Stipud's SAAB 9-5

stipud · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:39 am Post subject:

I finally finished installing those Tang Bands. I must say, I was very skeptical at first. I had problems with them making weird noises, hitting Xmax, distorting, etc. All of that went away after installing them properly.

The speakers themselves are bigger than the stock locations, so it took a bit of "coaxing" with a framing hammer to get the hole to be big enough for them. It was a very ghetto way to do it, but the only way I could think of, given the highly limited space between the speaker mount and my back window.

I bought a couple kits of cheapy Dynamat, and put it around the speaker holes, along the wires, and backside of the amplifier. Also put some extra dynamat chunks in the inside of the subwoofer "enclosures", and did my best to seal them off.

They also use different mounting screw locations. To drill the new ones, I had to get a special flexible drill piece, which lets you drill in the small space. Once pre-drilled, I had to tap the screws in by hand using a 1/4" ratchet driver (screwdriver didn't fit). I tried using the flexible drill piece, but it couldn't handle the torque, so it wrapped around my hand, put a small hole in a speaker, and slashed up the tint on the back window. Oops. Luckily it juuuust missed the antenna, so I can have it retinted later without any more extensive damage.

With everything properly dynamatted, the shelf put back together, and the seats up.. Holy fuck, these things are just about as loud as the RSD (louder on higher notes, a bit quieter down low). Keep in mind they are a 4 ohm load rather than the 2 ohm RSD. They don't sound quite as good, and are more stressed to play low notes, but all around an awesome compromise, especially considering they take up zero space. I installed a beefy DPDT switch on the speaker wire, so that if I remove the RSD, I can switch it over to the 6x9's easily.

I recommend these woofers if you have stock rear 6x9 locations, and are willing to cope with the install. It took me about two days to do a proper job (also including running Mastiff's Knuconceptz RCAs and making it all pretty), where I installed a typical subwoofer box in about 15 minutes (route the wire, connect it, done!)

I added a bunch of other pictures to my directory.

fuzzysnuggleduck · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

I have to say that I was pretty dang surprised when Tom gave me a listen to the final product. Not that I wasn't expecting them to sound good but they sound better than I thought they would.

I think part of my skepticism came from the two previous "tests" Tom did with them including sealed enclosures that couldn't hold airtight (the TBs were basically destroying the boxes) and the free air runs. They sound pretty horrible in the enclosures and only OK at best sitting in the 6x9 spots without actually being mounted yet.

But now that it's all said and done, I think it's pretty good. Especially the fact that Tom can now remove the RSd from the trunk for space or what not and still have some bass worth talking about.

It probably was more work than it should or could have been considering all the "little" slip ups until the final product but meh, isn't that always how it goes?

Anyways, nice speakers Tom.

Bfowler · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject:

thats pretty baddass that you have a toggle swich for them!

Bfowler · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:47 pm Post subject:

so uh....anything new with your install tom? Cool

stipud · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:02 pm Post subject:

Why yes Brain, yes there is!

I hired Mr. Fowler to make me a good box for my RSDC 12. He made me an excellent one for my RSD10 already, but I liked the comp 12 much better in my setup. Of course Brian couldn't just make me another awesome box like he did last time... he stepped it waaaay up!

Here's the result... a fully constructed box. He bondoed over the holes, sanded it down, and painted it Ti to match my gear! Holy moly! Shocked

And like the 10" box, its built to clear the hump at the back of my trunk, so it takes only a few inches of trunk space!

stipud · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:06 pm Post subject:

And no package from Brian is complete without a couple of prank gifts as well... and the tradition is that I take an embarrassing picture of myself with them.

So here you go Laughing

Rose tinted glasses
XL JL shirt (I think Brian wants me to fill out a bit)
McDonalds fanny pack
Kids toys
And of course some good reading
There was also a half eaten box of valentines chocolates (which were disgusting, BTW), and several other books and nic-nacs that didn't make it into the pic.

Bfowler · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:56 am Post subject:

tee hee hee, you look so american! god damn thats a sweet fanny pack. and a helpful book! be safe!

also you probably noticed the terminal plate was flushed in! (thats what took a long time!)

i covered the bondo in house wall joint filler for extra smoothness, a couple cans of black primer, then i used truck bed liner for the texture and some sweet silver enamel for the finish.

looks like the angle is a little closer on the back of the seats too!

glad you like it and thanks for stroking my ego.

mr tibbs · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:00 am Post subject:

fuzzysnuggleduck · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:25 pm Post subject:

Holy crap, that's the best Tom photo EVAH.

twisted · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:25 pm Post subject:

ROLF

joerg · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:31 pm Post subject:

You guy´s are too damn funny! Laughing

And for sure the most american thing is the black guy on THIS book! Laughing

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