Speakers

I don't remember reading anything but negative comments about the Premium sound system which my 88TC has. Years ago, a audioligist(?) told me not to spend much money on audio systems because I would not be able to hear it anyway. The problem is that I can still hear a speaker rattling. I would like to replace mine with drop in pieces so that I don't have to modify anything. Does anyone have some suggestions? Thanks in advance.

As long as it is a 6x8 or 6x9 it should fit. Check with crutchfield, as to what would fit your vehicle.

IMO it's easy to hear the difference between an old stock system and an upgraded one, even if it's not done "whole hog". Speakers are the key - their ability to accurately reproduce high SPL's (sound pressure level) without distorting. Their sensitivity (how much power for a given SPL) is another factor that needs to be considered as it has a direct bearing on how much power you need to drive them with.

As a practical example, I offer my system, and it's definitely *not* high end. I upgraded my front and back speakers to true two-way (Infinity Kappa), and I also installed Infinity Kappa two-way component's in the doors. I drive the dash speakers with the front amps of the head unit (an old Sony with Minidisk player, 17w RMS/channel). I drive the other four speakers with a second-hand Sherwood four channel amp at 30 watts RMS per channel. IMHO, the sound is excellent, and there's enough no-distortion output to drive you out of the car.

To that basic system (which was way good enough to begin with, but I like some heavy bass now-and-then) I added a Sherwood two channel amp at 150 watts RMS per channel to drive two 8" Kicker subs in sealed boxes (I like nice, tight controlled bass). Now if I really crank up the bass controller, I can "thump" right along with most, but it's not the hollow "boom" of a ported box.

You can do a lot on the cheap if you shop around. I bought my drivers (speakers) on eBay, got the four channel amp free from a friend, and bought the sub amp on the cheap at a discount stereo house. I built my custom enclosure (fits on the trunk "shelf".

All depends on what you want to do. IMO the premium sound system is OK, but I'd at least replace the drivers with new and better ones; after all the speakers are approaching 20 years old! That's exactly what we plan on doing to my daughters 87TC some time in the near future. How it sounds with that upgrade will determine our future upgrades.

HTH, YMMV.

Sony xplods are cheap but some really good, much better than the pioneers i have in the back. I did blow one but i crank my music all the time. Well, unless I want to hear the sweet music of the T3 spooling up.

Yeah..umm i would forget what he told you. Even by simply changing the head unit (stereo) you will notice the stock speakers sound MUCH better, and i just dont mean volume i mean sound quality. Just know if you push them the will blow. As stated try crutchfield any decent/typicall aftermarket speaker will be much better and made in drop in sizes (use crutchfields car selection guide). You will only have to cut off the stock speaker plugs. Not only that keep in mind how old 1988 "premium" speaker technology is. I would suggest a component set up front(6" or 6.5" forget with a tweeter mounted in the dash) and 6x8 or 6x9 (think both actually fit?) in the rear. I suggest pioneer head unit, i still use one i bought in 1999 and its still good, unless your trying to go to a really high dollar unit.

Hey guys, thanks for the suggestions. I forgot to mention that I only listen to the radio/cassette about 5% of the time I spend in the car, so low dollar investment is the key. At 60 plus years, I'm not into hip/hop and got burned out on country western a long time ago. And heavy bass guarantees a quick headache. I figured the door and back speakers would be plentiful, and was more concerned with the small dash speakers. Using them for tweeters and 2-way in the doors sounds like a good way to go. Thanks again guys.

In that case any "decent" aftermarket will be good.

You're only as old as you let yourself be - as other's label age, I'll be 55 this year, but I like to say that I'm the world's oldest 16 year old!

I don't use a lot of bass (usually) but it's sure nice to have a good clean system in the car that doesn't sound like two tin cans and some string! Adds a lot of dimension to the sound when listening to anything.

Cheers!

dont buy a pioneer head unit with a volume knob, they stop working. Get one with the button

ive got a 6 year old pioneer cd player with a knob that works fine. the stupid thing scratches cds up like mad though.