I drive a Saab 2000 (convertible, if that matters), and it has 6 spekers (2 on the dash, 2 in the footwell, and 2 in the back seats). I was blasting some music and I came over some really rough/patchy stretch of freeway and then my speakers went out. I turned off my stereo for like a mile or two and then when I turned them on again, they sounded muffled, like I was listening to them underwater. If I turn the fade knob all the way to the right, I get no sound at all. I think I heard the dealer say that it is an all Clarion system.
Anyway, is there any chance that a wire may be disconnected? How much cost am I looking at to replace? Do I have to replace the set or can I replace just one? Should I go to an independent place or (using my best buy gift cards) is Best Buy good enough? How long does it take and can I do it myself? It looks pretty difficult and anything on a car that requires finesse is something that I try to avoid. Any good recommendations for a replacement system (I like my car, and would like to know if there is anything better because I intend to keep on driving my car for a while).
Any help is appreciated.
The “sounds like listening to them underwater” and only left channel would seem more to me like a problem in the audio output stage. You’ll need to get to the wiring of a speaker and connect a known good speaker to see if the audio returns or improves. Crutchfield is very good about telling you what will fit and they usually have more than one choice to meet different price points.
Are your dash or rear speakers making any noise, under any circumstances?
In your system, (I have it too) the door speakers are subwoofers, powered by an auxiliary amp. I suspect that the amp in your head unit died, which would give you nothing but the subwoofers, which would account for the behavior you’re experiencing.
I don’t have much of an idea how much it will cost to replace the factory head unit. Figure at least $200, possibly as much as $400. The new unit must be ‘married’ to the car using special programming equipment, so you cannot DIY the install or get it done at a place like Best Buy (not that they would have the factory part anyway.)
You could replace it with an aftermarket amplifier for cheaper, but you would lose the integration with the steering wheel controls and the Saab Information Display.
Upon closer inspection, I think I am missing power to my dash speaker, driver’s side. I should go to SAAB net, now that I think about it. Anyway, it seems to only be that speaker that isn’t working, because when I put my hand on the other speakers, they still vibrate. Except for the dash speakers, they never vibrate. And, mainly because I have a difficult time distinguishing where sound is coming from, and partly because the acoustics are suprisingly good (even for a cvt), I can’t tell where I’m missing sound. Oh well, I guess a visit to the Saab dealer is in order. Thanks for the help.
The fade and balance knobs should help determine which speakers are not working.
If it’s just the dash speakers, be happy! They are very easy and cheap to replace compared to the others.