Audio upgrade

[pwafer]

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.

[][][][]

 

[C4S al]

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.

 

[Guest]

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 ?

 

[gizmo750]

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

 

[pwafer]

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 []

 

[pwafer]

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

 

[denisoreilly]

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

 

[pwafer]

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.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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.

 

[pwafer]

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!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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).

 

[pwafer]

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 []

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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).

 

[gizmo750]

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

 

[pwafer]

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|]

 

[gizmo750]

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.

 

[pwafer]

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

 

[Rezza]

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

 

[pwafer]

ORIGINAL: Rezza

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 ?

 

[denisoreilly]

gizmo can you show us your pioneer install?