A repeat client from the Vancouver area recently visited Ralph’s Radio to talk about upgrading his 2008 Porsche 911 audio system. The factory-installed stereo in this gorgeous red convertible couldn’t play loudly enough when the roof was down, and the radio didn’t have any modern infotainment features. We had a look at the vehicle and discussed the options we could employ to enhance the performance and technology in this 997 Porsche.
Stage One: Porsche 911 Audio System Upgrade
We see a lot of 911’s here at Ralph’s Radio. These cars are amazing to drive, making them a sought-after item. With that said, the sound systems are, unsurprisingly, unable to match the performance of the vehicle. For many of our clients, the best value upgrade is to install an eight-channel Audison Prima amplifier in the vehicle to provide the factory speakers with more power.
In the case of this 911 audio upgrade, the client wanted to take things further, so we chose an Audison AP4.9 bit to drive a set of new midrange speakers and tweeters in the dash, and an AP4 D amp to drive a set of eight-inch woofers for the doors. The 4.9 bit produces a healthy 70 watts per channel, and the 4D will deliver 260 watts to each woofer.
Stage Two: Audison Prima Speaker Upgrade
The addition of an amp is enough for many clients, but this customer wanted even better performance. As such, we installed a set of one-inch Prima AP 1 tweeters and four-inch AP 4 midrange speakers in the upper door location. Rather than adding a subwoofer to the vehicle, we installed Prima AP 8 eight-inch woofers in the doors. We treated the doors with Cascade Audio sound deadening material to improve the performance of the speakers and help reduce noise in the cabin.
Stage Three: Multimedia Radio Upgrade Solution
The last step in the project was to install a Kenwood eXcelon Reference Series DNX995S multimedia receiver in place of the factory radio. The 995S adds premium Bluetooth, support for high-resolution audio files and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. We used a Nav-TV dash kit to complete the radio installation.
Audio System Tuning and Delivery
With all the equipment installed, our team turned to the task of configuring the DSP in the AP4.9 bit to optimize the system for the vehicle’s acoustic characteristics and the client’s listening preferences. The result is an amazing sound system that offers realistic tonal balance and impressive imaging. It’s like sitting at the console of a world-class studio. If you are looking to enhance the features and performance of the stereo in your car, drop by Ralph’s Radio in Vancouver or Victoria and speak with a member of our sales team. You can also reach us by phone or by e-mail using our online contact page.
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