Stereo Upgrade in 2012 Cayman

Hey guys, I picked up my 2012 Cayman a few weeks ago and took it straight to my buddies car stereo shop for an upgrade. What do ya'll think? The Porshe crest lights up but the pic's didn't come out too well on my phone. I'll try to get some better pics later. Headunit: Pioner AVH-P8400BH Fronts: Hertz 165 HSK 2-Way Component Set Subs: Hertz ES250's ( I wanted the HX250's but it would have made the boxes too big in the back) Amp: Hertz HDP5 By badconexun at 2012-07-31 By badconexun at 2012-07-31 By badconexun at 2012-07-31 By badconexun at 2012-07-31

I've never heard of Hertz speakers or amps, any particular reason you chose them?

Hertz is on par with Audison, Focal and Morel. Actually, the same company owns Hertz and Audison. They all have mid, high, and competition level stuff. I had an Audison Voce system in my 2011 Lexus CT200h that sounded great, but I wanted to try something else. My friends shop has a really cool "sound booth" that allows you to mix and match all the speakers and subs, and the Hertz sounded as good as all of the others. He's worked on atleast a dozen of my cars and I trust him to spend my money wisely. Check out there stuff and google for reviews, nice stuff at a descent price point. HERTZ by Elettromedia - Special Car Stereo

Yeah, nothing wrong with Hertz! Nice looking install.

yes, looks very well done...

I'm curious about the rest of the components. What, if any, speakers and amplifiers did you use for the doors?

I just did a 2 way set up front to fill the factory holes. I didn't have rears so I didn't bother adding them. The one 5 channel amp powers all speakers and subs with plenty of juice. It all sounds very good.

Boom, Boom stereo is personally not for me. Once road and engine noise comes into the cabin, you will have nothing like high end sound. ..just MY opinion....I wish you the best.

I was always a fan of OEM looking interior. But man this is MEGA. Despite the un-OEMness but it is definitely a great job done. Since I can't listen to the quality sound with your pictures, it's a head start looking good.

Any boom with those subs in rear?

Stringreen - I had the base sound system with 4 speakers that were probably the worst sounding speakers I've ever heard in a new car. I HAD to get something else. The sub box in the back is more for show and I too was worried about SQ with engine noise, but it really does sound good...atleast to me Croctor - You would think with the 2 10's in the back the thing would thump, but it's actually pretty level sounding. My CT200h had 1 12" in it and it had more BOOM than these 2 10's. Definitely not overwhelming like the pictures would make you think.

Pic of headunit?

+1. You can add all the best speakers and amps in the world, and it won't make any difference on the road. I replaced my CDR-24 with a Pioneer AVIC, added a Rockford-Fosgate amp, and a custom sub enclosure in the back. My sound at a standstill or low speeds is fantastic. By 60 mph, however, the engine and road noise drown out the stereo. I can turn up the volume and the bass to compensate, but then I can't talk to my passenger and it creates a massive wall of sound when I come to a stop light. My next project is to have the installer completely gut the interior and put sound deadening everywhere. That is supposed to take place August 17. I don't think all the sound deadening in the world is going to make this into a Cadillac. If I'm lucky, I'll end up with the ability to speak to my passenger, enjoy the stereo, AND enjoy the engine. JUST the engine. The engine sound is sweet, within limits -- but there is no beauty at all in road noise.

Nice setup! Do you have pictures of the Pioneer unit?

Sorry guys, finally have a shot of the headunit. http://www.planet-9.com/gallery/files/2/5/8/4/5/porsche5.jpg

Looks great - if I had a set up like this I would have to turn on the stereo. Love the emblem in the middle.

You do not need alot of sound deadening to make an impact, you just need the sound deadening in the right places. I having a crystal clear setup in my CR with 2 JL 8's in the rear, Focal Utopia Be #6's in the front and Focal KRS100's in the rear and it sounds amazing. There is minimal road noise and I do not have to crank it to hear while moving. badconexun your setup looks really clean, I like it. dave-t

Dave-t......do you have any pics of your subs in the rear? I'd like to see how your installer layed them out. Where did they put your amp and crossovers?

Sure here are some pics.

Here are a couple more, the cross block is mounted in the frunk

I am satisfied with my stereo's sound but would like to reduce the road noise. Dave-t, where was the sound insulation put in your Cayman ?

Sound deadening was placed all throughout the rear hatch on the floor and the hatch. I found the third brake light would rattle from the base if the hatch lid itself was not deadened. Also the doors, roof and fire wall. Pretty much the whole car except the actual cabin floor, makes a night and day difference. Keep in mind my car had zero deadening from the factory because it is a Cayman R.

very nicely done...i know good work when i see it. Was an audio installer- fabricator for about 10 years when i was younger. color match great, and the concious ability to be aware of the oil filler panel and its ability to open and close shows lots of planning...congrats! you are obvioulsy a music lover...we always enjoy good tunes when out driving. :cheers:

Was thinking about putting the Hertz 165 ESK speaker setup in my doors. Does anyone know if you can just hook them up directly to the existing non- bose amp . I know they come with a crossover. I have an JL 500 watt amp on my subs currently.