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YOUR RESEARCHBose versus the other Porsche options
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Install bose audio system
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I also replaced my amps with a Focal four-channel amp and I installed a Kenwood head unit.
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I recently purchased an 03 cab with Bose factory installed stero with six speakers.
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I also replaced my amps with a Focal four-channel amp and I installed a Kenwood head unit.
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Replaced dash and rear speakers with Morel's, and added a very small sound ordinance sub.
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Suggestion
With my kenwood Kdc-X996 head unit with many audio controls, I was able to change the x-over to the other speakers to remove all of the base, since the tiny Sub fills in the bass in such a small car perfectly.
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So I read the why Bose sucks thread by stumil*. Disappointing, but not hugely surprising.
But even if it’s not very good, isn’t it better to have the Bose system than the other Porsche system(s)?
--For sound? (Clearly much better? Just noticeably better? Or not better at all?)
--Or maybe it's important for resale value?
--On the other hand, anyone know how much of a weight penalty there is with Bose?
Regarding the other Porsche systems, is there just one?
Finally, given that the Bose system is not so special, I'm wondering which system is the best place to start if one wants to upgrade? Is it an advantage that the Bose system has more speakers, so that one doesn’t need to go cutting up the car to add new ones? (11 speakers versus 6, no? But perhaps one doesn't need many for great sound?) Or is it a disadvantage that Bose speakers have their own built in amplifiers?
*I know there must be some way to copy a link to paste into this post, but I just can't find it ...
you put a link in via the globe and chain link above the posting form. Highlight your link, copy it, then click the globe. delete the http part and paste yours into it and click send.
My car has factory installed Bose audio system. It sounds great, has strong bass, and is LOUD.
I, however, question your need for a B&O quality system in 996. 996 is a fairly loud car. There is a lot of tire noise, engine is also making a glorious sound right behind you. In my book Lexus or Bentley warrant the pristine sounding sound systems, small sports car like 996 does not.
I have Non-BOSE system. Replaced dash and rear speakers with Morel's, and added a very small sound ordinance sub. With my kenwood Kdc-X996 head unit with many audio controls, I was able to change the x-over to the other speakers to remove all of the base, since the tiny Sub fills in the bass in such a small car perfectly. Sounds better than a BOSE system I heard on another 996 I test drove. I would've kept my stereo stock, but the stock speakers were already blown, so I did what I do on most cars as long as it already has a stock amp. Upgrade speakers, get a small subwoofer (if there isn't already one) and change settings to remove bass from the speakers.
I recently purchased an 03 cab with Bose factory installed stero with six speakers. drivers door speaker was blown. upgrading to Alpine head unit and new speakers so I can graduate from the wonderful world of CDs and fumbling while driving. Read a bunch of posts and sounds like people are pleased with both Alpine and Kenwood units. Kits are made for the retrofit. I am having it done by a shop that has been down this road before. Good luck.
+1
Furthermore, I could extend this thinking to say it is a bit absurd to put an audiophile-quality system in ANY car. At some point, audio quality becomes irrelevant as engine and road noise intrude on the sound. As mentioned above, this is particularly true in a 996. (and I have a Cab!)
Of course, if you just want it LOUD, remove the back seats and put in a huge sub box...
You know, it's funny, when I was in High School, College and Graduate School, I listened to music, really loud and that was part of my driving experience...
Now days I listen to news and then when I play music, I listen to it quietly and listen to the car and that is my experience...
I've got mostly stock set up, with reasonably quiet exhaust, but these cars are loud (tires and road bumps)... Then when I am cruising highways on road trips, I just want background and I still want to talk with my wife, son or whichever daughter is riding with me...
I guess, I agree that a "big daddy plus" audio system is probably not suited for the 996. Not for me at least and to each his own. I'd save the money for maintenance or cool floor mats or something else.
As for removing back seats, once a kid is over about 6 or 7, they are pretty useless. Mine stay folded down and I am probably going to have a CocoMat made to lay over both of them... A simple rectangle.
Sounds like we all have similar views of the place of music in a Porsche, myself included. So if I created the impression that I'm determined to have B&W or B&O quality sound (not really), or to pound out the loudest possible bass notes (definitely not), then perhaps I should clarify ...
I'm just trying to figure out whether to consider buying a car I've seen about which I have one main concern: it doesn't have Bose. If Bose is significantly better, then whether it's actually good or bad, I probably should not buy the car. If Bose basically sounds the same (or worse), then maybe I should.
Probably. I might decide differently if I find out (1) Bose weighs
much
more, (2) even Bose sucks so badly that I'd want to upgrade
and
it's easier to upgrade if you don't have Bose, or (3) it's significantly harder to sell a car without Bose.
Thanks again, and thanks in advance, for any and all insight into this (especially into my main question - is Bose significantly better)!
The speaker wires are standard copper wire. The fiber optics only connect the head unit, amps and CD-changer.
If you are upgrading a car that already has the Bose system, then you have speakers built into the doors already, which makes replacing them quite simple. The standard system does not have these speakers.
I believe that the weak link in the 996 system, including the Bose system, is the speakers. I'm not saying that they sound bad, but they can be improved. I replaced all my speakers with Focal speakers. I also replaced my amps with a Focal four-channel amp and I installed a Kenwood head unit. The improvement is quite remarkable. For me, having hands free telephone, navigation, iPod connectivity, Pandora, etc. was important. I'm happy I did the upgrade. Even so, I frequently drive with the windows open and the stereo turned off. The Fister D sound is better than the Kenwood sound any day!
On the list of things I would be looking for while purchasing a Porsche 996 ... the stereo aint one of them. That said, the Bose system in particular is actually a drawback on these cars. The other (mostly Becker) systems can all be salvaged to some extent, the Bose system is a total write-off. On any 10 to 15 year old car the original speakers (if still present) are totally shot. With the Bose system your going to have to replace the head as well so you invariably end up doing the full bosectomy.
