What about those of us with the low-fi - any suggestions ? I assume some sort of upgrade to the amp/dsp and change of drivers? What about Morel which are in the Maserati to replace the terrible Bose drive units. We left the back alone and left the original subs in but they only come in when needed and frankly are a bit wooly but I like you am not a fan of “boom-boom” unless of course it’s Freddie Couples, whom I revere because of his silky smooth golf swing. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
They just sell names like Burmeister and JBL but unfortunately the tuning of the systems I have heard, including a Linn one in an Aston, leave a lot to be desired. The Naim one in the Bentley once tweaked honestly sounded like The Albert Hall but it did have a cavernous interior! Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
The official Ferrari documentation for the lo-fi cars (296, SF90, Roma and Lusso) has conflicting information. If the 005 NIT (which is the model number for the same NIT in these cars) has the stereo connector I think it does, then I already have an answer for the lo-fi cars. I would need to see a picture of the back of one of these NITs to be sure. This is where I'm stuck on the lo-fi cars. Not too many of these sitting in the exotic auto wrecking yards for me to go check out quite yet. No 005 NITs on fleaBay either.
The 296/SF90/Lusso/Roma hi-fi "add a subwoofer amp" harness design is complete (see first image). These amps actually have three receptacles, the third looks like the second image. However, we would have no reason to use any of the wires coming out of that third receptable. I could make a third bypass harness for this receptable, but why do so? If would only add complexity and drive up the price of the harness. We need to extend the first sub harness (to split off the power and ground for the new subwoofer amp) and we need to extend the second sub harness (to split off the output wires that go to the factory subwoofers located in each of the doors) and that's it. Technically, we also need an amp turn-on wire, but these new amps do not have such a wire. In the older hi-fi amps (488/F8/California T), the third connector had an amp turn-on wire (which is why you see a blue wire hanging off of my sub connector in the second image). Any install that uses this new harness to add a subwoofer amplifier to drive a separate subwoofer will need to run a wire from any accessory circuit in the car (just like the Speciale). I know this sounds complicated, but the Cliff Note's version is that I now have harnesses that would allow you to add a dedicated subwoofer amplifier to any 296, SF90, Lusso or Roma without cutting any wires. The harnesses I sell are anywhere from $300 to $800, this one will be at the bottom end of the spectrum (currently $300). Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mike please could you enlighten me, what does NIT stand for please? Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
When I get the my low-fi one upgraded will ask Greg to take a photo if he’s willing to Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I'm just waiting for the plug and play kit for the low-fi cars! Don't need a sub. Seems like the biggest issue is going to be the tweeters and going into the dash to swap them out?
Unlike the hi-fi cars, the lo-fi amp sends a full range signal to the door speakers. You connect the factory midrange speaker wires to the passive crossover, which splits the full range signal into low frequences (for the midrange speakers) and high frequencies (for my hyper directional tweeter pods). You don't need to get into the dash. Just leave the factory tweeters alone, they aren't doing any harm.
Hey guys. So I bought Mike’s 6 speaker upgrade kit (Focal Flax Series) to replace the 6 OEM speakers on my standard Lo- Fi system. Delivery was prompt. Install done by dealer. Overall a strikingly better quality of sound than even on the Hi Fi equipped 296 I listened to. Background- I am a sound enthusiast having played around on my cars in high school once upon a time, but certainly am no expert. I do like good music when I am driving, though. I have had a lot of experience with the Bang and Olufsen in several Audis and the signature (top end) Meridian systems in my Range Rovers (including the spectacular system in my Range Rover Sport SV with the “body and soul” seats that incorporates 3 subs into the CF front seatbacks. I was vacillating between the Lo fi and Hi fi option at the time when my allocation suddenly went into production and then it became too late to change. I had ultimately decided to order the Hi fi but forgot to tell the salesman. I would rate my upgrade better than the Hi Fi in the 296 and the R8. The R8 system is better than the Hi Fi. So- upgrade > R8 > Hi Fi. The only place where the upgrade is inferior to the others is in the midrange and really low frequencies depending on music. This can easily be fixed with a small amp. 1- Compared to the base system (lo fi- as we call it) the hi fi is definitely better. More intensity and power in the sound. So there is obviously a note to the fact that you spent more money for it. 2- After installing the Focals in my car the most striking difference was the clarity of each frequency compared to R8 and hi fi in the Ferrari. No comparison. Where it was lacking was in midrange intensity and overall bass at higher volume compared to the hi fi. It is clear that with the right little amp the focal system would be amazing. Overall- I do not regret getting the upgrade from Mike. He has been very communicative and helpful as this is one of the first 296s out there with this upgrade. These are amazing speakers. They just need the amp. I will be first in line. So far I am 4k in- 2 k speakers. 2 k install (dealer did it). If the amp and amp install come in at 1k I would beg each and every one of you who are about to spec your car to skip the hi fi- save 1k and get a spectacular system. By the way- my car has the AF pack so the doors are CF but the have no impact on the bass or the sound.
Thank you for your honest feedback. One of the most frustrating aspects of running this business (I own Scuderia Audio) is the inability to get hands on some of these cars. The local exotic auto wreckers are very helpful, but there are no 296's in the yards yet. If I could get my hands on a 296 for a day, I would be well on the way to introducing a 100% plug and play, completely reversible amplifier upgrade for the 296 lo-fi cars.
Hi Mike, I will try and get you some information from Greg @ Autoaudio UK. I know you need a photo of the back of the radio, if there is anything else you need to know, please let me know and I will ask him. Taking delivery on 17th Sept and car booked in for low-fi upgrade on 23rd Sept. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Very much appreciate your efforts. The F8 has a cavernous space behind the glove box, large enough to mount an amplifier mounting bracket (basically a flat metal plate) and a fairly large aftermarket amplifier. I need to know if the 296 has the same situation. If you or the dealer want to see a picture of what I am referring to, go to time 7:07 on this video: FERRARI F8 Full project (Radar laser defense & sound system) (youtube.com) In addition to a picture of the back of the NIT, a couple of close-up pictures of the stereo connectors (for sockets 'F', 'T' and 'S' on the diagram) would be great. Any numbers, letters or nomenclature on these connectors would also be quite helpful. At a minimum, I would need to source connector 'S' (which contains the speaker wires we need to break out to add an aftermarket amplifier). Connectors 'F' and 'T' would supply amplifier power, ground and turn-on for a 100% plug and play solution. Image Unavailable, Please Login
My 296 development efforts are now complete. Check on the website or send me a PM for details. Thank you.
Noted. As soon as I take my car for the low-fi to be upgraded (expecting to take delivery this week and she’s booked in on 23rd September for the stereo upgrade) I will share whatever the installer shares with me. Hopefully we will have some useful information for others on this thread. I do know that he’s upgraded a GTB already but forgot to ask whether is was the low-fi or hi-fi version. I will call him and ask the question on Monday or Tuesday and post the response here. Cheers Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I took delivery today of my car, low-fi GTS, my friend has a hi-fi GTS and he kindly took me for the delivery. To be honest his sounds like it has too much bass and mine does not sound too bad considering it’s the low-fi version. Next week my car goes for its upgrade and I am anticipating a better soundstage for about the same money as the hi-fi JBL system, it’s not bad if you enjoy that type of sound and I guess it also depends on what kind of music you enjoy but I prefer to have more separation between the frequencies and instruments and vocals. Let’s see how it goes. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I believe the issue on the hi-fi system that has been brought up before is the design decision to put small subs in the doors, instead of dedicated mid-range speakers. That leads to the bass-heavy output. I'm sure Mike can speak further on this or correct me.
I'm not quite ready yet to upgrade but I also looked on scuderiaaudio site for 296 items and can't find any products.
Thank you. In my 296 GTS (low-fi) there are plenty of things that look like speaker grills on the dash and as you said in both doors and even behind driver and passenger seats. We will see on Monday what lurks behind these, perhaps nothing or maybe some speakers? Once mine is upgraded I am looking forward to a less “muddy” sound. I have the “new style” haptic controls à la Purosngue but lack the dexterity of a surgeon and the intelligence of a nuclear scientist to be able to master them so far. Been to dealer today (took delivery yesterday and he gave me another tutorial). Too lazy to read the manual but I guess no choice. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
This is worth a watch, even though it is the old style wheel https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/auto/smart-guide-296-gtb/296-gtb-steering-wheel
The install is ongoing. I understand that my car (low fi) was fitted with 7 speakers. All speakers very poor quality, plastic with paper cones. Here are some photos of the surgery Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
