quickxotica

Put me in the camp with those who think the 996 is too loud (tire + engine noise) to ever achieve really "HiFi" quality sound, no matter how much money you throw at it. My car had a $3k Alpine/JL Audio system when I bought it used. Everything worked fine, but it still sounded lame (to my ears). I found myself getting more and more annoyed with it, which spoiled the pleasure of just simply driving the car. So I removed the whole entire system, did the center console delete and put a useful factory cubby where the HU used to be. In total, doing that removed 75lbs from the car. No regrets.

Now I just get in the car and drive!!!!

TRT41

I am with you on this. I pulled my Clarion DX head unit, JBAudio 500/5 amp, crossovers, sub woofers and wiring. The speakers go as soon as I have time to open the door panels. I can't remember that last time I turned on any tunes while driving.

Mfletch

Andy, I originally bought a less expensive amp from Best Buy (about $200). Rod highly recommended that I take it back and go with the Audison. I wasn't excited about the price difference. I had Rod do the install. It was the only part of my rebuild that I payed someone else to do....it was not plug and play, because my new wiring harness was from a car with a different sound system option. I was very pleased with the quality of his work and the performance of the system. The Audison amp fit in the factory location...that alone made it worth the extra money. The improved sound was a bonus. I highly recommend calling Rod. He has a 996 and is very enthusiastic about his work. He was happy to help me improve my system on a tight budget.

AndyK

Aaaahhh! It's so frustrating to get out of my cheap Accord coupe with factory stereo that sounds decent, and into a Porsche where the stereo sounds like it's coming out of a cheap left side dash speaker!

I realize that a new head unit won't do it. I'll still have weak speakers and the new HU might reveal that even more! Is replacing the dash and rear speakers enough, or are the door subs terrible too? I like the idea of having subs in the door, I'm not putting holes in my rear interior, only to think it sounds lame, like Quickxotica up there!

Perry - So, you replaced the dash and rear speakers - how does it sound now?? Improved, or a little less lame?? Worth the effort, in other words? I have to check 6speed and look for that post. Replacing the dash and rear speakers seems pretty straight forward.

Thanks for all the ideas! Note I still can only spend a few hundred, and not thousands on a complete new system. So the old amp will have to do for now.

ivangene

I just came in to look for pics - nothing yet except that nice shot from Mfletch - woohoo !!

I love my factory stereo - it sucks so bad I never even consider turning it on

I know lots of people like a stereo and I understand... so good luck with a good / inexpensive resolve to this

Marc Gelefsky

I was crankin some Steve Ray V in the 996 on the way to work, sounded damn good to me

(I did lower it to listen to the exhaust at WOT when I went through an underpass)

AndyK

On replacing the factory amp, is it basically plug n play with any amp that fits? I can see upgrading the amp, and maybe that would provide a better clean signal to the current speakers?

perryinva

The amp is so far from P&P, it's not funny. The connectors are unique to the 6 speaker model, plus there are crossovers in the amp for the sub channels, in order to power 6 channels from 4. I'd love to see the Audison that Mfletch had Rod install. You would have to cut the cables, add extensions, and then wire direct to make any amp work. Here's the link to the 6speed post http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/9...er-find-2.html

I made rings to bring the subs more forward, rather than cut a hole in the sub enclosure. They are louder, crisper, not muddy, and have a very nice complementary roll off to the Infinitys. The bass sounds deeper, but it just may be clearer..pretty hard to get real deep bass from a 5 1/4" sub. I used Kappa 462.9cfps instead of the ones he used here: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...+462.9cfp.html they are the 4X6 plate version of the same speaker, less expensive, and you don't have to RTV them to the blank covers, either. The "plate" part is plastic, easy to cut to match the blank covers (you HAVE to be handy with a Dremel or equal to install all these speakers, nothing is a direct install), the covers have screw stand offs that have to be shortened, but allow you to screw the plate to the cover and seal the speaker to the cover with self stick door insulation. The covers are Porsche part number 996-645-049-02-01c and are $21.31 each from Sunset. The sound difference is very significant. Though louder than the stock setup, IMHO the volume is still lower than what I'd want for really rocking, but certainly more than just "adequate".

RallyJon

These threads always come down to two camps:

1) those who feel that if the music coming out of the speakers sounds good, it IS good.

2) those who consider themselves audiophiles, and compete like teenage girls checking out each others brands, labels and credit card receipts to see who's "best dressed".

It's kind of like wine, when you think about it. Except even fewer people can appreciate high end audio in a car than can appreciate great wine. And a $30 cab will taste pretty damn great for 99% of the wine drinking population just like the stock amp and speakers are just fine for 99% of the people here asking audio questions.

If people are really enjoying a $10 bottle of chardonnay, would you walk over and tell them that they better buy a Puligny Montrachet if they really want to enjoy wine? Of course not. So why do the same with amps and speakers?

Great audio in a small, noisy sportscar? Better drink that Puligny Montrachet out of a beer stein with a straw.

AndyK

Good points. I remember my 944's, when I replaced the speakers, added a sub, and changed the HU to an Alpine - and it STILL sounded like crap! I think my Honda system sounds so much better because it has 2 large speakers on the back shelf, 2 decent sized door speakers, and 2 dash tweeters. Good low end, pleasant to listen to. The 996 has 4 tiny speakers and 2 door subs that really don't work very well. Hence, the weak sound.

I really have no intention of gutting the wiring and replacing everything. I don't want a sub woofer. I just want better sound than what I am getting now. But it seems I can't buy a new HU without getting a new amp. And if I get a new amp, I have to replace the speakers. And since they don't make direct replacments, I would have to pay someone a fortune to install the new speakers and amp....etc.

Maybe I'll just listen to the engine more!

rpratt

I'm basically the opposite of a "golden ears" audiophile. I thought the CDR220 sounded OK, and that the X305 also sounds OK.

I upgraded because I really wanted a better UI for my iPhone, the ability to charge it while listening, etc. Sound quality was not the motive.

Bob

AndyK

I "hear" ya. I'm tempted to buy a modern HU and just say WTF, and leave the stock stuff in place.

Then I read somewhere that the stock amp likes a LOW level input signal. If I buy a new HU with 4V or 5V preamp out, I might overload the amp and cause even worse sound! Anyone confirm or deny this?

Tippy

The CDR-220 sounds like garbage, it is all mid-lows and mid-highs. If it were a EQ, the settings would resemble a bell curve.

I cant imagine just replacing the speakers and calling it a day.

The Kenwood I was mentioning Andy has "system Q", a sound processing/EQ functionality that allows 12 bands of equalizing.

What I mean is, is you can tune out the harsh frequencies from the little-bitty drivers and boost the lows to compensate for the poor response they put out.

If you just change speakers, you still have a **** sounding signal being sent to great speakers IMO.

Of course, it is the sum of all the parts and speakers, HU, and amp would round out the package.

But, you said $300.

Tippy

Another thing, as many said, you will never have great sound, just better.

You would have to use a sound processor, mic up the car, and tune from there to get an audiophile sound.

rpratt

Well, I definitely don't hear any clipping, and I do listen occasionally to music at a high enough volume that if the HU were overloading the amp I'd expect to hear the problem. Basically, it all works fine, I just can't speak to the audiophile view of upgrading the head unit vs. the speakers vs. everything.

For what I wanted, the head unit upgrade was relatively cheap and easy, and has been working fine for a few months now.

Bob