Anyone try the rear speaker kit? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

CharlesGordon · 07-12-2002, 07:18 AM

I'm thinking it would be a great use of my $100 PCA discount--the kit seems a very good value at somewhere under the $200 requirement.

I've read the the sound fills much better. I'm hoping it means perhaps you don't have to blast the system as loud to be able to hear it cleanly. (Top down, of course)

Any before/after experiences with this?

-Charlie

JT · 07-12-2002, 09:19 AM

My car has the rear speakers in it. I must honestly say, that I do not see and added advantage to having them. Especially with thge top down. I would spend the money on another item.

Do you have a cd changer or mini disc changer ? If not, I have the necessary cable to connect one of these units. In my old Boxster I installed the mini disc changer and bought two cables. I will give the cable away for free to anyone going to install the changers. By the way, buy the Sony mini disc changer which is what is stated in the owners manual. Its a plug and play item with the cable.

JT

CharlesGordon · 07-12-2002, 02:18 PM

I know in my previous car, you couldn't "hear" that the back speakers were doing anything--until you cut them out. Then the soundstage collapsed and the front didn't sound so nice. Just my idea--it would be easy enough to try out.

ehljags · 07-13-2002, 04:05 PM

I am also thinking about the same thing. I was hoping for some improvement as Porsche builds great cars, but sound systems are not their expertise.

Actually, I really want to install a good aftermarket system, including custom installed/designed sub in the passanger footwell, bigger amp (300+ watts), better performing/sounding head unit, and improved dash and door speakers.

Contacted my local Porsche dealer and discovered any electrical mods will put your warranty in jepordy -- yuck!!

Ed

RobFigler · 07-19-2002, 05:18 AM

Charlie,

I put the rear speaker kit in my '01 S. It only adds marginally to the sound quality in the car. In fact, I usually just turn off the radio when the top is down at highway speeds...

I'm my opinion, the rear speakers are either real inefficient or the Becker head unit under powers the rear channels (or both).

Prior to the install I was hoping for the "ahhh- that's much better" effect but alas all I managed was a "maybe I need a bigger amp?"

You are welcome to take a listen to mine to hear for yourself. Perhaps at the next NCR-PCA Autocross event? Or drop me a line and we'll make a plan....

cheers,

-rob

JT · 07-19-2002, 07:14 AM

All,

Just in case you were interested in the cables. I have given thenm away to ehljags

JT

Chris986S · 07-21-2002, 08:40 PM

Since I don't usually try to vibrate the windows of cars driving next to me, I feel like the rear speaker kit was a big improvement. The cost is minimal and the install was a breeze. Also, if you already have the rear storage compartment, it keeps a nice stock look. Just like the previous post, I prefer to listen to the engine when the top is down.

donv · 08-03-2002, 09:26 AM

Charlie,

I did the kit and am reasonably happy with the results (especially given the price). If you're going to go to the effort I would definitely recommend adding tweeters to the set up when you do it. I find the mids and bass to be improved (though not the "wow" I'd expected, like Rob) but the highs are only coming from the front dash speakers. I plan to take mine apart and add the tweeters in the off season.

In the interest of giving something back to the Boxster community (that helped me with lots of helpful on-line info before I bought my car), I took digital photos throughout the process of installing the kit - with the intention of writing the process up for the "hacks" site. Alas, due to "domestic relations" work (house painting, papering - why I couldn't make the ride last week

), I haven't got around to finishing the web page yet. I'd be happy to forward you the scans of the tech bulletin pages and the photos of the work, if you want them, so you can see exactly what the job entails. Let me know.

The most unsettling thing for me was cutting off the outboard bin pockets from the $400 storage bin with a dremel. I kept thinking "measure/model twice, cut once" the whole time... on the other hand, it did give me a good reason to take off the engine cover for a nice look around in there

.

I don't know if this is related, but I've recently noticed that the driver door glass buzzes with two specific CDs (must just contain the exact problem frequencies!) - is this a common problem or something I should be having the dealer look into? I'm not blasting the stereo, just a reasonable listening volume with good old B.B. King, et al. Anyone else notice this?

-Don

donv · 08-09-2002, 09:45 AM

OK, the interest in the kit inspired me to complete my "hack" write-up. The pictures and information is now available through Boxster Bob's "Hacks" site at http://www.iq.dynip.com/~gary/hacks/speaker/speaker.html

.

While this site is linked to from the left panel here on the Boxster Forum site, I had trouble with opening the the PDF files in my hack if I navigated there using that link. If I load the URL directly in a different browser window, all works fine.

-Don