Audio upgrade

Having hated every minute listening to the stock stereo setup and contemplated chopping the 996 for the new M3 being launched in September....... I've finally made my mind up what to do. The M3 is going to be a great car... but it will still be an M3, not a Porsche. So the 996 is going to stay for the next few years and I'm going to lease a Mini CooperS for work use where the 996 is 'inappropreate'. With the money I was going to use/loose on the M3 purchase, I've decided to upgrade the audio.... A LOT ! Here's the spec. It's going to be installed while I'm on honeymoon later this month. Alpine Media Screen - IVE W202 - DoubleDIN LCD touchscreen with iPOD connection & bluetooth Alpine PMD-B100P Blackbird navi with dock mounted in front locker Alpine T-200 DV3 Freeview Tuner DLS A7 Ultimate 5channel amp mounted below custom fan cooled cover in bottom of front locker DLS UI6.3i Ultimate Range 3-way component speakers mounted in front dash and custom door pods Additional midrange DLS 6.5" speakers in above custom door pods DLS RW6 2x6" Subs in custom sub enclosure to fit on shelf behind rear seats It all comes to a pretty penny, but should be 'sound-off' quality but all fitted with an almost stock appearance. [ ][ ][ ][ ]

Hi, Nice choice of audio gear. Congrats on the big day also!! Please post some pics after install. I'm looking at going the Avic Pioneer D3 route. Regards Alan.

Yes, make sure you take some good quality pics. I have the factory upgraded kit in mine and it sounds superb but would be nice for more Im told the cables are fibre optic though ?

Looking at the same Pioneer D3 myself - just got to find the right car to put it in first!

I'll do a full picture/review once the car's home. I got the windows tinted (same company that did the Subaru last friday) so it's a little harder to see inside the car once all the gear is installed... although to the untrained eye it will look stock. P [ ]

Hi guys, Picked the car up this morning and am very impressed. I know it's a LOAD of money, but I've spent more and been equally dissatisfied with the service I've received. DLS amps and speakers are very good, real audiophile kit that still needs some bedding in. I'll upload better photos soon, but like everywhere it's been raining since I got home (and the car is filthy!) so excuse the quality. Head Unit Door pods: Stealth Sub Enclosure Front Locker Amp/Nav Dok

lovely install, Paul whats the su8rround of the head unit in the dash? does it come in the box or was it custom?

The surround comes with the head unit (to make it fit the double DIN hole), however there seems to be an 'in-fill' strip above that... which I think is needed and was custom made. Maybe someone knows if this can be imporved upon if I replace the horseshoe with the PCM version? Richard ? They didn't get chance to fit the bluetooth or DV3 freeview tuner, but they should have the stock in a couple of weeks. It's a fantastic sound, I've listened to the LOGIC7 installs in 3/5 Series, BOSE in Audis and others custom installs, but the sound is so very clear. It won't out 'bang' the local SAXO SUB BOXES, but it comes pretty close. I forgot to take a snap of the sub level controller that they have installed in the center ashtray! [ ] Means you can crank up the bass when you feel the need [ ] I'll try and make it the the next ACE Cafe meeting, let others see it.

I've always thought that the PCM Support frame would give a filler at the top, but I'm not so sure. Here is a picture I stole from Renntech. It looks like PCM2 might be a bit taller than double-DIN, so you would still need a filler at the top. It would be nice if someone could confirm that.

Think your right Richard, it looks taller (and really old tech!!! [ ]) The Pioneer looks a bit neater because it doesn't have a surround, which is a bit of a shame with the Alpine... but I was told sonically that the Alpine was the better option... so went for it, not knowing that the surround was needed (not in any of the Alpine brochures). The installers recommend me chaging the battery as is old and on it's way out. The Bosch Silver 80Ah looks like the best bet, is there a larger capacity available... as the amp is a bit of a monster!

The PET lists 70Ah and 80Ah batteries for the 996 - They normally supply the 80Ah version with the sound package. I have the 75Ah Bosch Silver (7HN) which has been fine, but the Silver 80Ah should be even better. Unless, of course, you crank it up while parked up for hours in Sittingbourne, Chav Saxo style. Have you started using words like "innit", "gunna" and "I arn't" yet? [ ][ ] Edit: Oh yes, is that the rear wing I can see through the rear window? Looks a bit ugly to me. Sure you still like it? [ ][ ] (private joke).

Thanks Richard, I'll try and order/get an 80Ah Bosch Silver over the next few weeks, I have the standard Porsche 70Ah currently... probably the original. The wing is still firmly fixed... if it goes missing I'll know where to look first [ ] Could you do me a favor please? I have the CD holder at the moment (now located above the aircon controls) but I would like to locate my RoadAngel Compact there and use an external aerial. Could you measure the height of your cubby hole please? If anyone wants to swap a CD holder for a cubby hole, please let me know. And no, I don't want to swap my spoiler for one Richard [ ]

I'll keep trying Paul - I don't give up that easily! [ ] [ ] The cubby opening measures about 175mm wide, 43mm high, and it is about 110mm deep. They are about £16, and Reading OPC had them on the shelf when I bought mine. 996.552.253.01.01C (Satin Black).

Having just fitted the Pioneer unit to my 996 I now have the same configuration of cd holder, aircon, head unit. I too would like to install a camera detector buut not on the top of the dash. Any chance that you can post a couple of pics up of the Road Angel fitted into the cubby hole when you have sorted it out please? Thanks

Just measure the Road Angel Compact and the unit is 47.8mm high... bugger! It looks like I'll need to have it dash mounted, which I just hate the thought of. [8|]

That's a swine isn't it. Maybe I will look into another type of camera detector. Only 43mm to play with though is going to limit the options I reckon.

I had a Roadpilot in the Audi, it was tiny, so may have to go back to one... it also uses a remote gps receiver which would be needed with the RA Compact

Nice install, I have recently had my 996 sorted out in very much the same way. I have the same sort of sound by the looks of things great really clear tops and mid / mid bass and a very nice 'punchy' bass. Rez

I've emailed you Rez, but your out of office replied. What head unit did you go for ?

gizmo can you show us your pioneer install?

Will take a few pics in the next day or so and post up - no probs I am very impressed with it I must say and got a great deal on its purchase through Audio 66 (or Road Radio I think they are also called)

Great upgrade, that looks spot on. I'm fairly dissatisfied with my Bose and I'd love to compare your upgrade with my Bose. When is the next Ace café date u might make?

I'm not sure when the next Ace Cafe meet is, would be nice to make it to one of them... the last looked a good one. The Ace meet usualy clashes with the TYRESMOKE Windsor meet... which I've missed the last few ones. P

I found Porsche Post, next Ace cafe (R21) is 25th July and i'm on holiday anyway.

Just spoken with the dealer and Alpine will 'shortly' be releasing a speed camera POI patch for the Blackbird, so I'm not going to bother with messing about mounting the RoadAngel... even though I'm sure like TomTom/Garmin/Etc the Blackbird won't be quite as good as a dedicated GPS unit like the RA. Think I'll try and make the end-of-August Ace Cafe meet.

Fully that - I spoke to Pioneer today on the same subject and they will be releaseing the Teleatlas patch that is currently available for the AVIC HD (hard drive) models for the D3BT shortly. Although he couldnt say exactly when I too will go this route rather than trying to fit something else to the dash.

The only criticism I have of the Teleatlas Camera Database for the AVIC-HD models is that it isn't very up to date (currently July 2006). For example, it beeps for the cameras for the M40 road works in Oxfordshire/Northants, which were removed about a year ago. I keep nagging them, and they keep promising that an update is imminent, but I have been waiting about 5 months. The subscription of £39 with unlimited updates implies that the updates are going to be regular, but they haven't been so far.

Hmmm..... I wonder what the Navteq database will be like, it's what Alpine use. http://www.alpine-europe.com/blackbird/EN/data/BB_Factsheet_UK.pdf

I'm not an audiophile, but perhaps my experience will help a bit. When I bought my car it had quite a nice Alpine Radio/CD, to which I added a changer. That was OK for a while, but the inside of the car looked like a Christmas tree with my iPod, TomTom and Origin b2 littered around the place. I bought a Pioneer AVIC HD system in order to get everything in one unit. What became immediately apparent was that the cr*ppy paper-coned Nokia speakers sounded even cr*ppier than ever. Bear in mind that I don't have the sound package like you do, which includes the door speakers. Changing the dash and rear speakers isn't as simple as it sounds. The original items may be nominally 10cm, but they are a plastic moulded speaker that is glued onto the speaker grilles. I fitted some coaxial Pioneer 10cm Kevlar-coned jobs to the front, but it meant hacking the underside of the grilles and then sealing up the resulting gap once the new ones were screwed on. There isn't a huge amount of depth behind the grilles, so I had to have the speakers pointing vertically, rather than at a slight inward angle like the originals. The difference is night-and-day though. I'm waiting for some. Pioneer 9x6 ellipticals to arrive to fit to my rear shelf, when I will disconnect the rear speakers. It needs something to give some bass. I'm not enough of an audiophile to take the route of amp and subs etc., but I'm sure I'll be happy once I've got the rear speakers sorted. If you really want to go the whole hog, take a look at Paul Wafer's setup here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=293359 . You might also want to think about an AVIC system, as it will give you satnav, has bluetooth and iPod connectivity built-in, and the backlighting on the D3 can be matched to the car. Might be easier to justify the expense. If it would help to have the wiring diagrams for the M680 sound package send me an email. HTH

Thanks Richard, thats a big help. Apparently the speakers I've been recommended for the dash are a special slim fit which should go in but it helps to know about the glueing. I'll have a look around and see what else I can find. the Avic looks interesting. Do you find it blocks any controls though?

Tim Not at all. Here are pics of my HD1BT install: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=266524 And here is Guy's D3BTi install: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=300823

Having just upgraded from CDR22 to a Becker Grand Prix I can confirm the better audio quality of the Becker. I too have a 2000 model C2 with porsche sound upgrade. Like Richard, didn't want the 'saxo-boy' style flashing coloured lights so the Becker in Amber is perfect - look real OEM fit. The Bluetooth is excellent too. Self fit took 3h doing it slowly and carefully with mic on A-pillar. Now the speakers are definately the weak point - may treat myself to an early Xmas present .... Guess it all boils down to how much you want to spen.

Diesel, I'm trying to decide what to fit and at the same time get Ipode and Bluetooth connectivity. Does you Becker support Ipod as well? With not having any Beckers in the shops to look at or listen to, it's a hard purchase.

Hi, I have just changed my CDR22 for a Becker mexico pro, well worth it. I have the sound upgrade with door speakers, I did the mod on the standard speakers and used some pioneer units cost £65.00 the pair, but they did not make a huge amount of diff, so I purchased the Bose speakers from breakers i paid £120 per pair, sounds ok now.

Hi, There's an ipod adaptor which takes the place of the CD changer input. Its and extra 60 to 80 GBP depending where you buy. I haven' got it yet, but may in future. Got mine from sextons ... http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/GP7990_becker-grand-prix-7990-cdmp3wma-tuner.html About 260 GBP with delivery.

I had the Becker Grand Prix in my previous car (Audi TT) along with the ipod adaptor. Overall the unit is very good and the sound quality certianly is better than the stock Audi head unit. The ipod interface is fast and easy to use and the bluetooth handsfree facility is very useful and works surprisingly well too. Also, the looks are very "German car" which I much prefer to the more "un-subtle" models out there. All told, for under £300 I think its a great buy and had I not wanted sat nav (hence the D3BTi) I might well have considered another.

Thanks guys. Couple of questions -has anyone tried any other speakers? I know there are few choices for the 10cm dash and rears and have been recommended Infinity Kappa's by a few people. I just want a simple good quality upgrade, that will allow me to use my Ipod with some decent speakers, for around £500 max. My local stereo shop wants to sell me £1500's worth of kit including amps and a pair of speakers that cost £285! Not even my ones at home cost that much. So does anyone in the North West know of a good stereo shop/fitter that they would recommend? South Manchester or Cheshire would be ideal.

Id buy the Bose speakers from a breaker, two screws each to change sound loads better

Just spotted a really useful DIY for the dash speakers: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=15407&hl =

Good link thanks. Do you have any suggestions as to what to mount in the doors rather than the dash?

There are quite a few threads on Renntech. Do a search for "+door +speakers" (without the quotes).

Richard, Do you happen to have the spec or picture of the standard install, similar to the one of the Bose layout I saw you have posted on another thread?

Sorry, I don't have any photos. Those came from the Bose web site. The Service Technik for 2001 gives the following description of the system, which might help a bit. 9120 Radio Fundamentally the range of components available for the radio corresponds to that for the previous model year. Car-audio system (individual equipment) An upgraded car-audio system is available as part of the individual equipment specification. The control panel and rear two-way loudspeakers are identical with the current car-audio system. In comparison, the volume of the door loudspeaker housing (woofer) has been increased from approx. 3l to approx. 5l net. The enclosed housing version allowed for ideal matching to the installed loudspeaker system. The 130 mm woofers (bass speakers) also remain unchanged from the current car-audio system. The 6-channel amplifier used in the car-audio system (music output 4 x 20 Watt and 2 x 35 Watt) was also matched to the new door loudspeaker housing as were the equalizer and tonal sets of the optionally available DSP sound system. The new sound system offers the following acoustical improvements: "¢ lower acoustic distortion in bass range "¢ lower electrical distortion in bass range "¢ gain in overall volume "¢ gain in bass sound pressure

I know it's an old thread but did you have any probs with the install, i've got the same year and audio spec car and i've just picked up the grand prix. many thanks Chris

Yes, I ditched the Porsche amp, speakers and headunit. I opted for a Pioneer double din headunit with DVD player, USB and bluetooth. The new amp runs the 4 front speakers in the car plus the sub and the headunit runs the 2 rear speakers. Sounds amazing! I sold all my old Porsche kit on eBay, which pretty much covered the cost of the new kit. I know some people prefer the authenticity of the Porsche kit, but for my use I feel it was certainly an upgrade worth doing! Cheers, Neil.

I believe you have PCM2.0. There were two amplifier options, made by Harman and Bose. Both only have fibre optic inputs, which makes upgrading difficult. Also, some of the speakers are 2 ohm impedance, and if you have Bose the subwoofer is 1 ohm, iirc. PCMs with optical outputs don't have conventional line outputs you can use either. My advice would be to live with it, or replace the whole lot.

Thanks for the advice, that all makes sense. My system is not the Bose, it must be the Harman one then. Is there anywhere I can find out the system spec "as is"? I know on the Bose website it shows the system breakdown for all their auto systems. Maybe I could contact Harman? I just want to see what power amp I have and what the speakers and sub is etc... thanks

The Harman system doesn't have a sub. If you have one, it may be a Bose system. Check the options sticker under the front lid or in the Maintenance booklet. 490=Harman, 680=Bose. I have the wiring diagrams if you need them, but they don't show impedances. The only real way to tell is to remove the speakers and look at the stickers on them. The dash and rear speakers are easy to remove (2 torx screws) but the door speakers need to door card removing to access them.

I had a look under the bonnet, but the spec sticker is faded, so I am unable to read it! I have a spec sheet being sent to me from Porsche Germany on its way though after the 50th anniversary clinic from Saturday, so that should tell me the number. My CD changer is still playing up and not recognising all the CD's in the changer every time I load it, so I might get a replacement changer off ebay, they seem to go for around £100. They are £500 for a replacement unit from Porsche! How easy is it to remove and install a new CD changer? thanks

You should also have the options sticer in the front of the maintenance booklet (service stamp book). To change the CDC you have to remove the plastic panel around it - just held on with screws - and the CDC is screwed to a bracket. There are two plugs to remove, and the changer comes out. Simple job.

Thanks for all your help Richard, you certainly know your stuff! My maintenance manual has "Replacement" stamped on it, so does not have the spec on anywhere that I can see. I thought if you had the Bose system though it would have Bose badges on the speakers? Thanks for the CD changer advice too. I went out to try it at lunchtime and it recognised all 6 discs now, this could be a one off though, I will try it with new discs later! thanks

Drop me an email with your VIN, and I'll look up the car's options for you.

My VIN is: VIN No: 9945601980. thanks!

Not quite right, but I managed to figure it out: WP0ZZZ99Z4S601980 MI NUMBERS - DESCRIPTION I029 - Standard chassis I211 - Licence plate holder version 3 I241 I415 - 18-inch Turbo-Look II wheel I985 IXSC - Porsche Crest embossed in headrest IXX1 - Floor mats, logo, leather border M061 - Version for Great Britain M071 - EU country version M130 - Control and indications in English lettering M197 - Stronger battery M219 - Differential M249 - Tiptronic transmission M271 - Door mirror -aspherical- driver's side - electrically adjustable and heatable M273 - Door mirrors - electrically adjustable and heatable M274 - Vanity mirror illuminated M288 - Headlamp washer M335 - Automatic seat belt, 3-point - rear M339 - All-wheel drive M424 - CD compartment M425 - Rear window wiper M432 - Steering wheel with Tiptronic control M436 - 3-spoke airbag steering wheel M437 - Comfort seat, left - electrically adjustable M438 - Comfort seat, right - electrically adjustable M440 - Manual antenna, 4 loudspeakers --- MY 2002"" MY 2003 --- antenna diversity M441 - Radio preparation M446 - Concave wheel center - with full-colour Porsche Crest M466 - Rear foglamp, right M476 - Porsche Stability Management (PSM) M490 - -MY 01 sound system - MY 02 sound system Harmann M492 - Headlamps for left-hand traffic M534 - Theft security system M536 - Alarm siren and tilt sensor M538 - Seating position control - for comfort seat, right M562 - Airbag, driver's side and front passenger's side M563 - Side airbag M566 - Front fog lights, white M567 - Windscreen tinted, upper part - darker coloured M571 - Activated charcoal filter M573 - Air conditioner M581 - Center console, front M601 - Litronic headlights M602 - Raised stop lamp M620 - Electronic accelerator M635 - Parking assistent M650 - Electrical sliding roof M651 - Electric window opener M657 - Power assisted steering M659 - On-board computer M661 - Stricter emission-control concept M665 - PCM2 basic module including radio M666 - PCM2 telephone (GSM) M670 - PCM2 navigation M685 - Rear seats, split M692 - CD autochanger "Porsche " M936 - Seat covers, rear, leather M981 - Leather equipment without seat covers M983 - Seat covers, front, leather

thanks for all the information! so at least I know now it is not a BOSE now! At least it is UK spec, but the climate control says mauell rather than manual when you change it! Just a little simple question for you now and then I will leave you to enjoy your weekend, the drivers window seems to catch on the rubber strip as it go's up and down and can make an annoying squeak. what is the easiest way to solve this? Once again, thanks for your help to this new Porsche owner ;-)

They ALL say "Manuell" (German) no matter what market the cars were supplied to. If the window doesn't drop fully (10mm or so) when you pull the handle, and the noise is quite loud and inside the door, it may be that the window regulator (cable mechanism) is on the way out. Very common, I'm afraid. If it is just a squeak from the rubber seal, then I would give the window a good clean, and clean the inside of the seal with paper towel when the window is fully down. Then apply a bit of silicone lubricant on the paper towel and wipe it along the inside edge of the seal. Don't overdo it, or the windows will streak..

I recently replaced my Bose setup with a Pioneer Avic F950DAB head unit and two amps to replace the Bose amp. The speakers and sub are still the same, but the sound is much improved with the new amps. The reason for two amps is the impedance mentioned above, I have 1 amp for the speakers with a 2ohm impedance, and a seperate amp for the sub with the 1ohm impedance. If your car is a coupe then you should have two subs, one in the passenger footwell and one behind the rear seat. These can be run in series creating 2ohm impedance, this would negate the need for a second amp. Mine is a cab so only has one amp. I would recommend changing the head unit and amp(s) before changing speakers as well, the difference in sound quality is very noticeable. If you still want more you could always do the speakers later.

Welcome Pete! Sounds like a good plan to me. Richard doesn't have a sub anyway, so would only need one amp.

Just to hijack the thread slightly, which version is the satnav classed as?

M665 and M675 are the option codes for PCM2, but I think yours will be M662 Chris, as you have PCM1. If you want me to do a code lookup for your car, drop me an email with the VIN. I can email the results back in PDF format.

Richard you have mail. On a side note ive got the bose speakers in lieu of the cuppy holes in the door, does that mean i have the full kit even tho its not listed under the bonnet?

Your car is Model Year 2002 has the M680 Analogue Bose system. They only fitted the Bose analog option in MY2002, and it is a strange system which amplifies the speaker outputs from the PCM (not the line outputs like the M490 Harman amp).

Does that make life difficult if i want to try that ipod cable?

No, it doesn't make it any more difficult. You'll have to check, but I think devices like this: http://www.solisto.de/en/solisto.iaux-3g-becker use the CD Changer inputs. If I understand it correctly, you just unplug the CDC, and plug this cable in. Sure, you lose the CDC, but who needs one if you have an iPod connected. With the simple cable you have to use the iPod/Phone to control the music. If you get one of the more expensive interfaces, I believe you can control it from the PCM, but like most of these devices, the controls are a bit quirky.

So the PCM 1 is a becker unit? Do that company sell a thing that will enable the controls as well? I'd really like to get the song details and stuff like that on the pcm screen but im not sure if thats possible. this is what i wondering would work. http://www.solisto.de/en/solisto.extra

Yes, the PCM1 head unit is made by Becker, but the navigation drive is made by Siemens. The Solisto Extra works by simulating a CD changer. It is similar to the NAV-TV unit I have on my PCM2.1. Basically, you select CD2 for Playlists, CD3 for Artists, CD4 for Albums, and CD4 for Genres. Then I select the required Playlist/Album etc with the rotary knob, and press CD1 to play it. Like I say, it is quirky, but it shows the artist/track/ playlist etc, on the PCM display. Once you get the hang of it, it isn't too bad.

I might treat myself to it then. It seems to be reasonablely priced at around £100.

Taka a look at the user guide on the Solisto site, as I just did, and you will see that it works differently to mine. It seems you have to make playlists numbered CD1, CD2, etc to select them using the CDC controls. But at £100 you can't go too far wrong.