R&T's Cabin Noise Numbers are WRONG!
 

I'm posting this because there is some really bad information in the almost all the stereo threads here based on what I think I can prove is a R&T typo.

The moment someone mentioned in the last stereo thread that Road and Track measured an 84db ambient noise level at a 70 mph cruise I knew it was wrong. In that same test they measured 84db at a constant 70 mph and 87db under max load in first gear. That's a 3 db difference between a 70 mph cruise and max load. No way. 3db is about the minimum spl difference the human ear can detect. Someone screwed up, probably a typo. C&D measured a 75 db from a 997 at a 70 mph cruise and the 991 is definitely better at keeping noise in check. Here is my evidence and I think it's pretty clear:

Car and Driver's 75db at 70 mph measurement from a 997 with a manual:

http://media.caranddriver.com/files/...ra-s-specs.pdf

Road and Track measured a 2010 GT3 at only 81db at a 70 mph cruise:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/content/...1-GT3_data.pdf

Oh look, Edmund's got 68db from the 991 at 70 mph, freaking amazing (which is why PSE is a must):

http://www.insideline.com/porsche/91...carrera-s.html

Edmund's measured a 2012 BMW 335 at 65 db @ 70 mph for comparison:

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/3-seri...and-video.html

Road and Track measured a GT3 RS 4.0 at 85 db at 70 and 94 db max first gear which essentially is twice as loud:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezfl...0acf3a2427.pdf

I mean, every single magazine has commented on how quiet and relaxed the cabin is in 7th gear at a cruise with the PSE closed so this is just common sense. That means the 991 is an ideal car to cruise around in with a nice sound system. 68db from Edmunds is absolutely outstanding! I couldn't tell the difference between the 991 and my A6 with the PSE disengaged.

So go ahead and get the good stereo!