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992 Audio Upgrade: 2026 Porsche 911T

For many Porsche 911 owners, the Bose audio system is more than adequate. However for those with a more discerning ear, you may be researching a 992 audio upgrade. How can you execute this in a 992.2 equipped with Bose without compromising the existing wiring and electronics? It’s certainly not the easiest car to work on, but with the right parts, you can achieve a high fidelity audio upgrade in the 992.2 without sacrificing space or making any alterations. Our shop recently had the chance to upgrade the audio in a 2026 Porsche 911T equipped with Bose.

We were already familiar with the 992 having done a couple audio upgrades in models equipped with the basic 8 speaker audio system. And back in 2021 we completed a full audio upgrade in a 992.1 equipped with Bose using a NAV TV Zen V digital pre-amp adapter. I knew from previous research for another 992.2 client, there was a software change in the Bose amp in 2025. Thankfully the folks at NAV TV (aka Mobridge) have a talented team of engineers that cracked the code making their popular Zen V digital pre-amp adapter compatible with the 992.2 with Bose.

Digital Pre-Amp adapter

The NTV-KIT860 aka Zen V is an integral component for any 992.2 owner exploring an audio upgrade. Let me try and explain how the factory Bose amp functions and elaborate on why you need this key piece of hardware. The way the factory stereo works is you have your touch panel display in the dash. The actual “head unit” or single DIN chassis is located below in forward part of the center console.

992 head unit location — At our shop we use Mitchell ProDemand, professional mechanic software which clearly details out the same exact disassembly process that Porsche mechanics use.

When you connect your phone to play music or select any of the other audio sources on the touch screen like SiriusXM, FM or AM, the head unit is sending that audio information digitally to the Bose amp located in the front passenger floor via fiber optic. The signal stays digital until it reaches that Bose amp.

That Bose amp is then deciphering the digital information, decoding it and routing the appropriate signals and frequency ranges to each speaker while also incorporating and accounting for things like warning tones, door chimes and telephone calls. It’s an active set up, meaning the amp has its own crossover points for each of the original speakers.

992 Bose Amp Diagram — 992 Bose Amp diagram – page 1 of 5 shown from Mitchell ProDemand

This Bose amp is really like the heart of the audio system. And it’s not optimal. It’s not bad, but this heart is not pumping like a track star athlete. It could be a lot better. But you can’t simply remove that Bose amp and plop in a higher quality aftermarket DSP amp without the Zen V digital pre-amp adapter. You need something that can decode the data coming through the fiber optic lines.

The ZEN V works with select Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche and VW models. With this digital pre-amp adapter we have the freedom to install a higher quality aftermarket DSP amp.

Our preferred DSP Amp for the 992

In this 2026 Porsche 911 we opted for the Helix V Twelve DSP amp for a couple of reasons. For one thing, the fit is nearly perfect. This compact amplifier made in Germany can fit in the same location as the original Bose amp.

Helix V Twelve DSP - 2026 Porsche 911 audio upgrade — 992.2 with Bose audio upgrade – Helix V Twelve DSP + Zen V pre-amp adapter

It features 12 channels rated at 75 watts RMS @ 4 ohm or 120 watts RMS @ 2 ohm. Plenty of clean power for this small cabin. In this 992 audio upgrade we used 6 channels to power the front 3-way components (8″ door woofers, 4″ midranges and dash tweeters) 4 channels for the rear 4″ midranges and tweeters, 1 channel for the center channel and the remaining channel for the factory 2 ohm Bose subwoofer (concealed behind the dash in its own proprietary enclosure).

This particular amp accepts toslink. This means the ZEN V will take the digital fiber optic signal from the car, it can keep it digital and pass it via toslink into the new amp. This means zero signal degradation, one single digital to analog conversion happening at the amp. It also means the new amp will be able to reproduce the same warning chimes, tones and interrupt audio for telephone calls, GPS, text messages, etc. exactly like the original Bose amp. The one thing it cannot do is digital front to rear fader. The level of the rear speakers is set within the software, but not accessible from the head unit.

Helix V Twelve Optical Input — Helix V Twelve DSP Amplifier

With the highly configurable Helix DSP software, we have full and total control over frequencies and signal routing. Most factory audio systems are tuned for both driver and passenger. However in order to try and create left and right imaging for both driver and passenger, you compromise a bit of quality in the process. For this 992 audio upgrade, we scrapped that concept and did a precision tune for the driver listening position only.

DSP tuning process

There is a lot that goes into the actual tuning process. It’s not just about having the right equipment and having it installed professionally. Proper set up and tuning of your DSP amp is key to any 992 audio upgrade. Our technician John goes through a detailed process, generally starting with basics like crossover points and assigning the proper frequency ranges to each channel. He sets up time alignment using a laser measure tool. He measures the distance from the driver’s listening position to a reference speaker. A calibration ticking sound is played through the various speakers. The DSP software then calculates the proper time delay for each speaker so they all arrive at the driver’s listening position at the same time. This means when the driver is sitting in their car, eyes closed and listening – they can’t pinpoint what direction the audio is coming from. It’s an enveloping and immersive experience.

To get the signal perfected, he sets up a mic in the driver’s listening position and plays correlated pink noise. Channel by channel (muting all other channels except the one he’s working on) he looks at the RTA in the software. He corrects any frequencies that are too high or too low, until he sees the ideal RTA curve has been achieved. He duplicates this process on each channel individually.

After that he does what’s called a global tune. This is where he tunes all channels together at the same time. Then finally we test it using a few of our favorite test tracks as well as a few of our clients favorite test tracks. At this point we usually make some additional tweaks by ear. Essentially we are reengineering the signal entirely.

992.2 Bose Speaker Upgrade

However, we didn’t do this with the original Bose speakers for good reason. Take a look at them. These are basic paper cone drivers, similar to what Porsche uses in their basic 8 speaker audio system

992.2 Factory Bose Woofer — 992.2 Audio Upgrade – Factory Bose 8″ door woofer

This factory door woofer felt like it would barely work as a paper weight. It has a super tiny magnet on the back.

We upgraded the 8″ woofers to the Helix Ci5 series using their Porsche vehicle specific mounting adapters. We also utilized speaker wiring adapters from Rennspec so as not to have to cut or modify the original connection point.

Helix Ci5 used in 2026 Porsche 911 Audio Upgrade — Helix Ci5 8″ replacement woofers

The Helix Ci5 woofers have some serious weight to them, approximately 4 lbs. each. The unique thing about these woofers as they act both as a subwoofer and midrange covering a frequency range of 25 Hz to 500 Hz. For the 992 owner looking for deep, punchy and accurate bass without an additional, separate subwoofer enclosure, this is the door speaker of choice. However, sound dampening is a must in order to get the maximum performance without any potential rattles or reverberations.

Porsche 992.2 Bose midrange speaker vs Helix Ci7 midrange — Factory Bose 992.2 speaker top left – Helix Ci7 4″ bottom right

We didn’t just upgrade the door woofers, we also upgraded the 4″ midranges front and rear, the center channel and both tweeters. Our client opted for the Helix Ci7 series which are incredibly accurate. Even on our display in our showroom, you can hear the superior control or damping in the Ci7 compared to the Ci3.

Helix Ci7 Center Channel Porsche 992.2 — Porsche 992.2 Bose Audio Upgrade featuring Helix Ci7 speakers

For all speakers we utilized vehicle specific mounting adapters from Helix and wiring harness adapters from both Helix and Rennspec. This is in addition to the Bose amp bypass harness.

Helix Ci7 Tweeter - 2026 Porsche 911 Bose Audio Upgrade — Helix Ci7 tweeters installed – 2026 Porsche 911T Bose audio upgrade

This 992 audio upgrade doesn’t end with speakers and a DSP amp. Sound dampening was key to upgrading the audio in this 992.2.

Sound Dampening

Remember, this is the 911T. This is Porsche’s stripped down, light weight 911 designed for the purist. However that lack of sound dampening really effects the audio system and increases overall cabin noise levels. Understanding that dampening would add to some weight, but dramatically reduce cabin noise levels and improve the audio system, our client opted for complete sound cabin sound proofing.

We used a total of 144 sq ft of material: 72 sq ft of Dynamat Xtreme and 72 sq ft of 1/8″ Dynaliner. Technician John applied dampening to the inner and outer skins of the doors as well as the backside of the door panel.

Helix Ci5 2026 Porsche 911T — 2026 Porsche 911T Bose Audio Upgrade

As you can see the Helix Ci5 fit perfectly using the vehicle specific mounting adapters. John also paid careful attention to secure the speaker wiring on the backside of the door panel to prevent rattling.

Dynamat Dynaliner 2026 Porsche 911T — 911T Sound Dampening and Audio Upgrade

To completely dampen this Porsche 911T, John removed the seats, carpeting and center console.

Sound Dampening Porsche 911T — 911T – Sound dampening applied to rear hatch area.

He removed each rear speaker panel to apply dampening and installed the new Helix Ci7 speakers.

Sound dampening and Helix Ci7 2026 Porsche 911T — 911T – Helix Ci7 and Sound dampening

Here’s a closeup on the rear speaker install in that back panel with those vehicle specific wire harness adapters.

The dampening didn’t end there. It extended to the front driver and passenger floor, even underneath the newly installed Helix V Twelve DSP amp.

ZEN V and Helix V Twelve Porsche 992.2 — Helix V Twelve and NAV TV Zen V – 2026 Porsche 911T

The factory amp cover panel fits over the Helix V Twelve DSP amp like it was always supposed to be there.

Helix V Twelve - 2026 Porsche 911T — Helix V Twelve – 2026 Porsche 911T Bose Audio upgrade

But wait – there’s more!

We can’t leave out the front trunk.

The front trunk received the same multi-layer approach using Dynamat Xtreme as the base layer and Dynaliner 1/8″ on top.

All of this sound dampening created the ideal environment for a high fidelity aftermarket audio system. Resulting in an extremely tight and accurate audio experience – zero rattles or reverberations even the highest of volumes levels.

Final Appearances

After the installation was completed, you would never know anything had been changed – unless you listened to it.

Bose speaker upgrade 2026 Porsche 911T — Passenger door

John is incredibly meticulous with his work, taking special care to set aside each bolt, screw and tiny component in various storage bins while he’s working on the car.

This way, when it’s time to reassemble, everything is neatly organized and goes back together the exact same way it came apart.

Bose speaker upgrade 911T — Passenger rear speakers

With the job wrapped up, it was time to deliver the results.

Client Feedback

Before we started this project, as the client handed over the key on day 1, he told me about a dream he had the night before. He dreamt he came to pick up the car and couldn’t tell any difference. I told him that wasn’t a dream – that was a complete nightmare! That comment sat in the back of my head stirring up anxiety and a plethora of what if‘s during the 3 weeks John worked on this vehicle .

Upon completing the work, and after thoroughly testing everything, John and I were happy with the final results. Even our friend who is a foreman at our local Porsche dealership took a listen and testified to the marked improvement. But would it meet our client’s expectations?

When it came time to reveal the results, I sat in the car with our client – holding my breath – as we listened to a few of his favorite tracks. Glancing over as we cranked it up, I saw his look of discernment melt away revealing a wide and genuine smile. I finally exhaled. Mission accomplished.

A couple hours after picking up the vehicle he sent us a follow up text: “Really incredible Annie, thank you so much. It is like a totally different car. Volume 30 to 32 all the way home until I got to the Metallica channel and had to turn it down a bit. Thanks again for the hard work and professionalism. Best money spent on a car so far in my life.“

I couldn’t have asked for a better stamp of approval. With that, John and I could close the chapter on this project and move on to the next one. If you’re interested in a 992 audio upgrade for your Porsche 911, call/text or visit our shop in Brookfield, CT for more details.

2026 Audi RS3 SONOS Audio Upgrade

The Car

The 2026 Audi RS3 is Audi’s sporty, compact sedan. Turbo charged with 394 horsepower, a sport tuned suspension and a proper enthusiast’s steering wheel, this car is an absolute hoot to drive. But the stereo? It kind of sucks. Especially for our client Paul who has enjoyed a variety of aftermarket audio systems over the years. Which is why he asked us to tackle this Audi RS3 audio upgrade.

I was surprised to see the SONOS badging on the door. Typically in an Audi with “premium” sound we see a Bang & Olufsen or Bose emblem. Audi’s equipped with one of these premium stereos typically have a separate amplifier that is part of the vehicle’s fiber optic network.

Mapping it out

The 1st place I like to start is with a vehicle wiring diagram so I can verify the number of speakers I see in the car and see how they are configured off the factory amplifier. With the vehicle wiring diagram I can confirm exactly how many channels of audio we are working with. The only trouble is because it’s a 2026, we didn’t have any wiring diagrams yet available on ProDemand.

The trouble with the Audi SONOS audio system

The SONOS system in this 2026 Audi RS3 has your typical overprocessed factory premium audio sound. Upon first hearing it I noticed everything is up front. There is zero rear fill. Even if you fade to the rear, there’s nothing going on back there.

It sounds like they were trying to create a front and center sound stage for both the driver and front passenger. Which to me is kind of like all season tires. They’re okay. Nothing like the performance you get in winter with a winter tire or in summer using a summer tire. This audio configuration is passable for most, but disappointing to those with a good ear. And the bass? Quite boomy, disappointingly shallow and all up front. The bass is mostly coming from the front doors even though there is a subwoofer in the trunk. Overall there is no detail or separation. Everything is sort of all smooshed together.

Our client’s biggest disappointment was the utter lack of rear fill. He was looking for a much more immersive and enveloping sound. He describes the SONOS system as though he is listening from far away. As though the music isn’t even in the car with him. That’s a great way to put it. So, how do we tackle this 2026 Audi RS3 audio upgrade?

The factory configuration

Before we can upgrade the audio we first we need to figure out the factory set up. This car has 16 speakers. Most of them reside in the front of the car. In the front doors you’ll find the front mid bass drivers. There is no midrange even though it looks like there is a grille in the front door for some mid range speakers.

2026 Audi RS3 Audio Upgrade – front dash mid range and tweeter driver’s side

And then there are tweeters on the A-pillars along with a mid range in each corner of the dash and a pair of mid’s in the center channel (or it could actually be a dual voice coil midrange – we did not take the grilles off).

2026 Audi RS3 – Center channel location. There are either two midranges here or a dual voice coil center channel speaker.

In the rear doors there is a set of components with a tiny tweeter. We did not take off the rear door panels, but we suspect this is either a 6.5″ or 5.25″

2026 Audi RS3 Sonos – Rear door component speaker location

The signal from these rear door speakers is mixed in a way that creates minimal presence or impact on the driver. I guess Audi assumes most driver’s want a front focused stage. Lastly we have the speakers located on the rear deck. These are tiny 4″ effects speakers. Warning chimes for things like cross traffic detection and blind spot assistance are routed through these rear deck speakers.

The challenge in this Audi RS3 audio upgrade is 3 fold.

Number one – performance of the existing speakers is being throttled by the SONOS amp. With 16 individual channels, that factory amp is dictating exactly what frequency range gets sent to each speaker and at what timing to create the so-so front focused sound stage.
Number two – the majority of the speakers in this car are located in the front. In order to create some semblance of balanced rear fill that can keep up with the front, we need either more speakers in the rear OR more speaker surface area.
Number three – we need to overcome the very shallow, lackluster bass. I know part of this can be cleaned up with a DSP amp, but I anticipated adding an aftermarket subwoofer to provide the truth depth and presence that Paul was accustomed to.

The fix

Ideally I want to grab audio signal before the factory amp, before it’s been processed. If we can grab signal before the amp, while it’s still digital, we can go directly into a high quality aftermarket DSP amp where we’ll have full and total control over the frequency range going to each speaker. The DSP amp also gives us EQ controls and time alignment enabling us to get the desired immersive sound stage.

To tackle the lack of rear fill our client Paul suggested swapping out the rear 4″ speakers to a 6×9. Honestly I found the thought of cutting into the rear shelf of a brand new vehicle a bit repulsive. It’s just not what we do here. Maybe something we did 25 years ago? We’re all about upgrading the sound while retaining the original appearance and aesthetics. I couldn’t envision how we could do this and keep an original appearance, but thankfully our team came up with a great solution.

Audi RS3 Audio Upgrade Key Ingredients

For this Audi RS3 audio upgrade I planned to use the NAV TV Zen V which is a digital pre-amp adapter. I learned from NAV TV we’d have to get the vehicle coded. I didn’t even think that was possible because of the strict SFD2 platform. Audi/VW implemented SFD2 back in 2024. It’s basically a much more secure vehicle operating network.

SFD2 makes it much more difficult for an end user to make changes to their vehicle’s computer. Unlike a Ford using Forscan, you can’t connect to the OBD2 and enable or disable options or change functions. VAG-COM does not work in these vehicles. Any changes made on the SFD2 platform need to be done in an authenticated fashion. NAV TV referred me to NPG Technology for this coding service. They specialize in Matrix headlight activation, but also offer other services.

To power this audio system I planned to use the Helix V Eighteen DSP. This 18-channel amplifier is an absolute powerhouse. It measures just 44 x 255 x 220 mm. That’s about 1.75″tall with a footprint of about 10″ by 8.5″. It has staggered outputs. There are 12 channels rated at 70 watts RMS @ 4 ohm and 6 channels rated at 75 watts RMS @ 4 ohm or 120 watts RMS @ 2 ohm. This is enough channels to cover all existing 16 speakers plus another 2 to power a secondary dual voice coil 2 ohm subwoofer.

Factory rear deck speaker to the left – Sony 6×9 to the right

For the rear deck speakers I suggested the Sony Mobile ES XS-690es coaxial speakers. We chose the Sony speakers for a couple reasons.

Not only for the larger magnet and overall surface area, but mainly for their tonal characteristics, efficiency and reliability. The Sony 6×9’s feature a soft dome tweeter and aramid fiber cone. These speakers have a warm midrange with a detailed tweeter that is smooth, open and airy.

Coding

I want to tackle the coding session done 1st for a couple reasons. If coding is successful we’ll know immediately because we’ll no longer have audio once completed. I know it sounds weird, but hear me out. We’re basically telling the car it’s equipped with the same type of fiber optic amp that the ZEN V is compatible with – the Bang & Olufsen.

So if we code it and no longer have audio that means it worked because that head unit would be looking for the Bang & Olufsen amp or in our case the NAV TV Zen V in place of the Bang & Olufsen amp. The other reason I want to tackle coding first is to make sure there are no errors on the dash as a result of the coding process. By getting this out of the way 1st we isolate that process from the rest of the work we plan to do. Unfortunately we ran into a snag immediately.

Errors Galore

The actual coding process was very straightforward. NPG shipped us a dongle to connect to the OBD2. They also emailed us a link to a software download with a username and password. We connected the laptop, opened the software, reached out to NPG on Whatsapp and off we went. The process took about 10 minutes. We started the car afterwards and had 3 different errors pop up on the cluster.

Exit warning malfunction!
Rear cross traffic assist malfunction!
Parking aid malfunction!

Not exaggerating. Each error actually has an exclamation point after it on the dash. We let NPG know what we were seeing. They advised they had just successfully coded a 2025 RS3 without errors, but in that car, they did the coding at the very end – after everything else was installed. So we tried a sleep cycle. Next we tried driving the car and then doing another sleep cycle. Eventually we asked NPG to log back in and check it out.

Totally disturbed

The error logged was “Driver assistance systems audio output, Infotainment system, implausible signal. Sound output MIB totally disturbed”. Oh, it was disturbed! Our working theory was that we had just taken away the car’s ability to output any of these warning chimes because we essentially disabled the SONOS amp in preparation of installing the ZEN V and Helix V Eighteen DSP amp. So it kind of made sense to us. We all concluded it was safe to proceed.

Next up, John removed the head unit located behind the glove box. At this point it became apparent what was actually happening.

Missing MOST!

We were all shocked to find this head unit was not equipped with a MOST bus output. No wonder why we had all these errors. We essentially told the car it was equipped with a MOST bus amp. However the cheap head unit Audi put in here isn’t compatible with a MOST bus amplifier.

2026 Audi RS3 head unit – no MOST connection

NPG sent us a picture of what the back of the head unit looked like in the last 2025 Audi RS3 they coded. You can clearly see the MOST bus connection on this one. On our 2026 Audi RS3 that area where a MOST connection would be? It’s capped over. I hoped that metal casing was just a cover. Maybe the MOST connection was hiding underneath it? Nope. This 2026 Audi RS3 was simply not equipped. Upon learning this, NPG Technology stepped up. They kindly and promptly reversed the coding for no additional charge.

Example of MOST connection found on a 2025 Audi RS3 head unit

What does this mean for the installation?

With the errors gone and factory audio back, we re-grouped. Not being able to use the ZEN V was going to make the installation a LOT more complicated. Number one – it means we HAVE to grab our audio signal after the factory amp after it’s already been processed. Number two – since the factory amp has to stay in line, John has to make a custom T-harness in order to neatly add the V Eighteen DSP. The custom T-harness adds a lot of time to the build. This is because it needs operate in a way that the Helix V Eighteen can be disconnected, while leaving the original system fully in tact.

That’s a lot of soldering

In order to make the T-harness function in a way that the original system remains in tact created a lot of solder connection points. It was a total of 12 solder points per speaker. Across 16 channels, that’s 192 solder connections.

Connection location points

The factory amp is resides in the passenger side rear trunk. It looks like your typical PP-UNI 2.38 style connector. This harness would have been great if we could have taken the factory amp out completely. But since it had to stay in there, John opted to make his own harness. We were already behind schedule with the coding fiasco and he didn’t want to wait another day to receive the PP-UNI 2.38. If we were to do this car again, I would still order one just to cut down slightly on prep time for the T-harness.

Rear T-harness in progress – 2026 Audi RS3 with Sonos

The connections were made at 2 different locations. The front tweeters, corner dash midranges and center channel are actually all powered off the head unit. The rear SONOS amp powers the front door speakers, rear door speakers, rear shelf speakers and factory subwoofer.

Toning out – Testing – Identifying

Before John could create and wire up the T-harness he had to identify each speaker wire, polarity, location and function. He tested and toned out each speaker. This is kind of hard to do by yourself so at one point I hopped in and helped him with this process. For anyone looking to do the same upgrade, here are his findings in a nice, neat organized chart.

2026 Audi RS3 16 speaker SONOS vehicle wire chart

Testing, identifying and then wiring up the amp was a multi-day task. With 16 channels it’s important to take your time to get it right.

Helix V Eighteen DSP amp – mid-install – 2026 Audi RS3

With the amp wiring sorted out, John could shift his focus to the rear 6×9 speakers.

Cutting in the 6×9 speakers

To prep for the new Sony Mobile ES XS-690ES speakers John used a template to mark out the location in the rear deck. This template is included in the box from Sony. He then used a nibbler to start making his cuts.

Using a nibbler to cut the Sony 6×9’s in

With the rear openings made, PJ assisted in the process by mounting the rear speakers and applying sound dampening to the rear shelf.

2026 Audi RS3 – Rear 6×9 installation – Dynamat sound dampening applied

My biggest worry about this car was how they were going to finish out the grilles for the newly added 6×9 speakers. John had a great idea for clean execution and handed that task off to PJ. Using the original grilles as a template, PJ created a new thin plastic grille frame and covered it in simple grille cloth. He secured it in place using tiny magnets. The original speakers and grilles were returned to the client.

I had mixed feelings about the grille cloth. I couldn’t find a grille cloth that was a close match to the existing rear shelf dark gray/charcoal finish. Standard “Gray” grille cloth is too light. And standard “Black” grille cloth felt like too stark in comparison to the original rear deck. However, once it was in place I thought it looked great.

2026 Audi RS3 Audio Upgrade – New rear 6×9 grilles

With everything lined up and ready to go, John re-installed the passenger seat and reconnected the battery. Once he started the car and confirmed all systems were functional, he proceeded to connect the amp to power. With the amp powered up, he began the tuning process.

Helix Subwoofer Add-on

Since we didn’t use the NAV TV Zen V, this freed up a little money in the build that could be shifted towards a subwoofer. Our client needed something low profile and dual 2 ohm. We used the Helix IK ES10.1-DVC2. This is a low profile, compact, down-firing enclosure. However in this case our client asked us to mount it vertically so he wouldn’t loose any height for the various equipment he carries around.

Helix IK ES10.1-DVC2 mounted vertically against the seatback

This positioning isn’t my favorite. The enclosure definitely creates a greater impact when it’s firing down on the trunk floor, but I also understand our client’s need for functionality. John used two of the higher powered, 2 ohm stable channels on the Helix V Eighteen to power the new sub. The Helix sub added deep and accurate bass. It did a great job filling out the range where the factory subwoofer simply could not perform.

Bass Knob – Bring on the Laser

As with all of our installations, I included a remote bass knob. John and I had different opinions about the location of this knob. Originally he considered surface mounting it above the USB C, below the lip of buttons, in between the Traction Control and Hazard. But surface mounting is not our style. I proposed putting it in place of the 12 volt outlet, but our client offered up the spot right behind it.

Fun with lasers – Remote bass knob insert fabricated with an xTool P2S laser cutter by technician John

Now we had the perfect excuse to try out our new xTool P2S laser cutter. This was John’s 1st project using the new device. He cut his teeth with our Bambu Labs 3D printer learning how to draw in CAD with SHAPR3D. My understanding is learning the 3D software is definitely more challenging than 2D. Still, this is another form of software he has to learn on the fly. Together we figured out the layers, how to import an Audi symbol and gave it a go. He hand filed the edges for a clean fit. The black acrylic matched the rest of the interior finishes perfectly.

Final Result

After extensive tuning on both the input and output side, this Audi RS3 Audio upgrade hit the mark. The Helix V Eighteen allowed us to clean up the audio signal coming from both the factory head unit and SONOS amplifier. Each channel signal was eq’d, levels were appropriately mixed resulting in a clean RTA response.

This vehicle now has proper real fill that is balanced and can compete with what’s happening up front. The audio is tuned for the driver’s listening position creating an immersive experience. There is detail, separation and nuance along with a level of richness and accuracy that was completely absent from the original SONOS system. The bass is no longer boomy and shallow. It is tight and accurate, but not at all overbearing.

Helix V Eighteen DSP amp – under the passenger seat with seat in rear most position.

The best part is unless you push the passenger seat all the way back or take a closer look at the upright subwoofer in the trunk, you would never know that anything was altered or changed. We did our best to keep original appearances down to the finer details such as the Audi symbol on the custom fabricated remote bass knob insert. If you’re interested in an audio upgrade for your Audi, check out our shop Sounds Incredible Mobile in Brookfield, CT. We’re happy to help you take your audio system to its full potential.

Audi RS3 Audio Upgrade Audi SONOS Audi SONOS Audio Upgrade Helix Helix V Eighteen DSP Nav TV Xtool

INEOS Grenadier Sound Dampening & Audio Upgrade

For those not familiar with this vehicle, the INEOS Grenadier is the brainchild of the British billionaire and founder of INEOS chemical group, Sir Jim Ratcliff. Brought to market in October 2022, the Grenadier looks and feels like what a modernized Land Rover Defender could or should have been. Rugged to the core, this vehicle is designed to handle unforgiving off road terrain in ways many of its drivers will never fully utilize. In our neck of the woods, these beasts are likely spotted blasting through unplowed roads full of snow or navigating the busy parking lot of the local Whole Foods. Yet, I’m sure anyone who owns an INEOS Grenadier takes great comfort in knowing its full capabilities if SHTF. I know I would.

INEOS Grenadier featuring Sentinel 7″ Elite Lights

In many ways the INEOS Grenadier is a little too rugged. It’s not without modern creature comfort tech like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but surprisingly the quality of the reverse camera is a bit “meh”. Certainly not what you’d expect given the $70 – 80k price tag. The interior lacks any sort of meaningful insulation resulting in a cavernous tin can cabin sound. And the audio system? It leaves much to be desired.

INEOS Grenadier Accessories

It’s no surprise this new automobile spawned a vast market of unique accessories designed to improve the Grenadier. Our shop recently completed a large upgrade for an INEOS Grenadier owner addressing many of this vehicles pitfalls. Let’s dive into the details!

Phase 1 – Sound Dampening

If you’re considering upgrading the audio system in this vehicle you must also include some sound dampening. At a minimum you want to apply sound dampening in the doors. Ideally, we recommend sound proofing the full cabin: all doors, roof, floor and behind as much of the plastic paneling that you can access.

The INEOS Grenadier driver’s side door stripped down

In our shop we use Dynamat. Founded in 1989, Dynamat is known in our industry as the original car audio sound dampening product. Unlike many other automotive sound proofing materials, Dynamat is made proudly in the USA.

INEOS Grenadier Dynamat sound dampening application driver’s door

We use Dynamat Xtreme as a base layer on the sheet metal and frame of the vehicle and also apply a secondary layer called Dynaliner. The Dynaliner can either be layered on top of the Xtreme or on the backside of various panels like door panels, B-pillars and rear cargo panels.

INEOS Grenadier sound dampening application door panel

In this Grenadier, Dynaliner was applied to the backside of all removable plastic panels including the center console trim and b-pillars, a portion of which is shown here.

INEOS Grenadier B pillar sound dampening application

This product isn’t difficult to install, but it is very time consuming to strip down the vehicle interior and cut each piece of material to the ideal size and shape. A full cabin dampening job like this can take about 30 hours to complete.

INEOS Grenadier headliner removed sound dampening applied – Dynamat Xtreme & Dynaliner

With the vehicle stripped down, technician John applied dampening in all accessible areas including the front and rear floors as well as the rear cargo floor.

INEOS Grenadier sound dampening in the rear cargo area

One area that required a tedious amount of attention to detail was this rear door rack. The rear doors were also disassembled and material was applied to the frame and backside of those panels as well.

INEOS Grenadier Dynaliner application rear door rack

However, this INEOS Grenadier wasn’t here just to eliminate the cavernous tin can esq cabin acoustics. Ultimately our client wanted an audio upgrade. With the cabin sounding quiet as a panic room, John moved on to addressing the lackluster Grenadier stereo system.

Phase 2 – Audio System

The Grenadier is equipped with just 4 speakers: a set of 6.5″ coaxials in the front doors and a set of 4″ coaxials in the rear doors. We’re talking rugged. Not even separate tweeters in front! If you happen to have the optional subwoofer, you’re 1 step above a vintage Defender 90 audio system. In the sense that the Grenadier is unmatched in its off road capability, our client wanted an audio system with equally unmatched quality. The only way to achieve that was with top shelf equipment.

Ingredients:

Morel Elate Carbon Pro 62A components in front
Morel Hybrid Integra 42 point source in rear
Helix V Eight DSP Ultimate
PP ISO 5 harness to tie into existing audio system without modifying the original stereo harness
Conductor (to utilize direct USB C hi-res audio input)
Helix P One MK2
Two Morel Ultimo PowerSlim 12″ Subwoofers
Expert installation and DSP tuning

Tweeter placement

Where is the best place to add tweeters in this vehicle? That is a personal preference. We’ve seen shops flush mount them in the doors (not my favorite). This looks clean, but for sound stage purposes, it’s not ideal. We really want the tweeters coming at you. Think of when you attend a concert. It always sounds better when you’re facing the stage near the center rather than being seated off to one of the sides.

I’ve also seen shops flush mount them in the A-pillars flush. Also not ideal as this ends aiming the tweeters away from you reflecting off the glass (ouch – bright – my least favorite option). That’s why we used adjustable stand alone pods for the massive Morel Elate Carbon Pro 62A Alto tweeters.

INEOS Grenadier Tweeter Placement Passenger Side

These machined aluminum tweeter mounts are from Valicar Stuttgart in Germany. They manufacture a variety of tweeter housings available in two different style mounts. We prefer the Elongated Hole option (Langloch) as it provides the ability to adjust and dial in the angle. These housings could also be surface mounted on the dash in the corners if preferred.

INEOS Grenadier A-pillar tweeter mounts from Valicar Stuttgart

Visually speaking, we understand these pods are not for everyone. But if sound quality is your ultimate goal, this positioning trumps the other tweeter mounting options. Surprisingly John did not have to fabricate speaker mounting adapters for any of the door speakers. The Morel speakers fit perfectly under the original door panels and grilles.

Amplifier Location

Despite the large interior cabin space, there was no great way of hiding the Helix V Eight DSP Ultimate and P One MK2 amplifiers. In vehicles equipped with just the single battery aftermarket DSP amps can be mounted under the rear seat.

This client equipped his Grenadier with a Buzz Overland rack system which maximized his vertical rear cargo space. Focusing more on sound quality vs functionality with a space saving design, our client gave us the freedom to utilize the space under the rack system.

INEOS Grenadier featuring Helix V Eight DSP Ultimate and Helix P One MK2

John took full advantage of this and created a dedicated platform for the custom built Morel Ultimo PowerSlim 12″ subwoofer enclosure and amplifiers.

Morel Ultimo PowerSlim 12″ Subwoofer Enclosure Secured to the Amp Rack Platform

The subwoofer enclosure was secured to the platform behind the rear seats. Both the amp rack and enclosure were fabricated out of MDF and covered in automotive grade carpet and vinyl. Using our 3D printer, John fabricated an INEOS badge for a special added touch. We positioned the subwoofer enclosure on the larger side of the split folding rear seats so he could still fold down the smaller section for longer objects.

INEOS Grenadier custom amp rack and Morel Ultimo Powerslim 12″ enclosure

The Helix V Eight DSP Ultimate does an amazing job cleaning up the signal coming this factory stereo. For most clients, this is all they will ever need. For the purist, it’s still not as clean as a direct input. One of the great features of this amp is the direct hi-res USB C input.

Direct Hi-Res USB C input

With this configuration our client can connect his iPhone or a high quality portable player like an Astell & Kern directly into the DSP amp. This connection provides audiophiles with the cleanest source signal and highest fidelity possible.

Helix Conductor mounted in INEOS Grenadier

How do you control this secondary input? Using the Helix Conductor control knob. This is a multi-functional knob. When the client is using CarPlay through the factory stereo, he can tap the knob and quickly adjust subwoofer level. Tap again to adjust the level of rear fill (fader control). Each function is color coded. When he connects his device to the hi-res direct USB C input the Helix amp automatically detects this and switches the input. At that point the client can use the Conductor knob as his master volume controller. Pretty neat, right?

Extras

In addition to the sound dampening and audio upgrade, we also installed a Wolfbox mirror. The Wolfbox functions as both a dash camera and adds a higher resolution reverse camera display. This gets mounted in place of the existing rear view mirror. We also installed the client’s Sentinel 7’’ High Performance LED lights and a pair of high powered auxiliary reverse lights. The Grenadier is equipped with a variety of AUX switches so we might as well put them to good use!

With this complete upgrade, our client has optimized his INEOS Grenadier driving experience. Whether he is traversing challenging off-road terrain or cranking Taylor Swift tunes for his girls, all occupants of this Grenadier will enjoy an elevated driving experience. To learn more about how we can enhance your INEOS Grenadier, contact our shop, Sounds Incredible Mobile in Brookfield, CT.

DSP Dynamat Helix Helix Conductor Helix P One MK2 Helix V Eight DSP Ultimate INEOS Grenadier Morel Morel Elate Carbon Pro 62A Morel Hybrid Integra 42 Morel Ultimo Power Slim

2007 Ferrari 612 Navigation CarPlay Upgrade Challenge

Recently we had a new client reach out who had seen our previous Ferrari 612 upgrade seeking to do the same thing in his 2007 Ferrari 612. Great! We know this car, no problem. Right? Well, kind of.

2007 Ferrari 612 Navigation CarPlay Upgrade Challenge – Can the factory radio be replaced?

There was one slight issue. This Ferrari 612 came equipped with the navigation stereo. I had no idea what we were working with on this one. Working on a car that is exotic is tricky because it’s not like we can just go on ProDemand and look up a vehicle wire schematic. Heck, it’s been said that Ferrari doesn’t even have true wiring diagrams for this vehicle.

I had a few concerns and let the client know:

I had no idea if the wiring behind the Ferrari 612 navigation radio was the same as what we found in the 2005 with the basic single DIN stereo (standard ISO style harness)
I didn’t know if we could retain the original Bose amp and speakers
I couldn’t find a single example of anyone having completed this upgrade. Anywhere. Ever. I even reached out to a shop in Dubai that looked like they might have done one, but never heard back.
I found examples of other Ferrari 612 owners that wanted to do the same thing, but got turned down either by their local dealer or car stereo shop and were told it couldn’t be done on models equipped with navigation
Even if we can do this, I don’t know that we can retain the audio controls on the steering wheel

Think in terms of possibilities – not limitations

John and I both needed this challenge. This client was definitely unlike any other client I’ve ever worked with. He was unperturbed and undeterred by any potential obstacles. He clearly had more faith in our capabilities than we did. I was sweating this one. Can we really do this??? What if that factory stereo has to stay in line in order for the car to start kind of like an old 2005 Saab 9-3? After pouring over my concerns with John, we decided the best thing to do was to get the car here so he could explore how the original navigation radio worked and see what the possibilities actually were. The client has happy to drop it off and told us to take our time.

What John found

After taking a look at the car in person we found there were various vehicle settings that were only accessible through the Ferrari 612 navigation radio. Things like Buzzer Volume, Dusk Light Sensitivity and Door Lock settings were only accessible through the dated Bose navigation stereo.

Ferrari 612 navigation CarPlay upgrade challenge 1 – figuring out the factory stereo

We also spoke with the dealer and asked some questions. Their technician confirmed our thoughts. If we removed the stereo and started the car, there would be a continual error on the dash. So the original stereo would have to stay in place. But the neat thing about this factory stereo is it’s not unlike some of the newer modern “hideaway” style receivers. After seeing how the display panel removes from the stereo chassis, I immediately thought of one of the newer Pioneer modular receivers like the DMH-WC6600NEX.

Ferrari 612 OEM navigation display utilizes a modular stereo concept

I thought what if we just left the original stereo in place and used a modular stereo like the Pioneer or maybe even a Kenwood DAX800XR? John thought that might work. But I still needed to know if we could we interface it with the original Bose amp and speakers.

More details on this install in the video above

After investigating further John told me the answer was no. The best course of action would be to install aftermarket speakers, run new speaker wiring, use an aftermarket amp and leave the original Bose amp and wiring in tact to keep the data flowing through the car without errors.

Okay, one problem solved. But what size speakers could we fit? It appeared to be equipped with a set of 4″ in the upper dash corners and center dash. There was a set of 6.5″ components in the rear. A subwoofer in the front passenger footwell and another subwoofer in the rear deck along with another set of 4″. Oh and did I mention mounting depth was definitely going to be an issue?

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Speaker Upgrade

I presented the equipment options to John 1st and he concurred with my system design and recommendations. I called the client and explained the limitations and scope of what we would need to do if he wanted to move forward. Here’s what we came up with:

Morel Virtus Nano Carbon Integra 42 to replace all 4″ speakers front and back
Morel Virtus Nano Carbon Pro 6.5″ components for the rear
Depending on impedance on the factory subwoofers we would try and re-use them powered by the new amp
Kenwood DAX800XR modular stereo (we would utilize the toslink out and keep the signal digital for optimal sound quality)
Helix V Eighteen DSP amp to power all the new speakers actively (14 channels for the new Morel speakers and potentially 1-2 channels for the factory subwoofers)
URC.1 as a remote bass knob
Kenwood CMOS-740HDLP front camera
Kenwood CMOS-740HDLP rear camera

I wasn’t sure how the conversation would go. During one of my earlier conversations with the client he mentioned he was also interested in upgrading the speakers. I had initially pushed back on that because I wasn’t sure I wanted to go that deep into this project. I was a bit intimidated. For anyone that’s worked on a Ferrari before – you get what I mean – they can be tedious AF. However, the client sounded optimistic when I told him about the Kenwood receiver, Morel speakers and Helix amp.

It was all good quality equipment that he was familiar with. These were brands he owned in previous vehicles. He was definitely interested in both an audio upgrade and technology upgrade. He was also happy to give John whatever time he needed to get the job done.

The question at this point was whether or not John was up for the challenge?

Mid installation – Ferrari 612 Navigation CarPlay Upgrade Challenge

I think because he knew it would give him plenty of reasons to use his new 3D printer he was all over this. Challenge accepted.

Up for the Challenge

Once the client signed off, John dove right in. However, each step of the way he encountered a new unforeseen obstacle. Accessing the dash speakers was incredibly difficult. Mainly the driver’s side. There were many screws that had previously been stripped which prevented him from removing the instrument cluster, steering wheel and dashboard.

The passenger side wasn’t quite as tricky to access. This pic a great example of the intricacies he encountered trying to mount the Morel Virtus Nano speakers.

3D printed parts galore

As you can see below, he had to fabricate speaker mounting adapters for each speaker. Each speaker had to be slightly offset in the mount in a different manner.

Ferrari 612 navigation CarPlay upgrade challenge – CAD designing and 3D printing various speaker mounting adapters.

He ended up having to design a unique set for the front dash, rear shelf and rear cabin speakers. Although the rear cabin speakers were more of a standard size, 6.5″, with a separate tweeter, it was still a tight fit.

Speaker mounting adapters being printed for the Ferrari 612 speaker upgrade

Throughout the installation process John did what he always does and repaired whatever he could along the way. He resecured peeling leather, replaced any hardware he found missing and repaired the non functioning blend door while everything was apart and easily accessible.

Ferrari 612 rear cabin speaker replacement featuring Morel Virtus Nano Carbon 62 components

As John continued the installation process he ran into a few more unexpected speed bumps. This caused us to shift certain aspects of the plan.

Pivot Plan

There were a few things that popped up that we either had not thought of or simply didn’t see until we got into the weeds with this one.

Center Channel Speaker

Without being able to remove all of the stripped screws in the instrument cluster, he was unable to remove the entire dashboard and access the center channel speaker. We questioned whether it made sense to spend the time to replace it. Ultimately we decided to leave that speaker as is. Between the Helix DSP tools like time alignment and virtual center channel, John knew he could still create an amazing sounding system without it.

The center channel in this case would remain the only original speaker still connected to the stock audio system in the vehicle. It would have been nice to replace, but I also had the nagging ‘What if‘s about that speaker too. What if certain vehicle warning chimes go through that speaker? What if the park distance chirps go through that speaker? John assured me they didn’t, but I still had my worries about it.

Factory Subwoofers

We knew from working on an earlier 2005 Ferrari Scaglietti that the car was equipped with one subwoofer in the front passenger foot well and one in the rear shelf. Originally we were thinking we might be able to replace them with something like the Helix Ci5 woofers. However, after John opened it up and examined each woofer, it was clear that wouldn’t be possible unless he fabricated new enclosures/mounting solutions. We weren’t working with an unlimited budget so we focused on trying to re-use the original Bose subwoofers.

2007 Ferrari 612 fitted with Morel Virtus Nano 42 in the rear shelf and original Bose subwoofer powered by a new amp

My hope was that each subwoofer would be 2 ohm and we could power each with a channel off the Helix V Eighteen DSP amp. Here’s what he found. Each woofer measured .5 ohm. The front passenger floor subwoofer was getting powered by the same amp that was powering all the original speakers. The rear shelf subwoofer on the other hand was quite peculiar. It had its own amp built into it. John had to carefully remove the amp from the rear shelf subwoofer before he could even measure its resistance. That sub? Also .5 ohm.

Mid installation process – Ferrari 612 Helix V Eighteen DSP & MATCH UP1FX

Yikes. The V Eighteen DSP was only 2 ohm stable. We were going to need another amp.

Retaining the factory Bose subwoofers

We chose to wire the subwoofers in series and use the MATCH UP1FX. Surely way more power than necessary, but we needed something with:

Excellent sound quality
1 ohm stability
Compact design

John had already fabricated an amp mounting solution for the V Eighteen DSP (3D printed of course), but he knew there would be enough room to piggyback the UP1FX right next to it. With the amp situation sorted out and speakers installed and wired up, John could focus on some of the smaller details. Those devilish little details are where all the time goes.

The devil is in the details

USB Placement & Volume Knob or Bass Knob or Both?

Originally we planned to mount the USB C port in the ashtray similar to how John did in the last Ferrari 612 he worked on. After realizing we wouldn’t be able to retain the steering wheel controls, I desperately wanted the client to have a master volume knob. Although the Kenwood DAX800XR looks incredibly sleek and modern, it does not have any hard tactile buttons. It’s entirely touch screen controlled.

Devilish details adding up in this 2007 Ferrari Navigation CarPlay Upgrade Challenge

That is not a design flaw. This model stereo was designed to be used in vehicles that are compatible with an iDatalink APX dash kit. With these installation kits the Kenwood DAX800XR becomes a simple way to upgrade a stock 8″ display. It’s meant to be used with existing volume controls in a modern vehicle like a 2015 Chevy Tahoe for example. This wasn’t a modern vehicle.

Original plan – USB port and volume knob in ashtray, but the ashtray was tight to access and unfortunately brittle and broken beyond repair

We had hoped we could retain the steering wheel controls using a Dual Unico Plus steering wheel control module. In that case we would have made the control knob in the ashtray a sub level control knob. But then we remembered with the factory stereo still in line, the steering wheel controls (if compatible) would still be controlling two stereos.

That would be weird. Theoretically the client might accidentally switch sources on the original stereo and start hearing AM radio buzzing through the sole remaining center channel speaker. Ditch that idea. So now we need a volume knob and a sublevel control knob.

Fabricating the new console insert

Since the ashtray was already brittle beyond repair it made more sense to make a new panel to house all 3. But it had to be PERFECT. And here’s the crummy reality about that UP1FX. You can’t use the URC.1 as a sub level control for that amp. The only way we could do this was either to use a Conductor to act as both sub level control and master volume control or have 2 different controls knobs.

The Conductor was just too big for the space and also would look out of place in the interior. This car was clean and classy. The head unit was sleek with a minimalist appearance. The LED lights on the Conductor would have stuck out like a sore thumb in this interior. This meant we had to use the URC.1 as master volume and the SRC as sub level.

Final design of the remote bass knob USB C insert panel

Poor John. I made that man redesign that insert 100 times. The SRC is literally the worst sub level control knob in the Helix line, but it’s the only direct plug in compatible knob that would work for the UP1FX. It’s big and even if you take it out of the housing there is a huge circuit board that doesn’t like to fit behind anything (come on Helix – do better here!).

Example 1 of a universal bass knob – I didn’t like that the bass knob was slightly larger than the master volume knob

We could have used an RCA level style bass knob, but I didn’t like the clash in design/style of any of the universal bass knobs. It weirded me out that the sub level knob was bigger than the master volume knob.

Example 2 of another universal bass knob that didn’t pass the visual test

I felt it would be more intuitive if the volume knob was the larger knob and the sub level was the smaller knob. We tested all of them out and none of them looked right. Which is why I made John redesign this insert so many times.

Final design – backside of the insert to house the bass knob and hold the circuit board of the SRC

John lovingly obliged and redesigned the insert for the 100th time. He had to taper the edges so each knob would fit neatly and still move freely. The trickiest part of the design was incorporating the circuit board from the SRC. He made a slight notch behind the panel for it to lock into place. Genuis! The final result is exactly what I was hoping it would be.

Final result – Helix URC.1 as master volume, USB C for optional charging and SRC for sub level control

I kid you not when I tell you he spent at least 7 days on this. And here I was thinking designing the dash bezel would be the hardest, most time consuming part.

Custom fabricated Mounting trim Ferrari 612 CarPlay

With all his hours spent designing speaker mounting adapters and the insert for the ashtray, John breezed through the design and fabrication of the stereo bezel.

Custom bezel for 2007 Ferrari 612 navigation CarPlay upgrade fitted with Kenwood DAX800XR

Here you can see the Ferrari 612 navigation head unit sitting behind the bezel. The hideaway module brain for the Kenwood DAX800XR was mounted up high under the driver’s side dash. We did have to use Kenwood’s KCA-A150EX extension cable to reach the display.

2007 Ferrari 612 Navigation CarPlay Upgrade Challenge – custom fabricated dash kit housing Kenwood DAX800XR

In order to make this serviceable, John made it so the display can be removed. If you pull down the tab covering the OEM USB port just to the right of the CD player, the display can be removed with a simple panel access tool. Hopefully the dealer never has to take it out for any service related reasons, but if they do, he designed it to be serviceable.

Amazing sound quality and exceptional workmanship

With the interior buttoned back up, John was able to focus on tuning. We spent some time dialing it in listening to a variety of tracks we know well as well as a few of the clients favorite tracks.

Ferrari 612 fitted with Morel Virtus Nano Carbon Integra 42 dash speakers

Initially I was worried about just having the two 4″ speakers on the dash. Would there be enough of a sound stage in front? Would it sound like everything was coming from behind?

Thankfully the sound quality surpassed my expectations. In a word, it was impressive. There really is nothing else quite like Morel speakers. The highs are incredibly detailed and nuanced. The mids are warm and enveloping. The bass from the factory Bose subwoofers was downright phenomenal. The end result was absolutely incredible sound.

Looks and Sounds Incredible

Perhaps one of the best aspects of this installation was the overall execution. We tried really hard to do this upgrade tastefully in a way that matched the original interior aesthetics.

This is reflected in how John fabricated a panel to cover the custom amp rack. It blends in and mirrors a factory panel on the passenger side of the trunk. It looks like it was always there.

Mirrors the squared off panel that was already existing on the passenger side

This Ferrari 612 Navigation CarPlay upgrade not only sounds amazing and looks amazing – it’s now fitted with the modern creature comforts that we’ve all come to rely on.

Ferrari 612 with modern tech

In addition to the 8″ wireless Apple CarPlay Android Auto display, this set up also features a high definition reverse camera and high definition front park assist camera.

Upon switching the vehicle in reverse, the rear camera automatically turns on. When shifting out of reverse, the front camera then automatically pops on and stays on for several seconds. You can also manually trigger either camera conveniently from the touch screen by tapping the camera icon.

Kenwood HD reverse camera fitted in a 2007 Ferrari 612

As beautiful as this car is, it lacks great visibility. The front and rear park assist cameras will provide the driver a lot more comfort and ease on the rare occasions he takes this vehicle out for a drive.

HD Kenwood front park assist camera Ferrari 612

There is certainly a palpable thrill to owning and driving a rare super car. But when you have a modern stereo that sounds incredible it takes that driving experience to a completely different level. To learn more about how we can help with your audio upgrade, please call/text or visit our shop Sounds Incredible Mobile in Brookfield, CT.

2007 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti – CarPlay and full audio upgrade

Ferrari 612 Audio Upgrade Ferrari 612 Navigation CarPlay Upgrade Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Helix Helix V Eighteen DSP Kenwood DAX800XR Morel Morel Virtus Nano Carbon

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade

Recently we had a lovely client reach out about an audio upgrade for his 2020 Defender 110. His L663 Defender 110 was manufactured June 30th, 2020 which may have played a factor in vehicle build production variations. Since I was not familiar with the audio system in this particular year & model, I did some research and found that there were 3 different audio packages available:

6 Speaker Basic Audio System (build code 025KN)
15 Speaker 700 watt Meridian System (build code 025LM)
19 Speaker 1280 watt Meridian System (build code 025LN)

Before making any type of recommendation I first have to identify the existing audio package. I was perplexed because when I looked at the vehicle, I could only visibly identify 13 speakers. And yet, when I ran the VIN on OutVIN it appeared to have option code 025LN.

It obviously did not have the 19 speaker option, but I also had trouble finding all 15 speakers. I was even more confused after I found this promotional image from Land Rover which clearly denotes 15 speakers, yet only shows 14 on the image.

Do you see 15 speakers in this image? Common core math maybe?

It’s hard to know what equipment you will need for a job if you don’t know exactly what set up you are working with.

Investigating the 15 speaker Meridian audio system

The next step is what we often do when dealing with a vehicle where we have limited information available. Since the wiring schematic for this car was not available in Mitchell ProDemand, I asked the client if he would mind coming in for an investigation/consultation appointment. This would give John a few hours to do some disassembly and during this time he would:

Access the factory amp
Identify, test and tone out each of the speakers
Confirm the exact number of speakers and their placement
Test and verify impedences
Test and confirm how many channels are on the OEM amp
Test frequency outputs on each channel
Verify exactly how many channels we would need for an aftermarket DSP amp

This was about 4 hours of work in and of itself, but I do not like going into a project blind and telling a client, “Well, we might be able to do this or we might end up having to do that. It all depends on what we find.” I’m always relieved when a client is willing to give us the time to investigate prior to bringing the car in to execute the full project.

How many channels? What impedances?

What John found during his testing is there are technically 14 speakers in the exact locations marked on the graphic above. The subwoofer under the driver’s seat is a dual 2.2 ohm woofer so perhaps they are counting that as 2 speakers. Each of the main door 6.5″ speakers are 2.3 ohm. The front door midranges are 2.6 – 2.8 ohm and the rear satellite speakers in the ceiling are 4.6 – 4.8 ohm. We weren’t able to get an accurate impedance reading on the original tweeters and center channel at the amp harness, but we were able to tone them out and confirm they are on individual channels. There are no passive crossover networks in this set up.

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade Wiring Notes Page 1

If you want to do an audio upgrade, you will need a 12+ channel DSP amp and follow channel per channel amplification after the original amp. Unfortunately Mobridge does not have a pre-amp adapter available at this time (we checked).

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade Wiring Notes Page 2

In addition to identifying wiring, John also checked the output side to see if any of the channels provided a full range signal. They did not. He found that the subwoofer played from about 80 Hz and down. The 6.5″ door woofers played from about 20 Hz to 500 Hz (this is actually the signal he ended up using for the new subwoofer amp). The front midranges played from about 500 – 2,500 Hz. The rear surrounds played about 4k and up and the tweeters measured at about 2.5k and up.

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade Wiring Notes Page 3

Based on his in depth testing, he concluded we could most likely disconnect/eliminate the rear satellite speakers and perhaps the center channel. That would leave us with 12 channels.

What DSP amp is best for this Defender 110 Audio Upgrade?

Since we needed a minimum of 12 channels and possibly needed those to be 2 ohm stable, I recommended the Helix V Twelve DSP amp for the job. This compact 12-channel amp measures in at only 1.73″ tall, 8.66″ long and 8.66″ wide. It provides an impressive amount of clean power rated at 75 watts RMS per channel at 4 ohm or 120 watts RMS per channel at 2 ohm. With the heart of the system decided, I hashed out the rest of the build with the client.

Where will the equipment fit?

Thankfully this client wanted to eliminate his 3rd row seat. This gave us a decent amount of room to house the new equipment. The full scope of the work included:

Helix V Twelve DSP
UP1FX mono amp to power a new custom subwoofer enclosure
Eliminate the 3rd row seat
Create a new trunk floor covering to hide the new amps and new subwoofer enclosure
Morel Ultimo PowerSlim 12″ subwoofer in a custom enclosure
Sound dampen the doors and rear cargo space
Upgrade the front 3-ways with Morel Hybrid 63
Upgrade the rear 2-ways with Morel Hybrid 62
Fabricate speaker mounting adapters as needed
Fabricate a panel to trim out the client’s existing CB radio
Fabricate a panel to house the Conductor control knob and the clients existing roof light switch

During the process of installation, John found that he was able to disconnect the rear satellite speakers as he assumed he could. And he was able to turn off the center channel by turning off the surround settings in the audio menu. He left this speaker in line for the SOS function. Additionally, he had to disconnect the tach wire going to the amp in order to disable the ANC function.

Morel Hybrid 3-way midrange in custom fabricated speaker mounting adapter for the Defender 110

Plan of attack

John decided to start with the doors. He carefully applied Dynamat Xtreme to the outer panels and Dynaliner to the inner door panels. He was able to use modified pre-fab speaker mounting adapters for the 6.5’s.

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade Inner Panel Dynamat Application

The Helix CFMK165 JLR.1 were a match, but these are technically a direct fit for the Helix Compose series speakers. With a little modification, he was able to use these mounts with the Morel speakers. He did have to design a mounting adapter for the mid ranges. That will be covered in one of our YouTube videos coming soon.

John applies Dynaliner to a section of the Defender 110 door panel

In addition to Dynamat and Dynaliner, John also utilized Morel fast rings. This is a foam ring that goes around the outer frame of the speaker which ultimately helps to direct the soundwaves directly into the cabin. With fast rings, sound waves coming off the speaker are less likely travel adjacently inside the door frame.

Once John completed the speakers and sound dampening, he moved on to figuring out the layout and space limitations for the new amplifiers and custom subwoofer enclosure. With the rear seat removed, it was evident to me there wasn’t quite as much room there as I had originally perceived there to be.

Midway through the install – Helix V Twelve + UP1FX on an amp rack in the Defender 110

I started to have my doubts. Was there really enough room for the Morel Ultimo PowerSlim 12″ subwoofer? Or would John have to raise up the rear floor? For reference, the Morel Ultimo PowerSlim 12″ requires .8 cubic ft sealed.

3rd Row Rear seat delete Defender 110

I’m not sure how he fit it all there so neatly, but he did it. The man is a magician. Some even call him a wizard! Here is the vehicle post installation with the original floor mat in place the same way it arrived to our shop. Without hearing this audio system, you would never know anything was added.

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade with 3rd row seat delete false floor hidden DSP amps and custom subwoofer enclosure

This is what it looks like with the mat removed. You can see the new 2 piece trunk floor cover he created. What you can’t see in this photo is the slim mesh grill directly above the woofer allowing for airflow and venting.

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade with 3rd row seat delete and new trunk floor

What lies below that beautiful new trunk floor covering? The Helix V Twelve DSP alongside the MATCH UP1FX on a custom fabricated amp rack. Next to both is the custom fabricated enclosure for the 600 watt Morel PowerSlim 12″ subwoofer.

Defender 110 Audio Upgrade featuring Helix V Twelve, UP1FX and Morel PowerSlim 12″

Not only does this vehicle sound absolutely amazing, it looks completely original and unaltered. The rear cargo space is fully functional with no loss of space. The 3rd row seat was something the client didn’t want or use. Eliminating it created the perfect space for these high fidelity components.

The finishing touches – 3D printed trim

After watching hours and hours of YouTube, John convinced me that our shop needed to buy a Bambu labs 3D printer. Since my attempts to get a free one from the Bambu Labs marketing department were unsuccessful, I broke down and let him spend the dough. I know. He was right. I’m late to the game on this one.

John initially started out using the 3D printer to make speaker mounting adapters like the ones used for the Morel midranges. However, with this Defender 110 audio upgrade, he thoroughly impressed me. With zero background designing with CAD, he went to YouTube university and got busy measuring and designing. He was able to create 2 really nice trim pieces. Not bad for a newbie, right?

For me, this is the chef’s kiss of the installation. First he created a trim ring for the client’s existing CB radio. Then he created an insert to house the Conductor DSP control knob and a switch for the client’s aftermarket lights. His original design did not have any lettering in place, but I told him I thought it would look nice if we could get the Defender logo etched in there. Together we researched the font and adjusted the layout trying to achieve a balanced aesthetic. For anyone looking to do something similar, the name of the font we used is called Eurostyle Bold.

What do you think of the Meridian sound system in your Defender? Is it lacking? Could it be better? If you are interested in an audio upgrade for your Defender 110 reach out to our shop in Brookfield, CT. Call or text us today to learn more.

Defender 110 3rd Row Seat Delete Defender 110 Audio Upgrade Helix Morel Morel Ultimo Power Slim UP1FX V Twelve DSP

Porsche 993 Subwoofer + PCCM Audio Upgrade

Another 993 audio upgrade – this time with a small subwoofer!

We do a lot of Porsche 993 audio upgrades at our shop in Brookfield, CT, but in this audio build we managed to squeeze in a completely hidden, compact, powered subwoofer. The addition of this modest subwoofer in this Porsche 993 really took this audio system up to the next level.

Porsche 993 Subwoofer – what are the options?

I typically do a lot of research prior to designing an audio system – especially if a client asks us for something we haven’t done before. When I did a google image search for Porsche 993 subwoofer I saw nothing appealing. Of course we could have created a fiberglass formed enclosure for a small sub in the the passenger footwell area or make something that could fit behind the seats taking up the non existent rear passenger footwell area. We had done that before and knew what it entailed, but this client, understandably, didn’t want the interior to look altered.

I thought about the space under the passenger seat. I knew from experience there was enough room for a compact amp there. But the space under both front seats is TIGHT. I thought maybe we could fit a powered sub under the seat?? It was a big maybe because I couldn’t get confirmation that any one single compact powered subwoofer on the market was ever successfully installed under the front seat in a Porsche 993. So I did some more research and found the most compact powered subwoofer on the market that had a snowball’s chance in hell of fitting under one of these seats.

Test fitting the Kenwood KSC-PSW7EQ powered subwoofer under the seat in a Porsche 993 — Test fitting the Kenwood KSC-PSW7EQ in the Porsche 993 under passenger front seat.

I set aside 2 different powered subwoofers for this Porsche 993. The Kicker HS8 and the Kenwood KSC-PSW7EQ. The Kicker HS8 is a subwoofer we have used before. We regularly use the Kicker HS10 and HS8 in various installs at our shop. In the compact powered subwoofer world, both Kicker subs are pretty rock solid options for clients looking just for a little extra something to fill in those deeper bass frequencies that you just can’t get out of a 5.25″ or 6.5″ speaker. I had not used this Kenwood powered subwoofer before and my expectations for it were quite low.

It features a 8.5″ x 5.5″ woofer. So it’s not even quite a 6×9, but close. The entire enclosure measures at only 11.03″ wide, 7.875″ deep and an impressive 2.75″ tall. I compared those measurements to the MATCH UP 6 DSP amp we normally use. The MATCH UP 6 DSP is 5.12″ wide, 5.12″ deep and 1.81″ tall.

Retaining the original Nokia 993 amp harness

Fitting the subwoofer under the passenger seat was a challenge. John was able to relocate the existing modules directly behind the new 993 subwoofer. My other concern was I didn’t want to cut the original amp wire harness for this installation.

Porsche 993 Nokia amplifier — Porsche 993 Nokia Amplifier

We used the PPI ISO-2 harness from MATCH to get our output from the Porsche PCCM stereo and go directly into the UP 6 DSP, but we still needed to grab most of our speaker wires at the factory amp harness.

Porsche 993 Nokia amp harness connection — Porsche 993 Nokia Amp Harness

During my research I managed to find an OEM amp harness connector so John was able to retain the original Nokia amp harness. That was a big win for me. Whenever possible, I look to source parts that allow us to retain the original wiring for integrity and value purposes. It may not look pretty, but it’s functional.

With most of the devilish details ironed out, I could breathe a sigh of relief. I knew John would do an amazing job executing the rest of this installation because he knows these cars so well and like me, gets hyper focused on details.

Next challenge – bass knob

The Kenwood powered subwoofer’s major drawback is that it comes with an obnoxious remote bass EQ controller that looks like an old school car stereo remote control with a long wire attached to it. It is ugly asf. So ugly, I won’t even post it here. There is no neat or aesthetically pleasing way to mount the included control knob. Hiding it or simply not using it altogether is your best bet.

Helix URC.1 Remote Bass Knob Porsche 993

Thankfully we used the UP6 DSP amplifier to power the speakers. This powerful compact DSP amp has the ability to control an external subwoofer amp using the much more attractive URC.1 bass knob. John was able to expertly mount the knob in a blank to the left of the steering wheel. He knows I am OCD and happy wife = happy life so he used calipers to take measurements before drilling the hole to mount it. In my opinion, it blends in with the rest of the car interior and looks like it was always there.

Overcoming the wired CarPlay function of the Porsche 993 PCCM

I love the look of the CarPlay PCCM stereo that Porsche offers, but there a few things clients and I despise about it. Mainly that CarPlay is wired only. This presents an issue with cabling getting in the way of shifting. Secondly, the only way to connect for CarPlay is through the large and obtrusive USB/AUX hub. Bizarrely, there is no rear USB input on this stereo so unlike most aftermarket CarPlay stereos on the market, you can’t simply connect a USB extension to the rear of the unit, forget the hub and flush mount a USB in a move convenient location. You have to use the included hub.

Porsche PCCM installed in a 993 with Wireless CarPlay adapter installed behind dash

The challenge we had is this client wanted the option to use wireless CarPlay, but also retain the option to use wired CarPlay. We used a very compact wireless CarPlay adapter and a 90 degree angle USB cable to overcome this. Routing the USB extension cable from the wireless adapter to the hub was incredibly tight, but John managed to get it through while keeping the door opening and closing fully functional.

Porsche 993 Speakers

Like previous Porsche 993 audio upgrades, we recommended Helix speakers due to their exceptional quality and ease of fitment. The client selected the higher fidelity Helix Compose i7 series in front and the Compose i3 series in the rear.

Porsche 993 Helix Ci7 speaker upgrade — Helix Compose i7 5.25″ mid range and .75″ tweeter installed in Porsche 993

The Helix i7 tweeters fit perfectly in the original Porsche tweeter housings. Although this car arrived without door speakers or grilles, the Metra SMG5 (sold individually) looked quite sharp with an OEM appearance.

Rear speakers – always a bit taxing

John typically makes his own mounting adapter plates for the rear speakers. Yes, this takes added time, but it’s worth it to make sure the aftermarket speakers fit perfectly under the original grilles.

Rear speakers Porsche 993 — Helix Compose i3 coaxial in rear shelf Porsche 993 installed with custom made speaker mounting adapters

Although the rear tweeters are still in tact, they are not functional. With the original grilles in place you would never know there are aftermarket speakers installed. Of course that is until you turned it on and took a listen.

Rear speakers upgraded Porsche 993 — Porsche 993 with Helix Ci3 C100.2FM-S3 installed in rear shelf under original grilles

With nearly all the ingredients assembled, John got busy tuning the UP 6 DSP amp.

MATCH UP 6 DSP ties it altogether

The MATCH UP 6 DSP is a powerful compact DSP amplifier that we use in a wide variety of installations at our shop. It features incredibly powerful DSP software and pushes out 65 watts x 4 plus 90 watts x 2 RMS at 4 ohms. With this amp we ran each speaker actively on their own channels.

MATCH UP 6 DSP installed under driver’s seat in Porsche 993

The vast level of control available in the software is what enables us to achieve the highest level of performance possible with the components used.

How did it sound?

Impressive. Everyone at our shop, including the client, was thoroughly impressed. This audio upgrade had detail, clarity, warmth, separation, volume, punch, but in an understated and perfectly balanced manner. We were all thoroughly impressed with the surprising performance of the Kenwood powered subwoofer. This little subwoofer is respectable. And it’s the perfect fit under the passenger seat for a Porsche 993 subwoofer that is truly hidden.

Porsche 993 Audio Upgrade including Kenwood KSC-PSW7EQ powered subwoofer

What do you think about this Porsche 993 audio upgrade? What have you done in your own 993? To learn more about our shop in Brookfield, CT, call or text us at 203-778-3330.

Helix Helix Ci3 Helix Ci7 MATCH UP 6 DSP Porsche Porsche 993 Porsche 993 Audio Upgrade Porsche 993 Subwoofer

Porsche 993 Stereo, Speaker + Amp Upgrade

In the shop, we recently had the pleasure of working on this super clean, 1995 Porsche 911. This is one of my favorite types of jobs to do. I love figuring out how to deliver an upgraded audio system while maintaining the integrity of the vehicle and without detracting from the originality or value of the vehicle. If you own a classic Porsche 993, you understand the push and pull that exists between wanting to upgrade the dated stereo and speaker system with the need to keep everything original without modification. You wouldn’t want to do anything that would in any way detract from the value of the vehicle.

That is why I was extremely selective about what components I recommended to this client for their Porsche 993 speaker and stereo upgrade. We had a couple key requirements.

Porsche 993 Stereo Upgrade Rules to Abide by

I naturally wanted to use equipment that would require minimal to no modifications which means we were limited by certain parameters:

Use all the original speaker grilles
No modification to the dash, doors or wiring
Nothing visibly altered other than the PCCM Classic CarPlay stereo in the dash

It was also imperative for me to include an amplifier simply because the power of any in dash aftermarket radio would not be enough to overcome the road/engine noise of this vehicle. Additionally I wanted to use a DSP amplifier in order to extract maximum performance potential possible out of the speakers as we were not going to add any type of subwoofer.

Good Things Come in Tiny Packages

Meet the MATCH UP 6 DSP. Measuring up at 5.12″ x 5.12″ and only 1.81″ tall this compact amp is an installers dream. It’s a 6-channel amp designed for either speaker level connection or optical SPIDF. Unlike many aftermarket car audio amplifiers, it does not feature an RCA connection.

MATCH UP 6 DSP Porsche 993 stereo + speaker upgrade

The MATCH UP 6 DSP is one of our favorite DSP amplifiers here at the shop. We install this particular amp on a regular basis in a wide variety of vehicles. It features 90 watts X 2 RMS plus another 65 watts x 4 RMS @ 4 ohms with an integrated 31 band EQ and Audiotec Fischer’s advanced digital signal processing software.

Another 993 Audio Upgrade – 1998 Porsche 911 – Check out this video for more in depth details!

The higher powered channels are also 2 ohm stable which bumps up output to 160 watts x 2. This compact little amp packs a mighty punch!

Key Ingredients to a Seamless Porsche 993 Stereo Upgrade

I’m about to spill some secrets so take note! This car was equipped with the basic stock audio system which has:

Factory tweeters measuring at .75 inches
5.25″ front door speakers
4×6 rear door speakers

In order to keep everything fitting nicely under the original grilles, we utilized the Helix Ci 3 series speakers. The 5.25″ Helix Ci 3 speakers fit perfectly without any modification. Prior to the vehicle arriving, I did a lot of research to find out what speakers would fit with the original grilles.

Some of the speakers that kept coming up in my research for the Porsche 993 were old and long discontinued MB Quart speakers that featured a .75″ tweeter. After reaching out to Helix to confirm I was on the right track with fitment, I learned that the Helix Ci3 and Ci7 series are similarly sized to some of the 90’s MB Quart models. This is probably due to Helix having a heavy focus on integration with German vehicles, similar to MB Quart’s original roots from back in the day when it was actually made in Germany (MB Quart is a completely different company today). How convenient!

Helix Ci3 Compose Tweeters .75" Porsche 993

Having the right size equipment is half the battle. The other half is the actual execution which presented some challenges that were expertly overcome. John came up with a very creative solution in order to retain the factory speaker grilles. Check it out:

1995 Porsche 911 Speaker Replacement re-using OEM grilles with Helix Ci3 5.25" speakers

Those are little tiny magnets that John glued to the back side of the original grille. This created a very clean, uniform look that is easily serviceable, but also surprisingly strong. While testing out John’s speaker grille solution I was very satisfied to see that these grilles will not easily pop off.

Attention to Detail in Every Installation

As a small business owner serving clients for 25 years, I have come to embrace an eccentric level of attention to detail in the initial planning phases because I want to cover as many variables as possible and have all the questions covered before the car even arrives. This helps to increase overall efficiency, insure we have all the right parts the day the car arrives and minimizes surprises and delays during the installation process. This hyper focus on details is a strength John and I both share.

While working on the car, inevitably, something will pop up that I couldn’t have foreseen. In this case, one such example was the driver’s side door panel. While working on the Porsche 993 speaker replacement, he noticed one edge of the trim was coming apart at the corner.

Be Prepared to Make Repairs Along the Way

Not able to overlook anything, John went ahead and resecured that corner. He even added some additional reinforcement for the other edges to prevent them from coming loose as well.

The man just can’t help himself. If he sees it, he will fix it. Schedules be damned.

While he was at at, he also repainted the grilles with a fresh coat of black paint. Below you can see the final result on the driver’s side with the freshly painted grilles.

The passenger side came out pretty sharp too:

In preparation for the rear speakers, I ordered and set aside a set of 4″ coaxials, the Ci3 C100.2FM-S3 and 4″ components, the Ci3 K100.2FM-S3. I wasn’t sure whether this car was equipped with a 4×6 or the 4″ component we sometimes see in Porsche models. This turned out to be a non amplified Porsche 993 with a set of 4×6 in the rear deck. I was also slightly concerned about the rear tweeter protruding too high up and interfering with the factory grilles, but luckily that was not an issue.

Porsche 993 rear speakers Helix Ci3 C100.2FM-S3

The old original rear speaker grilles did present a major challenge. The plastic base for each side was cracked. Despite John’s numerous attempts and hours spent trying to repair them, the stubborn old plastic would just crack again each time he reattached the grille. After the 3rd attempt to rebuild I convinced him to order new grilles which of course look great.

The new rear grilles look much better than the original 1995 Porsche 911 grilles. The replacement rear grilles weren’t cheap, but we think it was well worth the cost for a clean look.

It’s not just about looks, we also needed this Porsche 993 stereo to be fully functional. The client opted for the Porsche PCCM Classic CarPlay radio.

Making the Porsche PCCM Classic CarPlay Stereo Sound Incredible

The Porsche PCCM Classic CarPlay radio is interesting to me. The display is SO small I am not quite sure how I feel about it. I generally appreciate the overall look of the modern Porsche 993 stereo.

Although the display is small, it certainly fits the dash and maintains a period appropriate look. The knobs and buttons certainly have a factory like feel to them and the Porsche logo on top seals the deal.

PP-ISO 2 MATCH up 6 DSP harness used to connect to the Porsche PCCM Classic CarPlay Stereo

We used the PP-ISO 2 T-harness to make a clean speaker level connection from the Porsche PCCM Classic CarPlay radio to the MATCH UP 6 DSP amplifier. I asked John to mount the amp in the factory location under the passenger seat. If you didn’t know where to look, you’d never know it was there!

Porsche 993 Stereo Upgrade featuring MATCH UP 6 DSP amplifier mounted in factory amp location under passenger seat.

We chose to run each speaker actively for maximum performance and efficiency. Utilizing each channel for each speaker eliminated the need for any external crossover network. The tweeters were run on the 65 watt channels, the 5.25″ midranges powered off the 90 watt channels and the rear 4″ run off the remaining 65 watt channels.

The combination of equipment used along with John’s expert installation and tuning process created a powerful system that was crisp, clean, detailed and vibrant yet fully maintained the original aesthetics of the vehicle. If you’re interested in a clean and classic Porsche 993 stereo upgrade like this for your vehicle, please contact our shop, Sounds Incredible Mobile in Brookfield, CT.

Helix Helix Ci3 Helix Compose MATCH UP 6 DSP Porsche 993 CarPlay Porsche 993 Speaker Upgrade Porsche 993 Speakers Porsche 993 Stereo Porsche 993 Stereo Upgrade Porsche MATCH UP 6 DSP Porsche PCCM CarPlay Porsche PCCM Classic CarPlay UP 6 DSP

2024 Mercedes E 350 Speaker DSP Amp Audio Upgrade

2024 Mercedes E 350 Standard Audio Upgrade

Missing Burmester

We recently had a client reach out inquiring about what options were available to upgrade the audio system in his 2024 Mercedes E 350. He recently acquired the vehicle, having traded in his last Mercedes which had been equipped with the premium Burmester stereo (option 810). Like so many of the clients that we meet, it wasn’t until after he took delivery that he realized his new Mercedes did not have the premium audio option. It was just the standard audio package and it sucked – BIG time.

How does Mercedes get away with this?

Take a look at this picture. That is a super basic paper cone speaker. Mercedes charges around $80 for this piece of hardware. This is an $80,000 car with a paper cone speaker that couldn’t cost them more than a few dollars to manufacture. They didn’t even throw in a tweeter or whizzer cone! The rear passengers are lucky to have any sound apparently. There is a nice empty channel where a tweeter could have gone if the car had been equipped with the premium audio option.

Thankfully our shop has what it takes to bring this audio system up to and beyond the level of quality you would expect in such a luxury vehicle. For this build we used a combination of vehicle specific products from MATCH and Helix.

Mercedes Standard Audio Components

The standard audio system in the 2024 Mercedes E 350 can be been described as horribly thin, tinny and reminiscent of an old transistor radio. Depending on the build date of your Mercedes you may only have 6 speakers – all in the front and nothing in the rear. However, this vehicle had 8 speakers total:

4″ components (midrange and tweeter) in the front doors
Passenger side floor mounted “subwoofer”
Driver’s side floor mounted subwoofer dummy plate
4″ round piece of foam in the center channel speaker location
4″ rear mid range speakers – we were surprised there were actually speakers back here – you could barely hear them!

2024 Mercedes E 350 with standard audio - center channel speaker location.

Not wanting to do any sort of modifications to the vehicle, our plan was to use a combination of Helix and MATCH products including a super handy vehicle specific T-harness.

MATCH and Helix – the Perfect Match for this 2024 Mercedes E 350

The MATCH UP 8 DSP amplifier is at the heart of this 2024 Mercedes E 350 audio upgrade. This compact, yet truly powerful DSP amp features a hearty 6 channels x 65 watts RMS (4 ohm) +plus another 2 channels x 160 watts (2 ohm). We used the main channels to power the center channel, front components and rear coaxial speakers and the higher powered channels for the new Helix i5 subwoofers. John found a great spot to mount the amp under the passenger side dash, right behind the glove box.

The DSP software by Audiotec Fischer is what makes this audio system shine. Helix and MATCH DSP amplifiers are our go to product when upgrading a factory audio system because we know the results achievable thanks to their incredible software. We use their vast array of audio tools to perfect whatever audio signal we are working with. Each and every time we execute an audio upgrade using their hardware we remark on how incredible their products are. Our team is always deeply impressed and the client is equally floored by the end result.

2024 Mercedes E 350 8 speaker audio upgrade

The other benefit of the MATCH series products are their vehicle specific T-harnesses. We do not want to modify anything in a brand new vehicle if we can help it. We want the upgrade to be heard, but not seen. This is the case whether you’re simply looking at the vehicle interior or if you’re a Mercedes mechanic taking the car apart and servicing another item in the vehicle. We want these components to integrate seamlessly and for the most part they do in an exceptional manner.

Mercedes Speaker Upgrade Components

Not having seen the vehicle in person, it was hard for us to verify exactly what this car was equipped with prior to it arriving for the audio upgrade. Using the MATCH upgrade finder and working with MSC America, we presumed based on earlier models we would need the MATCH UP C42MB-FRT for our front component speakers and the UP S4MB-CTR for our center channel. However, once we disassembled the front doors, we hit a snag.

2024 Mercedes E 350 audio upgrade - MATCH UP 8 DSP

The UP S4MB-CTR matched perfectly for the center channel, but we found the front doors utilized a different type of mounting system. At this point we were already committed to the Match series speakers. We are big fans of their silk dome tweeter.

In order to use the MATCH UP C42MB-FRT John did have to make a modification to the plastic factory speaker housing in the front doors. If we were to do this again, we would recommend using either the Helix Compose i3 series (titanium dome tweeter) or Compose i7 series (silk dome) along with the appropriate CFMK100 MB.5 flex mount adapters.

MATCH C42MB-FRT - not a perfect match for 2024 Mercedes E350

The MATCH series speakers sounded superb. The silk dome tweeter is delicate and detailed, the midrange quite warm and pleasant. Performance wise we were quite happy with this choice despite the modification that we hadn’t planned on. After discovering this car had rear speakers, we proceeded with the Helix Compose Ci3 C100.2FM-S3 (3 ohm) with the Flex Mount adapter for a perfect fit.

Helix Compose i3 Mercedes E350 speaker upgrade

The speakers is this car are really quite small. Even with a robust DSP amplifier, the best 4″ speakers can only play so low in frequency range. To really fill out this audio system with some depth and punch we needed to reproduce bass. But we did not want to see any type of subwoofer enclosure in the trunk or anywhere else in the vehicle. Meet the Helix i5 S200FM-S2.

The Helix Compose i5 Subwoofers Steal the Show

Hands down, the showstopper of this Mercedes audio upgrade are the Helix Compose i5 subwoofers. Holy cow. The amount of bass these free air subwoofers produce is off the charts and totally unexpected. Granted anything was an upgrade over the single passenger side factory subwoofer – if you can really call it that.

This is what the factory 2024 Mercedes E 350 subwoofer looks like:

And this is what the Helix Compose i5 subwoofer looks like:

This 8″ (200 mm) mid bass/woofer is available in single 2 ohm voice coil or dual 2 ohm voice coil. These impressive drivers also have some serious weight to them. They can handle up to 200 watts RMS and perform as both a mid range and subwoofer covering a frequency range of 25 to 500 Hz. Using the Flex Mount adapter CFMK200 MB.1S, the i5’s fit perfectly in the factory locations. Accessing these areas to install the new subwoofers does take a little time and skilled maneuvering.

Helix Compose i5 subwoofer Mercedes E350

John removed the dummy plate from the driver’s side footwell to install the new Helix i5 subwoofer. He also had to run wiring for the new sub to the new MATCH UP 8 DSP amplifier. The passenger side subwoofer is buried pretty deeply behind power distribution panel. The necessary effort to access and upgrade both sides is well worth it for the dramatic performance and punch the i5’s deliver.

Mercedes factory subwoofer upgrade featuring Helix Compose i5

It’s not only important to select the right components for an audio upgrade. It’s equally important to have these products installed by a skilled technician that knows how to use the tools of the DSP software.

DSP Tune for the Magic Touch

Installing the actual equipment is just half the battle. Setting up the DSP correctly to optimize and maximize performance is something our technician John is a master at. Once all of the equipment was installed he began the tuning process which he usually spends anywhere from 2-4 hours doing.

This involves setting up digital time alignment so all speakers are timed to hit the driver’s ears at the same time. It also entails setting optimal crossover points and gains for each speaker. Critically, it involves analyzing the frequency response with an RTA using pink noise with a mic stand set up in the driver’s listening position. The technician then makes the adjustments necessary in the MATCH UP 8 DSP to achieve the optimal sound quality RTA curve. Once this is complete, we do some additional fine tuning by ear listening to a variety of audio tracks together. I like to include sample tracks from the client as well.

Upgrading the stereo system in a brand new vehicle doesn’t have to be complicated if you use the right equipment and the right team to execute the task. If you’re interested in upgrading the audio system in your vehicle, contact our shop today. We’d love to help take your audio system from Standard to Holy Cow!

Have you tried the MATCH or Helix products in your vehicle? If so, let me know what you think of it in the comments below.

2024 Mercedes E 350 Audio Upgrade 2024 Mercedes E 350 Stereo upgrade Helix Helix Compose Helix i5 MATCH MATCH UP 8 DSP

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