I've ordered an '04 C4S and went with the BOSE option because for $695 I figured it would sound allright. However, I've tried to read all the threads possible on the subject and they are downright scarry. From the responses on the board it seems as if I would not be very pleased with the sound on a 90K car. If this is true, would you suggest deleting the BOSE option before the order is complete and getting a local shop to replace all the speakers, headunit, amplifier, etc... or go with a high end unit such as Reus Audio.

The second question I have is do I really need to put a rear deak set of speakers or can I expect decent quality from rear side upgraded speakers. Another option is keeping the BOSE and riping out the guts of their rear deck speaker box with the wimpy midrange speakers. However, I think that I read that it was sealed or basically useless if opened.

Anyway, my car will be leased and I hate to put anything more than 3K into the project.

 

One problem with 03s and newer 996s is that the stereo uses MOST and fiber optic wiring so it is really hard to upgrade....Especially if you have PCM II as well

 

I suggest you go to the dealer and listen to the Bose vs. HiFi. The Bose is nothing to write home about, but it's not THAT bad. Audio quality is highly subjective it's best if you go listen for yourself.

Good luck,
Scott

 

Bose is much better than the hi-fi option (I've had both). Keep in mind that these cars are noisy, so getting great sound while driving is very hard, compared to a Mercedes or BMW.

With the MOST system, if you want to upgrade any component in your system, you apparently need to replace the entire thing.

 

I have a new C4S with the Bose, I do like it. With the engine off, listen to the system, you will be quite pleased. The problem is that any Porsche is not Lexus quiet and any stereo will not sound great with the car in motion. BUT WHO CARES?

what a blast it is to drive this car fast and furious!

 

Sas - I'm in same boat and I've done a lot of shopping. If you're an audiophile or want a powerful stereo in your Porsche, there are a ton of options.

For the head unit, you could go with Eclipse or Alpine CD/DVD players (just to name a couple). You could put Alpine's 6.5" LCD screen in the dash and a DVD unit underneath, or go with a single DIN motorized DVD screen that retracts back into the dash when not in use. For me, the 6.5 screen looked the best.

As for speakers, you have a number of options. Some users of this site prefer Focal. I went to a dealer and heard Dynaudio and Diamond Audios. Both sounded great. You'd put a set of separates (I believe it's a tweeter and 3.5/4" in the dash, and 6.5" in the doors) up front. I'm told you could probably get away with the stock speakers in the rear, but two dealers recommended getting a 4" speaker for fill.

As for amplifiers, they neatly fit in the hood's storage bin. Some installers create more room by repositioning the spare in an upright position, which works well. There are numerous amplifier brands. I have Nakamichi amps.

For bass, you could go with something as simple as two 8" woofers in a custom enclosure that will blend well with your coupe (see Robyn's pics), or in a convertible you could have somebody create an enclosure that's meant to replace your rear driver-side seat and can accomodate a 10" sub.

Set ups as described above can get pricey, but you've just spent 90K on a car, so it's all relative. The Alpine units and LCD screens can get you $2,500 in the hole or more if you add a nav unit. The Amps can go for $400 - $1200+ each depending on wattage and brand. You'd need at least two, I believe. The Speakers range from $500-1200 for the front separates and $300-500 for the rears. The sub is roughly $250-1000 or more depending on how customize the enclosure is.

Install and wiring for something like the above will exceed $1000 (based on my experience) and you may need an active crossover (like an Audio Control) to connect everything (another $300).

I've heard a system that akin to what I just described and it rocked.

If the above sounds like too much hassle and money, the Bose option is worth the money to avoid having to deal with the stock system, which I deplore.

 

Has anyone considered or gone with Reus Audio? Also, if you went with a local installer - did you have any problems with leaking door seals, rattles, etc...?

 

sasportas-

Call Rick @ Reus Audio- 714.633.6636. He knows everything there is to know about the audio systems in our cars from the factory (including how to upgrade MOST systems). I'm sure he'd be gald to walk you through the many options you have. The one thing I liked about them from the beginning was their professionalism, experience, flexibility and customer service- all designed to meet the customers needs.

I have an 03 Turbo that I ordered with the Bose option. Reus recently did a awesome Bose upgrade on my car and I couldn't be happier. Sound quality- night and day difference. It's also very easy to have them remove the system if you want to sell your car.

I've done the upgrade thing with local installers on my older 996's (scary now that I look back on it) and the work done by Reus is so much nicer and more professional. I don't know how many 996's & Turbos they upgraded but I'm sure it's a ton.

I watched their highly qualified installer (Scott) work on my car (he took the thing apart- with knowledge like he's done a few times- LOL) in my garage at his pace (not rushing) and learned a ton about the system he was installing.

I know others on the board have also use Reus and I'm sure they have had similiar expereinces.....

Hope this helps. Good luck

 

Did you loose a large portion of your trunk? Did the BOSE upgrade add a significant amount of weight to the front end of the car (not such a bad thing I guess)? I like the plug and play aspect of the Reus and the fact that it is totally removable. Also, does the head unit remain stock?

 

I'm not sure about the weight aspect up front. I'm sure some weight was added to the front trunk since that's where the new amp and sub are located. The sub design is so incredible- it's actually located in the spare tire and the sound is ported via a channel into the cabin of the car.

I lost a minor portion of the front truck since the new cover that they fabricate is slighly higher (by a few inches) than the factory one. Not a big deal- couldn't fit much in there before.

I kept the factory head unit (a plus in my book) and the factory bose speakers in the car. They do spend a good deal of time tuning the overall sound of the system.

Give them a call...