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This may be useful for many other 9-3 or Viggen drivers out there, who want to get a better sound from their Car Audio, but who are not sure what can be done without rewiring the whole car for sound.
I have the Viggen sound system, so the car has the second amplifier and the 6 speakers (2 dash 3.5", 2 in-door woofers 6.5" and 2 rear 6x9").
When I bought the car, the previous owner had replaced all the speakers with JL Audio:
• JL Audio TR350 3.5 2 way speakers;
• JL Audio XR650CSI 6.5 2 Way Competition (Separates) Speakers, using the woofers only;
• JL Audio VR690CXI 6 x 9 (2) way speakers;
The car sounded better than my previous stock Viggen, but by no means great. The rear speakers (which are now 4 Ohms instead of SAAB's 2 Ohm originals), sounded like crap, because the head unit did not have the juice to drive them.
I bought an Amp on Ebay:
• MTX THUNDER 204 4 Channel AMPLIFIER
Used, for only $30 in mint condition. There many similar bargains to be found.
My Viggen has the cell phone mount on the side of the console installed.
I ordered the XM Roady II from Crutchfield, along with the Wired FM Modulator.
I also purchased the Instrallcard pre-paid installation for the XM Roady + modulator.
That was the best purchase of all.
Installcard located an installer near me (Huntington Beach, CA) and I scheduled the appointment.
This company turned out to be Stitchcraft, a high-end custom car specialist company, who do a lot of work for Jesse James (Monster Garage) and Overhaulin'.
I asked for an additional quote to have the MTX amp installed in the trunk, and wire it to drive only the 6x9 rears.
When I picked the car up last night, it sounded AWESOME. The sound was clear and had all the weight I was previously missing.
This morning, I activated my XM and the signal is crystal clear. Definitely better than any FM station and very close to CD.
Result: I could not be happier!
I kept the head unit, I kept the steering wheel controls and I have excellent sound from a set of quality speakers, which all fit the original SAAB openings.
I will have some photos ready in a couple of days, when the rains subside long enough for me to take them.
Feel free to email me with questions.
posted by 66.214.3...
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