Funny you should write this thread. I spent about 7 hours in my cayenne today on a decent commute by myself. I have about 6k on the odometer. I must say, it has been a while since I really cranked up my car stereo, maybe because my mind has been so busy and Im always in such a hurry lately. But today I had a lot of seat time and I was alone (I understand the wife issues). I didn't even think to get the Burm or even try it, I just received the BOSE. Ive also had BOSE in my 911. I have to say, Im one to pile on options, but the BOSE sounded fairly decent, actually really decent. I have no basis for comparison, but I could totally see someone adding the Burm and as mentioned above, expensive car should = expensive stereo, or quality. With that said, I find the BOSE to be quality and certainly quality enough for me because I only listen to MP3's from itunes. I dont think those are high quality? are they? Either way they sounded great.

 

Woot, I realize that for high quality music the Burm is way better.. but how about for ipod mp3's, normal audio cds, fm etc? Could you comment on the differences between the Burm and Bose for these normal quality music? How is the bass on the Bose? I want to get the Burm because it's the best .... but when I think about it, most of the music I listen to are mp3s from itunes... and there's no satellite radio in my region. Would the Burm be a waste? Again, I will have no opportunity to listen to the two systems before I make the order... so any help would be appreciated

 

Are you stating that this is the set up on your 2004 CS? Is the 2011 set up similar?

 

Burmester spent a good 5 years right from the neonatal stages of Panamera developing a sound system that would blend with the structural and interior design of the Panamera. Now with the Cayenne, it was somewhat of an afterthought given how well the Pana crowd recieved it so positioning of the speakers may not be as well researched/optimized. Air-Motion-Transformer technology makes for such an amazing spatial sound so positioning of speakers may not matter too much. The tweeter ribbons/driver cones are directly taken from their home audio systems that cost more than a base Cayenne. In my testing what amazed me was the clarity of sound even at very low volume. I am not an audiophile but love good music. Even the subtle nuances of certain instruments in the songs that I listened to were that much more crisp.

Pana owners say that a Burm without satellite radio is just a disaster so I would think that Satellite radio is pretty HD quality and I know that for a fact. But if you only listen to news channels on XM that is a different matter altogether.

As for those who listen to MP3, you have to understand that mp3 files are compressed to roughly one-tenth the size of an equivalent pulse code modulation (PCM) file sacrificing quality. PCM is used for digital audion in computers, Blue ray, CD and DVD's. So I am not sure you really can tell the difference between the Burm and the other B if all you listen to is MP3 but go test that yourself if you can. Now if I remember right, Apple use AAC format for I-tunes downloads which I believe is still a compressed format but I have read somewhere that it is certainly better sound quality than MP3. I may be wrong on this one. It would be good is someone who is an audiophile can shed some more light on this.

I say if you are a tech junkie go for it (the technology behind the BURM will just leave you speechless) , if you love music/listen to Satellite radio channels, audio CD's go for it, or if you like it's looks like me (the chrome surrounds match very well with my espresso interior BTW ) go for it....dang Porsche should hire me as their sales consultant .

 

Thanks Woot, your comments are always very helpful. You deserve some rep points

 

Hey Woot,

I am not trying to pick on you but i have some comments about the below.

Sat radio clams to be high quality but in reality is it well below cd quality and is some cases much worse than a mp3.

iTunes uses a mp4/AAC format that is compressed so you loose a good amount of quality but its manageable and better than an mp3. (Thanks willy_Jo)

 

I could be wrong but my understanding is that songs downloaded on iTunes are in the aac format with m4a extension. An AAC encoded audio can have the AAC, MP4 or M4A extensions. It is still the AAC format. Read - http://www.differencebetween.net/tec...n-aac-and-m4a/

 

Thanks for the correction i was mistaking it with how i burn my music using Apple Lossless Encoder.

JS

 

Base on the Bose IS noticeable. It is a wonderful stereo compared to almost any other brand in ant other stock car. The BURM is in my opinion a little too strong in the base area. I had to turn it all the way down to not be overwhelmed by the low hum when listening to music.

I ordered the BURM in my turbo but won't have the base up too high when
Listening so I can actually hear the full spectrum of sounds....

Buy to answer your question you CAN hear the base in the Bose setup and it is wonderful. Maybe better maybe worse than the BURM, all depends on why your individual ears can actually hear.

 

here's RobSCountach's comment about the bass performance of the Bose system, and I wholeheartedly agree. The crossover setting is higher than ideal. Punchy but not visceral. I could live with the mids and highs - not topnotch because it lacks the air and ambience of the best speakers I've heard, but I won't call it bad.

 

I have the BOSE in my C4S and like it a lot. Never felt that it was inadequate and as Jace mentioned the bass is more than adequate. In my opinion, the Bose is a M3 (although the real hard core audiophiles who have dissected every single part of the system may feel that it is really a Nissan) and the Burm a 911. M3 is a great sports car and you will never miss not being in a 911. But the moment you step into a 911, the automotive driving experience will never be the same again. So for those who dont have a Burm, they will never miss what they never had and the Bose will give them more than what they can handle and enjoy. I had a good quality CD in hand when I tested both systems and yes I was able to tell the difference very easily. For those who cannot tell the difference what's the point in getting the Burmester. For my neighbor who drives a Venza, i bet he can't tell the difference between a M3 and a 911. Likewise if all you listen is compressed format files and NPR .....
might as well spend that extra $$ on PDCC/PTV. Wait a minute if you drive your Cayenne like a minivan then don't spend that extra $$$ on those performance upgrades. Just spend that $$ on Porsche sport driving school. Guaranteed, it will change your Cayenne ownership experience.

 

I spent 45 minutes in each today with remastered Pink Floyd, a Thom Yorke cd and a Hindi CD. I was able to definitely hear a difference in the two, but the Bose was MORE than adequate and definitely a qualilty audio system (much better than the 700+watt Harmon Kardon in my RR) with tight and clean sound.

We just didn't think the Burmester produced $4k worth of sound improvement so instead my wife suggested Cognac/Espresso interior, PTV and Compass - works for me! =)

 

Well done OK-computadora. You will love the feel of natural leather and it will wear very well over time. BURM vs natural leather/PTV. I would pick the latter any day, every day ....

 

nice..congrats to you and your wife.. pls post pics later

 

I have Bose on my Cayenne s, sound is very good.