Opinions on exchanging head unit and possibly speakers on 997.2 (stock audio system)
#1
Opinions on exchanging head unit and possibly speakers on 997.2 (stock audio system)
Hello all,
I bought a 2009 997.2 Targa 4S last october, and have been very happy with it. Except for the audio quality of the sound system. It is dreadful. It is the stock one (no Bose, no Burmester). So I want to see what options are available. I have checked out a great number of threads, but still am a bit unsure what to do. A local car audio dealer suggested something like this:
https://www.pioneer-car.eu/eur/products/avic-f88dab
Does anyone have any experience with this? The new HU would probably increase the sound quality some, but not all that much, so ideally I would be looking at speaker replacements also. The car audio guy also told me options were very limited as there's very little room to do anything, really, in these cars. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
I bought a 2009 997.2 Targa 4S last october, and have been very happy with it. Except for the audio quality of the sound system. It is dreadful. It is the stock one (no Bose, no Burmester). So I want to see what options are available. I have checked out a great number of threads, but still am a bit unsure what to do. A local car audio dealer suggested something like this:
https://www.pioneer-car.eu/eur/products/avic-f88dab
Does anyone have any experience with this? The new HU would probably increase the sound quality some, but not all that much, so ideally I would be looking at speaker replacements also. The car audio guy also told me options were very limited as there's very little room to do anything, really, in these cars. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
#2
Burning Brakes
Ekofisk
Unless you have steering wheel inputs think about at least having a volume dial pushing volume up and down is a pain in the ___. I put a Kenwood receiver in my Boxster but hated that to work the volume you had to keep taping the button where as with a dial easy pease.
Unless you have steering wheel inputs think about at least having a volume dial pushing volume up and down is a pain in the ___. I put a Kenwood receiver in my Boxster but hated that to work the volume you had to keep taping the button where as with a dial easy pease.
#3
Yeah, I've thought about this. I agree, constantly tapping a screen and/or button really is annoying. But I don't think I can live with the sound quality and no BT music for much longer, and as such, am probably willing to sacrifice the **** for the extra features and hopefully improved sound.
I saw the other thread about the Seicane factory looking unit, but apparently it only works with the 997.1 (and not sure about the actual quality).
I saw the other thread about the Seicane factory looking unit, but apparently it only works with the 997.1 (and not sure about the actual quality).
#4
Burning Brakes
The Cayenne Guys rave about it i thought about putting it in my Cayenne but have decided not too as it is not my daily driver. I'm not a big music nut listen to country music mostly and use my ipad mini for maps. now if it was my daily driver i would put something in i did like my Kenwood set up in the Boxster.
#5
Rennlist Member
I was lucky my 2009 C4S came with the Bose system and while far from perfect, it's pretty good. My understanding is any head unit swap is complex because all kinds of non-music electronics are controlled through it. I'll leave it to the experts that know a lot more than I do about that issue. I agree with Skyhawk172 about having a volume dial - do not get any system that has the push screen volume control. That's what's in the Cayman and it is less safe and convenient than a dial.
#6
My 2008 screen died and I'm either looking to replace it with a use OEM replacement or should I get an aftermarket head unit? My steering wheel does not have any stereo control so I don't have to mess with that. How much does a typical head unit with navigation and bluetooth go for with installation cost these days?
#7
I was lucky my 2009 C4S came with the Bose system and while far from perfect, it's pretty good. My understanding is any head unit swap is complex because all kinds of non-music electronics are controlled through it. I'll leave it to the experts that know a lot more than I do about that issue. I agree with Skyhawk172 about having a volume dial - do not get any system that has the push screen volume control. That's what's in the Cayman and it is less safe and convenient than a dial.
Trending Topics
#8
Burning Brakes
only slightly it takes your eyes off the road for a second to find the right button to push where a dial you just reach for it feel it then turn. that being said it is doable if you can not find a receiver with a ****.
#9
Burning Brakes
My 2008 screen died and I'm either looking to replace it with a use OEM replacement or should I get an aftermarket head unit? My steering wheel does not have any stereo control so I don't have to mess with that. How much does a typical head unit with navigation and bluetooth go for with installation cost these days?
#10
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Hello all,
I bought a 2009 997.2 Targa 4S last october, and have been very happy with it. Except for the audio quality of the sound system. It is dreadful. It is the stock one (no Bose, no Burmester). So I want to see what options are available. I have checked out a great number of threads, but still am a bit unsure what to do. A local car audio dealer suggested something like this:
https://www.pioneer-car.eu/eur/products/avic-f88dab
Does anyone have any experience with this? The new HU would probably increase the sound quality some, but not all that much, so ideally I would be looking at speaker replacements also. The car audio guy also told me options were very limited as there's very little room to do anything, really, in these cars. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
I bought a 2009 997.2 Targa 4S last october, and have been very happy with it. Except for the audio quality of the sound system. It is dreadful. It is the stock one (no Bose, no Burmester). So I want to see what options are available. I have checked out a great number of threads, but still am a bit unsure what to do. A local car audio dealer suggested something like this:
https://www.pioneer-car.eu/eur/products/avic-f88dab
Does anyone have any experience with this? The new HU would probably increase the sound quality some, but not all that much, so ideally I would be looking at speaker replacements also. The car audio guy also told me options were very limited as there's very little room to do anything, really, in these cars. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
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
#11
$1500 is way too much for a head unit that doesn't even have navigation. I was assuming they are around 500-700 with installation. I don't have the Bose system so should I change the speakers? Anyone have more knowledge about the PCM and how it would affect an aftermarket stereo?
#12
I have a 997.1 with Bose, so things might be slightly different. But I replaced the factory HU with a Pioneer unit like the one above. I also replaced the stock amplifier. I didn't touch the speakers. This gave me a vastly better HU with modern features and greatly improved sound. I felt this approach was the best value for the money. Replacing the speakers would have made the project significantly more expensive.
#13
I have a 997.1 with Bose, so things might be slightly different. But I replaced the factory HU with a Pioneer unit like the one above. I also replaced the stock amplifier. I didn't touch the speakers. This gave me a vastly better HU with modern features and greatly improved sound. I felt this approach was the best value for the money. Replacing the speakers would have made the project significantly more expensive.
#14
Intermediate
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have an 07 Targa 4S with the Bose system that I'm dropping off to a very reputable audio shop here in Houston tomorrow. I'm getting a Pioneer headunit with Apple Carplay, a new amp, and a backup camera. Cost is $2500 with tax and the job will take 1.5 days. I could probably save a few hundred and go elsewhere but this is not the type of car I would cut corners on. The shop has done several Porsches as well as many exotic cars. My car is otherwise stock. I just don't like the outdated interface and need to be able to stream my music.