I'm a month or so into my 911 C2S Cab, and loving every minute of it. Still in my break-in period, but looking forward to cutting loose in a few hundred miles.

My 991 was a factory Pre-build that I ordered through my dealer --- an almost perfect match to the build I would have done if starting from scratch. I am more than satisfied with everything with one notable exception --- the Bose sound system. It's unbelievably disappointing. I'll spare you the details of the different media that I've played through the system, with different encoding rates and file formats --- it is just universally poor.

So --- looking for suggestions. Has anyone gone after-market to upgrade the system? Able to achieve clean integration with the PCM?

I know, I know....the exhaust is music to my ears too.....just like to light up some tunes once in a while while driving with the top down on a beautiful day.

Anyway, any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks!

 

+1 I agree. The Bose in the 997 was somehow better?

I'm curious to see what is suggested as well.

 

I knew BOSE sounds crappy so , in my case, I didn't upgrade sound system. I think I might replace the speakers only later though.

 

You have hit the nail right on the head !
Like most sports cars the 911 does not have any place where you can mount a decent set of base speakers. These things need a sound box - an enclosed area that is as big as possible. Many normal cars use the boot as big box and that works great - good base even with fairly crappy speakers.
No issues with the higher frequencies - that is easy and the Bose speakers are probably fine here (you can perhaps consider replacing the tweaters with some high end stuff - it's cheap anyway).
Even the standard audio system in the Porsche is not bad at all - 90% of the potential sound performance is simply lost at the speakers.
It is not all doom and gloom - unfortunately you will have to live with the doors holding the base speakers but much can be done there.
Take you car to a car audio specialist and you will be surprised what can be done with little money. No need to spend a lot. Stiffen and dampen the door panels and let the guys create a suitable sound chamber inside with a good base speaker fitted - much better.

Rainier

 

I find the Bose system in my 991cs of sufficient quality for a sports car. Much better than the Craig 8 track systems I had in my cars in the 70s. All jokes aside, for the driver, the 911 itself is the entertainment. The stereo is there for the passenger.

 

This used to be the case. But with the 991s 7th gear and much lower road noise I think the strength of the stereo is more important. That's probably why they offer burmeister in the 911 now.

DRP

 

Can you not replace with factory Burmester? I love my system even playing MP3s. My only complaint is bass integration with low mids is weak. Otherwise a great system.

 

I think you are quite right. Although Bose in my 997.2 didn't sound great, it was above average and therefore acceptable. By all accounts in the 991 it is not that and audiophiles should therefore consider the Burmeister as the only option. In my case the PSE suffices and the addition of Bose is purely for vehicle resale value.

From what I read, Burmeister is not a retrofit item. I also think that the cost would be prohibitive.

To the OP, your options may be few if any. I wonder whether there are any bolt on components such as an amplifier booster (Kicker or better) that may help the sound quality. It also would not interfere with PCM integration or operation.

 

Sorry, disagree, the Bose sound system is well-proven one of the best systems you can get in a car, people only complain about missing bass & a big active subwoofer, but this is definitely not the definition of a good sound, it's just powerful noise and as Parkerfe mentioned...the 911 itself is the entertainment

 

I am half deft and need aids to hear my wife (not used often) but even I can hear the difference of the Burmester. It is the only way to go.

 

I absolutely agree with you - a 911 without a sound system is just perfect. The 911 ***IS*** the sound system.

However, I disagree on the Bose - it is not a fancy sound system by any means and in my opinion not better than average. It is overrated but OK.
I have one in my MX5 and the sound is tinny. Not bad but tinny. Very similar in fact to the Porsches (OK, I admit the Porsches is a bit better - but still a bit tinny).
You can actually enjoy music in the new 911 when you take it easy so why not ? It just needs a fuller sound - just get the base fixed and that alone provides a huge improvement. I'm not talking boom box nonsense.
But if I'm listening to Tchaikovskies 1812 I want the cannons to sound like cannons - not like a pop gun. The Bose is pop gun unless you give it a decent base which it is quite capable of driving.

Rainier

 

Apologies for lifting an old thread back from the dead, but I recently did a full system in a 991 if you're still interested OP.

Used a JL Clean Sweep to re-equalize the factory radio, paired with a JL Audio digital amp and German Maestro speakers all around. Mounted all of the components underneath a false floor so the owner could still utilize the trunk space. Check it out:











If you don't like the factory radio, I also did one of the first 9X1 headunit swaps, with this Cayman S preferring Alpine over factory.



So yes, these cars CAN have aftermarket sound integrated w PCM or with a replacement radio

 

Nice to see another aftermarket system. I just did mine recently but haven't had a chance to create a post. I'll do that soon.
I have the factory PCM (everything works), Audison LRX 6.9 amp, Arc Audio 125.5 mini amp for sub, Audio Control DQ-61 for summing the factory amp (Audison Bit One didn't work) Focal Utopia Be 5" sub in factory location, 165 krx3 front, 100 krs rears. The system is super sweet! Some of the crappy Sirux/XM songs sounds really good too, I was surprised. The HD radio and my lossless recording on an ipod are nothing less than spectacular.

 

If it is not to rude to ask I would be curious how much these systems cost and how you would compare them to the Bose or other systems you have heard.

I would really like to upgrade but the other systems I have heard about are running 10-20K. The Bose is not near bad enough that I am going to put that much money in to a system. Plus you can't actually listen to them before ordering.

 

I had the Bose in my car and was not happy with it. I was open minded with it and gave it a chance, but I prefer sound quality while driving and the Bose was too muffled for my liking. Now, I have the great sound of the exhaust and stereo, they're both music to my ears.

My initial estimate was just under $5k (Hertz), but then I kept adding better component speakers (Focal) and also the little 5" Utopia sub & amp to push it. I wanted everything hidden. I had Focal in my previous two cars and knew they sound great. My final cost was approx. $7k.