iPod Capable Head Unit

Just picked up a low miles 2000 C2 Cabriolet and clearly the first "tweak" it needs is a better audio system. I've been waiting for 2 years for an iPod solution for my 2004 Cayenne Turbo (NAV/Most) and it looks like still no good solution. The Carrera looks relative simple, though (eg Alpine 9857). My question is this: how bad are the speakers? The sound is so bad (even though my car has the 'Hi-Fi') upgrade, that I wonder whether I'll be happy with just a new head unit? Not looking for the last degree in Audiophile purity, and certainly not looking for teeth-rattling bass, but is there a reasonable compromise solution without extra amps and extra/custom sub-woofer enclosures?

I loved my Alpine CDA-9835 in my 993 [I had the older double DIN Alpine--7855 I think--In my 996, but that car had amps, woofers, and all...The -9835 has an addition where you can add an iPod controller and directly control the iPod from your head unit. It also has multi-color selectable illumination so that you can match the orange of your instrument lights. Very nice looking and a well performing head unit IMO. Can't answer your speaker question, but no doubt it will sound better than stock...

I just installed the 9857 and it is soo nice! Ipod integration is seemless, and although I am not an audiophile, I can tell the sound quality has been stepped up. I'd suggest doing the head unit first and going from there.

I had the Hi-Fi addition in my '99 and replaced it with an Alpine head unit that is iPod compatible. The speakers are crapola. If you want good sound, you will have to replace the speakers even if you are using the head unit power.

I got the Kenwood DDX-7015....now the 7017 model....double Din, NAV, Sat. radio, DVD player, and iPod integration....I LOVE it.....its amazing, touschscreen, easy to use, sounds great, and is very flexible. I was told by a shop that sells all brands that its the best unit on th e market in terms of flexibility and sound quality....

Really nice install newport996. Not sure I want the whole NAV/AV package for this car, but something to think about.

Twinned, i've got an alpine cda7897 which should be fine with ipod adaptability. looking for about 250$canadian. feel free to PM me.

does it integrate with porsche bmw? how does iPod integrate? does it show song name/title, etc? did you have original porsche nav monitor before you replaced the screen?

Integrate woth Porsche? Hmmm....well I use my stock speakers (for now) and amp withe the new head unit...i do NOT have the MOST bus system, so it was easy. iPod integration is awesome it plugs into the bottom if the iPod to the dock connector, keeps the iPod charged and uses a line level signal into the head unit. It displays the song titles and playlists and is controled via the touchsreen head unit. it needs a $99 ipod module to do this...Plugs into teh back of the kenwood to the CD changer input. I did not have the original NAV system in my car before. The install was pretty easy, you just need to cut on plastic piece. Then its a perfect fit. The VERY cool thing about this system is the NAV system is flash based, ot DVD based...very fast and there is no DVD to put in, or drive to put somewhere. While using it, you dont have to have a data disk to deal with, you can update it from downloadidng new files...also the Nav system works while listening to iPod, CD, DVD, radio or sat radio. Some systems you need to pop in a Nav disk while navigating. This Nav is one of the best I haave used....

love the kenwood unit. do you get a lot of finger print marks on the screen?

Looks like your climate control head unit is down where most people have empty spaces. Did the dealer do that or did you buy a custom bracket and have it rewired?

thats the factory optional spot...especially if you have factory nav, or the large cupholders, its always lower....there is a simple porsche part thats like $10, for the bezel so it fits. about 10 minutes of moving the cables, and you are done....pretty simple...

newport996, any reason you went with the DDX-7015 (7017) vs. the DDX-6019? the DDX-6019 has a slightly bigger screen, but cannot really seem to find much else different. I have a shop that likes the DDX-6019, so that is what I am looking at. How well does the nav work for you? thanks for your input. capt601

Nav is awesome.....I LOVE it, but get the latest nav, the KNA-G510, this one is flash RAM based, so its FAST, and has the whole US stored internally, no DVD's to put in...also has a agzillion points of interests, and stuff like that...its also traffic ready, so you can subscribe to a traffic service and the Nav will route you to the least traffic to get to your destination. The older units are slower, DVD based, larger physically, and dont have the traffic NAV or the updated maps, plus like $500 MORE than the new one. The 7015 and 7017 is a higher end unit, has more features, etc...the 6019 would work as well, not sure what it doesnt have vs. the 7000 series or the 8000 series..... FYI Fry's in fountain valley is discontinuing kenwood and is blowing out the 7017 units at like 800 I think.....I saw this about a week ago...might be worth a look....