2002 cabriolet double DIN upgrade - Is it worth it?

I would greatly appreciate feedback from any of you cabriolet owners who have done the double DIN upgrade. I am considering the Kenwood DNX 891HD set up from CAI. I will be leaving the Bose speaker system in place that came with the vehicle. I am not so much interested in music sound quality as being able to have a telephone conversation while traveling at 70mph on the interstate (with the soft top and windows up). I do not own a hardtop. I currently use a noise cancelling blue tooth system which works fairly well, but I'm getting tired of having stuff in my ears. So for those of you cabriolet owners who have done the upgrade, can you have a decent telephone conversation while going down the highway? Will I better off with my noise cancellation headset? Is anyone aware of any double DIN systems and microphones with noise cancellation? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated?

I did this upgrade in my 2002 coupe. It's a Kenwood system with a noise-canceling mic. I'm not able to have a hands-free conversation while driving on the highway. The engine, tire and wind noise make a decent conversation impossible. I imagine that it would be worse in a cabriolet.

Back to your original question about whether or not the upgrade is worth it... It is to me. I like having updated navigation with traffic re-routing. Sirius XM is nice. I like being able to connect and charge my iPhone. It makes the cockpit do the car feel much more modern. The sound quality of my new system is much better than the Bose system that it replaced.

I did NOT do a double-DIN conversion in my 986 cab, but I _did_ sink lots of money and many weekends into trying to make the sound in that car acceptable, both for music and for phone calls. My '03 Boxster had the "premium" sound package with the MOST bus. After replacing the head unit several times (including various permutations of integrated bluetooth, satellite radio, etc.), rewiring the car once, replacing the factory amp, and positioning microphones here and there to try to get call quality to not suck, I'm of the opinion that it was time and money wasted. Call quality was never better than barely adequate.

I agree with Dennis. A reasonable phone conversation at highway speed doesn't work. If CAI means Car Audio Innovations, I would highly reccomend them. Rod is super nice and patient for a DIY job. I got the 891 as well mostly for bluetooth and better sound. I have a C2 so I can't imagine a phone conversation with a cab at highway speed.

I have a Pioneer (double din) install, with the mic attached at the corner of the sun visor. Its possible to have workable conversation at highway speeds with the hood up. As to if it was worth it certainly for connectivity (I listen to Pandora a lot) and navigation etc very worthwhile. From a phone point of view it works but isn't great but being able to see who's calling on the screen and dial from the unit is very worthwhile.

I did do the upgrade in my 2002 C4 Cab for several reasons. I originally didn't do the double din I did single. Great Pioneer unit had all the features except the touch screen of the double din. Unfortunately, the angle of the headunit in the cabin made it impossible to see the screen to navigate the options. I swapped it out for the Pioneer AVH-P8400BH double din unit and it's much easier to see and control. As for sound quality, XM Radio, HD radio and Pandora make it much better as well as the iPHONE integration as mentioned before. The phone hands free is not usable except for listening to voice mail message.....you MUST use the handset to talk.

a stereo for 1000 bones??? This is all i can think of edited out.

That's not really appropriate for non-OT. You may want to remove it before you get vacationed...

Quotes source post: 11494857

Did my install (Kenwood 6990) using a kit from Rod at CAI. He is very responsive and helpful with the details -- like how to put the GPS antenna in the factory location -- that make for a nice clean installation. I have a cab. With the top down it's pretty much impossible to have a conversation at anything much above 20 mph. With the hardtop on, I've had conversations while at highway speed, though it required a bit of yelling. My microphone is mounted on top of the steering column housing. FWIW, my primary reason for the double DIN install was to add navigation. Nav works very well.

I added a Kenwood DNN991HD in my 99 cab. I enjoy all the features this unit has except trying to have a conversation at highway speeds. I have to lean forward and yell or pull over to have a conversation. The installation people warned me about this before I purchased the unit. I just ignore the call and turn up the Sirius XM

^ +1 for ignore the phone calls. In fact leave the cell phone at home when enjoying s Sunday blast through the mountain.

I always wonder how people are having a discussion on a cell phone in a convertible with the top down. I guess they're not all as loud as a 996 but still it has to be irritating for the person on the other end of the line to hear all of the wind noise in their ear.

I have a pioneer double dinn 950bh in my TT and can easily have calls at highway speeds or around town. The windows need to be up though, I remember this to be the case in my boxster too. I found that the mic needs to be near the driver and not obstructed by anything.

I have a kenwood double din unit. I mainly got it to have BT and Nav. It works fine and allows me to stream music via A2dp. The BT for phone is passable but not optimal like the oem setups. I mounted the mic at the top of the A pillar. One thing I wish for is a volume **** instead of all the little button because the firm suspension makes it difficult to press the buttons when you are on the go.

Andys-944, How did you get the mic cord to stay hidden in the windshield frame? I tried to run it along the lining of the frame and windshield but there isn't and trim between the windshied and the fabric so it would never stay hidden (maybe the trim is different on my 04C2 vs. your car). I currently have it on the steering wheel column.

I put in a kenwood dnx 590 (double din, nav, sat...got it refurb for about $550) in my 02 cab. I put the mic in the factory location (to left of inst cluster). It works fine, even with the top down. Headunit has settings to adjust gain and echo cancellation, so i messed with those a little, but everyone says they can hear me fine, even at highway wpeeds. Sometimes i roll the windows up with the top down on the highway, but thats more for me to hear the caller, as i dont have an amp/upgraded speakers yet. I used the metra kit for install, was really easy. Ymmv

I would like to thank all of you who previously responded to this thread. The information has been really helpful. I have an additional question for those of you who have actually done your own installation of the Kenwood DNX 891HD (or similar head unit) package from Car Audio Innovations. Even though I have no previous experience with working on my own vehicle, should I try to install this package myself or should I get a professional installer to do it? My vehicle is the 2002 Cabriolet with the Bose Audio System, CD system, and CR-220 Radio. So I plan to leave the Bose speakers in place. I will just install the Kenwood unit, relocate the AC controls, install the microphone, etc... all components of the CAI Package for the 2002 Cabriolet. I do have an interest in learning to do some work on my vehicle, but at the same time I do not want to start this project and get into a mess and end up screwing something up. Are the Car Audio Innovations package directions easy enough to follow for someone with no previous experience? Any feedback is appreciated.

I had mine professionally installed and I would recommend that. I've seen many installations by the owner that look terrible. A good professional installer will make the dash look good.

It is a little risky doing it yourself. I have seen lots of damaged trim from hastily installed head units on these cars. If you have the grey or tan interior and scratch the trim, it shows the black underneath. Now if you want to do it right, source some trim removal tools instead of trying it with screwdrivers. There should be some great picture and/or video tutorials on the web. Just knowing where the fasteners are is a huge help. I do not see any reason why a head unit install would be beyond your skill level, just research it out before beginning. OR... spend the $150 and leave it with an installer for half a day, get it back and just start using it.

I did this recently on my '99 and used a single DIN deck, which to me looks more factory like in the dash. The removal / installation was very simple and it looks great - I'm honestly not sure how you could screw it up if using the correct removal tool. Crutchfield includes all removal tools plus harnesses for free with any head deck purchase.