Reus Audio Experience
04-28-2003, 03:08 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Reus Audio Experience
Last week I had the opportunity to tour Reus Audio's facility in Orange, CA. For those of you who do not know, Reus fabricates the aftermarket "SST" audio systems for Porsche, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
Rick Reus, the owner, has created audio magic with his line of proprietary speakers. I had the opportunity to sit in front of their test bench, where you can demo the best that McIntosh, JL Audio, MB Quart, and other brands have to offer. In a blind test not knowing which speaker I was listening to, I chose the Reus speakers hands down every time!
The secret appears to be twofold: they use treated paper cones rather than IMPP and a host of other plastic acronyms that other brands use. While it seems counterintuitive to use paper cones in todays world where synthetic technology usually means it is better, let me tell you that nothing produces such a rich and true sound as paper. The second secret is that their speakers seem to have more frequency range than the competition. For example, their tweeters could double as midranges; their midranges could double as mid-bass; their mid-bass could double as woofers; and their woofers could double as sub-woofers. It sounds weird, but it all comes together to produce some of the sweetest sounding music I have ever heard. The only company that comes somewhat close to Reus is Paris Audio in L.A., but I understand that they charge up to $6000 for a similar system.
Their systems for the 996 run from $2500-$3900 installed, and IMO, they are worth EVERY single penny. For those of you who are not local to So. Cal., they regularly fly technicians out and provide an on-site install. The trip for the tech adds around $300-$800 to your bill depending on how far away you are.
Unfortunately, they do not sell components...you have to purchase the system installed from Reus. As a nice surprise, they do offer an official warranty of 6 years parts and labor, but I have heard that they unofficially warrant parts for life. Also, when you sell your car, you can take out the system and install it in your next one!
<a href="http://www.reusaudio.com" target="_blank">Reus Audio Website</a>
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Rick Reus, the owner, has created audio magic with his line of proprietary speakers. I had the opportunity to sit in front of their test bench, where you can demo the best that McIntosh, JL Audio, MB Quart, and other brands have to offer. In a blind test not knowing which speaker I was listening to, I chose the Reus speakers hands down every time!
The secret appears to be twofold: they use treated paper cones rather than IMPP and a host of other plastic acronyms that other brands use. While it seems counterintuitive to use paper cones in todays world where synthetic technology usually means it is better, let me tell you that nothing produces such a rich and true sound as paper. The second secret is that their speakers seem to have more frequency range than the competition. For example, their tweeters could double as midranges; their midranges could double as mid-bass; their mid-bass could double as woofers; and their woofers could double as sub-woofers. It sounds weird, but it all comes together to produce some of the sweetest sounding music I have ever heard. The only company that comes somewhat close to Reus is Paris Audio in L.A., but I understand that they charge up to $6000 for a similar system.
Their systems for the 996 run from $2500-$3900 installed, and IMO, they are worth EVERY single penny. For those of you who are not local to So. Cal., they regularly fly technicians out and provide an on-site install. The trip for the tech adds around $300-$800 to your bill depending on how far away you are.
Unfortunately, they do not sell components...you have to purchase the system installed from Reus. As a nice surprise, they do offer an official warranty of 6 years parts and labor, but I have heard that they unofficially warrant parts for life. Also, when you sell your car, you can take out the system and install it in your next one!
<a href="http://www.reusaudio.com" target="_blank">Reus Audio Website</a>
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
04-28-2003, 11:57 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Hmm...I'll ask Rick about that one. He showed me all of the components that go into the 996 system, and nothing indicated that a large hole was cut anywhere.
I cannot think of any reason to cut such a hole unless it involves porting of the bass somehow??
BTW, the bass unit fits around the spare tire.
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I cannot think of any reason to cut such a hole unless it involves porting of the bass somehow??
BTW, the bass unit fits around the spare tire.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
04-29-2003, 03:00 AM
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Does the Reus system retrofit with the PCM I, or does it require replacing the PCM I or PCM II?
If it does require replacing the PCM I/II then is there a way to "hide" the new system to avoid it being stolen (I have had a few Alpines stolen over the years and am a bit gunshy of installing aftermarket systems).
If it does require replacing the PCM I/II then is there a way to "hide" the new system to avoid it being stolen (I have had a few Alpines stolen over the years and am a bit gunshy of installing aftermarket systems).
04-29-2003, 11:41 AM
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Burning Brakes
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Dimitry, Reus focuses on speaker and amp upgrades; they do not touch the head unit unless you ask them to.
I also have the PCM I, but I am not going to swap it out. Rick Reus does mention however that the PCM I, depsite its better overall functionality than the Becker CDR units, has fewer pre-amp functions and therefore is going to be the bottleneck in a true hi-fi system.
Since I am not looking for "true" hi-fi, this is not a concern of mine.
Reus is capable of better custom work than most other shops in the world, but for a truly top notch interior job, try AI Design in Jersey.
As far as your Alpines being stolen over the years, I am truly sorry. I must say though, perhaps it's time to start parking in better areas...
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
I also have the PCM I, but I am not going to swap it out. Rick Reus does mention however that the PCM I, depsite its better overall functionality than the Becker CDR units, has fewer pre-amp functions and therefore is going to be the bottleneck in a true hi-fi system.
Since I am not looking for "true" hi-fi, this is not a concern of mine.
Reus is capable of better custom work than most other shops in the world, but for a truly top notch interior job, try AI Design in Jersey.
As far as your Alpines being stolen over the years, I am truly sorry. I must say though, perhaps it's time to start parking in better areas...
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
04-29-2003, 12:36 PM
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Burning Brakes
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$3900 - and as far as I know, that is speakers, sub, and amps only...not head unit. Sounds like a chunk of change, but believe me...it's better sounding than a $10,000 full blown McIntosh system.
