Thinking about upgrading the whole sound system
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,671
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From: Hollywood, Los Angeles
Thinking about upgrading the whole sound system
I've been tossing around the idea of doing a new head unit for a long time but then I started thinking, I've had my car almost 10 years. She still excites the hell out of me but would I enjoy her even more if I could bump so of my favorite tunes in a modern sounding stereo.
- Lets be honest, 1997 wasn't exactly the era for fantastic, OEM car stereo's.
I'm thinking, amp, sub, tweets, etc. And was wondering if any of you audiophiles had a great and cost effective route to create awesome sound without breaking the bank.
I generally listen to bass heavy, dance style music - House, Mash, Progressive, etc. (I DJ for fun..) and the stock system (even though it's the upgraded Porsche system, just can't handle the lows.) And I have to add, it's a coupe not a cab so it should be banging.
Thanks.
- Lets be honest, 1997 wasn't exactly the era for fantastic, OEM car stereo's.
I'm thinking, amp, sub, tweets, etc. And was wondering if any of you audiophiles had a great and cost effective route to create awesome sound without breaking the bank.
I generally listen to bass heavy, dance style music - House, Mash, Progressive, etc. (I DJ for fun..) and the stock system (even though it's the upgraded Porsche system, just can't handle the lows.) And I have to add, it's a coupe not a cab so it should be banging.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 321
From: Hollywood, Los Angeles
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 64
From: Las Vegas, NV
I went the route of a full removal of existing equipment and did an upgrade with Alpine with iPod connect, Alpine PDX amps, Dynaudio 3 ways in the front doors, and Rod Birch Sub boxes with 8" in the rear footwells.
I think this set up would work well given your choice of listening material.
I think this set up would work well given your choice of listening material.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
There are not many good options for subs except the Rod Birch subs or, if you need bigger, a sub box integrated into the rear seats. There are some posts with pics on the latter and Car Audio Innovations has lots of pics of the footwell 8" subs. Good door speakers and 4x6 rears are just not going to do it.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Behind the Zion Curtain
+1 for Rod Birch, he really knows what does and does not work in our cars, and is a valuable source of information and parts that go together well.
I love the sound of the engine, but also love my tunes as well. With a well planned component system, you indeed can have both. I gutted my "hi-fi" Nokia system this summer, and did not realize what a joke it was until I got the new system up and running. Night and day difference, incredible sound clarity and strong base throughout the range. I listen to a variety of music, from classical to heavy metal and my system handles it all. With Rod's recommendations and help, what I ended up with:
- Gutting the entire stock hi-fi setup, except keeping the rear deck speakers
- Installed 6.5" Hertz Mille speakers in the front, and removed the Nokia enclosures
- Installed Focal low-profile subs in Rod's rear enclosures (no interference with rear seat travel, important as I'm 6'5" and need all the legroom I can get
- Installed Audison 9 amp under the passenger seat, fits perfectly as if made for the 993
- Replaced the HU with a Kenwood 994, awesome unit with so many adjustments and not ghetto-flashy either. Compliments my CF dash well. Full ipod and bluetooth integration with all the bells and whistles one would want, but at a good price as well.
Go for it, you won't regret it as it's like discovering something new and great in our already great rides!
Michael
I love the sound of the engine, but also love my tunes as well. With a well planned component system, you indeed can have both. I gutted my "hi-fi" Nokia system this summer, and did not realize what a joke it was until I got the new system up and running. Night and day difference, incredible sound clarity and strong base throughout the range. I listen to a variety of music, from classical to heavy metal and my system handles it all. With Rod's recommendations and help, what I ended up with:
- Gutting the entire stock hi-fi setup, except keeping the rear deck speakers
- Installed 6.5" Hertz Mille speakers in the front, and removed the Nokia enclosures
- Installed Focal low-profile subs in Rod's rear enclosures (no interference with rear seat travel, important as I'm 6'5" and need all the legroom I can get
- Installed Audison 9 amp under the passenger seat, fits perfectly as if made for the 993
- Replaced the HU with a Kenwood 994, awesome unit with so many adjustments and not ghetto-flashy either. Compliments my CF dash well. Full ipod and bluetooth integration with all the bells and whistles one would want, but at a good price as well.
Go for it, you won't regret it as it's like discovering something new and great in our already great rides!
Michael
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 1
From: Boulder, CO
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,654
Likes: 93
From: Torrance, CA USA
Another Vote for Rod, and another option:
Rod is a Rennlister, and has tons of experience with Porsches, so he know how to install, plus he is meticulous and good at what he does, he is one of 2 guys I would let cut holes in my Porsche.
The other is Jamey Rawlings, porschetunes@aol.com, former owner of Paris Audio, current owner of Rawlings Audio.
Since you are local, Jamey has a shops in Culver City and Monrovia, I suggest sending Jamey an email or call him at (626) 372.0744. Jamey installed my system, and I love it. Below is what I went with:
Lunar 2125 2x125 Watts
Becker CDR-220 (wanted to maintain a stock look, even though Jamey suggested a better, head unit)
Oz Audio Matrix Elite 6.5" Components in the doors powered by Lunar
Oz Audio Vector plates in the rear deck, powered by HU
I went for sound quality, and this system delivers, particularly when I source from my iPod. I listen to all kinds of music, but jazz is a true experience on my system. I had a 10" JL Audio subwoofer in my 80 SC and that system ROCKED (powered by a Linear Power450 Amp. I can honestly say that the system in my 993 delivers as almost as much bass as the SC did.
Give both Jamey and Rod calls, and talk to them to get their insight, both are VERY good.
Also, let me know if you have other questions, and/or would like to listen to my system.
I am located in the South Bay (Torrance, Redondo area), and in Seal Beach during the day.
Aloha
Rod is a Rennlister, and has tons of experience with Porsches, so he know how to install, plus he is meticulous and good at what he does, he is one of 2 guys I would let cut holes in my Porsche.
The other is Jamey Rawlings, porschetunes@aol.com, former owner of Paris Audio, current owner of Rawlings Audio.
Since you are local, Jamey has a shops in Culver City and Monrovia, I suggest sending Jamey an email or call him at (626) 372.0744. Jamey installed my system, and I love it. Below is what I went with:
Lunar 2125 2x125 Watts
Becker CDR-220 (wanted to maintain a stock look, even though Jamey suggested a better, head unit)
Oz Audio Matrix Elite 6.5" Components in the doors powered by Lunar
Oz Audio Vector plates in the rear deck, powered by HU
I went for sound quality, and this system delivers, particularly when I source from my iPod. I listen to all kinds of music, but jazz is a true experience on my system. I had a 10" JL Audio subwoofer in my 80 SC and that system ROCKED (powered by a Linear Power450 Amp. I can honestly say that the system in my 993 delivers as almost as much bass as the SC did.
Give both Jamey and Rod calls, and talk to them to get their insight, both are VERY good.
Also, let me know if you have other questions, and/or would like to listen to my system.
I am located in the South Bay (Torrance, Redondo area), and in Seal Beach during the day.
Aloha
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,654
Likes: 93
From: Torrance, CA USA
if you are looking for your own install:
Rod birch does a box for the rear as mentioned above.
I have also seen these: http://www.billjehle.com/PORSCHE/index.html
I think Jamey sells them, last time I was at Jamey's shop he had several of them. Can be covered in Porsche factory carpet for a clean install.
Another option: http://www.autoacoustics.com/sbn-p911.htm no experience, just came across them on the internet.
I had a JL audio micro Sub enclosure in my SC, it didn't really fit very well, but it was cheap and sounded great. I just stuffed it behind the driver's seat.
Rod birch does a box for the rear as mentioned above.
I have also seen these: http://www.billjehle.com/PORSCHE/index.html
I think Jamey sells them, last time I was at Jamey's shop he had several of them. Can be covered in Porsche factory carpet for a clean install.
Another option: http://www.autoacoustics.com/sbn-p911.htm no experience, just came across them on the internet.
I had a JL audio micro Sub enclosure in my SC, it didn't really fit very well, but it was cheap and sounded great. I just stuffed it behind the driver's seat.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26,101
Likes: 955
From: www.rlsafespace.com
I'm not big on subs in a car.
I'm all about an amp with a high degree of current and a head unit (preamp) that will give the amp a good signal to work with. Most middle to upper end head units are half decent, just get one that has the inputs you want. I have a Kenwood with Sirius/Ipod/CD/Tuner teamed up with a McIntosh Amp and some Dynaudio speakers. Frankly, the rear deck speakers are worthless as it relates to giving you a sense of space as I think the acoustics of the car preclude it.
This system goes to "eleven" and can actually drown out the exhaust (maxflows with cat bypass) at full cry. Total cost if memory serves was $1400~.
I'm all about an amp with a high degree of current and a head unit (preamp) that will give the amp a good signal to work with. Most middle to upper end head units are half decent, just get one that has the inputs you want. I have a Kenwood with Sirius/Ipod/CD/Tuner teamed up with a McIntosh Amp and some Dynaudio speakers. Frankly, the rear deck speakers are worthless as it relates to giving you a sense of space as I think the acoustics of the car preclude it.
This system goes to "eleven" and can actually drown out the exhaust (maxflows with cat bypass) at full cry. Total cost if memory serves was $1400~.
Race Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 3
From: Alabama
I've got Dynaudio components that have been sitting around for a long time because I never could decide what amp to go with. Freddy, where do you have your Mac? In te trunk, I assume. I was trying to find one I wanted that would fit under the PX seat, but never could pull the trigger.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 1
From: Boulder, CO
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada