I got the car. The door speakers still had the original tweeters, and the 5 1/4" were replaced with generic speakers(Planet Audio??).

Pics to follow.