The story so far. My wife complained that the Box' did not sound as good as the Merc. I explained that a 3.2 was far more musical then a 2.3 Komp. but found she referred to the in car entertainment. I have the Bayer CDR22 (I think), Bayer Amp and Bayer Silverstone CD changer and the sound from the door speakers is barely audible, whilst the dash speakers scream at me, even with multiple combinations of fader and balance. Have checked outputs from CD player, wired successfully round the amp, and checked voltages (not the correct values just that I am getting some). Amp seems to be a closed black box with no settings so I am at a loss. Any experiences in this area?
Very low volume from door speakers
- Thread starter ksnell
- Start date
HI,
I have the same system as yours on my 03 Boxster Tiptronic. The volume on my door speakers also isn't very loud. I too have tried adjusting the levels, and it didn't seem to make much difference.
Sorry can't help... But just thought I'd let you know it's not just you Boxster....
Anyone here know how to solve this?
Thanks
Peter Gadsby
I have the same system as yours on my 03 Boxster Tiptronic. The volume on my door speakers also isn't very loud. I too have tried adjusting the levels, and it didn't seem to make much difference.
Sorry can't help... But just thought I'd let you know it's not just you Boxster....
Anyone here know how to solve this?
Thanks
Peter Gadsby
davej_anderson
New member
The speakers in the doors are only bass drivers i.e. the low frequencies.
The quality of factory amp and speakers is appalling - if you want a decent system you're going to have to replace the lot.
But the Becker HUs are good bits of kit and shouldn't be the first thing to replace (which is what a lot of people do unfortunately).
The quality of factory amp and speakers is appalling - if you want a decent system you're going to have to replace the lot.
But the Becker HUs are good bits of kit and shouldn't be the first thing to replace (which is what a lot of people do unfortunately).
Black80XSA
New member
It may be the bass channels in the amp are goosed, unlikely both fail together though.
The door speakers are bass units - the only way to get more out of them is to increase the bass setting on the headunit under the sound menu. A lot also depends on your choice of music - pop tends to be very bass lightthese days.
The door speakers are bass units - the only way to get more out of them is to increase the bass setting on the headunit under the sound menu. A lot also depends on your choice of music - pop tends to be very bass lightthese days.
I've spoken about a similar issue at some length with these guys: http://www.autoaudio.uk.com/
I've got the Bose Upgrade CDR23 MOST system with a Dension GW500 iPod kit in a Boxster S/03. Effectively everything you've written is correct. Mine sounds really "booming" unless you turn the Bass right down - then it's fairly weak. So what's the solution...
Auto Audio suggested that I replace the dash speakers with some more powerful Morel mid-range units, disconnect the door drivers altogether and not replace them (yes, they are just bass units, for some reason). They reckon they've done this on several Boxsters and it works a treat. Mine has the Bose horn-thing between the seats.
Seems odd to me that you'd not replace the door speakers. Has anyone tried this approach - or anything else?
I have to say, Auto Audio do know their stuff. They sorted out my MR2 a treat with Morels in the door and a new Alpine unit, sounds superb. And the quality of the fit for the Dension is A1, too.
I've got the Bose Upgrade CDR23 MOST system with a Dension GW500 iPod kit in a Boxster S/03. Effectively everything you've written is correct. Mine sounds really "booming" unless you turn the Bass right down - then it's fairly weak. So what's the solution...
Auto Audio suggested that I replace the dash speakers with some more powerful Morel mid-range units, disconnect the door drivers altogether and not replace them (yes, they are just bass units, for some reason). They reckon they've done this on several Boxsters and it works a treat. Mine has the Bose horn-thing between the seats.
Seems odd to me that you'd not replace the door speakers. Has anyone tried this approach - or anything else?
I have to say, Auto Audio do know their stuff. They sorted out my MR2 a treat with Morels in the door and a new Alpine unit, sounds superb. And the quality of the fit for the Dension is A1, too.
Black80XSA
New member
Morels aren't cheap, but very good quality and i dare say offer a huge improvment over the paper coned items in the dash currently. You need to establish what is sending only mid highs to the dash speakers (either split in the amp, or capped off somehow at the speaker end), so that any replacements get full range. The Bose speakers might also be a strange impedance (2 Ohm?) so be careful of overloading the stock amp with higher impedance units.
To be honest the best way forward with the Bose system is to start again, with new headunit, amp, wiring and speakers ! Its not easy to mix n match with it.
Any decent install company should be able to replace the Bose door speakers with a suitably built baffle box and decent speaker. There is a DIY mod to the Cayman Bose subbox in the footwell, by adding wool packing , that apparenty is quite effective - might be worth a try to the current door build ?? http://www.caymanclub.net/reviews/showproduct.php?product=141&cat=5
To be honest the best way forward with the Bose system is to start again, with new headunit, amp, wiring and speakers ! Its not easy to mix n match with it.
Any decent install company should be able to replace the Bose door speakers with a suitably built baffle box and decent speaker. There is a DIY mod to the Cayman Bose subbox in the footwell, by adding wool packing , that apparenty is quite effective - might be worth a try to the current door build ?? http://www.caymanclub.net/reviews/showproduct.php?product=141&cat=5
I've been quoted about £1100 to fit Morrel Elate 5" three-way component system with cross-overs. This will give seperate mid & tweet on dash-top and woofers in the door. the supplier reckons this would sound superb. Sounds expensive, that's for sure.
The alternative from them is just the dash-top set which is still £680. Has anyone any experience of these Morrels - are they worth a grand? (Prices include parts, fitting/labour and VAT).
Aren't there alternative brands of speaker that can replace the Bose ones apart from Morrel?
The alternative from them is just the dash-top set which is still £680. Has anyone any experience of these Morrels - are they worth a grand? (Prices include parts, fitting/labour and VAT).
Aren't there alternative brands of speaker that can replace the Bose ones apart from Morrel?
Black80XSA
New member
Morels are very good quality - its not normal to rip the Bose system out though. Most people who don;t have any door speakers or amp in the front boot, change the dashtop speakers 1" tweaters and 4" mid/bass units. Its a good upgrade (DIY about £40 upwards dependent on your speaker budget ) and makes a bit improvement. But then you are only starting with some paper coned Nokia speakers so anything is better. I'd want to know what esle the ausio place is doingfor the money - replacing the Bose amp in the front boot or not ? - the Bose amp is the next weakest link in the system, so whilst the speakers will sound better they may also show up shortcomings in the amp. You also need to ask about the door install - i assume they are using the Bose speaker housings, or using mdf mouting rings and removing the housings. Either way you need some soundproofing adding (Brown Bread or Dynamat).
I'd start to look around a few other places before going with Morels - talk to SQPlus in Manchester or Prestige Audio around London somewhere. They know their stuff and have done several Boxsters and 996s.
Also try to find the thread that jac-in-a-box posted about 2 years ago - Rainbow speakers and a Sinfoni amp from recollection - well worth a read for ideas. This is the article here http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=89566 which links to another forum .. http://www.porsche-1.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=958
One last thing - there is a 986 owner in North Wales region who has had his car soundproofed (under carpets etc) and its made a huge difference to the car noise levels and improved the sound of the stock stereo to boot,
I'd start to look around a few other places before going with Morels - talk to SQPlus in Manchester or Prestige Audio around London somewhere. They know their stuff and have done several Boxsters and 996s.
Also try to find the thread that jac-in-a-box posted about 2 years ago - Rainbow speakers and a Sinfoni amp from recollection - well worth a read for ideas. This is the article here http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=89566 which links to another forum .. http://www.porsche-1.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=958
One last thing - there is a 986 owner in North Wales region who has had his car soundproofed (under carpets etc) and its made a huge difference to the car noise levels and improved the sound of the stock stereo to boot,
Sound-proofing is an idea. We also have an MR2 VVTi and I've had the doors done with Dynomat (and replaced the stock speakers in that with Morrel, too). Had a great effect.
If I knew what speakers to buy so that I could just swap them over myself, I'd be tempted to give it a go. The quote is just for crossovers, three sets of speakers and fitting with all relevant fittings included.
If I knew what speakers to buy so that I could just swap them over myself, I'd be tempted to give it a go. The quote is just for crossovers, three sets of speakers and fitting with all relevant fittings included.
Black80XSA
New member
The dashtop speakers are a fairly easy change - just unscrew the grilles, remove the stock speakers (0.75" tweeter and 4" mid), grind /file off the locating ring for the tweeter (aftermarket units are mostly 1" diam), mount new speakers using hot glue, wire them up and you're away.
Door speakers aren't rocket science either - plenty of info on the net removing door panels and its straight forward after that.
JL Audio used to make a 6.5" true subwoofer, that if still available, would fit in the door position, but you'd have to use a custome mountin ring and remove the Bose bass boss from behind the stock speaker.
Door speakers aren't rocket science either - plenty of info on the net removing door panels and its straight forward after that.
JL Audio used to make a 6.5" true subwoofer, that if still available, would fit in the door position, but you'd have to use a custome mountin ring and remove the Bose bass boss from behind the stock speaker.
Black80XSA
New member
MB Quart would be a good starting point, and theyrun a few ranges at differing price points
DLS Sweden also a very good company - they used to do a 3 way set but the mid range was a 3.5" driver i think.
You need to be careful with mounting depth too - the dash speakers have a chassis cross brace running underneath them.
If your installer is not replacing the amp it sounds like they are literally just swapping speakers, and probably not even using the Morel crossovers
DLS Sweden also a very good company - they used to do a 3 way set but the mid range was a 3.5" driver i think.
You need to be careful with mounting depth too - the dash speakers have a chassis cross brace running underneath them.
If your installer is not replacing the amp it sounds like they are literally just swapping speakers, and probably not even using the Morel crossovers
GOOFY
New member
Just buy a decent pair of headphones and an IPOD for your wife to use in the car !. Porsche Boxster design made for dynamic agility - hence engineers reduce weight i.e. jack made of aluminium. Hence you will find it hard to get sound like a fat bloated comfy Merc. as
1. the door trim is not overtly padded or thick - to save weight.
2. Door speakers hence to save weight not to meaty.
3. Room for AMPs & Subwoofer limited due to mid engine config.
I have changed my sound system using POLK AMP in front boot, BOSE subwoofer and custom speaker pods (POLK) in doors, ALPINE DSP head unit. All bespoke , sounds exceptional, but would have been a lot lot easier to set up and less visual in a normal car - engine in front, amps etc in back.
1. the door trim is not overtly padded or thick - to save weight.
2. Door speakers hence to save weight not to meaty.
3. Room for AMPs & Subwoofer limited due to mid engine config.
I have changed my sound system using POLK AMP in front boot, BOSE subwoofer and custom speaker pods (POLK) in doors, ALPINE DSP head unit. All bespoke , sounds exceptional, but would have been a lot lot easier to set up and less visual in a normal car - engine in front, amps etc in back.
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