Does the awful sound improve when you upgrade the head unit?
 

I have the "premium :roflmao:" Bozo sound system that is by far the worst I've heard in any vehicle. The stereo imaging is so unbelievably terrible the audio sounds like it's coming from the center of the car, but I've verified all speakers are working by using the balance and fader controls. Don't get me started on the flat frequency response, and it's not in a good way like high quality studio monitors. It's because the system is incapable of accurately replicating sounds from the original recordings.

Anyway, I'm thinking about using the nav-tv most hur 955 to update the stereo, but wanted to get some feedback as to how much the sound improves while still using the original speakers. Will it still sound terrible if I do this?

Thanks

I haven't upgraded the sound system in my Cayenne yet. I'm really considering it. I did replace the Bose system in my 911 with a new head unit, amps and speakers. The difference was dramatic. I can't speak from personal experience on the Cayenne, but I can tell you this: most people consider the speakers to be the weakest link in the system. If you really want improved sound quality, then you should consider speaker replacement. If you want updated features (Sirius XM, Bluetooth, updated navigation, etc.), then replace the head unit.

+1. I strongly agree. Apparently, the Germans (Porsche, BMW, and MB) got suckered into adopting the MOST fiber optic bus for the audio system, and compounded the error by falling for Bose's "audiophile" snake oil. You need a $650 FO adapter (google "MOST HUR") to interface with an aftermarket head, and then you're still stuck with the terrible sounding Bose crap. Further, Bose speakers have odd impedance and may fry an incompatible amp/head unit if you try to bypass the Bose amp. Or you can rip it all out and start from scratch...a very costly upgrade.

tun on or off surround

I haven't worked with a Cayenne, but "bad" speakers can sound good when driven by a good source (head and amp(s)). Conversely, excellent speakers can sound horrible if they are not being driven properly.

Additionally, if you don't regularly have anyone listening to music in the back then you can waste a lot of money on "good" speakers back there what will provide very little improvement over much cheaper options (including staying with stock speakers).

No problems with the Bose stereo imaging here.

Could be you have a faulty sound processor.

While I don't consider the Bose system to be audiophile grade.. The system in my pig sounds pretty decent. I'm not a fan of what happens with the surround sound on. I also have to turn down treble and boost bass. The system definitely sounds better than those in my previous vehicles.

Make sure surround CDS is OFF or it sounds really flat. Certain genres really sound bad with it on.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...rsche/bose.jpg

I realize there are much better systems. I added a JL Audio stealthbox subwoofer and alpine sub amp to my otherwise stock Bose system. Several people, including 2 "audiofiles" mentioned the quality of the system sound.

Make sure the 3D Surround setting is turned off. I have the Bose system in my '09 (PCM 3.0) which sounds like utter crap in a similar manner that you describe, no matter what the source, with the surround sound processing turned on. With no fake 3D over-processing, plus a 10" JL sealed sub in the back, the system actually sounds decent.

I didn't really give the Bose too much attention till I started to read this thread. Now I can see how people get headaches with these speakers. I like the Chinese head units that match the shape of the opening. Might see if I can find a 8" screen and do a complete rip out of the Bose junk. My sub woofer in the trunk looks like its in good shape but even when the bass is on 9 it is barely noticeable. The amp is probably fried. If it isn't one thing...

Lewis !

This is a pretty old and well talked about subject

Given that the system may have been, in part, designed by a member of this board, who will tell you that Becker and PAG compromised a good design for their own reasons, its hardly surprising we get a less than perfect result.

I have to say however that I have been in MANY Cayenne since April of 03 and the sound quality does vary from car to car, I have been lucky with my second on which sounds much better than my first. I think mold sets into the speaker cones and the amps drift off spec with older models, I personally saw what I took to be mold damage on the first car when I had it apart from time to time

Not that I am saying that's age is the only reason, some were variable before age could even set in.

beta owners had lots of loaners.

I agree with Mike's comments. The Bose system in my Cayenne actually sounds pretty good. I think it could be improved, but for everyday use it's not bad at all. The Bose system in my C4S was another matter...

Since adding a Dension unit fueled by an iPod Classic, I have zero complaints about the sound quality in my Cayenne.

Nuff said on both accounts! :)

... as far as the Cayenne is concerned, I really don't need any better in a car. I'm on my third Cayenne and all (including the 2005 CTT with Kenwood DNX7160 on original Bose speakers) have sounded pretty much the same.

My Bose stock system sounds pretty good to tell you the truth. Used to have 2x12 and big system in my previous cars, but I don't listen to those music anymore and Bose stock unit fits my needs.

Perhaps I'm just one of the unlucky ones. I doubt that my speakers have mold on them because the interior of my cayenne is like new. I wouldn't be surprised if something's going on with the amp because it's literally like listening to mono all the time. Also the sound imaging is such that the sound is centered in the middle of the car and doesn't fill the space. I never get this problem (even with AM radio) in other cars.

Thanks for the suggestions on the surround feature. I made sure it was turned off as it seems to further degrade the sound quality.

The mobridge, most hur harness and dennison units seem too costly for what you get. 2 of those options require the CD changer functionality to be switched on by the dealer (if you don't have a CD changer), adding even more to the cost. Lastly, the Becker audio input solution is mono.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to just re-wire and replace the front 2 speakers and not worry about the the rest of the car. I'd hate to rip out most of my interior to run new speaker wires but wondering if someone's tried just doing the front 2 door speakers?

Currently I'm using a bluetooth fm transmitter but those have their own issues. And the fact that the cigarette outlet doesn't shut off with the ignition adds to the inconvenience.

thank you very much for the tip on turning off the 'surround' setting!!! :D
It's enough of a difference, that I've taken a $tereo upgrade off my list!!

While still not great sound, it's now at least become acceptable to this non-audiophile.

Thanks Mike/mudman 2, digitaljok and endless_corners

Dunno why criticism of the audio system seems to be a no-no. IMO, Porsche deserves a lot of criticism for saddling a $90K+ car with a mediocre and difficult to upgrade audio system with audio performance hardly on par with base systems in mass market sedans costing a fraction of the Cayenne. When I bought my CTT, I had planned to replace the head and amp...until I was stung learning the cost impact of dealing with the gimmicky MOST fiber optic bus and the incompatibility of Bose components with industry standards.

Like I said. The Bose system in my 2004 cayenne sounds better than the "base" system in my 2007 bmw x3. And definitely better than my 06 dodge ram, vw monsoon, ml430 Bose, c43 amg becker... Basically it sounds better than any of my previously owned vehicles. Again I don't think it's amazing but definitely adequate.

+2.

IMHO it's one of the better parts of the P!G.. it is much better than any BMW system I've heard, and much better than the premium HK system in SWMBO's Lexus RX.

I'll disagree with that. '08 BMW X5 with premium audio (or whatever they call it) I used own had the best audio system to date. I don't listen to music all to often, so I can't say I'm overly disappointed with sound quality in my Cayenne with Bose (08 model as well), but it is definitely not even close to what I had in X5.

Well said. The audio system is a complete joke. Furthermore, it's nearly impossible to upgrade. Being in the class of cars that Porsche is, they absolutely deserve criticism for this. It's totally ridiculous. I could go out and by the cheapest of cheap new cars and chances are the stereo system would be 10 times closer to audiophile quality.

I really want to hear other people's cars. Perhaps there is variance from vehicle to vehicle. I swear most of you are butt hurt it doesnt hook up to your ipod.

You seem to have missed "BMW system I've heard".

The one's I've listened to extensively (and owned unless otherwise noted) are:

'87 535i needed a subwoofer badly - then it was just OK..
'91 525i not much there actually - anemic sound
'96 528i upgraded audio - and still no low end
'98 M3 convertible - "Business" system - later replaced the head with one from a later model (CD version) which actually made a big improvement in the sound. It was almost OK.
'01 M5 (friend's car) with the optional dual subwoofers and DSP - despite the subwoofers low end was lacking, and imaging was poor.
'02 M3 convertible with HK upgrade system, and extra subwoofer. Finally got some low end from the system by drilling holes in the back of the arm-rest area so the sub could be heard in the car instead of just in the trunk. It was marginally OK but not up to the Cayenne Bose system.
'03 525i Touring - with the optional subwoofer - was just OK. Low end was lacking.
'99 M-Coupe (had the premium system) - it provided background music OK, but not anything worth listening to.
'01 M-Coupe with premium system and the newer CD-53 based headunit. That one still lives in my garage. Happily the engine makes such nice noises that I'm not bothered by the lack of audio.
'08 335i (friend's car) - awful audio, even on Sirius, and an ungodly interface (early I-drive nightmare)
'12 335i (friend's newer car) - audio didn't improve a lot, but the I-drive interface did, it's almost user friendly.

I have not heard your X5 system. It might have been wonderful, if so it's an exception from the usual BMW crap (Harmon-Kardon and all..) If you don't have iPod or MP3 capability on your Cayenne system you may be disappointed in the sound, although the CD sound isn't awful.

I'm not trying to bash the Cayenne, however. The driving experience makes up for this minor flaw.

I'm a bit of an Audiophile and appreciate quality systems. In my home I have McIntosh/Dyanudio setups and can most certainly discern quality from crap. I have to say, the Bose system in my P!G isn't all that awful (I'm not in love with it either). One has to consider the source of the music. If you're listening through an iPod type device you are largely going to be limited by the bandwidth therein, simple as that.

At home for background music I use AppleTV run through the aforementioned setup and it sounds ok. However, if I'm listening to music just for the sake of listening to music I transport through vinyl or DTS/DVD audio where there is a significant difference.

I used to think that it was important to have an audiophile grade setup in the car (my 911 has a McIntosh amp and Dynaudio speakers as did my former Benz that the P!G replaced) but at the end of the day it's just background noise. It was ridiculous to spend several thousand on a system that is limited by the environment.

For the commute to the office on Fridays and uber crappy weather days in addition to shuttlling my kids between baseball games and swim meets the Bose is just fine. Even in my Audi where I spend a bit more time than my P!G the "concert" system where I listen to an IPod/Sirius/Pandora is more than adequate for my pretentious audiophile sensibilities. :p

I wonder how many people are *really* comparing apples to apples here?

I currently own 5 cars from the 2004ish generation (Mercedes, Porsche, Audi S6, VWs, Dodge) and 2 80s Porsches. Comparing the Cayenne to similar year cars the stereo is actually very good!! Comparing it to more modern cars and it starts to lack a bit.

hmm...like I posted above, now that I have unchecked the 'surround', its acceptable...but really not more and still disappointing for a vehicle of this genre. But, I no longer feel compelled to change it and will 'suffice' on the long rides that I make in the summer (its my tow vehicle).
Having said that, my 05 Nissan Pathfinder's Bose system will absolutely and completely blow it away.

I junked muddy-sounding PCM 2 within a few months of buying an 04 CS with standard speakers. Highly unimpressed with standard audio.

Replaced with a Kenwood DNX4210 DAB unit (UK) and sound quality now markedly better. I was planning to rip out the speakers the following week but that can wait a while as this is more than bearable.

Next got to drill the roof for decent DAB/digital radio antenna. Will fit some Philips DAP amps with Kef 8" subs and B&W/Kef speakers in due course.

Bose audio systems
 

I have had two cars with Bose audio "upgraded" sound systems. They were not awful, but it is like I have heard it said, "if it's Bose, it has no highs or lows" I have a tendency to agree. The system performed ok, very flat, just not as good as I think The Bose company thinks they sound. I optioned my MY13 Cayenne with the Burmester audio option. While I do not consider myself an audio expert, I have to say if you are looking for a incredible sound system for a vehicle, this is it. Though a comparable quality replacement system might be able to be installed at a lower cost, I am very pleased I spend the extra to have this in my Cayenne. I believe this is the gold standard for an audio experience in a vehicle. I agree with others that the Bose is not all it is cut out to be. Just my opinion.

Car play
 

I bought CarPlay to cayenne 2012 and the sound improvement was insane compared to what it sounded before.

Bose system definitely leaves something to be desired, but with an aftermarket head unit and a JL box in the trunk, it sounds okay. I'm still on the fence whether I'm keeping her ('06 TTS) until she's antiquey but at 15yrs, how much longer could it really be before the speakers start to disintegrate anyway? Part of me isn't looking forward to dropping a few grand on a new system but part of me is.