Is this car a 2019?
The sound aktor looks, odd....
The sound aktor looks, odd....
Cayman sound system upgrade (re-installed in Spyder now)
15
I'm ready to start the build on my Cayman!
My goals for this build is to keep an OEM look, but obviously improve the sound quality. I just want it to be subtle. Just like the color of the car:
I'll be repurposing some Hertz Mille ML1600 and ML280 for a 2-way active system. I want a subwoofer, but of course, limited in available diameter in the rear trunk. Most I can do is an 8". Based on the advice of my local shop, and their knowledge of my tastes, they suggested the JL Audio 8W7AE-3 (depth isn't nearly as much of a problem as height). I'll be doing a sealed fiberglass enclosure.
For signal, I'm using the NavTV Zen-V MOST-150 adapter, and will feed an optical signal to the amp/dsp. I know some people will choose to use high-level inputs and sum the channels, I think this is the better, simpler method.
I was planning to use the JL VX1000/5i to power it all, and actually ordered one. I know some other people have used them in their Porsche installs (991, etc), putting it under the passenger seat. I did a mock/dry fit, and I didn't feel comfortable with the amount of strain it would put on the pigtail cables.
As I was looking though, it's wider than I was expecting under there, and I believe I can fit two smaller amps, side by side. I'm instead going with the Audison AP F8.9 for the front stage, and the AP1 D monoblock for the sub. As a "bonus," I'll now have enough power and channels to go 3-way in the future if I wanted to
I may even just try the mids that are in there now. If I don't like it, I can just mute those channels, and everything would be ready to go if I chose to buy some better midrange speakers at some point.
Ok, onto the build! First up, sound treatment.
P.S. I ripped apart a brand new Porsche within a week of ownership. All my friends think I'm nuts for some reason
This car has the "Sound Package Plus" system, which is the "base." It consists of a 3-way front stage, and 2 rear speakers (tweeter sized). The woofers and the mids are in the door, and the front tweeter is on the dash, actually under the air vent modules. Here, you can see the woofer and mid:
The tweeters were more difficult to get to. Those vents are firmly held in place! I have to give a huge shout out to Elevated Audio, who were kind enough to help me figure out how to remove them. There are two sliding latches, four spring clips on the side, and one rear clip, all holding it in place. And between the shape and the **** windshield being in the way, there's no good way to get much leverage. When the clips are released, it comes up and out at around a 30 degree angle. Once it's out, the tweeters are simply clipped into place (it's not fully clipped in in this picture):
And here's what the vent itself looks like for anyone else trying to figure out how to get it out:
Now I just need to figure out how I'm actually going to mount the new tweeters. I'll definitely need to cut away some of the plastic that originally surrounded the OEM tweeter. More problematic, there's no screw holes that I found, which I could use to make an adapter. I think I might have to resort to using double sided mounting tape, or a glue or something similar. I'm not in love with any of those ideas though, and am open to suggestions if anyone has any other ideas.
BTW, in the SPP, the mids and the tweets look to be on the same channel (same colored wires). Good news though, running new speaker wires to the tweets is super easy and straight forward.
I also went ahead and took out the seats, some trim pieces, the carpet, and the head unit (PCM 4.0)
I finished up the day soldering some 16/4 speaker wire to eventually send signal from the new amp to the speaker locations in the doors.
Next, I'll probably focus on figuring out the tweeter situation, then maybe run power. Might be able to start on speaker adapters as well.
My goals for this build is to keep an OEM look, but obviously improve the sound quality. I just want it to be subtle. Just like the color of the car:
I'll be repurposing some Hertz Mille ML1600 and ML280 for a 2-way active system. I want a subwoofer, but of course, limited in available diameter in the rear trunk. Most I can do is an 8". Based on the advice of my local shop, and their knowledge of my tastes, they suggested the JL Audio 8W7AE-3 (depth isn't nearly as much of a problem as height). I'll be doing a sealed fiberglass enclosure.
For signal, I'm using the NavTV Zen-V MOST-150 adapter, and will feed an optical signal to the amp/dsp. I know some people will choose to use high-level inputs and sum the channels, I think this is the better, simpler method.
I was planning to use the JL VX1000/5i to power it all, and actually ordered one. I know some other people have used them in their Porsche installs (991, etc), putting it under the passenger seat. I did a mock/dry fit, and I didn't feel comfortable with the amount of strain it would put on the pigtail cables.
As I was looking though, it's wider than I was expecting under there, and I believe I can fit two smaller amps, side by side. I'm instead going with the Audison AP F8.9 for the front stage, and the AP1 D monoblock for the sub. As a "bonus," I'll now have enough power and channels to go 3-way in the future if I wanted to
I may even just try the mids that are in there now. If I don't like it, I can just mute those channels, and everything would be ready to go if I chose to buy some better midrange speakers at some point.Ok, onto the build! First up, sound treatment.
P.S. I ripped apart a brand new Porsche within a week of ownership. All my friends think I'm nuts for some reason
This car has the "Sound Package Plus" system, which is the "base." It consists of a 3-way front stage, and 2 rear speakers (tweeter sized). The woofers and the mids are in the door, and the front tweeter is on the dash, actually under the air vent modules. Here, you can see the woofer and mid:
The tweeters were more difficult to get to. Those vents are firmly held in place! I have to give a huge shout out to Elevated Audio, who were kind enough to help me figure out how to remove them. There are two sliding latches, four spring clips on the side, and one rear clip, all holding it in place. And between the shape and the **** windshield being in the way, there's no good way to get much leverage. When the clips are released, it comes up and out at around a 30 degree angle. Once it's out, the tweeters are simply clipped into place (it's not fully clipped in in this picture):
And here's what the vent itself looks like for anyone else trying to figure out how to get it out:
Now I just need to figure out how I'm actually going to mount the new tweeters. I'll definitely need to cut away some of the plastic that originally surrounded the OEM tweeter. More problematic, there's no screw holes that I found, which I could use to make an adapter. I think I might have to resort to using double sided mounting tape, or a glue or something similar. I'm not in love with any of those ideas though, and am open to suggestions if anyone has any other ideas.
BTW, in the SPP, the mids and the tweets look to be on the same channel (same colored wires). Good news though, running new speaker wires to the tweets is super easy and straight forward.
I also went ahead and took out the seats, some trim pieces, the carpet, and the head unit (PCM 4.0)
I finished up the day soldering some 16/4 speaker wire to eventually send signal from the new amp to the speaker locations in the doors.
Next, I'll probably focus on figuring out the tweeter situation, then maybe run power. Might be able to start on speaker adapters as well.
1 - 20 of 71 Posts
Pre 2019
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Yes, it’s a 2019 GTS. I’ve pulled the fuse for the soundaktor already though
4
Here they are:
About 8.5" front to back
Technically, 20" side to side, though the grounding screw takes up some space. I'd say 18 to 18.5" usable
Height/depth is also a concern. The front is taller than the back, and you'll need to be mindful of the seat rails that follow that angle
2.5" up front, and 1.5" in the back
10
Onto the build update! I was apprehensive about hacking up my brand new Porsche to fit the tweeters, so I did what any reasonable person would do: ignore it and work on something else! :laugh:
Used the trusty router to make some speaker adapters. First made templates out of MDF, then transferred that to acrylic. To get the depth I needed/wanted, I'm stacking a total of three layers. The first is 1/4", and will be the part that actually screws onto the door panel, then two 1/2" rings, slightly smaller in diameter. Used acrylic cement to bond them together, they're still curing right now. Should be able to drill/tap holes for the speakers and mount them up tomorrow.
And I went and picked up the new amps. They fit! And much better than the VXI
I was going to run power to them, but realized that they only accept up to 8 gauge wire. All I have on hand is 4 gauge. Sigh. Ordered some 8 gauge from KnuKonceptz. I can at least still use the 4 gauge to the distribution block. There's a handy OEM distribution block right in the passenger footwell. I liked it, so I put a ring [terminal] on it (That's a Beyoncé joke).
And the small distro block will be right behind the monoblock amp:
Well, that's all I can do until the 8 gauge arrives. Now what? Ugh, fine, tweeters.
This makes me nervous...
I ended up cutting away the plastic surround of the OEM tweeters, and pulled out the metal clips that held it in place.
But it looks like it's going to work!
As for securing them, I think I'm just going to have to use some double sided mounting tape and/or hot glue. I looked again for a way to mount them onto the removable vent piece instead, but there's not enough clearance there, and even if there was, with the way it slides back into place, it would interfere with other areas on its way into the dash.
I finished up the evening with soldering, more soldering, and even more soldering, for the connectors onto all the various end points.
Used the trusty router to make some speaker adapters. First made templates out of MDF, then transferred that to acrylic. To get the depth I needed/wanted, I'm stacking a total of three layers. The first is 1/4", and will be the part that actually screws onto the door panel, then two 1/2" rings, slightly smaller in diameter. Used acrylic cement to bond them together, they're still curing right now. Should be able to drill/tap holes for the speakers and mount them up tomorrow.
And I went and picked up the new amps. They fit! And much better than the VXI
I was going to run power to them, but realized that they only accept up to 8 gauge wire. All I have on hand is 4 gauge. Sigh. Ordered some 8 gauge from KnuKonceptz. I can at least still use the 4 gauge to the distribution block. There's a handy OEM distribution block right in the passenger footwell. I liked it, so I put a ring [terminal] on it (That's a Beyoncé joke).
And the small distro block will be right behind the monoblock amp:
Well, that's all I can do until the 8 gauge arrives. Now what? Ugh, fine, tweeters.
This makes me nervous...
I ended up cutting away the plastic surround of the OEM tweeters, and pulled out the metal clips that held it in place.
But it looks like it's going to work!
As for securing them, I think I'm just going to have to use some double sided mounting tape and/or hot glue. I looked again for a way to mount them onto the removable vent piece instead, but there's not enough clearance there, and even if there was, with the way it slides back into place, it would interfere with other areas on its way into the dash.
I finished up the evening with soldering, more soldering, and even more soldering, for the connectors onto all the various end points.
6
Small update
Had some techflex laying around, so I wrapped my power cables. Provides zero functional benefit, but it looks cool!
The 8 gauge wire came in, so I finished running power
I was searching for a place to mount the Zen-V, and was originally thinking on top of the PCM. Here's what the back of that looks like:
But by the time I plugged in all the other wires, and tried to put the PCM back into its hole, it didn't fit. I'll have to put it in the passenger footwell area instead.
I used the ZEN-V-PRG to reprogram the PCM to send signal out of the optical MOST plug, and while I saw light coming out, the radio itself showed a message "Audio not available." Hmm. In the instructions, there's a way to do a bit of a "hybrid," where it'll send signal out the internal amplified channels, and the fiber optics. I tried that, and that got rid of the "audio not available" message.
I think I'm also having issues with the ZEN-V module itself. When I first give it power, I see the toslink port light up, but after a few seconds, it goes dark again. I already checked, and it's at the latest firmware. I think it might be having issues properly decoding the MOST signal. I'll have to give them a call on Monday.
I did end up getting the tweeters mounted too! But in the excitement of it all, forgot to get pictures What I wound up doing was using double-sided mounting tape. One layer on the plastic bits of the car, to contour to that; then a couple pieces on the back of the tweeter itself. This seemed to provide enough coverage, material, and thickness to make a good enough adhesion. I can't lift it up with my finger, but if I needed to get it off to replace a bad tweeter, or just try something new, I'd still be able to. So, I'm happy with it.
I'm getting so close, I can taste it! Drilled and tapped holes in my speaker adapters. And on the LAST F$#[email protected]@[email protected]%* hole, my tap breaks off! I cannot express all the feelings, emotions, and cursing that followed.
And that concluded my day, I'm off to get a beer or three with some friends.
Had some techflex laying around, so I wrapped my power cables. Provides zero functional benefit, but it looks cool!
The 8 gauge wire came in, so I finished running power
I was searching for a place to mount the Zen-V, and was originally thinking on top of the PCM. Here's what the back of that looks like:
But by the time I plugged in all the other wires, and tried to put the PCM back into its hole, it didn't fit. I'll have to put it in the passenger footwell area instead.
I used the ZEN-V-PRG to reprogram the PCM to send signal out of the optical MOST plug, and while I saw light coming out, the radio itself showed a message "Audio not available." Hmm. In the instructions, there's a way to do a bit of a "hybrid," where it'll send signal out the internal amplified channels, and the fiber optics. I tried that, and that got rid of the "audio not available" message.
I think I'm also having issues with the ZEN-V module itself. When I first give it power, I see the toslink port light up, but after a few seconds, it goes dark again. I already checked, and it's at the latest firmware. I think it might be having issues properly decoding the MOST signal. I'll have to give them a call on Monday.
I did end up getting the tweeters mounted too! But in the excitement of it all, forgot to get pictures
What I wound up doing was using double-sided mounting tape. One layer on the plastic bits of the car, to contour to that; then a couple pieces on the back of the tweeter itself. This seemed to provide enough coverage, material, and thickness to make a good enough adhesion. I can't lift it up with my finger, but if I needed to get it off to replace a bad tweeter, or just try something new, I'd still be able to. So, I'm happy with it.I'm getting so close, I can taste it! Drilled and tapped holes in my speaker adapters. And on the LAST F$#[email protected]@[email protected]%* hole, my tap breaks off! I cannot express all the feelings, emotions, and cursing that followed.
And that concluded my day, I'm off to get a beer or three with some friends.
1 - 20 of 71 Posts
