if you are keeping your factory speakers you will not gain much with a new amp

 

I did exactly this recently, went for the AVIC BT130. I like the bluetooth, NAV, Pandora and I have it linked to a USB hub. Interface is pretty snappy although I'm not wild about the little buttons on the unit. Note there is a BT140 due to come out, I think the only gain is interface to Android (The BT130 has the Apple interface).

On the amp side you need an amp stable down to 2 Ohms and you have to rewire the Bose box bass speaker to achieve 2 Ohm (it is 1 Ohm from the factory) if you have this. I have been conservative so far and tried to keep the original speakers and speaker wiring. I even kept the amp connector intact and ordered the right male pins to connect to it. I'm running 2 Pioneer GM-9500F 4 channel amps just to be different (I'm old school!). One is located in the old amp spot and the other where the CD changer is located. I have one of the amps in 3 channel configuration with the bridge going into the sub box.

I've got to tell you this setup is good but sounds a little thin, speakers coming in the next couple of months.

Take a look at Slider's posts, he helped me immensely.

 

So the dealership is telling me that I have bose speakers as one of the option that came with the vehicle. However, I didn't see the "bose" emblem on my door speakers. Could it possibily came off when the previous owner has the car? How easy is it for the emblem come off? Would this make a difference in sound quality...bose vs non-bose?

 

If you don't have Bose - they are 2 Ohm. Most Amps do both, but check to make sure.

 

That's what I thought.

 

There are DSP & Equalization circuits in the factory amplifier. A new amp will allow you to control this to your personal preference.

Even before implementing any speaker updates to me the system sounds better; more clarity and dynamic range

 

Presumably if you have an 03+ car with MOST, its not just as simple to plug in a new amp with factory speakers ?

Given my own amp seems to be giving up the ghost, I'm thinking aftermarket amp, but don't think its as easy to plug and play....

 

If you have Nav it is NOT plug and play. The OEM head unit must transmit the security code whenever power is removed from the head unit or AMP. If you replace the head unit, your amp will not talk to the new head unit without the code. If you have Nav and you replace the head unit, you have to either remove the amp or replace it. (I am talking about the pre-MOST systems) I don't know if the security code is required if you don't have Nav.

 

Thx - yes, have PCM2 and wanted to keep it but just replace stock amp (which is dead) with an aftermarked amp.

 

im looking to add a ouble din nav unit, most likely the avic unit. From your comment "I am happy with power of the stock amp. Why are you guys upgrading?" Do we need to instal any aditional equiptment when installin the avic unit??

 

If your car is equipped with MOST, then yes, you need to upgrade both head unit and amp.

 

'MOST"....Whats this, and how do i find if i have it?

 

MOST = Media Oriented Systems Transport, in the later model Porsches (2003+) this is fiber optic based. To be able upgrade the head or the amplifier one needs special converters that are not readily available. So most of us replace the amp when we want to exchange the head for more modern features.

I had MOST in mine, replaced the head unit and added amps. I wanted to avoid hacking the factory wiring so I sourced the male pins and adapted to factory connector for the majority of speaker wiring. Added an amp in the existing factory location. The 2 other pictures show the Bose MOST factory amp I removed from the car.

 

Danyol, nice job with the amplifier connections. I'm changing out my MOST system as well and struggling to find the correct pin connectors for the amplifier harness. What size pin connectors did you use, and where did you get them?

 

dumb question whre is the amp located...i have 02 tt? Im thinking the bose speakers are ok,,,bass sucks though so im leaving the speaks upgrading sub..likely JL steatlthbox for ease of use and a JL 750/1 amp and maye upgrade head unit so I can get sat radion and my howard stern lol