993 Jl Audio/Kicker HIFI Stereo Upgrade
#1
993 Jl Audio/Kicker HIFI Stereo Upgrade
Well, since the purchase of my 993, I have always wanted to make the sound system match the overall incredible design and performance of the car.
I based my installation off of pilot josh's and others posts here, and the idea was to keep everything reversible. You will note I drilled a small hole through the handbrake console for the Jl Audio Bass **** ($34 sacrifce).
The key here was to find the darn connector for the Nokia amp that was attainable in a quantity of one, and low and behold, an Audi Bose amp has the same male connector! Sweetness! This be of help to many of you as you begin this project. I also used a factory conversion plug to convert the nokia style round connector to RCA's and a remote turn on wire.
I began with JL Audio 6.5" 6w3v3 subs for mid-bass, and to hold me over before I complete my stealth sub install. (which may take me awhile) The whole idea here is to keep the car stock in appearance and stealthy, but match the excitement of my newly renovated exhaust. . . .
I had intentions of keeping the hifi door pods, but my mid-bass plans and the difficulty of finding the correct 3" dynaudio speakers forced me to purchase some volvo 3.5" speakers. Now I assume these are similar, but I was just not happy with them. I may have had a slight installation issue, but decided to let them go.
I then sourced some equally hard to attain, Jl Audio C5-400cm 4" mid speakers instead. . . .much better. I purchased low profile baffles for their installation on the door panel covers.
Last but not least, in my opinion, was my choice for rear deck speakers. Now due to my HIFI setup being in a targa, I have the flat plate rear 4x6 speakers, and I chose to install Kicker KSC464 speakers. They handle 70 watts RMS, and they take a beating.
Behind the stock tweeter pods are JL Audio 3/4" C5 soft dome tweeters.
For the amplification setup. . . .due to the space constraints, I purchased a JL Audio hd700/5v2 five channel amp, with a wired Bass **** for unlimited tweaking.
I installed the whole setup behind my factory CDR-210, and used an i-simple blu-tooth setup, but chose to purchase a CDR-220, and I have an appropriate apple chip lightning cord (hence the cost) so it will play and charge as well on order. I am currently just using the 3.5mm plug.
Please bare with me, photos will follow, but I also decided to change plans a bit and purchase a Kicker Front Row DSP. I have just installed it and am getting used to setting it up just right. The ultra cool thing about the Kicker Front Row is the stealthy adjustability right from the ashtray! I Velcroed nearly everything! The remote will allow subtle surround sound with the rears and is fantastic! The time alignment adjustment is pretty cool, and creates it's own center channel!
I am impressed I managed to squeeze out another 7.25" from under the seat, but this allows me full adjustment access on the dsp with the seat moved all the way forward and it's covered with the seat moved back.
My next plan, was to install a stealth fiberglass 10" TW3 Jl Audio sub with 3.5" depth on the trim ring I already purchased, but I will be changing that up for the 13.5" TW5 subwoofer with only 2.5" of depth hidden completely underneath the factory floor mat! Nuts! This has got to be truly the first of its kind, let alone in a 993! Super excited. There is no substitute!
Stay tuned!
Thanks for looking!
I based my installation off of pilot josh's and others posts here, and the idea was to keep everything reversible. You will note I drilled a small hole through the handbrake console for the Jl Audio Bass **** ($34 sacrifce).
The key here was to find the darn connector for the Nokia amp that was attainable in a quantity of one, and low and behold, an Audi Bose amp has the same male connector! Sweetness! This be of help to many of you as you begin this project. I also used a factory conversion plug to convert the nokia style round connector to RCA's and a remote turn on wire.
I began with JL Audio 6.5" 6w3v3 subs for mid-bass, and to hold me over before I complete my stealth sub install. (which may take me awhile) The whole idea here is to keep the car stock in appearance and stealthy, but match the excitement of my newly renovated exhaust. . . .
I had intentions of keeping the hifi door pods, but my mid-bass plans and the difficulty of finding the correct 3" dynaudio speakers forced me to purchase some volvo 3.5" speakers. Now I assume these are similar, but I was just not happy with them. I may have had a slight installation issue, but decided to let them go.
I then sourced some equally hard to attain, Jl Audio C5-400cm 4" mid speakers instead. . . .much better. I purchased low profile baffles for their installation on the door panel covers.
Last but not least, in my opinion, was my choice for rear deck speakers. Now due to my HIFI setup being in a targa, I have the flat plate rear 4x6 speakers, and I chose to install Kicker KSC464 speakers. They handle 70 watts RMS, and they take a beating.
Behind the stock tweeter pods are JL Audio 3/4" C5 soft dome tweeters.
For the amplification setup. . . .due to the space constraints, I purchased a JL Audio hd700/5v2 five channel amp, with a wired Bass **** for unlimited tweaking.
I installed the whole setup behind my factory CDR-210, and used an i-simple blu-tooth setup, but chose to purchase a CDR-220, and I have an appropriate apple chip lightning cord (hence the cost) so it will play and charge as well on order. I am currently just using the 3.5mm plug.
Please bare with me, photos will follow, but I also decided to change plans a bit and purchase a Kicker Front Row DSP. I have just installed it and am getting used to setting it up just right. The ultra cool thing about the Kicker Front Row is the stealthy adjustability right from the ashtray! I Velcroed nearly everything! The remote will allow subtle surround sound with the rears and is fantastic! The time alignment adjustment is pretty cool, and creates it's own center channel!
I am impressed I managed to squeeze out another 7.25" from under the seat, but this allows me full adjustment access on the dsp with the seat moved all the way forward and it's covered with the seat moved back.
My next plan, was to install a stealth fiberglass 10" TW3 Jl Audio sub with 3.5" depth on the trim ring I already purchased, but I will be changing that up for the 13.5" TW5 subwoofer with only 2.5" of depth hidden completely underneath the factory floor mat! Nuts! This has got to be truly the first of its kind, let alone in a 993! Super excited. There is no substitute!
Stay tuned!
Thanks for looking!
#3
Thanks wrasta! There are tons of sound system threads out there, and it's fun to design your own and stay in the tight perimeters of the car. I am excited to design my "hidden beneath the floor mat" fiberglass sub box project coming up!
#4
I did a similar but less complex version of what you did. Using a digital signal processor to alter the lower frequencies clearly improves the sound to the point of eliminating the need for a dedicated sub- woofer enclosure. If I was to do it again I would use the amp in my aftermarket head to power the rear speakers and then bi-amp the door speakers making the additional power from the aftermarket amp under the seat available to the kicker woofer.
#5
I still have a lot to learn with the DSP but the Kicker makes it a tad easier to adjust, I just need to verify if I am adjusting it to the appropriate frequencies. My tune-ability is limited until I attain my truly low frequencies from my subwoofer build. I keep trying to overcompensate my mid-bass to pick up the low end!
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#8
It works slick and a more positive connection than the 3.5mm. It has an isimple interface not within view of the stock image. I was surprised as well. I like the six foot length of the cord to be able to have the flexibility of picking up calls while plugged in.
#10
You will enjoy Jim Corenman's changes to the LCD. Both JB911 and I have availed ourselves of his services - great guy. Actually I find the folks in the 928 community (of which Jim is a part of) to be exceptionally resourceful.