Rear Speaker Opinions

[larryshomework]

I'm getting ready to do a stereo upgrade on my 02 (M490).

For those of you that upgraded the door and dash, do you consider rears essential, nice to have or only a mild improvement.

I would imagine that imaging improves if the door speakers are "freed" up from the stock amp. Considering components with drivers in doors and tweeters (if 2 way) or tweeters and midrange (if 3 way) in the dash.

[pauldee]

Rears are ESSENTIAL! Especially for top-down driving. The stock door speakers are sub-woofers. I added rears and upgraded the dash speakers, but left the door subs alone. The depth of the speaker pockets in the dash will limit your options.

[blinkwatt]

I installed the OEM Rear Speaker Kit and love it! It only helps to fill the music,don't expect it to sounds like some concert right in your face.

Remember that it's a convertible so don't expect a competition level audio system out of it,no matter what gear you put in it.

[petechar]

I was planning to include rear speakers when I upgraded the sound system in my 2002 Boxster S, but the the fellow that that did the installation (new dash speakers, door speakers, amplifier, and a small, powered subwoofer under the passenger's seat) recommended against it. He said that he preferred the imaging without the rear speakers and did not use rear speakers in any of his cars. I had been referred to him as the best installation person in town so I went with his recommendation. I am very happy with the results. I can play the system loud with little distortion and it sounds great even with the top down. It is much better that the Harmon-Kardon system with rear speakers in my BMW. You might want to try upgrading your system without the rear speakers first and see if you are happy with it.

petechar

[blinkwatt]

Originally Posted by petechar

He said that he preferred the imaging without the rear speakers and did not use rear speakers in any of his cars.

That's a joke right?

[petechar]

No; he was not joking. I have been told that is the opinion of at least some audiophiles. I believe there was a similar opinion expressed in an earlier thread on this subject. I would be interested if anyone else has any information on this view.

As I mentioned in my earlier message, it was my original intention to install the non OEM rear speaker kit that many have described on this forum. The first fellow that I talked to at the installation shop had thought the rear speakers would be a good idea but the owner diagreed and I followed his advice. Regardless, I am very happy with the sound. From what others have said about the acoustics of convertibles, I didn't expect it to sound as good as it does.

petechar

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

I have the 6 speaker with rear speakers package and DSP that came with the car. When the top is down they seem to be a necessity. I find the only time I use my stereo is when the top is up which is very rare since it is not my daily driver. Can't hear much with top down except when sitting at a red light. My favorite music when in my Boxster is the sound of the engine between 4K - 6.5k rpm.

[JP-s-in st. louis]

I took my rear speakers out they sound like junk. I do have two 5 1/4" speakers in the door that I have not seen in any other Boxster.

That speaker box just sits in a box in the Garage next to the stock exhaust, stock shifter, and springs. I think it is time to sell off all this stuff.

[GoGo in SoFla]

which "small, powered subwoofer under the passenger's seat" ???

[petechar]

The compact, powered subwoofer is a JVC CS-BB2. You can see a description and owner reviews at the Crutchfield website. My installer said it was a tight fit and that it took 2-3 hours to install it.

petechar