944Play

Blaupunkt Santa Monica. It's got a GREAT tuner (Digiceiver technology and all, yano?), but the CD player skips over Botts dots or even expansion joints. Pity, because I don't listen to the radio. You can't eject the CD unless it's on, and you have to hold the button down for a good ten bloody seconds. Also, the display is too bright at night; there's a dimmer wire, but it doesn't friggin' do anything! I've contacted Blaupunkt about this, and they confirm there is a dimmer wire that doesn't do anything.

My front speakers are Pioneer 4x6's. Rears are buzzy, blown-out stockers, because I'm apprehensive about tearing them out.

I'll get Nakamichi, Rockford, Alpine, Eclipse, or even Sony next time. I demand rotary volume and an exposed CD slot. Motorized faceplates have got to be the silliest things invented.

SidViscous

944Play

The rear speakers are nothing to do. I've done it twice in the past six months.

Might I recomend that Nakamichi 45z earlier in the thread. Don't have it installed (If we get a bonus first thing on the list) but did listen to it in store next to a variety of others. It was by far the best sounding of anything they had. It cost about $135 and next to $500 heads they sounded like tinny Sony's/ Simple volume **** and no frills. But sound wise, better than the rest.

The 944 of Cd-decks.

adrial

[quote]Originally posted by Sean:
<strong>There's a lot to be said for using an OEM Becker unit that has been removed from a 986 or 996. The fit is great, and the stock appearance can't be beat. And hey, it even says "Porsche" on the LCD when you turn on the power.

This is in my 944.



</strong><hr></blockquote>

Arggg...my mom's boxster has that radio...
It's such a pain...as you can see nothing is really labeled intuitively...
Once you get the hang of it I'm sure its fine...but I dont think I ever will as I dont drive the car much.

Ahmet

That sticker does say "made in germany", why do you ask?

That "gaugeplate" is something me and a buddy made out of wood in his garage cause I'm not paying somebody $50+ for a piece of aluminum. When I get around to it I'll probably make a piece out of metal but not anytime too soon. As for the sticker, everytime I buy a Porsche part from the dealer, it comes with a made in germany sticker, so I put that one on. It's a pet peeve, I used to put big "made in china" stickers where the badges would be on my hondas...
Ahmet

Ahmet

While on the subject, this CD player ejects the cd with the ignition or stereo on or off. The face plate is detachable and moves down fast (non motorized). The output is about 48 by 4 peak (messed that up in the earlier reply) and something pretty descent for rms (20+, I forget). The pre amp outputs are also 3.5w I think (which is higher than most). I haven't looked into stereos or specs of new ones lately, I love my aiwa and I'm sticking to it! I had the exact same unit in my last 944 after the sony, and just got done installing the same deck in my prelude. This style I don't think is being sold by aiwa anymore but you can find them around if you look.
Ahmet

944Play

[quote]Originally posted by SidViscous:
<strong>
The rear speakers are nothing to do.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Do you need/recommend an offset ratchet-type screwdriver, or would a super-stubby (like, 1.5" long) be adequate?

I'll have to find out if I've got the reputed-to-exist 6.5" openings with 4x6 adapter plates; I listened to some 6.5" speakers at Best Buy the other day. The cheap-*** $20/pair whizzer-cone Jensens (or whatever they were) sounded the best, or at least the most appropriate for rear "fill" speakers.

The Nakamichi look would be right at home in my Volvo. It has green dash lighting.

SidViscous

944 Play.

I don't recomend anything special. I just flipped it over and used a deep sockey )realllllly long screwws) Honestly, it was as easy as can be.

The green may not fit with the 944 dash, but you'll forget it with the sound. In an old NA the display color isn't much of an issue.

Everyone is to concerned with looks. Lets face it when it comes to stereos/CD player isn't soound the primary issue.

ziominix

HEY SEAN & ADRIAL

I like the looks of that Becker unit, hows the sound quality on that one? And does anybody know where you could get ahold of one? If its decent it should sound great played through some good speakers.

Thanks,
Bryan

Sean

[quote]Arggg...my mom's boxster has that radio...
It's such a pain...as you can see nothing is really labeled intuitively... <hr></blockquote>

Yeah, the Becker systems are not going to win any awards for ease of use. There are lots of tiny buttons, and the amber display is at an odd angle for the 944 (it does not read as clearly as in the Boxster).

OTOH, the Becker is OEM Porsche. It's probably the only way you can "upgrade" the stereo in a manner that looks factory. The addition of the Becker unit and the 968 CS steering wheel really updated the interior, while keeping it all factory.

You can occasionally find the Becker units on eBay for a couple hundred bucks (if you're lucky!). Also, your dealer may be able to get you a factory refurbished unit at a good price. Finally, there's a company that advertises in Excellence (SW Stereo in North Carolina) that specializes in selling them.

AndyK

Here is my simple but effective Stereo. The Blau Heidelberg CD51 is strange, and doesn't always do what it's supposed to, but it sounds great, and has the coolest blue night display (not captured by my camera)! Blau 4x6 fronts (fit right in with their grills, Pioneer 5x7's in the rear) actually sound decent without fancy subs or amps! Crank the Blau, and it's loud!! And clear sounding too.

nwehtje944

my god, that Becker cd player is OEM for the $200,000+ 2002 ferrari 575m <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

check it out, <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6212&item=1875339650" target="_blank">ebay; ferrari 575M</a>

Dan87951

I have always like Pioneer products for car audio, home audio is a different story however. I've had a few high end Sony's and I don't think there DACs are as good as the Pioneer units. I have the Pioneer DEH-P9400 which has the organic screen, plays MP3, WMA, and CDRW disks. I have this decked hooked up to a set of JBL Power Series plates with 600Hz bass blockers. I run a Fosgate 400s AMP in the rear with a single 10" woofer to handle my lows which cut off at 40Hz. I really like the screen which is one of the reason I purchased it as well as Pioneers quality from this deck. I have always purchased Pioneer in the past and have never had a problem with. I did however have a problem with every Sony I purchased so I do not purchase them anymore. All the sony I purchased were Mobile ES brand as well not the cheap ones.

streckfu's

Pioneer Premiere from a couple of years ago. I definatly recommend the brand.

Ahmet

BTW, I never thought I'd use the front aux. in connection in the front of my aiwa but I was giving a buddy of mine a ride to the mountains a few weeks ago and he plugged in his laptop and watched a DVD on it using the car's audio system, pretty cool I thought...
Ahmet

*eurospeed951*

<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2.8engine.jpg" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/2.8engine.jpg</a>
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/sound.jpg" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/sound.jpg</a>
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/subsssssssss.jpg" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/subsssssssss.jpg</a>
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Some pics of my sound system