Stereo Talk

[Dave Ohlemacher <Dave@ohlemacher.com>]

All this bashing of Bose stuff . . .

I have owned and ridden in many many cars, and I don't think I've heard
a stock setup that sounds so good that there can't be any improvement.
Some have come close, a Lexus SC400 sounded pretty good, but was lacking
a good defined bass, a MB 500SEL wasn't bad if you don't need any
treble, etc.

So when I bought my 91 200tqw with the stock radio setup, I did the
following:

   * Changed the head unit to an Alpine AM/FM cassette/CD changer and
     Alpine 6 disc CD changer
   * Replaced dash 4" full range with much better sounding 3.5" two ways
   * Disconnected the amps from the separate two ways in the rear doors,
     added a crossover for the tweeters
   * Added 6x9 3 ways in the compartment doors in the back
   * Added two bazooka 6" sub woofers (nice bass, does not make car go
     BOOM, they (one or both) are also easily removed if more space is
     needed)
   * Mounted in the spare tire area (yes, the spare is still there and
     yes, I can get the spare out without taking anything apart - lots
     of room in those wagons!!):
        o Active crossover
        o 2x125 watts amp for sub woofers
        o 4x50 watts amp for rear door speakers and rear 6x9s
        o Power capacitor (to keep those lows nice and tight!)

Front dash speakers are powered by head unit (2x25 watts)

Major improvements noticed!!  :)

I'll post some pictures of the above work soon

Also, my thoughts on the RF modulated CD changers: Only OK as last
resort.  AM frequency response is 30Hz-3000Hz, FM (which would include
the RF modulated CD changer) is 30Hz-15000Hz, Metal tape with Dolby C is
30Hz - 18000Hz, Line in from CD changer 20Hz -20000Hz  If you don't
think the extra 10Hz on the low end and the added clarity of 5000Hz on
the high end doesn't make a difference, stop by and have a listen!

Dave
91 200tqw