A client from Apex recently returned to Adrenaline Autosound for a 2014 Porsche Cayenne audio system upgrade. After testing the functionality of the factory-installed Bose audio system in his SUV, we designed an upgrade that would make use of the impressive processing in the Bose system and combine that with a stand-alone DSP, a pair of high-power amps and premium Audiofrog speakers.
Factory Source Integration
We fed the door, dash and subwoofer output signals from the factory amplifier into a JL Audio TwK 88 digital signal processor. The processor allows us to fine-tune the frequency response of each signal to maximize the performance of the upgraded speakers. As you can see, we didn’t alter the overall design of the system so that passengers can enjoy a realistic soundstage from any position in the vehicle.
Audiofrog Speaker Upgrades
We replaced the door speakers with Audiofrog GB60 woofers and GB25 midrange drivers. The woofers and mids fit into the factory location on custom-made HDPE mounting adapters. We added a set of Fast Rings acoustic coupling rings to the woofers to help channel midbass energy into the listening environment. The GB10-OE tweeters are mounted in the corners of the dash and include a 68 uF capacitor wired in series to protect them in the event someone other than us makes changes to the DSP.
For the center channel, we installed a single GB25 midrange driver on an HDPE adapter plate and bolted it in place, replacing the factory speaker in the center of the dash. As always, we run new wire for every speaker to ensure efficient power transmission and eliminate the possibility of polarity issues.
Subwoofer Upgrade
While Bose does a great job designing and tuning audio systems, they have to limit themselves to the vehicle manufacturers’ space and budget restrictions. As is always the case, this means factory stereo systems rarely have great bass response. We created a custom subwoofer enclosure in the storage area under the floor of the cargo area for a single Audiofrog GB12D4 subwoofer.
The bottom of the enclosure is made of fiberglass so that it follows the floor of the trunk perfectly. We built the sides and top of the enclosure out of 3/4-inch MDF and wrapped the entire cabinet in black carpet for a tidy and finished look.
System Processor and Amplifiers
We used a pair of JL Audio XD amplifiers for the project. An XD1000/5v2 drives the front woofers in the doors, the midrange speakers and the sub, while an XD400/4v2 powers the tweeters and the center channels. The TwK-88 processor is mounted beside the four-channel and all of the equipment is held in place using 8-32 threaded inserts and stainless-steel socket-head cap screws.
Porsche Cayenne Audio System Configuration
With the tuning complete, it was time to turn this Porsche Cayenne audio upgrade back over to the client. He was thoroughly impressed with how much better the system sounded and loved that all the equipment was invisible. If you are in the Raleigh area and are looking for a way to upgrade the performance of your audio system, drop by Adrenaline Autosound in Raleigh. You can reach us by e-mail using our contact form for additional information.
