996TT audio upgrade
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: Smithville, Texas
996TT audio upgrade
I posted this in the 996 Turbo forum as well.
My car recently hit 100,000 miles and is running great. Its a 2003 996TT. I am planning to keep this thing until I my kids take my license away from me. This is my daily driver, so I thought it might be time to upgrade the Bose/ Most system to something Double DIN, up to date nav, and decent sound. I geek on audio at home, the car is too loud to really enjoy music. I need Public Radio and traffic, Bluetooth, and to be able to plug an Apple product into it in case I'm road tripping.
I invite your recommendations. I think I would like to budget $1500.
My car recently hit 100,000 miles and is running great. Its a 2003 996TT. I am planning to keep this thing until I my kids take my license away from me. This is my daily driver, so I thought it might be time to upgrade the Bose/ Most system to something Double DIN, up to date nav, and decent sound. I geek on audio at home, the car is too loud to really enjoy music. I need Public Radio and traffic, Bluetooth, and to be able to plug an Apple product into it in case I'm road tripping.
I invite your recommendations. I think I would like to budget $1500.
Race Car
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 164
From: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
There are just too many options to list.
All of your major brands (Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, Clarion etc) have a plethora of choices with options to fit your individual needs.
Everyone has their favorites, usually the ones they actually own. Me included.
I would suggest going out, looking and trying what appeals to you.
All of your major brands (Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, Clarion etc) have a plethora of choices with options to fit your individual needs.
Everyone has their favorites, usually the ones they actually own. Me included.
I would suggest going out, looking and trying what appeals to you.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: Smithville, Texas
Now, the next decision are speakers and an amp. The only requirement now is to stay around $1000 and keep all the factory speaker grills and the Bose sub box which can be gutted if necessary.
Any recommendations?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Coconut Creek, FL
I installed the 8100nex a few days ago. The install is a clean look and fits great in the car. I am still getting used to all the options and features as its only been a few days. I installed a backup camera as well as all my other recent cars had this and got so used to it.
Install was simple using the Kit I bought from custominstallparts.com which I was a bit nervous using as it was half the price of others advertised. In this case you dont have to spend a lot to get what you need.
I have a OnePlus phone which has Android os and love the Android Auto feature. I can voice operate almost everything I need.
I will report back in a week or so after I have had enough time to evaluate the radio.
The factory radio must have know it was being replaced. Every time I turned on the car a new radio station was playing and none of the buttons on the radio worked. Only the volume button worked. Fun feature Porsche!
Install was simple using the Kit I bought from custominstallparts.com which I was a bit nervous using as it was half the price of others advertised. In this case you dont have to spend a lot to get what you need.
I have a OnePlus phone which has Android os and love the Android Auto feature. I can voice operate almost everything I need.
I will report back in a week or so after I have had enough time to evaluate the radio.
The factory radio must have know it was being replaced. Every time I turned on the car a new radio station was playing and none of the buttons on the radio worked. Only the volume button worked. Fun feature Porsche!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I replaced the dash and rear speakers with a set of 4" Polk speakers from BestBuy. Good upgrade for $160.You'll have to modify the stock speaker grills a bit to make aftermarket speakers fit but nothing hard at all. I added a self powered Kenwood Sub behind my seats and like it enough but really want to add a Basslink-they work excellent.
Since the hard part of the work for the sub is done then definitely replace the Bazooka with another self powered sub. It will take you maybe 10 minutes to swap them out and anything will sound better.
Swapping the amps might make a difference to justify the expense and hassle but I don't think you can justify it.
I'm one of those people that HATES aftermarket stereos, everytime I buy one I regret it and I've installed/worked on about 20 car stereo systems.
My next plan is to buy a set of component speakers and install the tweeters in the dash next to my new coaxials and install the woofer in the doors to replace the stock ones.
So, buy some 4" speakers and swap them. $200 for four will do a lot for you. Polks are nice and Infinitys too. Swap the sub without a doubt.
Then, decide if you want to replace the amp.
Since the hard part of the work for the sub is done then definitely replace the Bazooka with another self powered sub. It will take you maybe 10 minutes to swap them out and anything will sound better.
Swapping the amps might make a difference to justify the expense and hassle but I don't think you can justify it.
I'm one of those people that HATES aftermarket stereos, everytime I buy one I regret it and I've installed/worked on about 20 car stereo systems.
My next plan is to buy a set of component speakers and install the tweeters in the dash next to my new coaxials and install the woofer in the doors to replace the stock ones.
So, buy some 4" speakers and swap them. $200 for four will do a lot for you. Polks are nice and Infinitys too. Swap the sub without a doubt.
Then, decide if you want to replace the amp.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 17
From: SE Florida
You do realise in 2003 Porsche went to a total different interface which they call MOST. It basically is a fiber optic system. In order to get equipment to work you will have to do some rewiring.
I suggest you search the 996tt forum and see what it took to change out systems.
I suggest you search the 996tt forum and see what it took to change out systems.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 603
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
There's a few threads in the general 996 forum regarding replacing the MOST system as well. It may be worth a shot to check in there. I dislike the Bose system in my '03 C4S but I don't know which direction to go in with the replacement.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 815
Likes: 7
From: American Southwest
There's a few threads in the general 996 forum regarding replacing the MOST system as well. It may be worth a shot to check in there. I dislike the Bose system in my '03 C4S but I don't know which direction to go in with the replacement.
I know that Kenwood and Alpine have flatscreen aftermarkets that fit the 996 (I don't have the OEM GPS system and don't miss it from what I've seen). I do not, NOT however want a replacement that screams AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT SYSTEM. It's a Porsche, after all: Not my yellow '71 Gremlin.
I welcome any guidance, either for or against a given option. I recognize that the MOST system starting in 2003 makes the options and installation...interesting. Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 1
I installed the 8100nex a few days ago. The install is a clean look and fits great in the car. I am still getting used to all the options and features as its only been a few days. I installed a backup camera as well as all my other recent cars had this and got so used to it.
Install was simple using the Kit I bought from custominstallparts.com which I was a bit nervous using as it was half the price of others advertised. In this case you dont have to spend a lot to get what you need.
I have a OnePlus phone which has Android os and love the Android Auto feature. I can voice operate almost everything I need.
I will report back in a week or so after I have had enough time to evaluate the radio.
Install was simple using the Kit I bought from custominstallparts.com which I was a bit nervous using as it was half the price of others advertised. In this case you dont have to spend a lot to get what you need.
I have a OnePlus phone which has Android os and love the Android Auto feature. I can voice operate almost everything I need.
I will report back in a week or so after I have had enough time to evaluate the radio.