Sorting out my stereo

Hello Apologies if I'm being stupid and I'm sure that if I keep digging, the answer is on the forum somewhere. But I've just bought a 2003 996 C4S and words can't describe how poor the sound is from the stereo. There is no bass or depth at all and it sounds like listening to a set of earphones that have been put in a bucket. The car doesn't seem to have any door speakers but has what look like factory grills fitted and it does not have the Bose upgrade or anything more than 2 standard speakers in the back. I need to work out a few things: Is this normal and are they all this bad ? Can I just buy some speakers and fit them in the doors - assuming that I can get compatible ones Will the cables be in the doors or will I need to run them from the amp ? I'm not looking for super-sound, just something that I can actually bear to listen to. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks

Steve! Although not brilliant, the standard CDR23 and M490 (Harman) amplifier isn't that bad usually. The door speakers only work on bass frequencies, and people often think they aren't working at all. Best to check exactly what you have by looking at the option codes on the Vehicle Identification Label on the underside of the bonnet, or in the maintenance book. Just check to see if it shows 490 (Harman). (680 is Bose). If it hasn't either of those, you probably only have the dash and rear speakers.

Thanks Richard, My equipment list shows: C16 XSC 375 376 425 446 539 540 567 741 0991 Does this give any more info ? thanks

Very strangely, that doesn't show a radio at all! C16 UK Country code XSC Porsche crest embossed in headrest 375 Sports seat left 376 Sports seat right 425 Rear window wiper 446 Colour crest wheel centres 539 Mechanical seat height adjustment left 540 Mechanical seat height adjustment right 567 Windscreen tinted, upper part 741 ??? 0991 Options specified from Exclusive program (XSC) It does seem a bit sparse on options. I would have expected to see 698 for the standard CDR23. Is that what you have, or is it perhaps an aftermarket unit? If it just has the standard 4 speaker system (2 dash and 2 rear) then I'm sure it would benefit from a speaker upgrade, as the standard paper coned Nokia ones aren't that good. I used some kevlar coned Pioneer ones in mine, which worked well. Others have fitted the Alpine kit from JMG in Christchurch, which is a plug and play solution.

Hi Yes, it's the CDR23 in mine - all very standard and with just the dash and rear speakers. I'll be upgrading the 4 existing speakers but would also like to add some door speakers to try to add a little depth to the sound. Do you know if the cables will already be in the doors or will I need to have them put in there ? Thanks for your help.

I have my doubts that the wires would exist in the doors. The reason I say that is because the door speakers (as well as the dash and rears) would be wired to an amplifier in the front compartment. I guess they may have run the door speaker wires from the speaker enclosure to the door plug (to make all door looms standard) but I doubt the wires would run any further.

My Becker system died and after a little soul searching I opted for a Kenwood DAB radio with Bluetooth phone connection. Result: brilliant .....better sound quality and the phone is excellent ! About £400

Thanks Rapid1 Did you just wire that one in from scratch and ignore the old amp/speakers etc. I'm not convinced that my head unit is fully working as the bass and treble adjustment makes absolutely no difference at all.

sorry for my slow reply! the kenwood just slotted in with its own fitting kit and then the amp and cd changer become obsolete .you have to earth the fixing or the alarm will blib when set.