Rear speakers - How do I know if my amp is 6 ch. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

larryshomework · 03-21-2007, 03:34 PM

I have a 2002 Box with CDR-220 and Sport Package (includes rear storage box).

I've seen several threads about rear speakers and rear speaker upgrades - how do I know if I already have the appropriate amp?

Thanks

szentej · 03-21-2007, 04:24 PM

The amp you have probably does not matter. Most of the aftermarket rear speaker kits plug into the head unit.

Although there are 6 channel amps available, most Boxsters don't have that option. You could get one off of the auction site. Not a major modification required to make it work in your car.

Getting the rear speaker power from the head unit provides enough power to give your sound system enough of the fill needed to make your stero acceptable for top down, wind in your hair, permagrin experience.

Most of use just listen to the pleasures of driving this car.

John

husker boxster · 03-21-2007, 04:38 PM

If no one else has a better way to ID it without digging out tools, you can always remove 2 bolts and look at the rear panel of the amp. It will say 4x60 or 6x60. The first number indicates the number of channels. If you have a 4 chl, the rear spkrs are running from the radio. You will need to look at your amp anyway if you find you are a 4 chl and want to upgrade to a 6. There are 3 versions of amps (Bose, Harman, Haes) that could be used and you want to be sure to get the same version that's already in your Box. You can read the version without having to remove bolts (just can't see the # of chls). The amp is located between the spare tire and battery cover in the front compartment.

larryshomework · 03-21-2007, 05:23 PM

I didn't realize the kits would work with the 4 channel.

I have noticed that my head unit has a fader --- when changing the bias towards the rear, the sound goes away --- I assume that means it's trying to send signal but there is no speaker to receive it.

Tool Pants · 03-21-2007, 05:54 PM

First there was DSP in 1999. That had a 6 channel amp.

In 2002 DPS was replaced by Bose, another 6 channel amp piggy back.

In 2003 Porsche went to MOST, another 6 channel amp.

A 2002 with the standard amp and 220 radio will be 4 channel.

This is from my 8 years of failing memory.

husker boxster · 03-21-2007, 06:04 PM

Larry,
Do you have speaker grills or cubby holes in the corners of your rear shelf compartment? If you have cubby holes, you do not have rear speakers.
Terry

larryshomework · 03-22-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husker boxster

Larry,
Do you have speaker grills or cubby holes in the corners of your rear shelf compartment? If you have cubby holes, you do not have rear speakers.
Terry

I definitely know that I don't have the rear speakers - I was just under the impression that you needed the 6 channel for a rear speaker install. From all I can tell now, my car is compatible with the rear speaker kit.

MNBoxster · 03-22-2007, 02:23 PM

Hi,

If you have the M490 option (Speakers in Dash and Doors) vs the M441 Option (Dash speakers only - does anyone have this?), you have two amplifiers in the car.

The first is on the Radio Chassis itself which is 4 X 18 Watts. The second is the external Amp mounted under the Front Hood which is a (Swedish) HAES Verstarker - 4 X 40 Watts.

When adding the Rear Speakers on MY older than 2003, you are connecting to the Amplifier on the Radio Chassis. So your Dash and Door Speakers are powered by the external Amplifier and the Rear Speakers are powered by the Radio's own internal Amplifier. All connections for the Rear Speaker kit go to the Radio chassis.

On MY '03 and higher, you connect the Rear Speakers through the firewall and into the external Amplifier under the Hood. Source: Porsche TSB Group 9, #0301 9142 date: 8/22/03 Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

larryshomework · 03-22-2007, 02:27 PM

Interesting - so since I have M490 - is the amp in the radio/headunit currently powering anything - or is it more of a preamp for the external amp? (as noted above, I currently do not have rear speakers)

MNBoxster · 03-22-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryshomework

Interesting - so since I have M490 - is the amp in the radio/headunit currently powering anything - or is it more of a preamp for the external amp? (as noted above, I currently do not have rear speakers)

Hi,

Probably not doing a thing. You have a wiring harness with the kit and this just plugs into an open dock on the Radio Chassis...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

husker boxster · 03-22-2007, 02:45 PM

If you are planning on adding rears, you have 2 choices - an OEM kit and one named PNP. The PNP has better speakers but I found this out after I bought the OEM. Contact Harvey at harveypnp@comcast.net for details. Prices for either are in the $250-265 range. I luckily bought my OEMs for $200 on an ************************************************************ closeout. As MN said, you will need to connect them to the radio. They will fill out the interior sound but won't knock your socks off.

Once you've had them in for a while, be prepared for the next mod -- that 6 chl amp you were originally asking about. Mine is in the mail. This amp will allow you to run the rears with MORE POWER.

ehD · 03-23-2007, 12:12 AM

man i cant believe these dinky rear speakers go for 250 on ebay.. sigh the cost of customization