Audio system upgrade

[ARBOSTON]

Hi. just bought a 2002 9-5 and wanted too upgrade the radio sysytem.. can anyone help me with any details on what i need too be looking for? do i only buy the receiver or do i need too upgrade the speakers and sub also?

thanks

[ARBOSTON]

Hi Mr. Wulfers. im new here and new owner of a 2002 Saab 9-5 wagon. I have been surfing online all over for info on a Upgrade for my Audio system.. came across ur post on this site and i loved ur work on ur '05 Saab! wanted too know if you can help with mine and what ideas you can offer me.. im having a hard time finding out which exact audio system i do have on my Saab version. thanks
>
> arjr27@hotmail.com

[nordwulf]

All Saab 9-5 in the US have the Premium (AS3) or Prestige audio system (AS2). The main difference of these two systems is the bass / subwoofer speakers with the Premium system.

The amplifiers and speakers are actually pretty good to begin with in the 9-5. But you can upgrade the amps and speakers so it all depends on how much time and money you want to spend. It seems best to start with a head unit replacement and then continue with amps and speakers if you're not satisfied.

This thread has more detailed information: http://saabworld.net/f144/saab-9-5-audio-system-25402/

[ARBOSTON]

Hi Frank. thanks for the reply its was really helpful! im just curious why my car didnt come with an Amp.. and the head unit sounds horrible, seems like i can only get sound from the driver side speaker front and back. i was reading on the Car manual theres a feature on the radio system too make the sound louder but thats not even coming up on the head unit.

[nordwulf]

That sounds unusual for not having an amp and at least 7 speakers. Perhaps your car is a grey import and only has the basic 4-speaker system without an amp. But that seems unlikely. How are you sure it doesn't have an amp? Did you check the physical location?

[unclemiltie]

I seriously doubt that you don't have an amp, either the 7-channel Pioneer or the 9-Channel Harman Kardon.

If you have the 7-channel amp and yours is blown, I have an extra lying around that I'll let go for cheap! it was taken out of my son's 99 9-5 when we upgraded is audio system.

(I have the speakers as well from the doors in the sedan)

contact me off list if you are interested.

[ARBOSTON]

thanks again for the reply. where exactly is this Amp located? thanks for the offer i will look into deciding soon what too buy to upgrade this system cuz mine sounds really horrible! i cant even get to work the "LOUDNESS-on/off" setting

[ARBOSTON]

i think i do have the grey version.. cuz when it does the weird speaker check i only hear 3 or 4

[nordwulf]

Moved to a new thread.

The amp location is #3.

[Lex Andrews]

Have you done the upgrade yet? I did a speaker upgrade on one of mine. It was a 4-speaker system with NO AMP. (Single CD Headunit, NO tape slot). I added the front door speakers and the centre dash speaker. The biggest problem I had was that on the basic unit doesn't have the wiring for the other speakers as it was part of the wiring loom and controlled through the AMP, so I had to build in the extra wiring. I did notice that after the work was done there was more heat coming from the head unit area afterwards. Not sure if it was connected to the work done.