*disclaimer* just my personal opinion about the sound pack plus
Had the CS for a few months now, the car is outstanding just one growing complaint. I really really dont like the sound quality Im getting from this system. Yes ive adjusted it, and yes ive checked forums for my options. Granted in my last 987s boxster i had the bose thinking it would be better for top down days, but im really regretting and am not happy with the sound quality now in the cayman without having the bose...my major dilemma to spending thousands of dollars to upgrade is that its a 'lease' vehicle. Its really not worth it to throw in the extra dollars, but im willing to compromise to a point. Im not an audiophile so can anyone tell me is there a way to improve sound on a minimum budget in this case. most likely after i return the car i wouldn't transfer systems to a new vehicle etc so like im hoping to do the minimum. i dont even know of any good installers yet...
major complaints are that the bass sounds weak/muffled and then the uncrisp treble sound, listening to the radio at times can sound "transistor-ish"
i know this is a porsche and this shouldnt be a major concern but i cruise more than i track so it would just be a plus...
stuff ive seen online is the small infinity bass speaker etc but dont know if little things like this would help.
thanks for any advice.....
as I was given advise from this forum and then talking to a good installer in my area, the way to go was to order the standard system and just upgrade where necessary.
There are question you have to ask yourself...how long is the lease and what's it going to cost to upgrade...and what do you want to upgrade. then see if the cost is relevant.
For me I'll own the car and I just want to upgrade the sound (keeping the base unit)...adding speakers and an amp, I don't need/want mp3 or ipod connectivity. Even in this category there are a wide range of prices, on the cheep $300-$500 then it goes up from there.
Then you have to ask yourself, if I upgrade can it go back to stock easily, maybe saving the system for your next cayman or does it increase the residual value?
thx saucerman for the heads up
It won't increase the residual and the lessor may require you to restore the car to stock at lease end. Check with the lessor. If such mods are OK, I suggest you get it in writing from the lessor before you move forward. If not OK, factor in the cost of restoring the system to stock.
OKman,
The best option for you is to change the headunit, the reason the sound sucks is because the headunit powers all the midrange speakers and tweeters with a 4x22 watt amplifier into 2 ohms. Use the interface and bezel kit available from Japan and you will have to do no splicing and returning it back to stock for lease end will be simple; only minutes. You can ask the several people here who have done it; it really ups the sound quality of the SPP.
- Suneet
I have a 987 Boxster (no Bose) to which I've just fitted a Pioneer head unit. Everything is configured so that if I consider selling next year, the CDR24 can go straight back in to the dash. The Pioneer will probably go in to the next car or (if I'm really desperate) my wife's Ford. Easy!
In the past i have had some crazy sound systems in my automobiles, some that I have spent literally thounsand $s on, that sound amazing. I truly feel the bose system in this CS is very good and I really have not tuned it or messed with it. I like the fact that you dont have loose trunk space or deal pulling the car apart ie. door panels and wiring, just my 2 cents.
If you decide to go the aftermarket route, check this out. There are no interior pictures, but I retained the factory headunit.
http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-electronics/15227-speakers.html#post220550
