Porsche 997 Car Audio Upgrade.
The later Porsche 997 has the benefit of the PCM 3 Navigation system which brings the advantage of Bluetooth and iPod control.
The standard system is reasonable but you will notice the bass struggles to keep up at higher volume levels as well as being uncontrolled and the mid-range/treble sound quality is just poor! The centre channel is also too loud, which has the effect of losing stereo separation. We have designed an upgrade which significantly improves all of these problems.
The factory system comprises of an 8” woofer in the bottom of the door and a 4” mid-range unit in the top of the door, along with tweeters and a centre channel on top of the dash.
The first thing we discovered is that there is virtually no sound deadening in the door at all, not good when it's being used as a subwoofer enclosure; come on Porsche, what where you thinking?!
The upgrade package basically consists of a set of 4” Focal components (our choice of 4” speakers every time), a JL 4 channel class D amp fitted under the bonnet, hidden behind a panel, a re-wire and a ton of Dynamat sound proofing. The factory woofer can actually perform very well when fitted properly.
The first photo shows the extensive Dynamat applied to the metal door frame, we also soundproof the inside of the door skin; this deadens the panel enabling the subwoofer to sound as it should without the door “ringing”. The second photo shows the sound proofing applied to the back of the door card as well as the new Focal mid-range fitted in the existing location.
The amplifier enables us to run the front end actively so we can add a subwoofer level control in the ashtray for “tweaking” the bass depending on what you are listening to, how fast you are driving and your mood!.
The first photo shows the JL amp fitted neatly under the bonnet where it will be hidden by the trim panel once it is set up. The second photo shows the Focal tweeter in the factory location before the trim is replaced. The install takes around a day and a half, the sound proofing being very time consuming yet essential.
The sound when finished is stunning, dramatically improved sound quality as well as a weighty controlled bass; the system holds together really well even at the very high volume levels that can now be achieved.
By adjusting the balance of the system during setup we are able to effectively tone down the over zealous centre channel, improving sound stage and stereo separation.
Highly recommended upgrade, fitted cost from £1349 inc VAT.
Click the link below to see a video demonstration of our upgrades.