Opinions on exchanging head unit and possibly speakers on 997.2 (stock audio system)
#16
Intermediate
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@Ekofisk I just got my car back today from the car audio shop. I am beyond thrilled with the new setup - automatic streaming when I turn on the car, Car Play when I plug it in, and back up camera. I was on edge all weekend questioning whether or not I made the right choice but now I can say with confidence that my system will make me enjoy my car even more. The audio sounds even better and I love the touchscreen. I may go back to get the volume controls for the steering wheel done as I didn't get that setup yet (I ordered everything over the phone and forgot to tell them I had the steering wheel volume controls).
To those thinking about doing this upgrade, I did not have any codes being thrown when I turn on the car. Also, if you are in Houston I highly recommend Custom Car Stereo.
To those thinking about doing this upgrade, I did not have any codes being thrown when I turn on the car. Also, if you are in Houston I highly recommend Custom Car Stereo.
#17
Your assumption that changing the speakers will have a bigger affect than the head unit is false. The devil is this Becker head unit. I had the opportunity to compare my car, side by side, two 2009s in my driveway. In my car, I have the Bose premium system where I swapped out all speakers for Focal units. My friend's car had the base system but only changed the head unit. I don't remember what it was. The sound out of that car was far superior than mine. It really made music. Mine sounded like the old system with a bit more detail. More detail on low fidelity is ... well sketchy at best.
Even without a comparison, the moment I switched on my system with the new Focals installed... well it was an incremental improvement at best. I am not sure it was worth the big effort to replace them. BTW, from my reading, it appears easier to replace speakers on the base system as the Bose speakers are in these oddly shaped plastic cages that are then mounted into the doors.
Futher, the head units on the Bose Premium and the base systems is the same. There is a software switch that a dealer can flip. For base, there are 4 sets of pins providing an analog out FL/FR, RL/RR. The Bose premium head unit has those pins dead but the digital out is active... that then connects via optical cable back to a processor/amp under the passenger seat. This link uses propriatary comms protocols and there is no "converter" made as of a few months ago.
Common mistake is blaming speakers..... the devil is usually in the electronics...... and I witnessed the proof by comparing two cars side by side at the same time.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Even without a comparison, the moment I switched on my system with the new Focals installed... well it was an incremental improvement at best. I am not sure it was worth the big effort to replace them. BTW, from my reading, it appears easier to replace speakers on the base system as the Bose speakers are in these oddly shaped plastic cages that are then mounted into the doors.
Futher, the head units on the Bose Premium and the base systems is the same. There is a software switch that a dealer can flip. For base, there are 4 sets of pins providing an analog out FL/FR, RL/RR. The Bose premium head unit has those pins dead but the digital out is active... that then connects via optical cable back to a processor/amp under the passenger seat. This link uses propriatary comms protocols and there is no "converter" made as of a few months ago.
Common mistake is blaming speakers..... the devil is usually in the electronics...... and I witnessed the proof by comparing two cars side by side at the same time.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
To the OP, you're lucky, because the non-Bose system doesn't have all that EQ to deal with, so you can easily take a clean signal and send it to an aftermarket amplifier. Plus, no fiberoptic interface is required when keeping your stock HU AFAIK.
Everyone thinks they can swap out their speakers and get an instant high-end stereo system. I guess it depends on how picky you are about sound. In reality, in my opinion, it takes a lot of deliberate effort to fine-tune your install. Assuming you mounted your speakers in the optimal locations...first you have to adjust the levels of individual drivers. Then adjust the crossover freq/slopes. Then time-correct. Then measure and correct for the speaker and cabin response. Then finetune by ear. When I first installed my Focal Utopia 3-way set ($5k), they didn't sound that great. It required quite a bit of tuning to get them where they are today. Car audio isn't like home audio where the crossovers and driver levels are preset for most environments, you can move the speakers around, and you don't have dominant parallel walls creating ginormous frequency response deviations.
My recommendations to OP:
- Replace your stock HU with something functional. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are so nice to have. I prefer a volume **** too, but the HU's that have one necessarily have smaller screens. See if you can live with physical pushbutton volume controls. I personally think they're fine.
- Install an aftermarket amp
- Get the best possible speakers you can afford.
- Add some type of automatic EQ unit. This will make a HUGE difference and save you a lot of time. The JBL MS-8 or Alpine PXA-H800 can do this with an auto-EQ microphone.
Good luck
#18
Rennlist Member
I have a 2009 911S with the basic sound system. After riding in my hubby's GTS with the bose system I am depressed at how crappy the base system is. I called a local shop and they recommended this head unit which can bring up your phones apps. https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/P...EX/MVH-2300NEX This shop also told me the new head unit with the basic speakers would sound better then the OEM Bose system. he said the new head unit would produce 22 watts per speaker with more clean sound. I am not sure I want to go this route, but I also wanted a back up camera. However, this shop told me to install sensors they would need to drill 3 holes in my bumper. three holes in my bumper is not appealing to me at all. I have not researched this yet, but if anyone knows a better system for the back up sensors that does not require drilling holes in your bumper let me know.
the reason I post this is the Pioneer head mentioned above looks like it has hard push volume controls. still not as nice as a rotating ****.
the reason I post this is the Pioneer head mentioned above looks like it has hard push volume controls. still not as nice as a rotating ****.
#19
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I have a 2009 911S with the basic sound system. After riding in my hubby's GTS with the bose system I am depressed at how crappy the base system is. I called a local shop and they recommended this head unit which can bring up your phones apps. https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/P...EX/MVH-2300NEX This shop also told me the new head unit with the basic speakers would sound better then the OEM Bose system. he said the new head unit would produce 22 watts per speaker with more clean sound. I am not sure I want to go this route, but I also wanted a back up camera. However, this shop told me to install sensors they would need to drill 3 holes in my bumper. three holes in my bumper is not appealing to me at all. I have not researched this yet, but if anyone knows a better system for the back up sensors that does not require drilling holes in your bumper let me know.
the reason I post this is the Pioneer head mentioned above looks like it has hard push volume controls. still not as nice as a rotating ****.
the reason I post this is the Pioneer head mentioned above looks like it has hard push volume controls. still not as nice as a rotating ****.
Something to consider about this unit.
Peace
Bruce in Philly