[earossi]

I have always believed that I knew something about mechanics, but have to admit that when it comes to today's electronics, I am truly in the dark! When I used to know something about electronics.....vacuum tubes were on the way out being replaced with transistors!



Have admitted my ignorance, I have been thinking about changing out my stereo system in my 93 coupe. I particularly liked the writeup done by xrad on the relatively inexpensive system he is installing in his coupe; however, some of the terminology is beyond me. So, I'm asking for a little bit of help.



But, before I go into that, let me say that my demands are not huge. I listen to CD's (both voice and instrumentals) and to FM radio (sometimes it is just easier to surf the radio!). I am not interested in deafening bass.....though I prefer more bass than used to be put out by BOSE speaker systems. So, I do need some. And, I don't need or want a 1000 watt install. Unlike my sons......I still have some of my hearing and want to keep it! So, my listening level is louder than talking and just enough to overcome the ambient noise within the car. I also have a priorty for clarity of sound. As a kid, I built a Klipsch folded horn speaker that was so clear that you could hear the rustling of paper on a desk when listening to an AM news station. I still love that kind of clarity, as opposed to the distortion that seems to be so popular with my sons.



So, that brings me to xrad's system, which sounded ideal to me, particularly at the prices the equipment is offered at (per my research of Ebay).



But, I would like some clarification on speaker installs and how to wire up the system.



1. Each of my doors has a lower plastic enclosure that has two speakers mounted in it with what appears to be a crossover between them.......can someone confirm that? And, if I upgrade will I need to install a replacement crossover in the same location?



2. Do I retain the plastic speaker enclosure or do something else? If so, what is that "something else"?



3. xrad discussed tuning each of the components in the system.....some were to loud and perhaps some were not loud enough. So, when you have multiple components that are all trying to blend into one sound.......how do you determine which need tuning and then how do you perform that. I'm afraid that the answer is going to be that tuning is more of an art then a science......so, I'll keep my fingers crossed.



4. xrad talked about a speaker replacement for the doors.......but, since my doors have two speakers mounted low and a tweeter mounted up high.......what, specifically, should I replace? The small tweet mounted up high is OEM to the best of my knowledge.



5. xrad talked about cleaning out extra wiring in the shift tunnel. Does anyone know what that wiring is there for?



6. It appears that there are multiple amplifiers thoughout the car, when I am used to believing that all the electronics to amplify sound were internal to the head unit. So, how many amps are there in the Porsche 8 speaker system (I think that I have only 8) and do I remove them are just abandom them in place. Can someone tell me the exact location of each amp?



Thanks in advance. I'm sure that I'll have more questions.



Ernie

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[earossi]

Is there any help out there?

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[flash]

what you decide to do is up to you - there is no right or wrong - there are way too many choices out there to give you a black and white answer



try searching and reading here in this section - there are members who have done this already, to all varying degrees of upgrade, and have posted pics and details



the wiring diagrams are in the workshop manual, also linked to here on this site

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[xrad]

Just like falsh says! It is an art...and a grey art at that! But a few tips:



1) what kind of noise do you listen to the most? That helps determine power level and components. I like the kick of ska but the fine strings of classical, and I did not need the big 12" subs...so my system was a balance.

2) how much money do you want to spend? Plan a system within you budget

3) Buy the best components you can afford. I have had many different systems from Nakamichi to Becker to Sony. For the money, I think Sony makes a great head unit with the most flexability and low level outputs for the money. JVC's have pretty good internal amps, Alpine has good rich sound. Since the stereo is not the most important thing in the car for me, I chose a unit with the best options for the price.

4) If you are not familiar with all the numbers at the back of the directions(thaqt come in the box with your stereo or amp..and are usually manufacturer specific) it does not really matter too much, read all the internet reviews you can.

5) The sound: my components were overall inexpensive, but the sound they make is very good. That is because I knew what I wanted (#1). so when it comes to the high fq's I want a silk tweeter. When it came to crossovers, I wanted adjustability without losses, when it came to amps, i wanted more power that necessary so that it would be loud enough for me without distortion. BUT, I wanted all channels in one amp(so I needed a four channel amp..saves some room) When it came to the sub, smallest loudest sub was best (with it's own power supply to save room)

6)wiring: any good wires wiil do..don't need to spend 400$ for crazy wires



as for final tuning, that is up to you and your ears.

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[flash]

to clarify, i know it sounds like we are blowing you off - that's not the case - it's not that we don't want to help, but you need to figure out where you want to go, and what limitations you have first - there are just too many things out there and too many variables for anybody to be able to point you in any direction



but, poking around here and seeing what other people have done might help you decide what you want for your car and your own needs

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[xrad]

clarification on wiring: I rewired the entire speaker wiring setup. this includes:



1) running 3 x 2pair RCA cables to the trunk...one pair for sub,..one pair for fronts...one pair for rears.

2) running all new wiring from 4 channel amp to the rears and fronts (for the fronts, this included for each side, one set of wires to the crossover located in trunk...and then two pairs of wires for the tweet and midrange run up to the front, into the doors, and to the speakers.

3) sub was plug and play and sits in the wheelwell(in front of the spare)

5) all new single power line to the trunk for distribution to the amp and sub

6) ground: I used the ground lug in the left rear trunk



everything done with the carpet out..made it fun and easy

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[flash]

i highly recommend reading the wiring diagram though, and be aware that stripe is NEGATIVE on these cars

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