Standard, Bose, Burmester, or Custom Audio?
09-01-2018 | 12:54 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Race Car
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: The Beach
Standard, Bose, Burmester, or Custom Audio?
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.
Last edited by Dan Nagy; 09-01-2018 at 04:10 PM.
09-01-2018 | 02:34 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 73
Likes: 4
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
09-01-2018 | 02:36 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,864
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From: Calgary, AB
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
09-01-2018 | 03:33 PM
#7
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Joined: Dec 2009
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I ordered Burmester in my ‘15 TT. Wouldn’t pay over BOSE prices again. I’ve heard one base unit in a 991.1 cab and it was awful. BOSE is “good enough” for my untrained ears. Burmester in a sports car seems like a waste to me.
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09-01-2018 | 04:07 PM
#8
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 485
Likes: 21
From: Atlanta, GA
I started down the path with the same question. Bottom line is that I would have only been happy if I had gone with a really high end system which would have a) cost way more than the Burmester, b) been more "impactful" to the car itself (potential loss of frunk or rear shelf space, lack of or difficulty integrating into the factory system, etc...), and c) introduced the potential for more rattles, ground loops, and other issues. Bottom line, for me, I went with the Burmester as an easy and good (sound quality), if not exactly cheap, solution.
09-01-2018 | 04:09 PM
#9
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From: Chitown, USA
In my T with base stereo, with the volume at 60-70% I feel like Im gonna go deaf. The cabin is so tiny. What are you guys listening to that you need 5 million watts? Lol 
I agree the tweeters are garbage in the base and bose, but these can be fixed for like 600 bucks. With that said, I did just spend significant $ to fix a different stereo - the exhaust, and most would argue that was completely unecessary too. Im curious if anyone has a cheap bang for the buck stereo upgrade for the base system in the .2. Its powered through the pcm vs external amp for the higher systems, which may complicate things.
I agree the tweeters are garbage in the base and bose, but these can be fixed for like 600 bucks. With that said, I did just spend significant $ to fix a different stereo - the exhaust, and most would argue that was completely unecessary too. Im curious if anyone has a cheap bang for the buck stereo upgrade for the base system in the .2. Its powered through the pcm vs external amp for the higher systems, which may complicate things.
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sexfiend (11-24-2019)
09-01-2018 | 04:14 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,588
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I am going debating how to upgrade the Bose system in my touring at the moment.
Here is my honest opinion. If you go aftermarket a significant amount of money needs to go towards a top notch installer who will do a great job in assisting with equipment selection, installation/fabrication and tuning. This is highly underrated and is around 1/3 of my budget at a minimum.
if you had the budget for Burmeister I would go for the standard system and then go aftermarket. I went Bose and am still likely going aftermarket (I am considering the AMT Burmeister tweeter as I like the sound of ribbons).
I am sersioussly considering 4 way active with a shallow sub in the passenger footwell or behind he seat. A decent amp like a JL HD900/5 can drive the entire active setup including the sub and you have a range of speakers at different budgets. This will outshine Burmeister by a mile if a good installer does the job.
I have two threads on this for your reference and although no one has chimed in, I will update as things progress for the benefit of others.
https://rennlist.com/forums/991-gt3-...-footwell.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1092...silk-dome.html
Some equipment I really like a will probably be using includes:
- JL Audio TW3 or TW5 sub
- JL HD 900/5 (many people also like Mosconi)
- Morel Elate Limited Edition Carbon Fibre 6.5 Mid (although 6.5inch when a larger driver can fit) as the sub will do the heavy lifting
- Tweeter I have not decided... Debating between A) Dynaudio from Musicar or B) Morel Limited Tweeter to match the mid or C) Burmeister AMT Ribbon Tweeter
Here is my honest opinion. If you go aftermarket a significant amount of money needs to go towards a top notch installer who will do a great job in assisting with equipment selection, installation/fabrication and tuning. This is highly underrated and is around 1/3 of my budget at a minimum.
if you had the budget for Burmeister I would go for the standard system and then go aftermarket. I went Bose and am still likely going aftermarket (I am considering the AMT Burmeister tweeter as I like the sound of ribbons).
I am sersioussly considering 4 way active with a shallow sub in the passenger footwell or behind he seat. A decent amp like a JL HD900/5 can drive the entire active setup including the sub and you have a range of speakers at different budgets. This will outshine Burmeister by a mile if a good installer does the job.
I have two threads on this for your reference and although no one has chimed in, I will update as things progress for the benefit of others.
https://rennlist.com/forums/991-gt3-...-footwell.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1092...silk-dome.html
Some equipment I really like a will probably be using includes:
- JL Audio TW3 or TW5 sub
- JL HD 900/5 (many people also like Mosconi)
- Morel Elate Limited Edition Carbon Fibre 6.5 Mid (although 6.5inch when a larger driver can fit) as the sub will do the heavy lifting
- Tweeter I have not decided... Debating between A) Dynaudio from Musicar or B) Morel Limited Tweeter to match the mid or C) Burmeister AMT Ribbon Tweeter
09-01-2018 | 04:41 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,042
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From: Orlando burbs
It's a 911, and its built for sunny day blasts, PCA and other sportscar events. I had my .1 S for two years, and never listened to music. I've had my new one 9 weeks and have yet to listen to music, except in driveway when washing. Outside the car in the drive it doesn't matter what system you have It sounds like it's inside the car. If you have long boring daily commutes where you want to listen to music, get a beater, and put a sound system in it. You can buy fine brand new Honda or Toyota beaters for well below $20k. The 911 cabin is small and the noise is high (but good!). It's never going to sound like a concert hall in a 911.
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sexfiend (11-24-2019)
09-01-2018 | 05:55 PM
#12
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,238
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From: Playa Del Rey, CA
I had the Bose in my 991.1 C2 cab and upgraded to the Burmester for my 991.1 GTS cab. Night and day difference. Money very well spent. I spec'd my GT3T with Bose not because I like the Bose but because I figured if I am going to maximize the Apple Car Play, I might as well spend the extra $1,600 for the upgraded sound system, even though it is mediocre at best. A Burmester can be appreciated in a non-GT3 911 much moreso than a GT3 for the simple fact that the GT3 has less sound insulation and has a gloriously loud engine that is music to my ears.
09-01-2018 | 06:53 PM
#14
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From: SF Bay Area
09-01-2018 | 07:14 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Golden, CO