After doing some research on this subject, I found this thread and this is what I was thinking to replace the $39 radio presently in my 968:

- Purchase a Porsche Traffic Pro radio/nav system
- Put in a line level to low level signal conditioner
- Output of signal condition goes into amp
- Replace the door speakers with something new
- Maybe put a 8" subwoofer in one of the cubbies with its own amp

I ran across a FS ad on Pelican, the guy has a similar set up that he is trying to sell, but that was March as his phone number is dead. But here is the setup of the JL signal conditioners and amp, this could be installed and attached to the spare tire. The stock stereo would input into this, it creates proper outputs for the amp.



I put an Alpine 8" sub in my old Audi S8 with a Alpine single channel amp....with the stock Bose system, OMG it ROCKED! So subtle with low volumes and really doesn't come to life until high volumes, then it rocks you! But the license plate does not rattle....



I could either see if I could make a box for it (made a sealed enclosure for the S8) or I see KLA industries makes one:



Then to get Bluetooth, I would get the following module which would allow an aux input or iPod, plus Bluetooth handsfree:



Here is the page for the product.

In the end, if I had a budget of $1,000, I think I could get a really nice retro system using this equipment and have Nav in the car to boot!

Thoughts?

I don't really want to put in a new Alpine or the sort that you can buy at Best Buy, want something to fit the period of the car.

 

Paul, no need for the CleanSweep -- that's just designed to de-equalize (flatten) the signal from factory installed sound equipment and give an RCA output. It was the first of its kind, so it got put a lot of places it probably wasn't needed. I haven't seen one in a long time.

The Traffic Pro is a nice radio, but it's badly outclassed as a navigation unit by your cell phone.

Personally, if I had it to do again (which I hope to, soon) I would buy whatever the hot head unit was in roughly the era of the car and play MP3s from a hidden iPod or my cell phone if it has an Aux in. Cell phone for the navigation. The good news is that head units of the mid-90s were often really nicely made items with good tactile feedback. Stop at the car stereo booth of a box electronics store sometime to see just how badly things have gotten in that regard.

 

you take the cavity in one of the rear quarters and build a speaker box that will slip into it. semi-rectangular on the inside and ovalish (like the fenders) on the outside. then build it up/out..... big enough for a 10 or 12 inch sub to sit at a nice angle to fire into the cabin (like a half-mushroom).... won't get done by itself; you have to get out the fiberglass and make it, or pay someone to do it... single sub. then, big door speakers, crossed over for more midrange and less midbass.... then big midbass speakers bursting out of the space behind the doors.... big, oversized, 8" transducers that get loud enough to make you go deaf... the new lightweight amps to drive everything are 25 years late (for these cars), but better late than never.

 

Thanks for your advice....probably don't need both clean sweep boxes, but for $80, having the one clean sweep box to take the radio input and convert it to a low level input into an amp would be a nice touch.

I'm an anti-cell phone guy, have a HP Veer, no navigation on that thing. I like having a built in navigation. Would be nice to have the "old school" nav system....I love renting a car like an Audi in Europe that doesn't have the nav screen, but it's just built into the instrument cluster.

 

You're better off guessing where you need to go than you are with a Traffic Pro. On hot days, the display on mine is mostly black - can't even read what it says.

 

Alpine, Nakamichi not welcome ?

 

I think a Nakamichi CD 500 would be a nice addition to my car someday. Won't be this year.

 

While you are taking the car apart to do all this fun stuff don't forget to make it quieter...

Lots of info on the 'net, but making the car quieter makes the sound that much better overall and reduces the need for massive power. Everyone is familiar with dynamat and similar products. If you can stand the thought of adding some weight to the car that is a quick and easy solution - except for the floor where the factory carpet is affixed with some magic chemical and can't be removed. But certainly do the rear hatch area.

Another solution is QuietCoat / QuietCar or similar. Apply liberally to wheel wells, under the car, etc. Similar products are sold in spray cans that you can also spray on. The idea is dampen vibrations which can distort sound as well as to stop noise to sneaking in.

Also, try to get some foam or other absorbent material behind the speakers to stop early reflections that can muddy the sound. If you've ever opened a box speaker you will always find foam or some other absorbent material.

Dampen all the panels close to the speakers and try to get a good seal around the perimeter of the speakers and seal any extraneous holes near the speakers where sound can leak out. There's a reason that most speakers are in boxes and not free air...

One good source for parts and speakers is Parts Express.com
You can also buy raw speakers - typically better and cheaper at places like Madisound

I personally have the 10 speakers system using
the six factory speakers in the front
a pair of 6.5 inch full range speakers from Madisound in the rear pillars
a KLA sub enclosure with a woofer from Parts Express in the rear hatch
A $200 Alpine Receiver
3 Blaupunkt Tripath Amplifiers
1 is mounted under the glove box - powering the fronts
2 mounted above the spare - 1 powering the rear speakers and one powering the Sub

It rocks pretty nicely.

Realistically using the factory front speakers is probably the weak link, but I just love the look of the factory install. In particular I think seriously better sound could be had by replacing the front tweeters or perhaps both the mid range and the tweeter. The speakers in the front doors are probably about useless. They are supposed to be woofers, but there is no space behind them to allow for any serious bass to be generated.

 

Thanks for the info Phil! Sounds nice....no pun intended.....can you post or email me some pictures of the install? paul at audipages dot com

 

Hi Paul,

If you go to the Water Cooled forums and the 924/44/68 forum and search for my name - Phil0618 - you will find the threads that deal with sound deadening and also some about the audio install as well.

Best,
Phil

 

Becker CD head unit and Focal subs, replacement size Focals up front, all powered by Alpine amps.
Great bass and good clarity for top-down listening.

 

Looks awesome...I love the look of the Porsche (Becker) radio....I love my Traffic Pro and actually really, really like the navigation directions it gives. Newer units tend to get you lost in a place where you have not been (making you turn the wrong way by confusion) and the Traffic Pro just has a nice British woman's voice that gives you great directions when you need them.

 

Aren't CDs going the way of the cassette tape?

 

I have to say that I have had an iPod for a long time....and anytime I hook that thing up to my PC and install iTunes....my PC just drops in performance. I have not updated that thing forever.

I love the CD! I don't use them in my car....but I just love it, you own it, you play it, you put it in the case, it doesn't require a boot up, etc., etc.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I'm not a fanboy.

;-)

 

I have 500 CDs so I might as well use them. Unlike cassettes, no RR or FF, no flutter, just pure digital sound.
I have Pandora as well when I don't feel like digging out an oldie but goodie!