"Invisible" audio for the Porsche 914 |
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"Invisible" audio for the Porsche 914 |
horizontally-opposed |
Dec 20 2020, 12:43 AM
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#1
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,430 Joined: 12-May 04 From: San Francisco Member No.: 2,058 Region Association: None |
Plans to go for a drive in my 914 this weekend were dashed by yesterday's stay-at-home alert, so I finally dug into a minor project I've been putting off: Rebuilding the car's 28-year-old audio system. While it performed well for 15-20 years, a mixture of age, heat, moisture, etc eventually caught up to it.
System goals: 1) Install a system powerful enough to be enjoyed with the top on or off; 2) maintain/improve "period correct" appearance with no head unit and, if possible, no visible speakers; 3) minimize weight; 4) avoid or minimize additional holes/etc. I'm going into this with the understanding that it's entirely possible the exercise will be futile with a 2.2-liter flat six, but I have been collecting the parts over time and figure it's worth a shot. Some of this stuff has been sitting for years and thus may not be available anymore—but plenty of alternatives are. Old system components: Pyle graphic EQ turned on/off by factory rear defrost switch Pioneer fan-cooled amplifier (~1991) Boston Acoustics four-speaker set in doors (~1991) Pioneer ducted bass wedge in passenger footwell New system components: Smartphone with a proper mount > EQ Blaupunkt five-channel parametric EQ JL five-channel amplifier JL six-speaker set for factory speaker enclosures and door ?? subwoofer in passenger footwell (prepare for now, add later) Fair warning: This thread may proceed at a glacial pace, as midlife plus a small business means my days in the garage are fairly rare in this chapter. I'm also figuring this out as I go, and will use this thread as a journal and a place to share ideas. |
djway |
Dec 26 2020, 11:13 PM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 787 Joined: 16-October 15 From: Riverside Member No.: 19,266 Region Association: Southern California |
My understanding of high frequency sound waves generated by the tweeter that they are more directional than the other waves. Having them down low the listener may not hear the highs all that well.
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horizontally-opposed |
Dec 26 2020, 11:20 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,430 Joined: 12-May 04 From: San Francisco Member No.: 2,058 Region Association: None |
My understanding of high frequency sound waves generated by the tweeter that they are more directional than the other waves. Having them down low the listener may not hear the highs all that well. Had same concerns, but did some research on that in the audio forums (which make we 914 folk seem pretty normal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) and not sure it will make much difference—particularly within the factory enclosure since they're nicely off the floor to begin with. Was actually slightly more concerned about the bottom of the 914's dashboard blocking or bouncing signal from the highs if mounted as you normally would—but it's a relatively easy thing to change and I may mod these boards or make a second set for just that reason. We'll see. |
bbrock |
Dec 26 2020, 11:44 PM
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#4
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,269 Joined: 17-February 17 From: Montana Member No.: 20,845 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
My understanding of high frequency sound waves generated by the tweeter that they are more directional than the other waves. Having them down low the listener may not hear the highs all that well. Had same concerns, but did some research on that in the audio forums (which make we 914 folk seem pretty normal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) and not sure it will make much difference—particularly within the factory enclosure since they're nicely off the floor to begin with. Was actually slightly more concerned about the bottom of the 914's dashboard blocking or bouncing signal from the highs if mounted as you normally would—but it's a relatively easy thing to change and I may mod these boards or make a second set for just that reason. We'll see. I can only speak for my setup with Infinity Kappas in the stock enclosures. The highs are incredibly crisp to the point of being a bit on the bright side for my taste. So much that I dialed them back a little on the amp and may do more but waiting for that 914Rubber sub box before doing anymore tuning. BTW, I love that fancy circle cutting jig (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
horizontally-opposed |
Dec 27 2020, 12:41 PM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,430 Joined: 12-May 04 From: San Francisco Member No.: 2,058 Region Association: None |
Necessity breeds…crappy homemade tools. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Dremel has a tool for that, but with none available until sometime in January and 1/3 the price of a really nice cordless Dremel tool for a small piece of metal channel, I decided to roll my own—which got the job done but was far from ideal. So I may look at that tool yet…as this project has already showed me new uses for the Dremel. |
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