is it possible to have a subwoofer box with 2 8"s behind rear seats? 01 C4 Coupe

i am trying to upgrade the sound, but am confused. some people are saying that it's not possible to have a box back there & there is this stereo shop that they claim they can install a box. I don't want to take the car to them, if these people don't know what the hell they are talking about. I want some evidence that some people have done this in the past. thanks for any replies. <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />

Yes, it can be done. <a href="http://www.986host.com/gallery/Sloth996" target="_blank">Sloth's Car </a>(2 8"s) or <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/raptor/" target="_blank">Carlos from Spain</a> (2 10"s)

Of course it can be done... <a href="http://www.986host.com/albums/Sloth996/sub_box_2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.986host.com/albums/Sloth996/sub_box_2.jpg</a> The carpet under the box had to be removed, but I do know of some others that did not require the removal. Just make sure the install department knows what they are doing before they touch anything. Ask for some photos of prior work the installer has done.

<img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

definitely can be done...I had two image dynamic 8s

I've had the same Innovative Audio Sub enclosure installed in two 996's (1999 & 01) Two 8" Kicker Solobaric's sound great....but was not inexpensive. I am new to this board and have no idea on how to post photo of enclosure. My 01 is currently for sale on ebay but I don't think I'm supossed to post that link. Send me an email and I'll send pics and link to ebay.

Yellow: There are other interesting options. I've seen a unique install at Paris audio when I was getting mine done. They removed the rear seats, put an 8 (or maybe a 10) in each seat location, then re-mounted the seats over the subs so they were in stealth mode. I personally have a dual 5 setup in a kickplate in the passenger footwell. Totally stealth, sounds great...

I would second santicua's recommendation of the Image Dynamics subs. I have one 10in currently in my truck and it sounds amazing. The sound quality is excellent and it hits very hard when you want it to. An all around great subwofer! -Andrew

I had 2 8" JL subs in a 2000 carrera I have 2 6" JL subs in my 2003 Turbo. My stereo guys said there wasn't enough room for 8", something to do with the 4 wheel drive? The boxes were covered with Porsche carpet and look 100% stock. Fantastic sound

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by loliver: <strong>I had 2 8" JL subs in a 2000 carrera I have 2 6" JL subs in my 2003 Turbo. My stereo guys said there wasn't enough room for 8", something to do with the 4 wheel drive? The boxes were covered with Porsche carpet and look 100% stock. Fantastic sound</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Not enough room due to the 4wd? I assume they mounted the subs in the front trunk and not behind the rear seats?

I have 2 8" JL's behind my rear seats and they fit with no problem. The box was a b*tch to buid though because the space is trapezoidal. I would post a picture but I gave up on trying to figure out how a long time ago. I can email you one though if you'd like.

I think Rod @ <a href="http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/" target="_blank">http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/</a> will build you a box and ship it to you if you're interested. The box would house two 8"s. Here's one of his installs - a 2001 coupe: <a href="http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/porscheinstallations.htm" target="_blank">http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/porscheinstallations.htm</a> Rod's a great guy - he installed my system and I'm totally satisfied with it. I built my own box, since I'm cheap. It doesn't look as nice as Rod's, and it took me the better part of a weekend because the shape is so wierd, but it sounds pretty good. Eventually, I'll cover it with carpet that I got from Crutchfield (dark grey, matches the grey from the dash of my 99), and it will look fine then.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by ccasey: <strong> Rod's a great guy - he installed my system and I'm totally satisfied with it. I built my own box, since I'm cheap. It doesn't look as nice as Rod's, and it took me the better part of a weekend because the shape is so wierd, but it sounds pretty good. Eventually, I'll cover it with carpet that I got from Crutchfield (dark grey, matches the grey from the dash of my 99), and it will look fine then.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I had my box made at the local installing shop. However, the folks at Car Audio Innovations were very helpful in sharing their source for the factory carpet as I was having a tough time matching Savanah. I no longer have the info they provided to me. <img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/Sloth996/sub_box_2.sized.jpg" alt=" - " />

Somehow a "BOOMBOX" mounted in a 996 brings to mind a 17 year old kid driving a lowered FWD Japanese Honda with a coffee can exhaust and neon lights in the wheelwells. Maybe my hearing at 63 is better than (younger??) others but I think that even the Factory OEM system provides more than enough Bass even at the mid-range settings. But then I think the factory intake air filter works perfectly fine too.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by willard: <strong>Somehow a "BOOMBOX" mounted in a 996 brings to mind a 17 year old kid driving a lowered FWD Japanese Honda with a coffee can exhaust and neon lights in the wheelwells. Maybe my hearing at 63 is better than (younger??) others but I think that even the Factory OEM system provides more than enough Bass even at the mid-range settings. But then I think the factory intake air filter works perfectly fine too.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">As long as it sounds good to you... that should be all that matters. To me (and many others) the stock system leaves a lot to be desired. I am more interested in overall sound quality than being heard coming up the street. True you are never going to get the same high fidelity that you would get in a proper studio, but compared to the stock system I see a world of improvement. And yes, the factory air filter works perfectly fine too, but so does the stock suspension, 17" wheels, and amber turn signals. An upgraded stereo is just another way to personalize the auto. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Okay... An honest question, truly. If I turn the Bass all the way up on either my 99 or my 01 996 it is way too much bass for any type of "music" that I am comfortable with. That's especially true in my 01 RX since there is a dedicated Bass speaker/amp under the front passenger's seat. So it would seem to me that by adding more efficient bass speakers all you're really doing is "allowing" the system to be operated at an even lower bass power level than otherwise. At one time there could have been a counter argument that operation at lower power levels resulted in higher fidelity, but with the advent of today's relatively inexpensive high tech extremely low distortion amps that argument is no longer valid, except maybe on a Greatful Dead sound stage. Now, I am also well aware that not too many years ago the typical automotive (4-6") speakers would almost always have relatively poor bass reproduction fidelity, "rattle" or reach their voice coil end-travel, at a very sensible level of Bass reproduction. But thankfully, those are days gone by. Most OEM automotive (certainly high-end, luxury) "door" speakers, and most certainly the higher quality aftermarket ones, now have deep-throw voice coils and high efficiency magnets. Additionally most automotive systems in this class have tuned enclosures for all the low and mid-range speakers. So, IMMHO, unless you are a BOOMBOX kid, all you're really doing by adding woofers is saving the few extra watts it would take to drive the OEM speakers at the same output level. And by the way, the advent of highly efficient mosfet switching DC-to-DC converters, 12V up to 200V, to power automotive speaker drivers/amps, has made a really significant improvement, dramatically so, in overall fidelity. Were I you, the very first thing I would do is check to see that your OEM system is so equipped, and if not a new 5 channel amp with 200V speaker drivers would be the first order of business. And if you happen to be out shopping for an amp to drive those added speakers be sure it includes a DC-DC voltage up-converter. Amazing as it may seem, there are still amps out there without this feature.

IMHO... Comparing a stock system to an aftermarket system is like comparing a Sony boombox to a full McIntosh rack system with Wilson Audio speakers. There is big difference between the factory Nokia/Bose and some quality components from JL, MB Quart, or Focal. But I am talking about the fully upgraded system, not just throwing a few subs behind the back seat. I have seen the factory hifi Nokia speakers and amp, they are nothing compared to my JL speakers and amp. I will give you this, modern OEM systems are great compared to what they used to be. However, they are nothing close to what they could be. Even the new Bose system can not compare to a proper aftermarket system. The mfg's have no reason to put in truly high end equipment when the most people can not tell the difference. They would sooner add a couple of cheap speakers and charge a huge premium. Like I said, as long as you are happy with the performance of your stereo system.

What's wrong with neon lights in the wheelwells?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by SICAONE: <strong>What's wrong with neon lights in the wheelwells?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">And I thought I was the only one rolling with the pink neon. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> (jk)

Most people cannot tell the difference... This is a CAR we're talking about here folks, a Porsche, yes, but still with all of insurmountable inadequacies that come with trying to have "stellar" sound reproduction. I would wager you this, you build the best and most expensive sound system you can into your car, be it whatever. We blindfold you and remove all other "cues" (odor, etc.) drive you down the road at 55MPH playing music of your choice & volume (other than BOOMBOX bass levels) in both vehicles, yours and any Bose equipped "like" vehicle. We'll even rule out ML for our choice. My wager would be that out of ten "trials" you will only pick out your vehicle half the time or less.

Willard, I don't think I understand your objections to other folks modifying their stereo. Did you pay for the premium sound system in your Lexus (I think that's what you meant by RX)? If so, why? The modifications that we make take our cars' audio systems to a level that Porsche did not choose to offer, probably rightly so given the small percentage of people who care enough. But your implication that we couldn't tell the difference is pretty silly. Have you even sat and listened to a good aftermarket stereo? The clarity is astonishing. Your anti-bass argument is silly, too. Doesn't Jurassic Park sound better through a sound system with a sub and lots of power than it does through plain TV speakers? Better speakers provide a greater range of sound, more clarity, and yes, more volume. In any environment. Everyone has his own point of diminishing returns. Personally, I get a lot of pleasure out of my ~$2k aftermarket system. I like feeling the music, whether it's "BOOMBOX" music or classical. However, I don't believe that I would appreciate enough of a difference between my system and a more expensive one, say from Paris or Reuss, to justify the cost. But I'm not so close-minded as to believe that nobody would be able to! I say, if you are happy with your stock audio, fantastic! You just saved big $$$. But please can the pissing and moaning about other folks decisions to improve the quality of sound in their cars.

My RX has the stock, not preminum, system. What I am saying is that an automotive environment will ALWAYS be an imperfect "box" in which to listen to any type of sound reproduction, with possibly one exception, a recording of the 24 hours of Daytona. Additionally, most of the time I spend in any car is at some reasonable (sometimes "excessive) speed and with all of the noise, wind, tires, surrounding traffic, etc, that accompanies it. I don't have an LS430. One other point, lots of music CDs today typically have a dynamic range of 120db. What that means is that traveling in a car, if you want to hear, discern, the "low" passages, the volume must be fairly high. Now when the music content itself, in the next passage, goes to 120db you'll be reaching for the volume control rather quickly. To clarify, my 1978 SC Targa has a complete audio system upgrade, mostly Kenwood, total cost probably in the range of yours, $2K. I have always been very pleased with its ability to reasonably reproduce music content even with the top off at 90MPH. But I am quite certain that the non-preminum OEM system in my 99 996 exceeds it in every way. As I said, 1978 falls into years gone by.

A word about adding woofers, and days gone by. Not too many years ago automotive systems relied, strictly, on the 12 volts of the battery to directly drive the speakers via the amp. A 2-4 ohm speaker/woofer at 12 volts produces 6-12 watts, maybe. This limitation was often overcome by using out-landishly large (more efficient) speaker cones, especially for bass reproduction. Nowadays we have, typically, 200 volts, or more, available to drive our automotive speakers/woofers, would you believe 100 (peak, per speaker) WATTS! And as I said, automotive speaker design has come a long way also, with 200 volts applied, they had too. But, all that being said, I would agree that if you wish to improve your automotive system performance, first upgrade all of the existing speakers. Automotive manufacturers still employ bean-counters, and automotive design engineers dearly love to eliminate weighty things like heavy and efficient speaker magnets.

TV speakers??? Lets not talk Champagne when the subject at hand is Beer! Comparing (the need/desire/possibility of) excellent sound reproduction capability, in a home theatre say, and in any car, even the LS430, is totally inappropriate IMMHO.

What about this subwoofer location for 996's: <a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/115_1502.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/115_1502.JPG</a> Full thread is here: <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=009860" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=009860</a>

*****, I would also have to disagree with you on NOT being to tell the difference between an OEM system and an aftermarket one. When I get in my friends 993 Turbo without the aftermarket system, it just sounds "tinny" compared to mine. And that is an apples to apples comparison.

IMMHO is wasn't until the 996 that Porsche started putting decent OEM systems out. Maybe later 993s, I simply don't know. Maybe I should restrict my statements, in Porsche's case, to the newer 996. Certainly my first Lexus purchase, a 92 LS400 met all the criteria one would/could expect from an automotive audio system. My previous purchase to that, an 84 T-bird, didn't.

Willard, I have a 99 c2 with the "Premium" Sound system and in my opinion it is not even close to being up to par. Porsche decided to use a Bass tube configuration in the doors to add a little more depth to the bass. The only problem with this is that when turned up to a reasonable level it starts sounding more like a pop instead of a boom. I also own a truck with a stock premium sound system, I added a 10 in subwoofer with 250 watts powering it. The subwoofer adds another depth to the music I listen to. When I go back to driving my Porsche with its "Premium" system it sounds dull and unsatisfying. You are intitled to your opinions, which change over time I might add, but please do not discourage others from personalizing their cars to get a little more enjoyment out of them. -Andrew

Discouragement? NOT! Just the facts. We all have differing "reasonable levels"...

Discouragement-more.... I realize that many of us, myself included, oftentimes get more enjoyment from the "doing" (a job satisfactorily, successfully, completed), over the actual enjoyment of the end results. I have quite thoroughly enjoyed the results of the audio upgrades in my 78, but at the same time I recongnize the thrill I got, still get, from doing it myself, successfully yet! My 01 C4 has LED bulbs all around, brake/tail, high mounted brake, etc, to what end? Reasons?Lower power draw, quicker on time, more reliability. No, it was the "doing", sense of accomplishment.

Willard - seems like you've left the post but I'll add my 2 cents anyway. First off, you mention dynamic range, but that has nothing to do with the sound quality of a system. Dynamic range has to do with the theoretical limits of the available resolution (from quiet to loud). It has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of speakers or amps. A cassette will sound better by far through my car's system than a CD will through yours. And a cassette has orders of magnitude less dynamic range than a CD. I've had many home systems, upgrading them through the years, and I can tell you that without question that the better the system, the better the sound, regardless of volume. If you disagree, then I assume it's either a function of you attempting to stir the pot (which I admit I've jumped into) or a function of your age (which I cannot believe given the number of 60+ year-old audiophiles I know). My guess, actually, is that you just don't care about quality audio. I'd say you listen to talk radio at least 75% of the time (tell me I'm mistaken). And so you feel that if you don't care about it, then nobody else should either. This is why you equate audio-upgraders with Honda-tuners. My suggestion is that you tune to your favorite AM station, lower the bass to zero, and crank it up. Who needs stereo anyway?

Whoa... ZeeZee If you're ever in Seattle drop by. Dynamic range, 120db: My point here was/is that I can set at home where it's quiet and listen to content with this type of dynamic range without the need to adjust, re-adjust, the volume from time to time. Driving along in my car proves to be a severe limited factor in this regard, I find myself skipping "low" passages, the easy way out. But just one of the limitations of automotive audio reproduction. About 3-4 years ago I discarded (well, to my son) all of my large home speaker enclosures after discovering that a Bose system was just as good or better with one bass reproduction unit hidden away in a corner. Back not too many years ago I bought one of the first Healthkit systems that had high power at .01 harmonic distortion. I was always amazed that it took the rest of the industry so long to catch up. And anytime you want to come and prove that your cassette tape player will exceed the audio performance of the CD in my stock 01 C4, say at 55MPH, then come right ahead. Actually, thinking about it, I'd rather take on the challenge with the C4 setting quietly in the garage. But please remember that not only does your cassette NOT have anything close to the dynamic range of my CD, it also does NOT have the bandwidth. Garbage in, garbage out! AND. Since the advent of CDs as far as I'm concerned AM/FM and tape could be completely eliminated from the automotive market and I wouldn't care in the least.

Wow. I know this thread is old. But I was totally shocked that Willard cannot tell the difference between stock and AM. Im not trying to be stupid here, but Willard man, you gotta get your ears checked. Not that it matters, cause this thread is so old. I was too shocked and had to comment.

I wonder tho if someone has a working link to pictures how to mount a sub behind the rear seat?

Quotes source post: 4875716

I bought a pair of 8" subs in a custom fiberglass enclosure from Rod @ Car Audio Innovations. I love them. They're hooked up to an Audison 5 channel amp and Focal speakers on the dash and doors (I kept the stock rear speakers for fill) and an Alpine head unit with iPod connector and XM radio. Here's a picture of the subs from the Car Audio Innovations website: http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/porsche996sub.htm

Quotes source post: 4875716

LowStro9 might have pics. His sound system is TOP NOTCH. -td

I realy need some nice subwoofers, is there anyone out there that sells some nice custom made that you can just bolt in nicely on a 996? programmatore: Where did you buy yours and how much?

Quotes source post: 4881226

I guess you missed the link I provided in the bottom of my post. Here it is again: http://www.caraudioinnovations.com/porsche996sub.htm I paid $1,299 for the pair. Email or call Rod -- he will give you good advice and when you're ready to make the purchase, he's excellent to deal with. The sub enclosures just sit on the floor behind the front seats -- no bolts or anything required. You do have to run speaker wires from the amp to the subs. I am actually glad that they don't bolt down because I can easily remove them if I want to or need to in case I need to fit a passenger in the back seat -- which I have had to do on several occassions when taking out 2 girls.

Quotes source post: 4884236

Do they require to have the rear seat? I want remove the rear seat. Do you have a picture of those subwoofers standing alone?

Here is my setup...2 8" JL's with a box. It has a cover that matches my carpet so you can't really tell they are there...unless you turn up the bass

Quotes source post: 4884315

I suppose you can have the subwoofers there and remove the reat seats but the subwoofers kind of slot in under the rear seat overhang so that the rear seat hold them in place. Without the rear seat you will have to device a way to keep the subwoofers in place. Do you have a cabriolet or a coupe? If you have a coupe, I recommend you get a sub-enclosure for the rear shelf. I chose the floor subwoofers because there is no rear shelf in a cabriolet.

Quotes source post: 4884315

Click the link in my sig for a box with 3 6.5" JL woofers. [EDIT] Original thread in sig now links to woofer pics -td

Quotes source post: 4885315

Only subwoofers I can see in your sig links are newports sub on the passanger side, do you ment something else?

Quotes source post: 4885447

Doh! I forgot I removed that part of my sig. Here is the direct link. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ghlight=woofer Thanks! -td

Adam at Exotic Solutions is the man for 996 boxes. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. I bought one, he doesnt gouge like the other guy. Check out his work. You can buy from his ebay store or from him in person.

why not just build a sub woofer box like bose does behind the rear seats. There is way much more room back there than in the pre 996 cars. There must be plenty of room for some thumping sounds.

That does go behind the rear seats. It matches every curve of the space back there. This is a brochure he emailed me.

Im sure it puts out tons of base..but the huge visible speakers are a bit too over the top for me. Something a bit less obvious would be more interesting.

He told me there will be in 2 weeks, speakers that are not shown as those above, but think he is pushing a bit on the price, those will start at $1500.

Quotes source post: 5084889

Agreed. Black grills covering the speakers would make it less "in your face" and not advertise "I have an aftermarket system in here, come steal it!"