I just took possession of my 2017 718 Boxster S and noticed a grill behind each seat that looks like a speaker grill and yet no sound comes out of it. I checked the fader for the sound system but it won't let me fade back there so it isn't a matter of adjusting that. Is this a possible future location for two speakers to be added to my Sound Package Plus with only 110 watt output? Not looking for anything crazy just a little more of a surround sound in the cabin....particularly when the top is down.
Grills behind seats on Boxster S
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cgreaves, I have the same question. Should be doable to wire the speakers and as you suggest, the PCM has a fade function even without speakers being present. So, my question is whether the base PCM sound system has rear speaker connections, and whether the system will see the speakers if added. The answer to each of these should be "yes" knowing OE's configure systems for multiple options, even the ones you don't buy. Might need a trip to the dealer to retrain the system to see the speakers as well. If the base system already has connections, a schematic would be appreciated if someone knows. I do know from previous experience that Porsche sound systems seem to be interchangeable across models and years, as in a plug and play OE radio lifted from a 986 installed into a 993. The system recognized the OE CD player in the 993 which was not present in the 986.
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I've sold my 718S now but I'm pretty sure I did have some but very very little sound coming from those rear speaker grills, at least with Bose. However, it was next to useless with Sports Plus seats pushed right back. Or was it just the base resonator coming from the back which you can't actually hear much, just sort of moves air about or something, technical stuff someone might explain.
I added rear speaker to my '01 Boxster S and it made a lot of difference. The rear speakers (after market) on that vehicle were installed in a little cubbie that was underneath the windshield and behind the two seats. They were higher than the grills on the 718 but still behind the seats somewhat as I recall. They were small speakers but gave enough sound to make you feel you were immersed in the sound....sort of like headphones.
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@cgeaves : You've stumbled upon one of the key differences between Cayman and Boxster that's new for the 982/718 generation: In cars with the base SPP (Sound Package Plus), the Cayman has rear speakers, but the Boxster does not. (That difference disappears with the Bose and Burmester upgrades.) In previous generations, the base audio included rear speakers in the Boxster.
(FYI: I've moved this thread to the Electronics, Audio, and Lighting subforum, where there are plenty of audio-related threads.)
A lot about the audio in the 718 is the same as in the previous-gen 981: Speaker locations (except the rear) being one. A lot is different, too, though: the base SPP audio does not have an outboard amp located under the passenger seat, for instance. This possibly partially explains why the Boxster does not have rear speakers (the Bose and Burmester upgrades each have a dedicated amp module under that seat). But it also likely means there are no speaker leads to the rear area -- at least to the rear grilles on the firewall. The Cayman's rear speakers are in panels just below the rear-side window, between the rear headrest and a sliding-door storage cubby. If any leads exist in a 718 Boxster with SPP, (no one's verified that I've seen), they are probably only routed to this area, not to the firewall.
(FYI: I've moved this thread to the Electronics, Audio, and Lighting subforum, where there are plenty of audio-related threads.)
A lot about the audio in the 718 is the same as in the previous-gen 981: Speaker locations (except the rear) being one. A lot is different, too, though: the base SPP audio does not have an outboard amp located under the passenger seat, for instance. This possibly partially explains why the Boxster does not have rear speakers (the Bose and Burmester upgrades each have a dedicated amp module under that seat). But it also likely means there are no speaker leads to the rear area -- at least to the rear grilles on the firewall. The Cayman's rear speakers are in panels just below the rear-side window, between the rear headrest and a sliding-door storage cubby. If any leads exist in a 718 Boxster with SPP, (no one's verified that I've seen), they are probably only routed to this area, not to the firewall.
Thanks for this detailed response Viffermike and thanks for moving this to the correct location! From canvassing the forum I did learn about the Cayman/Boxster difference. I have run miles of wiring, installed back up camera's, etc so I don't mind doing that. The two things I don't know is:
1. Will the smaller amp in the Boxster handle two more small speakers, and
2. What size speaker is designed to go back there
1. Will the smaller amp in the Boxster handle two more small speakers, and
2. What size speaker is designed to go back there
I'll answer the second question first: In my Cayman, which had the SPP, the two rear speakers were the same size as the front tweeters.
As for the first question, the issue would be impedance. If you wire them in parallel, it would reduce the impedance that the head unit/amp sees, and it's very likely to not be stable at the lower ohms. If you wire them in series, it'll have higher impedance which is safer for the amp, but as a result, you'll lose volume on the channels you tap into.
My understanding is that the Cayman and Boxster have completely different locations for the rear speakers so that may not be true for the Boxster. Also I have no idea what size the front tweeters are anyway. Surely Porsche has a resource for my gaining this info.
The tweeters are tiny, my guess is 3/4" or so?
Your bigger issue is going to be the impedance load though, I don't believe it is as simple as dropping in some tweeters/speakers. Furthermore, for what it's worth, for most high end sound systems, the rear speakers are ignored altogether for better staging.
To give you an idea, here's my thread of what I did for a full system replacement/upgrade: Cayman sound system upgrade
Your bigger issue is going to be the impedance load though, I don't believe it is as simple as dropping in some tweeters/speakers. Furthermore, for what it's worth, for most high end sound systems, the rear speakers are ignored altogether for better staging.
To give you an idea, here's my thread of what I did for a full system replacement/upgrade: Cayman sound system upgrade
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@phroenips is one of the go-to sources around here regarding upgrades. That said, I'll clear up a little misinformation: The rears apparently are the same size as the tweeters in the front, but they implausibly operate as full-range speakers. The midranges are technically 3.5 inchers, but most 4-inch drivers will fit.
All 718s share the same speaker locations as the 981:
Tweeters: In the left and right A/C vent nacelles just behind the vent itself. 3/4" is the technical size; many 1" domes will fit with little modification.
Midranges: In the doors near the door pull handle. 3.5" is the technical size; most 4" drivers will fit with little modification unless they are more than 2" deep.
Woofers: In the doors, forward and down from the midranges. 7" is the technical size, but many shallow-mount 8" drivers will fit with little modification.
In the 718 Cayman:
Rear fill: Directly below the rear side window. Size is the same size as the tweeters, but there is considerable depth to work with -- a larger speaker can fit here easily with some modification. These are full-range transducers in the SPP, and two-way components (tweeter, small woofer) in the Bose and Burmester upgrades.
In the 718 Boxster:
Rear fill: Directly behind the rear seats. Size should be the same as in the tweeters, though function is not.
In any 718 with the Bose or Burmester upgrade:
Subwoofer: Ported transducer type mounted under the front dash directly behind the ignition key/tab, to the left of the steering wheel.
Amps:
SPP: Integrated op-amp chipset inside the head unit; analog outputs (This is why it's generally the best for aftermarket upgrades)
Bose/Bumester: MOST 150 bus-controlled fiber optic digital amp module, mounted under the passenger seat -- a location that's empty in SPP-equipped cars, making it a good location to consider for smaller aftermarket amps/DSP units.
All 718s share the same speaker locations as the 981:
Tweeters: In the left and right A/C vent nacelles just behind the vent itself. 3/4" is the technical size; many 1" domes will fit with little modification.
Midranges: In the doors near the door pull handle. 3.5" is the technical size; most 4" drivers will fit with little modification unless they are more than 2" deep.
Woofers: In the doors, forward and down from the midranges. 7" is the technical size, but many shallow-mount 8" drivers will fit with little modification.
In the 718 Cayman:
Rear fill: Directly below the rear side window. Size is the same size as the tweeters, but there is considerable depth to work with -- a larger speaker can fit here easily with some modification. These are full-range transducers in the SPP, and two-way components (tweeter, small woofer) in the Bose and Burmester upgrades.
In the 718 Boxster:
Rear fill: Directly behind the rear seats. Size should be the same as in the tweeters, though function is not.
In any 718 with the Bose or Burmester upgrade:
Subwoofer: Ported transducer type mounted under the front dash directly behind the ignition key/tab, to the left of the steering wheel.
Amps:
SPP: Integrated op-amp chipset inside the head unit; analog outputs (This is why it's generally the best for aftermarket upgrades)
Bose/Bumester: MOST 150 bus-controlled fiber optic digital amp module, mounted under the passenger seat -- a location that's empty in SPP-equipped cars, making it a good location to consider for smaller aftermarket amps/DSP units.
I don't have any pictures of it, but I can definitively say that in the Cayman, with SPP, those rear speakers are the same size as the front tweeters.
It would be awesome if Porsche had pre-wired for rears in the 718 Boxster. I had to replace the serpentine belt in my 2001 Boxster and to do that I had to take the passenger seat out and remove the firewall just to get to it. I am assuming getting to the rear grills in the 718 Boxster I might have to do the same but maybe it is easier than that. Anyone know?
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Really? Drivers less than an inch wide, in a full-range diaphragm/cone speaker? That doesn't make sense, especially considering the room underneath the mounting location in the Cayman. Hmmm ...
My post above has been edited to reflect this. I'm just incredulous ... but I can see how a driver that small could be used for rear fill. Not sure I'd do that, but I can see how ...
I would love it if that were true. I have no sound from my rear speaker grills and thought that I would check the fader. I just tested this again to be sure I have not spoken incorrectly earlier. The fader control will allow me to fade left and right but if I try to fade front or rear it just pops right back to the center point. I assume that is because there are no rear speakers hooked up. OF course it won't let me go front either.
Yeah, I definitely wouldn't call it "proper" rear fill (which would be differential L-R signal, somewhere between 500-2500 Hz only). Rather, they are simply rear speakers, playing "full range," but in reality, probably only 3-4KHz+ with an inline capacitor acting as the high pass filter)
As far as I know, there aren't any changes to the PCM between the Cayman and the Boxster, but I would be surprised if they ran speaker wires for an SPP-equipped vehicle. Those speaker locations in the Boxster are only populated in the Bose and Burmester options, which places the amp under the passenger seat, so it'd be a different wiring harness anyway.
Best picture I have are these. The speaker connections are going into the yellow colored section in the plug that's in the lower left of this picture:
EDIT: if memory serves, the green pair and the purple pair were the ones going to the rear on my Cayman. Don't quote me on that though!
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For the BOSE system can that amp be swapped? Do I have to if I replace the stock BOSE speakers?
You don't have to replace the speakers, but you would need to have some way to get the signal to your new amp such as a NavTV Zen-V module. Also, FYI, the tweeters in the Bose system are generally considered the weakest link.
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