only seen them from the states http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=44_69&products_id=780 yes you can pull the cd player out..only the 7/13 speaker system had the dash center speaker..

 

To be honest as there are no dealers any more I would just use the biro method there has been several people that have used this method
Take the 2 optical cables out of the connector & place them in a section of a biro to keep them lined up using heat shrink or tape to hold it together

 

To be honest as there are no dealers any more

i think it does all depend on cost and what your willing to pay, im sure the authorised saab repairers (which are usually another car dealer like johnsons saab (hyundai) or chester saab (vauxhall) would undertake the job if you paid them enough to do it and i believe they all have employed specialist saab techs to see the work is done properly etc

but if all your trying to achive is to link two optical cables together then something more professional like a optical coupler might be better, you will obviously have to do your own reasearch on what to buy but something like this is available http://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapt...dapters-c1/audio-video-c107/optical-audio-spdif-c119/mini-optical-coupler-p6004 this would achieve the same results as the biro assuming the cable fits the coupler?

 

would you not consider icm3 with an amp 1 and a speaker upgrade ? save the hassle of faffing about

 

Erm, not really Nathan. I need 4 amps and of suitable power to run the system. I also wouldn't consider the source unit as capable enough (but I hasten to add I've never actually heard a icm3) but it's unlikely to be what I'm after.

Was trying to write that without sounding like a complete stuck up twat! Lol hope you get what I mean

 

Re: 9-3ss 3 way active SQ build

I went through about 6/7 biros here trying to get the correct fit and length but found a retractable pencil best here and used the small inside tube which was a perfect fit. I started off with around an inch length but that didn't work, then measured it so both cables were a few mm away then it worked fine.

Taped up & secure...not pretty but it works :wink:

This was recently posted by another member

 

I run ICM 3 with all uprated standard speakers. A 1000w RMS mono block thru line level converters and a ground loop isolator to a vibe space sub. Then looped to a multi channel 600w RMS to run some vibe black air 6x9s sounds ace car shakes ! The ICM don't make a difference in sound as they are only a control module but it allows OEM look and all buzzes n beeps as standard along with sat nav if you choose it

 

Like aerojon said the official part number is 12791237
if you go to a Saab or GM (vauxhall) garage they may know where to order one from

 

http://saabpartsdirect.co.uk
Have them listed for £5.71

 

Wow, you sir are a gentleman I didn't see aero john had posted the part number, so that is fantastic, thank you aero john.

I've put that number into the parts search on euro Saab parts, and it comes up as a connector housing, which sounds right, but there is no picture to confirm it etc. should I assume its correct and order it?

Thanks again guys, really appreciate the help.

 

Sounds a fair system

Not wishing to sound like I'm arguing, but anything extra added into the signal path (I.e a line level converter) will colour the sound. You will also not be seeing anything like the true potential of that mono block using high level inputs. The amplifier output stage will be reduced (very possibly a fair amount) because of the reduced input voltage.

My head unit does not have an internal amplifier in it also, which means I have to run dedicated external amps for the front end. My processor will not take high level inputs either, and as I'm running active, I need the processor.

 

Aerojon just put a link to an American website that has the part but the part number was on the page

I know where your coming from griffin dai went the same way by the sounds of what your planning & I'm slowly making mine the same way

As your coming from a hifi point of view what kinda hifi have you got?

 

It's certainly worth going to a fully separate audio system away from saabs own stuff. I would say running active is great, but it's a big step into tuning. Active crossovers are so clever these days it offers competitors so much scope to dial in their tuning, but it can be such a head scratch to first time users, that it can very easily sound worse than when they started.
I would say possibly to start, maybe run a 3 way front end passively with ample power (I.e as much amplifier headroom as possible) and then go down the active route slowly, I.e run the tweeters actively with the mids and mid-basss passively.
It's all good fun though. Starts to get under your skin after a while.

My system in the Saab will be all my spare kit.
Denon z1 source
Morel triumph tweeters
Kef kar mids
Morel WR6 mid-bass
Oz Audio matrix elite 12"
All running from US Amps Merlin amps.
Bit 10D processor.

 

Until I get another dcx2496 I'm running 4way active with the tweeters passive with upper mid to make 5way using focal drive units
Looking to change to digital output source (removes dac & adc) with full active setup
Also want speaker cabinets made for the dash for a 3" & tweeter as want to use a pair of 3" utopia drive units I have lying around

 

I'm sure you know what you want from the system, but are you sure a 5 way front end is the way to go?
The mids and tweeters are normally very very important to get the right axis on them, so would require some fabrication together them right, add to that another set of mids and the space alone would be difficult, and with two kids so close together in placement and size of cone, they will likely be playing a band passed signal very similar to each other. This could cause quite a few problems with regards to phase, and then difficulty creating a sound stage that's focused.

Also, the Focals, are you sure they are utopia 3's? Only reason I ask is because I wasn't sure they ever made a 3".
Always pleasing speakers though focals, a little power hungry though. Definitely built for the American and Japanese markets though, very bright, huge wow factor and always suffer with sibilance. Pair them with a laid back amp however and they can be so detailed. The audiums if you can find them these days, had mid-bass like I've never heard. Lol.
Maybe think about not enclosing them tho, or if you enclose them, leave a 'breather hole' as it were. They will play slightly lower and will make separation between them and the mid-bass less of a problem, especially as I think you mean to keep them in the stock location in the dash? If so, the mids to mid-bass will be like 20" or more.

 

Focal utopia be No.7
Currently use stock locations for all drive units except tweeters which are on the dash grills & subs which are in a cabinet in the boot
Want a baffle to fit the 3" & tweeters to follow the pillars so the upper mid isn't off axis but probably keeping lower mid in the door cards which will be open back or vented, use component 6x9 as bass which I use loudest.co.uk as I could only find them & Harmon karmon as components & 2x 12" as sub which I know is only 4 way as I was thinking of the 4" in the rear which I use for rear mid so it isn't just bass for rear passengers

Next to my pa system it isn't to bad to setup as that is 6way (top, mid hi, mid, mid bass, bass, infra bass) with time alignment & room correction

 

In which case if it's the beryllium mids, they are going to need careful direction.

It's a shame the behringer doesn't have time alignment, as I can see that being useful with your setup. You have the makings of a lovely system, it will need some control I think.
What amps are you running them on? They will need something very laid back in my experience. The last competition car I ran with focals were paired with a Becker head unit and genesis amps. Was very very musical. They absolutely sang with a bit more power.
As for a baffle for the speakers, MDF is fine, marine ply is better.

Can I ask, why run rears in there?

 

If the system is in and running, you should come along and meet us at some comps buddy

We always welcome new competitors and it's always such a laugh. Everyone is really friendly, and we always try and help out new recruits. Have a look at the EMMA uk website and see if it might possibly interest you. I won't be competing in the Saab, so it would be good to have a Saab representing!! Lol

 

Behringer does have time alignment
Most of it is disconnected at the mo as I needed a boot & it will be off the road for about 3 months now due to clutch slave cylinder failing & me about to work abroad till march
Never entered any competitions just love music and quite often have a car full & passengers moan if they just have bass & mid bass so have a set of axle 4" to add a bit of mid top in the rear
Currently use loudest.co.uk amps, tried a few & stuck with them

Would like to come along to one at some point to see potential & get inspiration
I go to hifi shows in Bristol & silverstone and pa shows like plasa & bpm

 

Ah yeah, just been having a read about it. Some of the lads on talk audio have run the behringer before. Might be worth a read up to see how they got on.

Well it would be good to see you at one of the shows/comps in the new year

 

Some lovely kit mentioned above

I fancied one of the Denon head units myself but wanted to go 4 way so kept searching for the p99rs (looks a right ball ache to set up though!!)
You should get a build thread up lads and show what can be done

 

I need to pick up the car first! Lol. Off to collect Friday all being well.

It's going to be the daily drive, so I think it's going to have to be an understated install. I need to then get to the scrappy to see if I can get some spare bits like the A pillars. Not sure if I'll be able to get the tweeters to go in the A pillars, it depends how much room is behind the plastic trim. They also sound better off axis, so it's going to take a wee bit of tuning to get the best from them.

The P99 is a really nice unit, definitely in my top 10 that I've had a chance to hear/play with. Very jealous actually