Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
HiFonics, up until the late 90s, was very good. After that they were bought out and turned to trash. They were definitely more money than I could afford at the time as well, but prices for nice working units are very reasonable. I ended up buying a Thor VIII, Gemini VIII & Europa VIII for less than $600, then cleaned em up and resold them for a nice $150 profit.
Cerwin Vega was pretty decent as well. I wouldn’t call them high-end but they definitely held their own. They were known for needing large ported boxes and were super efficient so because of that they got loud on little power but most didn’t use them for SQ because of the huge boxes and ported requirement.
If it doesn’t need to sound good any Kenwood, Sony, Alpine, Pioneer from that era should fit the cosmetic bill and be period correct.
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
Hifonics were solid power back in the day. They did cool stuff back then like embedded active crossovers with rca outputs for other amps. I knew Dana D personally RIP
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stycker
That is my favorite car and time period. I graduated in 1985 and currently have a metal die-cast 1971 Datsun 240Z on my desk. I owned a 1983 280ZX. I think The Todd nailed it as far as brands go. I would add Boston Accoustics. Alpine, Nakamichi and Yamaha were some of the top Japanese brands. I usually rocked Alpine or Nakamichi for radio. Alpine, Boston or MB Quart for speakers. RF and PPI for amps. Streetwires for wiring.
I owned a 1980 280ZX Silver Streak (paint), blue sides, roof, and hatch, silver hood, 5-speed. I still miss that car. It taught me mechanics.
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
I was motivated look in my attic because of this thread. I found a Pioneer Premier xdv– P9 changer. I was pretty sure I had a DEX-M88 that went with it somewhere. I recently saw a carrozzeria odr system in my friend's garage BNIB.
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
That was a fun car for sure. Eventually it rusted out as most did. I learned to do bodywork-alot of it. Welding, sanding, painting. Everything self taught and it looked like it too. Kind of like my car audio fabrication skills.
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
Don't forget JBL GTi speakers/subs
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dsjr70
Thanks for the info I will check out some of those head end units and see what he likes. As of now he has order some old Hifonics amps, I remember the name but dont remember to much about them. That either means when I was in high school they were either complete junk or they were so expensive I couldnt afford them..lol For the two 10" woofers which will be the only speakers seen he is going with cerwin vegas which I thought was junk back in the day but it isnt my car. Really pretty much down to the head end unit. This system doesnt need to sound good, just look good. The limits in the trunk area where the 10's are going the boxes will have almost no volume but they will look good..lol I will post some pics up of the progress but dont shoot me, I am a paint and resto guy...lol
Might want to find a vintage EQ or crossover (or both) to complete the look.
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
I still own my 1989 Ford Probe with 78,000 miles & it still has the sound system in it from the same year. The amps need to be recapped but, the Probe is in great shape because it has been in a shed for most of its life.
Alpine 7949 headunit
AudioControl EQX eq
Two Phoenix Gold MS-250 (gray)
An Alpine mini amp 22w x 2 for the rear speakers
Soundstream digital crossover (I forgot the model number)
Started with MTX (original blue coned) Blue Thunder 12" subs & then later changed to Infinity subs after one of the Blue Thunder's got a scratchy coil.
JBL T-06 Tweeters & JBL 6.5" front & rear.
JBL T-06 Tweeter & JBL 4" mid with a L-Pad for center channel fill.
And I one time I had a Realistic pro-audio type of reverb with sliders on the rear channels.
The system sounded great to me at the time but, it would chew through the 70amp alternators. So I bought the largest alternator I could find a 130amp Phoenix Gold and it lasted about 3 months. I was also starting a family in the same time period, so I parked the Probe because I was tired of working and spending all my money on it.
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KillerBox
I still own my 1989 Ford Probe with 78,000 miles & it still has the sound system in it from the same year. The amps need to be recapped but, the Probe is in great shape because it has been in a shed for most of its life.
Alpine 7949 headunit
AudioControl EQX eq
Two Phoenix Gold MS-250 (gray)
An Alpine mini amp 22w x 2 for the rear speakers
Soundstream digital crossover (I forgot the model number)
Started with MTX (original blue coned) Blue Thunder 12" subs & then later changed to Infinity subs after one of the Blue Thunder's got a scratchy coil.
JBL T-06 Tweeters & JBL 6.5" front & rear.
JBL T-06 Tweeter & JBL 4" mid with a L-Pad for center channel fill.
And I one time I had a Realistic pro-audio type of reverb with sliders on the rear channels.
The system sounded great to me at the time but, it would chew through the 70amp alternators. So I bought the largest alternator I could find a 130amp Phoenix Gold and it lasted about 3 months. I was also starting a family in the same time period, so I parked the Probe because I was tired of working and spending all my money on it.
You have to post pictures of it now. :D I'd really like to see it.
Re: Car audio from 1989-1990
Sure but, the Probe is dusty and you can't see most of the equipment because it is hide under a false floor and the linear actuators have quit working.
I keep saying that I am going to fix everything on it but, I never have any free time. (I was one of those "lucky" people that had to work with lots of overtime through Covid so I didn't have that break.)
P.S. I taught both of my sons to drive in the Probe because they saw the car their whole lives and they always wanted to drive it. My youngest son wanted it to be his car but, I wouldn't let him because it didn't have airbags or anti-lock brakes.