Upgrade Sound on 996 C4
Discussion
Hello,
Can anyone offer me some advice about improving the sound in my 996. There is nothing wrong with the volume and it doesn't distort when turned up. However, there isn't much bass or mid tones. It has the standard CDR 22 head with a 6 CD auto changer under the bonnet. It hasn't got the upgrade speakers in the door. I don't want to start hacking it to bits either!
Cheers,
James.
Can anyone offer me some advice about improving the sound in my 996. There is nothing wrong with the volume and it doesn't distort when turned up. However, there isn't much bass or mid tones. It has the standard CDR 22 head with a 6 CD auto changer under the bonnet. It hasn't got the upgrade speakers in the door. I don't want to start hacking it to bits either!
Cheers,
James.
Folks on here are generally a bit shy on this topic - think what they're trying to say is, listen to the engine not music...but shall try an pass on my findings/ramblings:
Fact is the standard speakers are truly utterly completely awful! I think an argos own brand portable stereo has better speakers - take them out and have a look - they dont even have tweeters!!
The only real way to get it sounding top notch is to take it to an audio place who know what they're doing and have worked on the car multiple times - like auto audio (no personal connection), they'll stick speakers in the doors/fit amps etc, source the relevant original trim bits from Porsche etc
Fact of the matter is, you can go part way by upgrading all the speakers.
However, it will never be a cheap fix - I did the back speakers myself (JL Audio speakers £200) - they sound pretty decent considering their size. But the dash ones are a bit more tricky because of the lack of space, am getting some speakers sent to me from Auto Audio (cant remember brand, but premium manufacturer...) mounted onto grilles sourced from the dealer (approx £400 - my front one is shot and rattling like mad
- they should sound top (thats what the man said so it must be true 
- can let you know).
However, the trouble is the 4 inch speakers are pretty small and will always deliver more treble than bass, and it isnt easy bolting any old speaker to a non standard speaker grille (if you take one out you'll see what I mean), this would have made life sooo much easier - so if you want big sounds, you'll always have to get the door speakers, or a bass tube...as four inches is never gonna make the ground shake...
Depends what sound you're after really - moral of the story is get a car with the uprated system then its easy to play with (which I didnt - doh - however, its the only gripe i've ever had with the car really so not all bad I guess!! oh and a sports exhaust sounds better than any stereo..!!!)
Fact is the standard speakers are truly utterly completely awful! I think an argos own brand portable stereo has better speakers - take them out and have a look - they dont even have tweeters!!
The only real way to get it sounding top notch is to take it to an audio place who know what they're doing and have worked on the car multiple times - like auto audio (no personal connection), they'll stick speakers in the doors/fit amps etc, source the relevant original trim bits from Porsche etc
Fact of the matter is, you can go part way by upgrading all the speakers.
However, it will never be a cheap fix - I did the back speakers myself (JL Audio speakers £200) - they sound pretty decent considering their size. But the dash ones are a bit more tricky because of the lack of space, am getting some speakers sent to me from Auto Audio (cant remember brand, but premium manufacturer...) mounted onto grilles sourced from the dealer (approx £400 - my front one is shot and rattling like mad
- they should sound top (thats what the man said so it must be true - can let you know). However, the trouble is the 4 inch speakers are pretty small and will always deliver more treble than bass, and it isnt easy bolting any old speaker to a non standard speaker grille (if you take one out you'll see what I mean), this would have made life sooo much easier - so if you want big sounds, you'll always have to get the door speakers, or a bass tube...as four inches is never gonna make the ground shake...
Depends what sound you're after really - moral of the story is get a car with the uprated system then its easy to play with (which I didnt - doh - however, its the only gripe i've ever had with the car really so not all bad I guess!! oh and a sports exhaust sounds better than any stereo..!!!)
We have done oodles of 996s and they respond very well to audio upgrades due to them being quite well built and a nice small cabin volume!
I'd advise new front speakers (from £170 to £1000), an amp (£350 to £1500) and either 2 or 3 8" or 10" subs (£90 - £300 each) on the rear shelf (behind the seats) - the factory HU is pretty good, but if you fancy a nice sat nav unit with built in bluetooth, the Becker 7945 looks great in Porkas www.becker.de/beckerCC21/www_root/images/imgContent/BT_reddot_1.jpg
Drop me a mail if you want more details.
Cheers
C
www.prestigeaudio.co.uk
I'd advise new front speakers (from £170 to £1000), an amp (£350 to £1500) and either 2 or 3 8" or 10" subs (£90 - £300 each) on the rear shelf (behind the seats) - the factory HU is pretty good, but if you fancy a nice sat nav unit with built in bluetooth, the Becker 7945 looks great in Porkas www.becker.de/beckerCC21/www_root/images/imgContent/BT_reddot_1.jpg
Drop me a mail if you want more details.
Cheers
C
www.prestigeaudio.co.uk
Even the upgraded PSP ststem isn't going to sound any better, just in case you were thinking sourcing the parts!
Nothing wrong with CDR-22, Becker stuff is good quality, it's the rest of it that stinks.
Not having the door speakers is perhaps going to cause a minor headache. You're either going to have to cut them, get some custom enclosures made...or source a s/h set of door panels with the speaker grills installed (the upgraded system).
Cost, of course will be a consideration, but for around £1k you can have a superb sounding system.
Have a look here, details of the suppler are in the post...very helpful and knowlegeable fellow. First time I'd undertaken a set up like this, wasn't too difficult!:
www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=11878
I know it's for a 986, but a 996 is pretty much identical
Nothing wrong with CDR-22, Becker stuff is good quality, it's the rest of it that stinks.
Not having the door speakers is perhaps going to cause a minor headache. You're either going to have to cut them, get some custom enclosures made...or source a s/h set of door panels with the speaker grills installed (the upgraded system).
Cost, of course will be a consideration, but for around £1k you can have a superb sounding system.
Have a look here, details of the suppler are in the post...very helpful and knowlegeable fellow. First time I'd undertaken a set up like this, wasn't too difficult!:
www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=11878
I know it's for a 986, but a 996 is pretty much identical
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