cj225 Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Why would you want to do this? So, flash back to my original naive self. I'd bought the Boxster as an early birthday present, and the other half was asking what I wanted for my birthday. She'd apparently already ear-marked a stereo, so we were stood in the local Halfords whilst I tried to look at what modern stereos were like. She pointed over to some Sony Xplod 6x9 speakers, and enquired "Will you need any speakers?". I nonchalantly dismissed this, saying "It's a Porsche that cost over £40k new - I think the speakers will be better than some Halfords cr*p". A regrettable comment. As it happens, Porsche weren't exactly playboys when the Boxster was designed. Quite the opposite - they were so skint they shared a lot of parts with the even-more-expensive 996 and had desperately quizzed companies like Toyota about JIT manufacturing, having previous been very Rover-like and buying 1 billion buttons they would fit to every model they made for a 40 year period. Part of this means that the speakers, which seem to have been mostly made in a Joint Venture between Nokia and Bacofoil. If you like a premium sound to your music, then this really is a must-do, if you're still running with standard dash speakers. Can I do them all? For the most part, the dash speakers are the brunt of the sound output. They are the only part of the system that is standard fit on all models, with the door speakers (premium sound) being extra, and also the engine cover also having optional speakers (rarer, though). Then there was the Bose addition on top of all that. For those blessed with door speakers, you might note that they don't do much other than, it seems, try and compensate for the lack of quality in the dash - adding only low end sound, almost like mini-sub woofers. That's my understanding, feel free to correct if you know different, but basically there's no point messing with the door speakers. Suggested Tools: - Selection of torx screwdrivers, or similiar, plus a posidrive - Some prying tools - a trim remover is useful, as it anything like a flathead screwdriver - A hacksaw or dremel - Strong glue, like a glue gun or epoxy resin - Optional: Soldering iron, heat shrink, insulation tape etc. - Patience Which Speakers? Most popular set seem to be Alpine SPG speakers, but I think this is because they were originally suggested/used, and the flock followed. Basically, any 4 inch speakers should fit, so I went with Fli 150w 3-ways, which came it under £20 delivered. Example of these is here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/FLI-Integrator-Triaxial-Coaxial-Speakers/dp/B003RALJJ6 These are the specific ones I used, with the original units above: Removing the Speakers * NOTE: SOME OF THESE PHOTOS AREN'T MINE, BUT WERE FOUND ON GOOGLE IMAGES! * The dash speakers are held in by two torx headed screws on each side - they are around a T25 bit from memory, and are a couple of inches long. It's useful to have 1/4 inch attachment bits and something for leverage here, as the screws nearest the windscreen are a pain due to access, but can also be quite tight. Once you've undone both screws, the speaker should easily lift out. You'll need to unplug the speaker connection. The speaker is then held to the grille/bracket via three screws. There will also be a small tweeter which you can leave in place, or remove. Your call. Unscrew the main speaker. You should now be greeted with the Baking Paper masterpiece. The speaker cover should now look something like this: You'll want to keep the mounting plate for the paper jobbies - so this is where it can be a bit less reversible. Cut the speaker out, including the plastic support braces. You'll want to leave the section which the multiplug is mounted on. You can either unsolder or snap off the speaker wires. This should leave you somewhere like this: We don't need or want the tarty covers for the speaker, and the Fli items come with a tweeter already positioned in the middle of the speaker. You may need to cut the tabs off the new speaker for it to fit into place. Mine were metal, and I used tin snips, but a Dremel might have been better in retrospect. With both items ready, the new speaker should now fit into the plastic mounting ring from the old speaker. If you find it doesn't, do some more trimming, before bonding/gluing the two together. If you're not sure how, consult the next pic. You'll also want to attach the new speaker's spade connectors to the multiplug that should still be attached to the old speaker's bracket. You can do with however you wish, but the more permanent solution should involve soldering. With the glue bonded/set, you should now be able to place the speaker back onto the cover and replace the retaining screws. Refitting should now be the reverse of removal. My Boxster had premium sound, and thus the Porsche Amp, and I remember it took a few off/on cycles before the speakers worked. It's the best £20 you'll spend improving your Boxster, should you still be using standard speakers. Normal stuff applies - take your time, don't do anything silly, don't cut your fingers off with the knife, don't attempt if you're a clumsy danger to yourself, and not my fault of BoXa.net's fault if you make a dogs dinner of it all! Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southy Posted December 20, 2016 Report Share Posted December 20, 2016 Great write up mate, I followed this exactly when I did mine, the sound output is much better and was one the best upgrades I've done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyderman8 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 The reason for the choice of Alpines as replacement drivers was they were supplied in a kit tothethercwith fitting rings by a company on the south coast. I bought the same drivers slightly cheaper through eBay because I was confident they would fit. I think they're very good quality and make an excellent replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj225 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 3 hours ago, spyderman8 said: The reason for the choice of Alpines as replacement drivers was they were supplied in a kit tothethercwith fitting rings by a company on the south coast. I bought the same drivers slightly cheaper through eBay because I was confident they would fit. I think they're very good quality and make an excellent replacement. That's kinda what i meant by "they were originally suggested/used, and the flock followed". When someone releases a 'kit', you tend to see lots of people sticking to the same thing. It's easy to believe that they were used for a specific reason, and thus are the only ones you should use. I reckon that the standard ones are so bad that even cheap market tat would sound excellent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That986 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 Does anyone have a link for the alpine kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj225 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 12 minutes ago, That986 said: Does anyone have a link for the alpine kit? http://www.jmgshop.com/9xx---porsche-boxster--996-dashboard-speaker-upgrade-kit-with-alpine-speakers-62-p.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That986 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 11 minutes ago, cj225 said: http://www.jmgshop.com/9xx---porsche-boxster--996-dashboard-speaker-upgrade-kit-with-alpine-speakers-62-p.asp Cheers for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyderman8 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 The originals seem to be a mix of makes: mine were Haes but some have been marked Nokia. And yes - they're all sh1t! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T24RES Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 The fitting kit is pricey for the Alpine kit ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj225 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 27 minutes ago, T24RES said: The fitting kit is pricey for the Alpine kit ? Indeed. Save yourself £105 and DIY, if you're capable It's not difficult, I promise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T24RES Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 I won't need them just yet, but I agree. A little diy for a real saving ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That986 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 I wanted to see what was in the fitting kit to get an idea of what's involved. After looking at it i'll diy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyderman8 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 1 hour ago, T24RES said: The fitting kit is pricey for the Alpine kit ? It sure is - even more expensive than when I did mine back in 2011. You can easily get a pair of the Alpines for £40 through eBay and instead of buying the mounting rings, you can butcher the old speakers to make them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southy Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 just like this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrker50 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Hi.my 987 hifi sounds proper cr*p.Is this mod for the 987.also do you not think having better door speakers would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrker50 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 In the 987 what do them 3 small dash speaker grills cover ? Its a winter plan to make it sound better.but cant find much info . I dont have a fade option only balance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bally4563 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 I have the Bose upgrade installed in mine, door speakers, sub woofer type thingy behind the seats, would this suggest though that the dash speakers would still be the same naff ones as described, and if so can they be replaced?Only on that Alpine kit link, it says and not Bose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris H1AVFC Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 On 18/12/2016 at 6:35 PM, cj225 said: Can I do them all? For the most part, the dash speakers are the brunt of the sound output. They are the only part of the system that is standard fit on all models, with the door speakers (premium sound) being extra, and also the engine cover also having optional speakers (rarer, though). Then there was the Bose addition on top of all that. For those blessed with door speakers, you might note that they don't do much other than, it seems, try and compensate for the lack of quality in the dash - adding only low end sound, almost like mini-sub woofers. That's my understanding, feel free to correct if you know different, but basically there's no point messing with the door speakers. Yes you can do them all its certainly worth upgrading the door speakers too & I spent a day redesigning my door sub enclosures to squeeze a 17 cm speaker in there (original useless sub is 13cm). All running of a Sony head unit as I ditched the amp & all my mods are unseen so everything still looks like it left the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrker50 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Does 987 have speakers in door and dash ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Araf Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 2 hours ago, bally4563 said: I have the Bose upgrade installed in mine, door speakers, sub woofer type thingy behind the seats, would this suggest though that the dash speakers would still be the same naff ones as described, and if so can they be replaced?Only on that Alpine kit link, it says and not Bose? Bose runs a weird impedance on their speakers. That's why the Alpine kit won't work with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrker50 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Without a bose i ment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris H1AVFC Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 1 hour ago, Mrker50 said: Does 987 have speakers in door and dash ? I believe the 987 is set up with 3 tweeters in the dash (not sure if the center one is a tweeter?) then a midrange & sub in the doors (bottom speaker is the sub). I think Bose are 2 ohm as opposed to every other manufacturer of speakers in the world who use 4 ohms.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrker50 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Thanks.so there must be a cross over.that explains why no fade control.so some new door speakers and tweeters in dash then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bally4563 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Just to say I was never over concerned as my set up sounds fine if not very good but Brotherhood of Man sounds good through any medium !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimk04 Posted January 4, 2017 Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 Are 986 bose dash speakers still this same garbage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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