Porsche 928 JBL speaker upgrade 1983–1995 | Restomod audio
Replace your Porsche 928's old speakers with modern JBL speakers, without losing the original appearance of the interior.
The original Porsche 928 speakers are now several decades old. The paper cones are often dried out, torn, or damaged. Even when the original speakers still work, sound quality remains limited by the outdated speaker technology.
For this upgrade, we have new mounting frames, mounting rings, and speaker grilles specially designed for the Porsche 928. The complete original mounting ring is replaced by our new ring with an improved locking mechanism. This means the same door set fits both early and later Porsche 928 models. The attractive grilles look very similar to the original.
The result is a much more modern sound with a wider frequency range, more bass, and less distortion at higher volume.
For an even better listening experience, we have even selected a number of suitable Restomod radios for you.
Which speaker set do I need?
We call it a Door set and a Bass set
Door set
Suitable for all Porsche 928 models from 1983 through 1995 with a clip-in or twist-lock system for the speaker rings.
The original mounting ring is completely replaced by our newly designed mounting ring with an improved locking mechanism. This means it does not matter which original mounting system is installed in the car.
Set contents:
Square bass set
Suitable for Porsche 928 models from 1983 through 1988 with the square bass speakers behind the front seats.
Set contents:
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2x JBL Stage3 627
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New mounting plates
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New speaker grilles
- Screws
The original outer speaker housing is reused if it is still in good condition. The JBL speaker is mounted in this housing using our new mounting plate.
Our new speaker grille also fits neatly into the original housing.
Note: From model year 1989 onward, the Porsche 928 uses a round bass speaker. Our current bass set is not compatible with it. A version for this round bass speaker is still in development.
Note for 10-speaker system
With the 10-speaker system, the rear panels contain an additional midrange speaker and tweeter. These are connected to the original bass speaker via a crossover. This crossover distributes the audio signal across:
When you replace the original bass speaker with our JBL Stage3 627, this original crossover is also removed. As a result, the two additional rear speakers are no longer driven.
This is not a problem with our upgrade. The JBL Stage3 627 is itself a 2-way speaker. One speaker contains a woofer and tweeter with its own built-in 2-way crossover. This means the JBL Stage3 627 handles the frequency range of the rear speaker position itself, so the two additional original speakers are not necessary.
Would you still like to use the additional original midrange speaker and tweeter? Then a separate suitable crossover is required.
Radio upgrade
The new speakers can be combined with the existing audio system, but for a complete sound upgrade, we also recommend replacing the old radio with a modern radio whose appearance suits the interior of the Porsche 928.
We have selected several Blaupunkt retro radios for your 928 that pair well with this JBL speaker upgrade:
These models combine modern audio technology and Bluetooth with a design that suits the classic Porsche 928 dashboard better than a modern standard car radio.
See our 928 Restomod Radio page for more interesting information about this.
Benefits of this Porsche 928 JBL speaker upgrade
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Modern JBL speakers for the Porsche 928
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Door set suitable for 1983-1995
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New mounting rings for both early and late mounting configurations
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Custom improved fastening system
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Mounting in the original speaker locations
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No visible universal speaker solution
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Wider frequency range
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More and tighter bass
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Less distortion at higher volume
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New speaker grilles for a neat finish
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Suitable for LHD and RHD
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Ideal for an original Porsche 928 with a modern Restomod audio upgrade
When should you replace the original Porsche 928 speakers?
The original speakers are now often more than 30 years old. The paper speaker cones in particular deteriorate over time.
Common problems include:
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Torn speaker cones
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Dried-out or damaged surrounds
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Crackling sound
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Distortion at higher volume
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Almost no bass response
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Dull or flat sound
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One or more speakers no longer working
A damaged original cone can sometimes be repaired. However, the characteristics of the old speaker remain unchanged.
Modern JBL speakers provide a much wider usable frequency range and significantly less distortion.
Disassembly information
Models up to and including 1988 have a square bass speaker; the mounting rings for the door speakers are threaded. Turn the ring to loosen it.
On models from 1988 onward with the round bass speaker, the door speakers and rear speaker all use a clip-in system. Unfortunately, it can also be a bit of a cracking system, as the rings can be quite difficult to remove. The ring can be pried loose with a thin flat-head screwdriver. If it breaks, that is not a problem, because with our set you no longer need the old components.
Remove the original speaker, mounting ring, and speaker grille. Then install the new JBL speaker using the specially designed mounting components. For installation, you basically only need a screwdriver.
The set fits the original mounting holes of the Porsche 928.
Check during installation:
For the square bass speaker, the original outer housing can be reused. The new grille fits into this housing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the door set fit all Porsche 928 models?
The door set is suitable for Porsche 928 models from 1983 through 1995. The different original screw-in and clip-in rings are not a problem, as they are completely replaced by our new mounting rings.
What is included in the Porsche 928 door set?
The complete door set includes four JBL speakers: two Club 3412T tweeters and two Stage1 41F speakers. The specially designed mounting frames, mounting rings, and speaker grilles are also included.
Which model years is the square bass set suitable for?
The square bass set is suitable for Porsche 928 models from 1983 through 1988. From the 1989 model year onward, a round bass speaker was used.
Can I reuse the original bass speaker housing?
Yes. If the original outer housing is still in good condition, it can be reused. Our new mounting plate, speaker, and grille fit inside it.
What happens to the additional speakers in the 10-speaker system?
The original crossover for these speakers is located with the original bass speaker and is no longer used when it is removed. The new JBL Stage3 627 is itself a 2-way speaker with its own built-in crossover. As a result, the additional rear tweeter and midrange speaker can be omitted.
When did the Porsche 928 get the 10-speaker system?
In 1987 and 1988, the 10-speaker system was available as an option. From the 1989 model year onward, it became standard.
Can I install the speakers myself?
Yes. The set is designed for installation using the original mounting points. For a standard installation, you basically only need a screwdriver.
Can I keep my original radio?
Yes. The speakers can be combined with the existing audio system. For a complete audio upgrade, however, we also recommend replacing the radio with a model that matches the Porsche 928 technically and visually. See our page 928 Restomod Radio
