Installing speakers???

Got a quick question for you audio guys. I got a set of MB Quart component speakers. 5.25 for the door and .75 tweeter for the dash. I decided against the increased expense of the 3 way set because I juts want a simple upgrade to the system instead of a fulll custom stereo. My question is how to wire up these after market speakers to the amp since the speakers come with a crossover. From my understanding the stock amp is a 6 channel one. Is this incorrect? If it is 6ch that means each speaker gets its own channel. If that is true, how would I wire up the speakers through the crossover??? Appreciate any help you can give. Bobby

If the xovers are bi-ampable (I think Quarts are), then you can use a channel for each speaker and the x-over will filter the proper freq to that speaker. I am not sure how the six channel amp is set up since the door speakers are actuall subs - the amp may be only sending the low Hz there and this may no work well with your plans. I have the same situation and am replacing the amp and speakers (the amp is not a great product and most say to take it out too). I am not an expert so get more advise. Upgrading the 996 audio is a challenge - I have been reading and planning for 2 months now.

wet996, Do you know the diagram of the 996 sound ? I�m planning upgrading my system but now I�m willing to change only the speakers. I also have the DSP control unit and have no idea how it works... Does the sound comes from the head unit, passes thru the DSP and goes to the amp or the amp is a control linked directly to the amp ? I have no idea.... Any info is apreciated! Regards, Conrado

The amp contains the DSP. I recently replaced mine (kept PCM head) and lost DSP. The DSP controls just no longer show up, still have SDV though.

Thanks Rob!

I have a pdf for the Hi-Fi system schematic somewhere (might be a url) let me look (its been a while).

I can't find the pdf (have a print out). It identifies the door speakers as "low range" and at 2 ohms so you might need to watch what you replace them with. Also, the front and rear speakers are "high range" and at 4 ohms.

Conrado - the diagram shows the DSP control at the AMP. I have been investigating this (audio upgrade) for some time - replacing these speakers is not easy. Porsche uses non-standard sizes and there is some customizing required to put new speakers in. The door speakers are probably easiest - however, I think they suffer the most from the weak amp used by Porsche (my opnion). The dash and rears may require cutting and gluing.

Conrado - I see you bought the Pss9 and are looking to sell??? I live in S Florida (if your springs are still there). Let me know if you want to work out a deal!!!

wet996, do you have DSP ? I was planing on upgrading but didn't wanted to delete this feature. I believe the Focals are the best choice of speakers, but I don't believe they will work with the stock DSP amp... Regards, Conrado

The speakers will work with your DSP. If you change the AMP - then the DSP will not work. Focals are a great choice (I have the 165K3 poly kevlars). I have to say that your not going to get the most out of your Focal $$ unless you put some quality power to them (new amp). Makes a huge difference!!! (read other posts on this subject). The Porsche audio (Nokia and Becker) is not up to driving those high-end Focals

I do not have the DSP in the 996 but have a similar feature in my X5. I don't use it that much and personaly would go for quality audio (head unit / amp / speakers - these last two for sure). You can get DSP functions in after market prodcuts - but I would still stay with good quality vs DSP. I see DSP and the 6x40 watt amps on ebay all the time (cheap) if that tells you anything. There's alot of audio expierience on this board - read some of the other posts and you will get a good back ground on this subject.

What the hell is DSP and do I have it?!?!?!?!?!?!

DSP is the Digital Sound Processor and it's a devide with some buttons installed on the console just in front of the gear lever. It has DSP, HI-FI, POP, M1, M2, M3 USER, and other buttons. If you had you'd known it...

Okay, I don't have DSP then. So the general consensus is that if you want to upgrade the speakers, you have to upgrade the amp. Since the amp has 6 channels (4high,2low) for each speaker a component set with crossover cannot be added to the amp because there is no full range channel and no way to control the filters on the amp. If you upgrade the amp you might as well upgrade the head unit then. Does this statement sound accurate to you all or am I missing something else? Thanks Bobby

Yep, that�s correct... On my case, I�d like to keep a stock look of the system, so I�ll probably go with focals, a new amp, get rid of the DSP, and change de head unit to the Becker Monza MP3 player that has the OEM look... Regards, Conrado

I started out with the same idea 2 months ago. After many hours of reading and postings, I found that amp and speakers are a must. The Head unit is also a good idea, but is an easy add later. BTW - I have the becker (OEM) aux input, removal tools and amp outputs - never used. The amp outputs facilitate the amp replacement and the aux inputs are for an MP3/XM/serius or CD player add to your CDR-220. I am going with a head unit upgrade so don't need them (if your intrested in keeping the stock HU - you will want these). Let me save you some time - your next challenge is speakers. Getting good 4" components that fit in the dash is tricky and require some custom work when using the existing grills (see other threads on audio). The doors are another trick. Since this is the bass reprodcution and only fits 5.25" speakers, you will find that most use Focal 5WS subs - good but small. I have seen two installs (on rennlist) that make very good sence (this is free advise so please take it as such): quality 75wx4 amp (Phoenix Gold Titanium series, or JL audio are both good), Focal Polyglass 100 (4") components in dash and Focal 5WS subs in doors. You can use the head unit to drive the rears since they are for fill only - spend the $$ on your front stage and subs (you migh be able to use your current amp to drive the rears using the aux out on the new amp - not sure on this one). If your comfortable with ebay/internet purchases - I have seen PG TI 500.4 (75wx4 amps) for $400, Focal 4" Ployglass set for $220 and 5WS(2) for $230 (need to add cables and install). That is a solid upgrade and have heard great feedback on this board. I went a little further - but this is a starting point. There are some other low cost alternatives (QUALITY 50w amp will make your speakers sound much better - ebay???) but you will need to do your homework to make that call. Hope this helps!!!

Thanks Fellas, thats some much needed info. Maybe there should be a seperate audio forum so that all this info will be in one place. Hey wet996, where did you get those amp outputs from and how much did they set you back. If they are up there, I might as well upgrade the head unit also. THanks Bobby

HERE'S the thread I started on my recent stereo install. If you have PCM you won't see the DSP buttons on the dash. They're in a sub menu in audio settings. I can't say enough good things about Rod at www.caraudioinnovations.com if need expert advice he's the man.

You can get the outputs ($18 - ask for the radio removal tool too $2) from Becker USA: http://www.beckerautosound.com/ (look at the "whats new" section - or just call them, they know the drill) Rob in WA is right - expert opinions are recomended (and I am no expert - just did some homework on this). Rod at caraudio did give some great advice - but he is in Cali. BTW - the HU is an easy in/out so changing it is not that much of a time saver. Do it for the SPQ