Sound System upgrade

[atownusa]

Hey all, curious what people have found in terms of upgraded sound systems for a G-era 911?

Yes, I'm aware that I should just be listening to the sweet sweet sounds of the fabspeed exhaust... this is only in those rare cases that music enhances the drive.

I'm looking at getting the new/classic bluetooth head unit:
https://www.*************.com/product/SKUCLASSIC.html

Then looking at speakers, does anyone have experience with these "authentic" upgraded speakers? https://www.*************.com/product/SKU964DRSPKR.html

Any advice is much appreciated (and pics are always welcome)!

[jrwilson]

The Porsche Classic headunit is terrible - it doesn't stay in BT when you turn the car off and back on again so you have to select it every time. Also it is ridiculously overpriced for what you get. The Carplay screen is unreadable at that size and angle.

Also, go for third party speakers. The build thread in my sig has my stereo install - I went with the Blaupunkt option. Looks factory, works perfectly.

[atownusa]

Originally Posted by jrwilson

The Porsche Classic headunit is terrible - it doesn't stay in BT when you turn the car off and back on again so you have to select it every time. Also it is ridiculously overpriced for what you get. The Carplay screen is unreadable at that size and angle.

Also, go for third party speakers. The build thread in my sig has my stereo install - I went with the Blaupunkt option. Looks factory, works perfectly.

Thanks for the reply, and nice build!
Could you share links to your head unit, speakers, sub please?

[dubby911]

I would suggest to you that if you wanted to upgrade a sound system you might want to go a sound specialist. In my opinion Porsche is no sound specialist

[wildthing]

If I had unlimited budget, I'd redo my door panels and get new separates, a 2 channel amp and a powered sub under the seat, and a new head unit.

I ended up with separates that fit into the existing holes (Morels I believe), a 4 channel amp and I continued to power the stock rears just to fill the sound. Also changed the head unit to Alpine. No sub.

[ahendy]

I actually think the Porsche Classic head unit is excellent — albeit, admittedly very expensive.

I use it exclusively with CarPlay and find it works well. Yes it's small but it's the price you pay to have CarPlay in a single DIN size.. works well enough for me and I've never struggled to read it.

[atownusa]

Originally Posted by ahendy

I actually think the Porsche Classic head unit is excellent — albeit, admittedly very expensive.

I use it exclusively with CarPlay and find it works well. Yes it's small but it's the price you pay to have CarPlay in a single DIN size.. works well enough for me and I've never struggled to read it.

Thanks for this opinion. With CarPlay, does that need to be connected via cable or does it work via bluetooth? Did you add speaker upgrades at all?

[Joesmallwood]

These items have been the perfect sweet spot for me:

https://www.amazon.com/VDO-Continental-TR7412UB-European-Bluetooth/dp/B08D2R48HZ/ref=asc_df_B08D2R48HZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459655627338&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1827594599313804470&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016466&hvtargid=pla-957284366838&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084HLVFFK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D5JYGDP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BQSTMCB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The head unit is super simple, but I only use it with bluetooth. I don't even have antenna anymore.

The amp is awesome and has self tuning DSP that I have connected to the woofers and tweets that are mounted in the door. It puts the soundstage right where it's supposed to be and sounds great even with the sub off.

The sub fits nicely under my passenger seat and compliments that other components really well. It's powerful enough to overwhelm the cabin, but I have it throttled back to round out the low end - just right.

I have speakers in the back deck and drive these with the head unit, but I have these turned down to the point where you can't even hear them - which is perfect for the sound stage. The back speakers are too small to do much more than ambient fill.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

[ejp]

I've had both versions of the Porsche Classic head unit. I wrote a detailed review of the latest one here.

The short: It has flaws that make it terrible to live with, IMO. If you don't care about usability, don't use your car often, don't need to be able to see the screen in anything other than complete darkness, and just want to spend $1,000+ on something that has "PORSCHE" stenciled on it...definitely buy it. After all, Singer puts it in their cars.

I've gone through at least a half dozen head units in this car. For my car, the Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB looks correct in G-body cars and works better than any others that I've used. I highly recommend that you check it out.

[mziggy16]

I upgraded my ‘87 with a Continental head unit and Infinity Reference speakers. My goals were to maintain a reasonably close factory look, drill no new holes and be able to clearly hear music/podcasts when I want to.

Continental TR7412UB-OR purchased from Bergvillfx (great support if needed)
Infinity Reference REF-6432cfx (from Crutchfield)
Infinity Reference REF-5032cfx

So far so good, although I haven’t driven it for a month due to a clutch and AC project. Soon though!

[FA-18C]

Close to same, bought head unit from sonderwerks, focal components in door and JBLs is the rear. Sounds very good, reasonable $$s. It’s a Targa so more $$s won’t really be heard.

[Anjizkit]

Originally Posted by mziggy16

I upgraded my ‘87 with a Continental head unit and Infinity Reference speakers. My goals were to maintain a reasonably close factory look, drill no new holes and be able to clearly hear music/podcasts when I want to.

Continental TR7412UB-OR purchased from Bergvillfx (great support if needed)
Infinity Reference REF-6432cfx (from Crutchfield)
Infinity Reference REF-5032cfx

So far so good, although I haven’t driven it for a month due to a clutch and AC project. Soon though!

Oh I was looking for this info.
- Did you have to drill holes for front or back?
- the front speaker has a “box” inside the door panel, did you have to remove them?
- did you use both the set of speaker covers?
- any pictures or final install?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Schulisco]

I recommend to think about one of these active subwoofers before any other actions. They bring by far the best bang for the buck and the effect is gigantic compared to effort and costs. Because most of the radio sound for driver and passenger comes from the door speakers in a 911 and therefore it lacks on bass due to the small size of the speakers and an open rear. And the rear speakers are too far away and the room underneath the back wall lining is very limited to create bass.

Although those subwoofers only are able to play up to 160Hz or a bit more this enrichens the sound incredible. Choose one with a remote control urgently to adjust it easily while sitting in the car at any time. I have a Pioneer TS-WX120A, nla, successor are the 130/140.
The only problem is to find a good mounting place in a 911. I placed it underneath the drivers seat (passenger side has the lambda ecu), but I can't recommend this place because the the woofer vibrates uncomfortably underneath on higher volume. I plan to place it somewhere else, e.g. under the dashboard or even in the front trunk - but I don't know how well the sound even will be then.
Head unit: Blaupunkt brought next the already known Frankfurt (new) and Bremen another black matte finish 1DIN head units: Skagen, Stockholm, Nuremberg (Nürnberg), Essen etc. They differ on the options. They're in a more simplified styling, also with black matte finish, a bit cheaper, some come with a MP3/CD drive, USB, DAB, some have b/w display only, others a mulicolor lumination to match car's dash lightning. Don't know if they're available in the US, the US Blaupunkt website doesn't list them unfortunately. Check out the german/european website for more details.

Thomas

[Koizumi]

I did the Continental with Focals x4 and Sub under the passenger seat, 2 amps and LOC on the underside of the wood foot panel. Wired the mic to the visor, works great.

Aesthetically, the unit is perfect, especially with the Bergvill Porsche sticker!

Sounds phenomenal (audio fanatic for decades) for what the little German bucket can handle - especially with the powerful Fabspeed Supercup.

[tschall]

We've had the Blaupunkt SQR DAB 46 for two years now, paired with 4 Rockford Fosgate speakers and two dome tweeters. It is great in all aspects, ease of use, sound quality, especially period looks. Total system price less than $755. Installation was simple, almost plug and play. +1 for the combo.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by atownusa

Hey all, curious what people have found in terms of upgraded sound systems for a G-era 911?

Yes, I'm aware that I should just be listening to the sweet sweet sounds of the fabspeed exhaust... this is only in those rare cases that music enhances the drive.

I'm looking at getting the new/classic bluetooth head unit:
https://www.*************.com/product/SKUCLASSIC.html

Then looking at speakers, does anyone have experience with these "authentic" upgraded speakers? https://www.*************.com/product/SKU964DRSPKR.html

Any advice is much appreciated (and pics are always welcome)!

Maybe not exactly what you are looking for but here is what I have done-

86 Coupe w/ a lot of miles. Been driving this summer with the windows down so bare with the dusty interior. Not to mention this was a trial run on the install, as I have a whole new interior to install (new dash, new seat material, new deck lid covering, carpets, etc).

Upgraded everything and installed myself (which was a first) and it's the best thing I've done for usability. Being in south Texas I am on the highway a lot just to get out of the state.

I also ride an adventure bike and drive an old Land Rover and grew up with motos and sports cars...the days of "listening to the sweet sweet sounds of the fabspeed exhaust..." are behind me, especially doing serious miles in these cars and on bikes.
Not to mention...you can always turn the volume down, off...

I kept trying to install period correct equipment and avoiding any cutting or rewiring but I finally just searched high and low for tasteful components and am very happy. Plus I have the right wiring, the right fuses and feel a lot safer in that regard. Agree with others, don't rule out a professional. I am lucky to have this car to practice on before my interior upgrades...so. Food for thought.



Windows down, doing 80mph and I can clearly hear "insert your music taste here" and love it.






Photos:









EDIT: Most of this is a mixed bag, my other cars are also older Kenwood headunits, and Focal everything else. These Alpine component speakers really were the only ones at a fair price, to do what I wanted. So, my system is a bit of a Frankenstein mish mash, but it sounds very good and actually get good sound out of the rear speakers which I know everyone usually writes those off...


Best of Luck,
Erik

[FA-18C]

atownusa - you have many directions you can go, depending on goal and budget (a lesson in obviology...). The Continental (and Bremen and PCCM) looks appropriate for the era. Focal has components that work in the door with the factory holes and mounts - so look OEM and correct. The rears there are Infinity, JBL and Focal (and others) options that are shallow enough and drop in with the existing covers. I had to buy new frames for the rear as the heat cycles made them crumble - available from dealership. I have heard great reviews for all mentioned, the Continental was my choice because I am cheap, and its a noisy Targa. Plenty of power to drive everything and actually sounds decent with the windows up. I ran the plug in microphone into the ashtray and wedged it between the dash and knee pad. Surprising noise cancellation and if the windows are up I can have a hands free conversation at highway speed.

There are some badass stereos, but again, its a Targa, and my hearing after 20+ years of flying from and living under the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is no longer Audiophile calibrated. The modern stereo is awesome - I primarily stream Pandora because again, I am cheap and it is free.

[mike sampsel]

Go with an active sport cat, you won't care if you can hear the music. my 2 cents

And the interior will remain stock. The Blaupunkt is nice, but needs more power after the sport cat opens up under full throttle. Oh well, still on the fence about adding more amps.

[Michael7810]

I had a Kenwood media player and 4 Rockford Fosgate speakers installed in the stock locations. It sounded OK but I really wasn't happy and rarely turned it on. One day while driving past the shop that installed it I stopped by and talked to the owner and he convinced me to add an amp. So $800 later I had a Fosgate 300watt amp under my passenger seat and the difference was dramatic. Sound quality was way better and now I enjoy listening to it.

[Tremelune]

After spending an inordinate amount of time finding a good-looking (and expensive) head unit that fit in my classics, I've ditched them for hidden powersports bluetooth receivers and have never looked back...I only listen to music from my phone, and all I need is track skip and volume control.

There are some with a stalk you can install just about any OEM knob on...In my other car I used a Vox guitar amplifier knob. With an amp under the seat and a little bluetooth button, you're good:

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mgb-and-gt-forum.1/early-stealth-bluetooth-stereo-install.4266328/

I used to try and get a subwoofer in somewhere, but I'm finding that a good set of 6.5" speakers in doors that have some amount of treatment get a long way down the road...particularly in a car that almost can't be made quiet. If you have to stick with 5.25", even a little underseat sub can do a fair amount.

Shelf speakers are right out—they add no bass in stock trim, and just confuse the sound stage. Better to spend the effort up front on a pair.