audio suggestions (I searched I swear)

I recently drove my wife�s 3 series for a couple of days, which has the Harmon/Kardon factory audio system in it. It really made me realize just how horrible the sound is in my 996. I did some research on audio alternatives for the 996 and it seems that Rod Birch is the usual recommendation and that the Focal speakers seem to be the preferred set up, however, what other alternatives are out there that I could do? I just want to improve the sound not go crazy. I don�t want a separate sub enclosure nor do I want to change the factory head unit (CDR-220). I have communicated with Rod via email a couple of times and he is incredibly knowledgeable and I appreciate his philosophy of looking for the best sound possible. I think he has probably convinced me that the Focal 5ws for the door sub is the best solution (if anything because it is one if not the only sub that will be plug and play with the OEM set up) and I like the fact that he has detailed plug and play instructions. What other alternatives do I have for the dash speakers and amp that would retain the factory look and could be installed by a DIY guy? I am not looking for audiophile quality here, merely just an improvement over the horrible muddy and limited frequency response that the Porsche Hi/Fi option provides. Thanks for any input.

replace the amp with a better one, 5 channel if you want a sub. You can get a line out kit from bekker if you want to run an aftermarket amp. replace the speakers in the front and doors if you have them. The backs are just fill.

Thanks for the reply. I understand this the route to go, however, I am looking for suggestions for the speakers and the amp.

I have a jl5/500 5 channel jl seems the way to go. Focals are great. I have a pair of cdt audio's that are pretty nice but always think about what the focals would sound like. I have never heard them in someone's car, and got a smoking deal on the cdt audios.

I am looking for "smoking deals" I really don't want to spend the $$ on all Focals and super high quality amps. I would like to look at something more "mid fi" for my taste. I have never had anything other than factory equipment in my cars. In the past my Porsches have always been weekend fun cars so the quality (or lack thereof) of the audio system has never bothered me. However, the 996 is a daily driver...I was happy with the addition of my ipod for a while but now I want a little better frequency response but I don't want to spend the buck of a high end system.

I have an 04 with the dreaded MOST system< i thought by spending the money on the " Bose High End" it would be more then enough.Within a week I ripped everything Factory out and started all over again. I went with MB Quart for the Mids and Highs, I installed a 10" Sub in the drivers rear seat, and went with a JL Audio 5 channel amp, At that time I Went a Pioneer(Premier) DVD ,NAV, MP3 and a 6 disc controller and let me tell ya i couldn't be happier. I will suggest this spend a little bit of money there is no point in spending money and not being happy with it afterwards.You get what you pay for, and if you cant do it all at once , do it in stages .Change the head unit, remember garbage in garbage out......These are just my thoughts take it for what it is.

So your budget is around what? $700? $1k? Under 700, your options are limited to Best Buy and Circuit City. A decent amp is around $500 alone, add good spkrs, you're around $1k at min

Take it from someone who has upgraded the entire system -- headunit, iPod connector, XM radio, amp and speakers -- do not cut corners. When I was upgrading my system I was so tempted to just replace the speakers and leave the rest stock. But if you think about it, even great speakers will sound mediocre when powered by a crappy amp. And a really good amp will not sound as good if it doesn't get a clean signal from a good head unit. And if you have a good amp and good speakers, you would want a really nice head unit so you can connect your iPod and listen to digital, sattelite radio. You see where this is going. You could try and do the upgrade in steps -- speakers first, then amp, then head unit -- but when all is said and done you would've spent more time and money in labor doing it this way than if you would've replaced everything in one go. Take your time, squirrel away some money, and go and get a great system. About $2,000 will buy you a great system if you do your own installation. You won't regret it. Cheers,

which speakers would you recommend for a 2000 996 cab? Iwas looking at the Focals. 100KP for the dash and 5ws for the doors. What would I replace the rear speakers with (ie what size are they?) thanks. capt601

5ws's are not made anymore....you may still be able to get them if someone has some stock....I am using the Focal 165 V3E 3 ways...AI design has a custom door baffle for the larger mid bass....it fits in the stock location, just uses a 6.5" instead of a 5.25".....I am getting the AI design footwell sub as well....I am using the Audison LRX300.4....Use it in 3 channel mode...drive the front sepeartes with 2 channels, the footwell sub with the 3rd channel, and the rear fill speakers off my head unit. My head unit has built in crossovers for all the stuff as well as the Audison amp has crossovers as well.....A 5 channel amp is overkill unless your head unit does not have a decent built in amp....I have a 50x4 in my head unit so driving my rears is no problem, plus I can use the built in crossover to take roll off the low end to make them run cleaner. I was going to get a 5 channel, or 2 amps, and everyone I talked to said this was a better way to run, a little more wiring, but better.

welcome to 2005!

Speakers? Dynaudio. Oustanding performance. Nuf' said.

you know what I did???----> I got a sports exhaust...and I am not using my radio anylonger...just love to listen to my exhaust...adn trying to figure out if I like the sound of the exhaust! So when I am done listening I probably go for Newports setup...this guy has the car setup I like, except of course for the hardtop!! (just kidding)

lol.....Its not on the car anymore....lol....