Standard, Bose, Burmester, or Custom Audio?
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Joined: Nov 2016
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When building a 911, that’s the question. Has anyone ordered the standard audio and gone aftermarket? If so, what was the experience and cost? Thanks in advance for your reply.
I currently have Bose with the Musicar tweeters, but hate Bose so much for the crap they put in my car that I dont want to give them more business. However, the price of Burmester seems too high, especially compared to the system we had put in our BMW.
I currently have Bose with the Musicar tweeters, but hate Bose so much for the crap they put in my car that I dont want to give them more business. However, the price of Burmester seems too high, especially compared to the system we had put in our BMW.
The only thing I miss from my Audi is that premium B&O sound system. It was simply spectacular.
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 38
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From: Pacific Northwest
I am not an audio aficionado, but I bought the Burmester. The quality of the Burmester is commensurate with the quality of the car. I am pleased with the decision.
But surprisingly, I don’t use it much. It is powered-up for traffic and news reports and the occasional audio book. After one year, I cancelled the satellite radio subscription because of too many dropouts on downtown streets and in the mountains. I transferred several hundred songs from my home music collection to an SD card in the Burmester. When the car is parked, the Burmester plays them magnificently.
In my experience the sounds of the tires, engine and exhaust overpower the audio system unless the volume is cranked up to high levels. But I can’t drive with music playing so loudly that sidewalk pedestrians notice or I am prevented from hearing approaching emergency vehicles. So, I have the audio muted on most days.
But surprisingly, I don’t use it much. It is powered-up for traffic and news reports and the occasional audio book. After one year, I cancelled the satellite radio subscription because of too many dropouts on downtown streets and in the mountains. I transferred several hundred songs from my home music collection to an SD card in the Burmester. When the car is parked, the Burmester plays them magnificently.
In my experience the sounds of the tires, engine and exhaust overpower the audio system unless the volume is cranked up to high levels. But I can’t drive with music playing so loudly that sidewalk pedestrians notice or I am prevented from hearing approaching emergency vehicles. So, I have the audio muted on most days.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 426
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They do extensive EQ & other tests to tweak the system.
When you have an aftermarket system installed, the installer should also tweak it specifically for your car. A lot more than merely EQ. But how long will the installer spend doing this after he installs it? 1 hour? 2 hours? I sure the sound engineers @ Porsche spend many hours doing this testing & tweaking. They do this whenever they have a new car design. They are probably doing it now for the 992.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 426
Likes: 40
Many people with large Flat screen HDTVs either have low end sound systems, a sound bar or (shudder) listen to the built in tiny amp & speakers. They are really missing out. (They also probably have never calibrated their picture) They would say, it sounds fine to me, the picture is GREAT! (Even it it is still in the store display torch mode with oversaturated colors & contrast)
For an audiophile, it is a different thing entirely.
The OP can follow my suggestions b4 deciding & then he will know whether or not he likes the Burm better enough to justify spending the extra $. Or maybe he can find an aftermarket solution (that he actually can HEAR 1st... in a 911)
If you listen to a lossy, mediocre source then maybe you will be unable to appreciate the differences between those systems.
If you are really stretching your budget to afford a 911, then there are many options you should not get, including the overpriced Burmester.
If I lived in Oregon, I would have tried to set an appt. with Nick/Musicar to hear a demo 991.2 with the full Phase III, listening to my provided CD test tracks. I would have tried to do this right after listening to a 911 with Burmester. I would listen with engine running, seat ventilation on. Even if I could have arranged that, it still is not a perfect test since probably hours would have passed between listening to system A vs. B.
When you audition speakers for your home theater or stereo, you bring you own (lossless) music & go back & forth A-B. At least you should.
Then I'd have a good idea of Musicar's complete solution vs. Burmester ... & the comparative costs (With Musicar & not me, doing the installation) Let's be fair
Maybe Musicar would have blown away the Burmester, IDK. But, at what cost?
Only the OP can decide, by listening tests.
YMMV
Last edited by TwinTurbo420; Sep 5, 2018 at 07:18 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 371
Likes: 119
From: St Mary's City, MD
I disagree
I've experienced the Bose in a 2017 Carrera S and was unimpressed, really couldn't tell much difference between the Bose and the basic sound package.
In my Carrera T I now have the Burmester and the difference in quality and clarity is really amazing!
BTW - with the Burmester you get an additional "Burmester" menu in the PCM for sound adjustment
I've experienced the Bose in a 2017 Carrera S and was unimpressed, really couldn't tell much difference between the Bose and the basic sound package.
In my Carrera T I now have the Burmester and the difference in quality and clarity is really amazing!
BTW - with the Burmester you get an additional "Burmester" menu in the PCM for sound adjustment
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I just keep thinking about the conversion with Nick's tweeters and the cheap crap Bose I pulled out. I guess Bose is selling that crap to Porsche for $150 and Porsche is selling it to us for $1600.
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Don't forget about the cost of the aluminum-look plastic gas cap....Porsche is charging $$$ for colored plastic!
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It did look good, though! Although I was the only one to ever see it...and only when I fueled up...
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I just keep thinking about the conversion with Nick's tweeters and the cheap crap Bose I pulled out. I guess Bose is selling that crap to Porsche for $150 and Porsche is selling it to us for $1600.