Moonrakers Saloon speaker thread

6542 Views 26 Replies 7 Participants Last post by haloweenhamster, Nov 9, 2012

moonraker

Discussion Starter · Nov 4, 2012

Hey Deano93tid,

I am looking to upgrade my audio system too and have had a look around on fleabay.....I used to use Alpine kit a while back in my cars....are these any good for replacing the dash speakers in a 9-3??? Or is it a case of what you pay and go with the JL's??
Saab 9-3 93 Front Dash speakers Alpine 3.5" car speaker

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160608393656?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

aerojon

· #2 · Nov 4, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

you get what you pay for with jl audio..

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-sxe-0825s.html

valinco

· #3 · Nov 4, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

I'm looking to upgrade mine, but when you add the cost of everything deano has done (and not skimping on quality - otherwise whats the point?) then you're looking at big $$$.

Question is - would simply swapping the front dash speakers out make much of difference? They maybe do the rest after xmas presents have been dispatched?

aerojon

· #4 · Nov 4, 2012 (Edited)

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

Yes..but you don't have to spend that sort of money on speakers,the alpines will be ok..

the oe speakers are paper cones,so anything is better imo.

deano93tid

· #5 · Nov 4, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

No do not waste your money on those alpines they are $hite Oldbones replaced his with these and sent them back as they were terrible; he too has the JL's on board.

When replacing the dash speakers with the JL's you will notice a huge difference they have crisp highs and pack big weight for their size and can handle the power I can put the ICM unit on full volume and there is no distortion at all :thumbsup: my secret here is to have the bass set to zero up on the ICM unit treble about 3/4 and use the crossover on the sub in the boot to bring the bass back - Sub is aftermarket on mine.

I can advise you both on the upgrade path on your systems but I would need to know what you have to start with as with mine I started out with an ICM1 with 4 speakers and no amps etc.

Now I have upgraded to ICM2 with Amp1 package, aux kit plus aftermarket speakers, amps, subs.

See here - http://www.saabscene.com/forum/threads/148232-Audio-install

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aerojon

· #6 · Nov 4, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

didn't think the alpines would be that bad tbh,i've got boston acoustics in my dash but no one seems to do them in the uk anymore..

deano93tid

· #7 · Nov 4, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

Same here I thought they would be good but nope not this time, JBL do a set too which I had swapped to in mine from the OEM and these were better than standard but required cutting out of the box to fit and from those to the JL's there was a huge difference.

moonraker

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 4, 2012 (Edited)

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

All good feedback then.....I think I'll do myself a favour and buy the JL's for the front!

What about the rear deck and front doors? I have had a look underneath and see their are two existing saab 3.5" units, with two oval holes presumably for the 6x9s.
Do JL make a matching 6x9 units or is it best to go separates for the rear deck?

Regarding fixing, is it possible to remove the rear shelf top so that you can get to the screws for the 6x9s? Otherwise, how esle do you fix them in place? With the two grilles removed, you can reach two of the predrilled holes but not the ones nearest the C-pillars on each side. So is it a strip down of the shelf?

Thanks.

deano93tid

· #9 · Nov 4, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

Right the rears -

The best idea would be to unplug the existing 4" on the rear shelf and connect to 6x9's or you could use the high level to connect to an amp to amp the 6x9's, the matching JL 6x9's are - http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/12660.html

Very expensive are JL's and the amps to match etc are hundreds, I only have the JL's up front as I haven't the money to upgrade and quite frankly I am very happy with how it sounds.

I have these and highly rate them - http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/12300.html

I have those powered by a Vibe black box 2 - http://www.motorspeed.com/Vibe-Black-Box-2-Amplifier-500-Watt/cat/1/sub/3/product/3814

Also running from the same amp in the rear I have component tweeters in place of the rear 4" speakers

The rear shelf is easily removed -
Fold rear seats down,
slightly pop middle through on the plastic clips and pull out
whole shelf lifts up then pull towards you from inside the rear of the car
You can just about access the outer screws with difficulty to make this easier you can remove the pillars by removing the air bag plastic cover to reveal a screw on each side, one unscrewed the pillars can be carefully pulled off.

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moonraker

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 5, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

Wow thats most helpful indeed deano93tid....what more do I need!

A really helpful guide so thanks for this....I am learning so much about the 9-3 through this forum, its brill!

Saving me a lot of costly mistakes too..

I'll let you know what I go for once I have put the JL's in upfront.

deano93tid

· #11 · Nov 5, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

No problem here to help :thumbsup:,

What system do you have in there already?

Do you have an ICM2 up front with Amp1 under passenger seat? Centre and door speakers?

aerojon

· #12 · Nov 5, 2012 (Edited)

Moonrakers speaker thread

i've done a new thread,as the oe speaker replacement thread was regarding a sport combi not a saloon.

moonraker

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 5, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

Deano93tid - bog standard 9-3 kit...single play CD/radio with, I think, 2 x dash, 2x front door and 2x rear deck speakers. I looked for the centre dash speaker...just a big hole and a connector but no speaker, and no amp under the passenger seat!

The sound isn't particularly enthralling and sounds a bit 'middy' with non existant bass.

Looking to put JL's in the dash to start and then put in 6x9's in the rear deck (currently 3.5" Saab affairs!), followed by doos and a sub at some stage. I take it that the Saab HU is quite content connecting up to the upgraded speakers then?

moonraker

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 5, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

Something else I wondered about was using acoustic foam in the voids behind the speakers to deaden the souns lost backwards from the speakers, if you know what I mean, to minimise any vibration of door components etc.
Anyone else done this?

deano93tid

· #15 · Nov 5, 2012

Re: Moonrakers speaker thread

Yes someone else on here has coated the entire rear shelf in dyna mat I didn't do this because once it is at a certain volume you cannot hear anything but music no rattles no nothing.

If you don't have the centre you won't have any door speakers I'm affraid the doors are subs and are part of the amp1 upgrade which give you a centre also.

If you connect speakers to the doors they will not recieve an audio signal so you would have to either get the amp1 kit or use an aftermarket amp to the existing harness which is located under the passenger seat.

If I were you I would replace the JL's, add 6x9's and an active sub put the sub level and cross over on full and have the bass on zero up front this will give you the best possible out come without upgrading to amp1.

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deano93tid

· #16 · Nov 5, 2012

Re: 2005 SW Speakers upgrade all round - Advice/ Instructions please...

The factory unit in mine has been absolutely blasted and it hasn't died :thumbsup:

moonraker

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 5, 2012 (Edited)

Blimey....I learn something new EVERY time I visit this forum!

If I upgrade to Amp1 then...is there a special kit for this? Also, I think I read that you need someone with Tech1 to program the system to recognise that the amp is now fitted?

I have same probelms with the Audis and VW....the minute you change or add something, you have to reprogram the CANBus or ECU to recognise its there. In the good old days you just fitted a larger capacity battery and wired everything in!!!! SIMPLES as they say....

virtualm

· #18 · Nov 5, 2012 (Edited)

I agree on all fronts - I managed to buy what I think were the last pair of Boston SE35's from a UK seller and very nice quality they are too. I also fitted Vibe 6x9's in the rear shelf which are also awesome and left the old 4" disconnected - they are truely crap speakers. I havent amped the rears yet as I'm still learning and really want a slim amp that'll either sit covertly under the parcel shelf or on top of the amp in the boot. Mines a facelift and only has the 1 amp in the boot.

I wasnt convinced with the sound quality at first but I've changed my opinion as the other day I was in a loan 9-3 TTID and the sound quality was very average.

deano93tid

· #19 · Nov 6, 2012

There is a kit you need with all the optics, you do also need a Tech 2 to enable it.

On parts for saabs they have the complete kit brand new for £400 which isn't bad at all, I spent about £280 on my second hand amp1 and wiring kit so if you can stretch a little buy the new one and you will not have to worry about missing parts etc.

Virtualm - Vibe litebox - http://audiovisualworld.co.uk/shopping/vibe-litebox-stereo-2-amplifier-2-1-channel.html very small amp I have my black box 2 mounted upside down on the parcel shelf which you cannot see unless you bend down and look up.

moonraker

Discussion Starter · #20 · Nov 6, 2012

So the door speakers (or lack of) grilles on the Linear are just for show then? No wonder the system sounds so awful- 4 x 3.5" paper 'coned' units trying to delivery the complete audio spectrum....wow.
Saab scrimped a bit there then, eh? - surprising for a 2006 vehicle. My Audi A3 on a 56 Plate has a 9-speaker 'CONCERT' component system with sub as standard and it would have cost about the same as the Saab when they were both brand new. Short changed indeed as far as the audio dept then.

Glad I'm starting to make improvements.......watch this space.

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