Upgrading speakers and amps on a 987

Guest · Feb 23, 2005

I'm getting a 987 on April 7th which was someone elses cancelled order and therefore doesnt have my desired Bose sound package.

Can anyone recommend an upgrade in terms of speakers and amps to the car as the Bose wont be retrofittable I've been told (small compromise for getting a car early with a little discount thrown in)!!

I've been to a company already that suggested Focal speakers - three seperate one - a bass, mid and treble to be mounted with an amp in the front luggage compartment and keeping the CDR-24 unit.

Also I have an i-pod I use the Denison ice-link with to my mini but would this be able to be fitted to the porsche?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Got about £1000 to spend max!!

Guest · Feb 23, 2005

In regards to your iPod, you will be able to use it in place of your CD Autochanger, just unplug your cd changer and plug in your Dension cables. You may need to order replacement cables to go from your Dension controller to the head unit. E-mail them and ask about compatability support@dension.com . Then all you'll need to do is download the Becker/Porsche file from http://install.dension.com/installil2.html and replace your existing configuration, plus you'll need to make sure that you have the most up to date firmware from http://install.dension.com/updateil2.html

Hope you enjoy your new car!!!!

Regards

Phil

Guest · Feb 24, 2005

Just checked that out. It looks like I'll need an optical MOST BUS link from Dennison released in March.

Still no idea on the 987 speaker set up so I can replace it!! Does anyone have experience of a 987 audio install which is non-porsche?

Black80XSA · Feb 26, 2005

If you have the sound package then the easiest upgrade is just replace the speakers - not seen any info so far on sizes for the 987 but the 986 ones were 5.25" in the doors, 4" mids on the dahtop, and 0.75 tweeters in the dash top too.

Focal are pretty good, DLS (Swedish) worth a look as very good quality. You might struggle to find sets with the 0.75" tweeter, 1" fit in the 986 but are very tight squeeze.

The headunit is Most bus fibre optic output to the amp only - any change in headunit means a change of amp too.

Guest · Feb 26, 2005

Its the basic stereo, hence the desire to change. I believe it has 4 speakers - two mid, two tweeters and two 25w amps. Would the connection to that amp be MOST Bus too? I've heard the Focals and they seem pretty good. do you think its possible to take use the two 25 watt amps to go to two sets of new high and mid Focals and use an analogue amp to run a couple of low frequency speakers all in the door and dash panels?

jac in a box · Feb 27, 2005

Not sure if this will be compatable with the MOST in a 987?

But the guy who supplied the kit is definately worth a talk to (details in the link) If a similar setup will work in yours you can just about do it in on your budget.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=89566 Post #3

Jackie x

Guest · Feb 27, 2005

ORIGINAL: jac in a box

Not sure if this will be compatable with the MOST in a 987?

But the guy who supplied the kit is definately worth a talk to (details in the link) If a similar setup will work in yours you can just about do it in on your budget.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=89566 Post #3

Jackie x

Thanks Jackie, I've just emailed Amit.

I've also been doing a bit of research into this MOSt-Bus stuff. It looks like BMW uses a similar system called DSP - digi sig processing i think. It seems that you can use LOC's (whatever they are - maybe Line Out Convertors) to take a signal from the amp then send it to another amp which will run the speakers - Focals or Rainbows! All very complicated and a bit of hassle but at least I can get my car in a few weeks as opposed to a number of months - a small compromise!

I have to say that i've learned more about the Porsche stereo than I would have liked!!

Oh and it looks like Denison are about to realease an I-pod ice-link which will work with the 987 sometime in March!

Will post back with the outcome!

Guest · Feb 28, 2005

Ok, it looks like I cant find anybody who knows about the CDR-24 - even the dealers aren't having much luck!

Maybe someone can help but does the standard sound system in the 987 Boxster have an external or internal amp (CDR24 unit). It looks like it has an internal 2x25w output which would be a godsend but maybe someone can help!

GreigM · Feb 28, 2005

I believe it is an internal amp unless you specified the sound pack (which it doesn't sound like you did). To be honest I'm of the opinion that you're better ripping it out and starting again unless you HAVE to have the stock look.

Guest · Feb 28, 2005

Greig M - It would be a pane to rip out the facia unit as its a bespoke double din unit. It seems I can just add an analogue amp and put in several great speakers to get a great system. Would have picked Bose if only I had a chance to spec my own car...

Jackie - Amit was excellent - he wrote me a great email with regard to fitting the stereo in the Boxster - would you mind me posting the details of Pauls system here as it might be of use to others?

jac in a box · Mar 1, 2005

Jackie - Amit was excellent - he wrote me a great email with regard to fitting the stereo in the Boxster - would you mind me posting the details of Pauls system here as it might be of use to others?

Glad to hear Amit was able to help....please feel free to post details; but "Pauls system"... have I missed something?
If you're referring to the system in pictures of the links I gave - that's mine! <grin>

I assume Amit has recommended the Rainbow / Sinfoni combination? You'll not be disappointed!
Let us all know what you decide and how you get on.

Jackie x

Guest · Mar 1, 2005

Will do - yes your car!

here was the email...

*************************
Steve thanks for your email.

Firstly we no longer distribute Rainbow speakers so I am afraid I cant
help you with that.. but I can advise you on installation etc.

The two boxsters we have supplied equiptment for originaly had the Porsche
sound pack installed which was vastly improved apon.

The factory amp was also replaced as in all honesty, it wasnt that great.

We replaced the amp with a sinfoni 45.2 which fits neatly into the space
where the CD changer is, and the CD changer was relocated into the
position of the oem amplifier.

This 2 channel amplifer powered the complete set of 3 way front speakers.

A 3 way set of rainbow speakers were used, but these had to be special
ordered with a 5.25" mid bass driver instead of the usual 6.5"

The sound pack door enclosures were slighty modified to accept the rainbow
5.25" speakers, and custom mounting plates were made to replace the
existing dash top speakers with a 4" rainbow mid and a 1" tweeter.

The equiptment cost including cables etc came to about £1000 and about
£500 in labour.

The finished system was mind blowing.. and there was no real need for a
sub woofer and second amp as the rainbow speakers in the bose door
enclosures provided excellent bass.

I personaly am not a fan of focal speakers as I find the sound harsh and
tiring.

We are the uk distributors of sinfoni so if you are interested in
audiophile amplifiers, you can get those from us.

If you want rainbow speakers, your best bet is www.caraudiodirect.com The
rainbow speakers arent online on their site yet but you can order them by
emailing them.

The speakers as fitted to the two boxsters on boxta.net retail at £599 and
are the Rainbow Profi 365 set, but you need to specify that you need a
5.25" mid bass speaker instead of a 6.5"

You can get a 6.5" speaker to fit in the boxster doors.. but it will need
more fabrication work

If there is anything else you would like help with, let me know.
*********************