Custom 996 Cab Stereo Just Installed! (PICS)

I just got my 996 Cab back from the shop. I am a pretty serious audiophile. Don't fall under the misconception that because audio is in the car it can't sound fantastic. My car systems have often sounded better than my home equipment (B&K Ref30, Parasound, and Paradigm Reference). I typically take most of my equipment with me from car to car. I also plan to keep this Porsche a number of years since I bought it instead of leased it. I feel that having awesome sound adds tremendously to the experience of driving the car. Driving the car the first week or two without the system seemed very bland in comparison. You need massive power in order to maintain fidelity, since it is a convertible. Here we go... Sony Mobile ES CDX-C90 CD Tuner McIntosh MCC444 4*100 AMP (mids and highs) 2 Zapco AG350 AMPS (mid-bass and bass) Focal Utopia W3 System in dash and doors Focal Custom Set (1in tweet/4in mid for the rear) 4 special purpose 5 3/8 Focal Utopia Subs Dynamat Extreme in the doors and major locations The bass output is ultra tight and powerful. The 4 5 3/8 special purpose subs have the surface area of a single ten. It is much tighter than a single ten. It may be off a few hz at the very low end, but that often resonates throughout the whole car any way. This is one of the best solutions I could come up with on a cab. I had it all installed. The subs allow the seats to be back all of the way unlike some solutions. They also look a bit more stock than ripping out one or both rear seats for subs. The subs will not fit under the seats. We tried. I did not have the hi-fi system (map pocket instead), so we had to make custom enclosures in the doors for the 6.5 inch mid bass drivers in the utopia w3 set. They have detachable grill covers in mesh cloth. The amps are mounted in the trunk, so that you can still use it (3 amps is a lot). I could put the spare back in, but I rather save the weight to help compensate for the amps. <img src="http://www.axiuminc.com/my996-13web.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.axiuminc.com/my996-7web.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.axiuminc.com/my996-9web.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.axiuminc.com/my996-6web.jpg" alt=" - " />

wow, pretty neat. I just finished my install also and will post some pics. I don't know about those 4 focals hitting anywhere near my 1 jl10w3 d4 though, but it's still pretty nice. I don't think I would have mounted the amps the way you did also. You can remove that spare tire screw and mount one there and another exactly opposite it at the front of the boot and thereby saving your trunk for use. Just a suggestion, pretty clean albeit different though with that amp rack deal. I like what was done with the door 6.5's! I was told that you can build the enclosure out a tad more and fit 8" jl subs there, which would be insane. As for me I think the 10 gives more than enough bass that I don't need anything else in the doors or otherwise, and that with the crossovers tweeked enough that the focal separates in the dash will provide enough mid. I am using the stock ones now and they almost cut it but I am sure the focals will clear up the quasi missing spot.

I will probably remove the bolt. Although I don't see how the space is really any different if I take the McIntosh off of the rack and bolt it to the other wall. I would have done things differently in a coupe. Actually, I like the one rear deck that was posted not long ago. I really did not want to remove the rear seats. I have the cab top open all of the time and I like the rear leather stock appearance. They will not go quite as low as the 10. I actually had your subwoofer model in a 12 in the trunk of my bmw 5 until it blew. They are tighter than the 10 though. If I wanted to get rid of both rear seats, I could have rocked with 2 Image Dynamics 10s. I guess that would have been the best bass I could have possibly put in the car. The 6.5 inchers in custom door enclosures help with the bass as well.

Looks very clean -- particularly for the amount of equipment. Two technical questions however: 1. Is the additional weight such that you might need to readjust the suspension including the height? 2. Is the placement of the amplifiers such that, in the event of a crash (particularly frontal), any or all of them might be pushed into the gas tank and/or make contact with leaking gas so as to cause possible ignition and, in turn, fire and/or explosion?

Yeah I guess I keep forgeting that with a convertable you dont' have the space <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

Looks like a very nice system. You could always save some space in the boot by switching those 3 amps to a single five or six channel amp. That would really clean up the install too. JL 500/5 flush mounted in the boot with a false floor. <img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/Sloth996/Boot.jpg" alt=" - " />

I don't think the suspension is an issue. The car does not feel any different. I also left out the spare to compensate. They aren't that heavy. I just don't like adding any weight to the car. As far as switching out the 3 amps to a single 5/6 channel, there is no 5 channel short of the old McIntosh 4000 (which is too long I believe) that will put out the power of these 3 amps. I am using McIntosh's most powerful 4 channel right now. Yes, space barely exists inside of the Cab. Again, this is a cab solution, not a coupe solution. Also, as I said, what you do in the rear seating area is much more visible in an open top. I probably would have cared less about removing the back seats in a coupe. I could have been a lot fancier in the trunk with fiberglass and lighting, etc., but rarely is it seen and that is the place where I saved the money. I put it all into the electronics/speakers and custom speaker enclosures.

Edward, I know this question may be uncouth, but may I ask how much a system such as your costs? If you prefer not to answer, I'll understand.

I dropped $1640 on the speakers grand total. I already had both Zapco Amps. There was $400 worth of wiring and parts. $500 for the head unit and $625 for a slightly used McIntosh that my friend was selling. $125 in Dynamat. Then there was $1300 in labor to install everything including all custom enclosures.

The installation is beautiful. I bet it sounds awesome! I'm also considering an audio upgrade in by 01 cab. My (little) kids love riding in the back, so that rear/floor subwoofer placement isn't going to work for me. Did you consider any other placement of the sub? Is it possible to get "reasonable" bass out of the 996 interior without a sub? (maybe I can start the upgrade now and add a sub when the kids outgrow the backseat.) -jerry

That is a great set-up. I did something similar, but less state-of-the-art on the amps. Like you I went with the focal 3-ways in the doors, 2-ways in the dash and sides, but I had a pair of Image Dynamics subs mounted in another custom enclosure in the rear. I'm really happy with the way it sounds and looks, but I would love to hear your system. Anyone who says you can't have good music in a cab just hasn't tried hard enough! <img src="http://a3.cpimg.com/image/9B/0D/17237403-83ea-028001E0-L.jpg" alt=" - " />

NICE rollbar and seats!!! I can guarantee that your bass is better. 2 Image 10s will rock the monkey. I really wanted to keep the seats, but that is exactly what I would do if I was willing to give them up. If I later change my mind, I will sell the custom enclosures and go the other route. Again, the bass is the tightest I have ever heard on my system. The downside is that it will not hit like two 10s. I saved your picture for my "records." It is also great that your picture is even of the same color interior. If you are ever in San Diego, look me up or send me an email and you can listen to it.

regarding the placement of the subs I have seen people put them in the doors 8's fit if you build them out. I have also seen them put in the kick panels.

I have a 99 C4 cab with the premium HI-FI stereo and am looking to upgrade. I would like to keep the DSP and head unit for the dynamic volume control (unless there are other similar aftermarket options). The real need is the subwoofer and speaker replacement. I read in one of the other threads that the 99-00 996 has a speaker tube in the door/ is that true? Also, does the stock DSP Hi-Fi have the ability to drive a subwoofer or do i need a new amp? Hopefully one of you audio-nuts can help!

OZ996: I recently had Paris do a full retrofit on my 99, and I stuck around to watch the whole thing. Learned lots. First of all, you DEFINITELY need a new amp. The unit in your car is made by Nokia, and I doubt it could efficiently drive a cell phone! Any new speakers you put in there are going to require some real power to make them move, so a good aftermarket amp is a must. I went for the JL 5-channel amp, but there are plenty that should suffice. Next, there are actually some tube-like devices in the doors. They're a plastic, gimmicky box that probably enhances bass by increasing the resonance area available to the speaker (or something like that). But they're useless once you switch speakers. Make sure that you have a very competent installation specialist do the install work - they'll have to build a new set of braces for the door speakers, and you'll want to make sure that they Dynamat the interior and stuff it with insulation. Subs are hard in a cab. I had Paris put a kick-box sub in the passenger footwell. It takes up hardly any room, has 2 5.25" Focal subs in it, and connects to a sub-level **** they put in my dash for control. Sounds pretty good, looks stock. You could also opt for installing subs under (or in place of) the rear seats. More expensive, not stock looking, but most likely sounds better. Finally, the stock head unit actually sounds really good once you upgrade around it, but I'm not so sure about the DSP unit. I'd start another thread if I were you to find people's reaction to the quality of it. Personally, I don't like very much between the music and the speakers - give me a simple head unit, gobs of power in an amp, and some kick-butt speakers and I'm fine. At the end of the day, the most important thing is the installation quality. Great components with a crappy install job will sound pretty bad. Mid-level components with a fantastic install will sound much better. Just my 2�...

Hey ZeeZee, If you mean Paris Audio in LA - that's who I was considering having install upgrade components for my '03 996 coupe and I like the limited work you describe (I am leasing and don't want to spend too much). Is it the same place? If you don't mind me asking, how were they and how much was the system upgrades (including install fees) for what you did? Eric

i have a question. i have a 03 turbo that has a bose system. the dealer and installer told me that i am unable to exchange the head unit due to the fiberoptics, that already exist in the car. do you all agree?

ZeeZee, Thanks for the detailed (and specific) answers to my questions. I appreciate the help. Has anyone posted details on the door speaker replacement process or is it something a good sound shop can handle once they see it. I am going to call my dealer in Orlando for a recommended installer. cheers

JayM , if you dont mind can you post a pic of your car or send me link if you have them posted somewhere. thanks

I just wanted to say that you did a beautiful job on the sound system. It is very nice and I like the integration of the speakers. Very beautiful!

Eric: I paid a bit over $5k for everything. I figure that they charge pretty much full retail for the equipment and then a fairly hefty amount for the install. I could have saved $$, but after seeing some other 'high-end' aftermarket installs, I'm glad I chose them. They kept my head unit (which I wanted), added a 5-channel JL amp into the boot, the high-end JL drivers on the dash, Focal speakers in the doors and rears, Focal duals in the footwell (sub), and a pretty serious EQ. It sounds great to me, although I've never had this high-end a system in my car (used to Bose stuff in MBZ), so I don't know what an enthusiast would think. The best part about Paris is their install work. They keep all of the stock speaker covers, then use some custom cast aluminum rings to retrofit them to fit the new speakers. Dynamat everywhere, stuffed with some blanketing material, custom carpeted floor around the amp (looks amazing), sub level control added to the dash (VERY pro), and some good tuning work. They use good cables and even upgraded my battery to handle the new load. For me this was very important, since it all looks completely stock but sounds as good as I've ever wanted a car system to sound. Expensive I think, but I'd like to keep the car for a while and it may as well sound great. Hope this helps...