993 stereo and speaker upgrade / refit

[Mr_Apples]

Hi All,

Early in the New Year I would like to replace the stereo head unit and speakers, both front (inc. tweeters) and rear, in my 993.

For the head unit, I don't need apple car play or sat nav (i'm happy to use my phone). I'm just looking to have DAB radio, Bluetooth phone & audio, and an external mic for hands free phone. Also something that looks good and in keeping with the 993.
For the speakers, i'm after something that can slot straight into the 993 original speaker cutouts and doesn't require any cutting/hacking of the door cards & parcel shelf. A speaker that delivers good base would be preferable, although i'm not particularly interested in having a separate sub woofer.

If you have any recommendations for the head unit and speakers, along with any good, tried and tested car audio installers in the Surrey / Hampshire region, that would be very much appreciated.
Additionally, any recommendations for phone holders that work well in a 993 would also be appreciated, although I'm not overly keen on ones that stick to the windscreen.

Many thanks,

Nick

 

[993JMA]

Hi Nick,

I don’t have the answer but I am in the same position - wanting to upgrade the stereo in my early 993. I am drawn moth like to the PCCM but the price is crazy - Becker units seem to be period but to me don’t look as good. Not got as far as checking out speakers but happy to share the journey when I do. Sadly at the other end of the country so no help on installers.

Good luck

Jason

 

[Mr_Apples]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for your reply. Agree, the PCCM is an obvious choice but price is crazy and in my mind you are paying for a lot of functionality that probably won't be used (or can't be used easily given size and location of the head unit in the 993 dash).

Hopefully we'll get some more input on this thread, but happy to keep you posted as I research and take the plunge!

Cheers,

Nick

 

[Chris_James]

I fitted a Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 DAB radio that has usb input, and bluetooth so links to phone etc for calls/music. Direct replacement and looks good, but does also need a DAB aerial that I fitted on rear passenger side window. Also looks right for car. Cost was around £500 for unit. I also upgraded front speakers at the same time. The backlight colour can also be customised to match the others on the dash.

Bremen SQR 46 DAB - Blaupunkt

Back to the Future! The newly launched cult car radio "Bremen SQR 46 DAB" with many new features! Over the years, some models have become true cult objects. This also applies to the legendary Blaupunkt "Bremen SQR 46" from 1986. We are now presenting the reinterpretation of the popular 1-DIN...

blaupunkt.com

 

[Mr_Apples]

Thanks Chris. Looks like a good option - a good article too! Do you happen to know if there is a non-DAB version that can use the exiting car aerial? Just a thought, that the radio stations I listen to can be streamed from the phone, so just wondering how necessary DAB is, and would also remove the need for running a DAB aerial and sticking it to the window?

Do you remember what speakers you went with?
Cheers

 

[Chris_James]

I don't think you have to have the DAB aerial, you would then not get the digital stations but OK for FM etc. and be able to stream from phone, although I only use it for music. I am sure whoever fits is can advise. I used Oxford Car Audio who were very good. Speakers were direct replacement and not high quality but seem OK for me. Alpine S-S50.
pm me if you need more info etc.
Chris

 

[Mr_Apples]

Great, thanks Chris

 

[Mark_Hamilton]

Hi All, The Blaupunkt unit is a great option as Chris has covered but if you want something a little simpler but still good. take a look at the Continental dab radios with USB,. A number of 993 members have them also. Just google Continental radio and lots of options should pop up. Hope this helps.

 

[Glass_Half_Full]

I’d recommend the Blaupunkt Frankfurt. It has exactly the same functions as the Bremen, but looks ‘period correct’.
I replaced the door and rear speakers with drop-in replacements from Design 911.
I didn’t bother with the DAB aerial, the cars AM/FM is fine.
I have an iPod touch in the glovebox which also plugs in the back of the unit.
Connectivity with an iPhone 13 via Bluetooth is also great.
It’s not top notch hi-fi, but then it’s competing with a flat 6.

 

[Glass_Half_Full]

Rear speakers

 

[Mr_Apples]

Hi All, The Blaupunkt unit is a great option as Chris has covered but if you want something a little simpler but still good. take a look at the Continental dab radios with USB,. A number of 993 members have them also. Just google Continental radio and lots of options should pop up. Hope this helps.

Thanks Mark....yes, I recently met another member who has a 993 with a Continental head unit....will take a look at the options.....cheers

 

[Mr_Apples]

Rear speakers

Thanks for the recommendations. I doubt I'll run a DAB aerial either.
I've been looking at the speakers on Design 911 too. A couple of questions.....do the replacement door speakers and tweeters 'drop in' without removing the door cards? Do the existing wiring connections on the car work with the new speakers (front and rear)?
I can see how the new rear speakers would drop into the existing frame...looks simple enough. Do you happen to know if the genuine Loudspeaker option (M490) rear speakers 'drop in to' the existing non-loudspeaker frames and rear parcel cutouts?
Thanks

 

[Glass_Half_Full]

You do not need to remove the door cards, although I removed the door pockets in order to give everything a good clean.
The speaker grills need to be removed very carefully with a trim removal tool. The plastic is brittle, just go slowly.
The door and rear speakers are held in with screws.
The door speaker wiring is the same, simply plug in.
The rear parcel shelf speakers had different electrical connectors, but I purchased some adaptors online.
The Tweeters have two plastic lugs, squeeze the tweeter, and it pulls out, electrical connections are the same.
Installation of the Blaupunkt head unit is a doddle, the Porsche wiring loom fits the head unit, plug it in, plug in the aerial - done.
There are leads connected at the back for DAB aerial, USB (iPod), and microphone for phone.
I chose the Frankfurt as it looks almost identical to the Bremen RCM43 that was an ordered option on my vehicle (but sadly removed).
Not sure if I’m permitted to post screen shots of the leads, but a quick search for HAMA 45674 speaker adaptor cables.

 

[Glass_Half_Full]

My car doesn’t have the upgraded sound system (M490)
99364550600 door speakers
99364550500 rear speakers.
Not sure if the loom would support the upgraded sound option

 

[Mr_Apples]

My car doesn’t have the upgraded sound system (M490)
99364550600 door speakers
99364550500 rear speakers.
Not sure if the loom would support the upgraded sound option

Brilliant - Thank you!

 

[Greenman986S]

Have a look here..

Porsche 911 Car Audio Fitting Parts and Accessories

www.dynamicsounds.co.uk

 

[Mr_Apples]

Have a look here..

Porsche 911 Car Audio Fitting Parts and Accessories

www.dynamicsounds.co.uk

Great Thanks

 

[T_Bear]

I'm also looking to upgrade the speakers in my 993 early next year. It had the upgraded sound system, or at least it did until I took the door cards off and found the original Nokia paper speaker cones had pretty much rotten away on the mid-range units! I put some oval-shaped Alpines (nothing special) in the rear and I really notice the better/louder sound they give out compared to the original units in the front.

I added the PCCM last year. It looks great, has Apple Car-Play functionality and is really useful to have a sat nav screen built-in. That said, the screen is tiny (you can see your route on the screen whilst driving but smaller details like your ETA or distance to destination are very hard to read), it can be very fiddly to use the touch screen due to it being so small (and I don't have sausage fingers!) and I'm still having a few issues with it, notably the radio reception. I had it fitted by my local independent Porsche specialist rather than a car audio specialist and that's possibly part of the problem. I need to get a separate DAB aerial fitted and even the FM signal is pretty poor a lot of time.

So, I'm planning on changing the front speakers. From the little research I've done, Focal speakers have featured in a few other upgrades I've read about but that's about as far as I've got. I will also get a DAB aerial as I do listen to DAB a lot and will probably find a car audio specialist to do it for me although I might be tempted to try doing the work myself (what could possibly go wrong?).

However, before all that takes place I need to get the scuttle rust issues sorted out.

 

[Tony73tt]

I've been toying with upgrade etc and thinking exactly the same, Blaupunkt as mentioned. Haven't Prioritised it yet as i do love listening to that roar from the flat six air-cooled. So sweet.

 

[Mike993]

Just removed my Continental Radio/CD from my 993 and it’s for sale if anyone interested. £95.00 or thereabouts plus postage cost or collect Hampshire SO32. It is hardly used.