Ipod connection and speaker upgrade

anthonyvickery · Oct 24, 2009

Hello
Does anyone have any good experiences to share about fitting an Ipod connection to a 2008 Boxster S with Sound Plus and PCM? Is Dension 500 worth the money/hassle of fitting?
Secondly, I am very disappointed with the sound and wonder whether anyone has sucessfully replaced the speakers with better quality ones?
Seems to be a 2.5 cm tweeter in the dash, and an 8cm mid range and 13cm woofer in each door.
I know that JMG has a conversion for the 986, but not yet for the 987.
Thanks [

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Nick_USA · Oct 25, 2009

The Dension unit provides a good solution for those wanting to get a good quality sound signal.

The installation isn't as difficult as it sounds (Check out this link):

http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=103&cat=all

Dension also market a BlueTooth interface that connects to the '500' unit and allows a suitable phone to controlled via the PCM.

The only thing to be aware of is that if you have the CD Multi-changer option you can either use your ipod interface or the changer from the PCM, the operation of the other device requires a switch selection on the Dension unit.

Other options include the NavTV (Company Name), I personally do not run an ipod interface but have their Tooki Bluetooth phone system installed in my car, very simple install and OEM phone functionality via the PCM.

http://www.navtv.com/

I believe their ipod interface is much the same, almost plug and play with regards to the install and a plus on the Dension does not require and soldering as a power lead is provided.

Hope this helps you out with regards the ipod connection.

As for speakers I do not have much experience here but this link may help:

http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=250&cat=all

spyderman · Oct 25, 2009

I've just yesterday had a Dension 500 fitted to my 2004 S by fellow forum member Berty987. He's done a couple of them before, so I thought I'd let an expert do it for me. I bought it used via a different forum - new, they're quite expensive. My car has PCM 2.1 with the CDC-4 6-disc changer. We peered the power off the CDC's supply (it doesn't use much current) and configured the fibre optic "cable" to put the Dension in series with the CDC. We then mounted the Dension itself using sticky pads to the front of the bracket that holds the power amplifier.

Installation is a little easier in the 986 than the 987 as there is more room and the bits are visible rather than hidden under plastic panels.

I am using a USB stick with it (MP3 files only), but I could also use my iPod Touch (which would allow the playback of copy-protected AAC tracks too).

The above photo shows (from left) switch to change from CDC to Dension, aux line-level input, connector for this switch, iPod interface(s), USB socket, power connector, in-line fuse. The orange "cables" are the fibre optics for the MOST buss.

A few more photos in this gallery.

berty987 · Oct 26, 2009

I think its the PCM 2 in your 986 not the PCM 2.1 which is in the 987. Just to add to the comments above , the later 986 MOST (fibre optic) equipped cars use the same settings and configuration as the 987 models. As to fitting , personally I found the 986 a little more awkward as the CD changer has very short cables and is more difficult to take in and out , though there are fewer covers to remove to get to the wiring. Like the installation above I decided to fit my Dension unit in the front luggage compartment and use a USB stick for the music. Currently I have about all the music I want and space to spare on a 32Gb USB stick. If you are an I pod fan then maybe you also want to consider the Mobridge unit , about the same price and arguably better interfacing with apple products though it doesnt support USB sticks and i'm not sure the tech support is as good in the UK as Dension.

If you have PCM or the CDR I think the dension makes an excellent addition. Ideal for longer journies and ensuring you never get bored of listening to the same old music all the time.

anthonyvickery · Oct 27, 2009

Hi
Thanks Nick for the very comprehensive explanation and pictures of how to fit a Dension, which I feel I could do myself and also for hope on the speaker front. Looks like I could improve the speakers without too much difficulty. Never ceases to amaze me how knowledgable some people are on this forum!
Also thanks Spyderman for sharing recent experiences.
I am really looking for Ipod connectivity though, so I am going to look into the Mobridge as Berty suggests and see where that leads me. I have PCM 2.1 on my 987 so it should work. Either way it looks like I need a very long ipod lead to go through the dashboard into the bonnet?

berty987 · Oct 28, 2009

To be honest I wouldnt bother with a long cable and fitting the i pod in the car as the PCM takes care of all the control of the i pod. There is a spare gromet just behind the battery that you can use to route the i pod cable from the Dension/ Mobridge through to hte car interior. This gromet can be seen from inside the car above the top of the carpet in the drivers footwell. You can then run a cable in to the glove box or under the center console to the arm rest. Removing the interior trim and running this cable to a convenient point is more than double the work of installing the dension unit so dont undertake the task lightly.

anthonyvickery · Oct 29, 2009

I've had a Mobridge fitted today by Cartonics in Byfleet and the best thing about it is that it has vastly improved the quality and volume of the 'sound plus' system - so I'm no longer in need of new speakers (as helpfully advised by Cartonics who said it would be good)
The ipod is attached to a cable that goes into the glove box and you dont need to touch it once its on since you can control everything through the dash.
The sound really is a vast improvement on the same CD playing on the single CD changer fitted to the car.[

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It works like the CD multi changer (I don't have one now, but had one on a previous Porsche), as far as the controls are concerned so you can do most things from a multi-function steering wheel or CD control panel. You just have hundreds of songs, artists and albums to choose from!
Highly recommend to anyone who likes their music on the move.

grahamwhite · Jan 2, 2011

This is a small review i gave on another forum. I wanted to hook my iPod and Blackberry up to my PCM2.1

I bought a Mobridge unit and can control everything most phone functions via bluetooth while the phone is in my pocket. I can control 100% of the iPod while it is tucked out the way in the glovebox.

The Review:
Ok So the other day i got a mObridge bluetooth kit fitted (with the optional iPod hookup)

The install took the engineer around 90minutes and my Porsche didnt need 'unlocking' afterwards to enable it to work.

The bluetooth phone bit:
Pairs with my Blackberry Bold9700 without any issues and synced the first 150 phone numbers automatically. The Porsche PCM can only handle 150 entries so on my BBerry i changed the sync profile to my most used numbers (aka "Hotlist") and now all my important numbers are synced everytime i connect via bluetooth.
The sound only comes out of one speaker which i really dont like, because if your passenger blocks that speaker you can have a hard time hearing your conversation.
But the sound quality is good even at high speeds conversations are easy and clear, I asked my girlfriend how it sounded when i was at 80mph on a motorway and she said it sounded like i had my phone to my ear normally. So im happy about this.
The ability to use the PCM dialling buttons is brill, although be careful cos that "SOS" button is now active so dont go jabbing it!

The iPod bit:
The cable is in the glove box so i can keep my ipod out of sight.
Navigating the iPod playlists and folders via the PCM2 is a bit fiddly. You need to realise that the mObridge manual is not 100% perfect and ensure you have an hour to have a play and figure things out yourself after the install.

Double button pushes and 'press+hold' buttons are the order of the day here! Once you have this figured out then it a cinch!
One important thing though, The PCM see's the iPod as a external HD so you cant actually use your iPod whilst it is plugged in. Just like you cant while it is plugged into your computer for iTunes syncing.

It sounds good though and the install is good. Apart from the inability of this system to use the internal Porsche mics on the steering column which means a unsightly external mic somewhere on the dash or up near the rear view mirror.
I paid £650 for installation, the equipment and all taxes and shipping which is a bit high but at least it stops me from getting any fines for talking on the phone whilst driving.

I would have like the navigation via the PCM to be a little more sleek, a little easier but it is a little bit like mObridge have had to work 'around' the Porsche software and not implement their own programming. This shows. It could be much easier with the right operating system but i guess that Porsche didnt plan on someone else programming their PCM did they?

Would i recommend it? ... Yes!
Would i say its worth £650? ... No, perhaps £400 would be more reasonable.
How could it be better? .... Firmware upgrade to make the PCM more user friendly when using iPod navigation.... Put the Bluetooth phone audio down BOTH speakers in mono... Porsche could make it so their PCM handle 10 times more phonebook entries than the 150 as standard.

Any questions Please ask, I hope this helps!

Cheers
Graham