Audio upgrade

[Richard_Hamilton]

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

 

[Guest]

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?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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

 

[silvermilnec]

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

ORIGINAL: Diesel130

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.

 

[njrichardson]

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.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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.

 

[M241115]

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

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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.

 

[M241115]

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

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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.

 

[M241115]

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

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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

 

[M241115]

My VIN is: VIN No: 9945601980. thanks!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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

 

[M241115]

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 ;-)

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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..

 

[Igurisu]

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.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Welcome Pete!

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

 

[chriscoates81]

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

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

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.