Boxster Radio is as good as my '72 Buick's - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Dons986 · 02-21-2005, 01:55 AM

The front speakers are flat and tinny. Will the small rear speakers really make up the difference. Please let me know after you do the installation. I have no intention of turning the car into a giant customized stereo unit that weighs a ton. I just want decent sound with the top down.

Don

BuffaloBoxster · 02-21-2005, 05:03 AM

$1800 is not really all that bad for a good install, including a new amp, new components in the dash, and new door drivers. Key word being good install. It seems a little high, but not by a while lot. I'm looking at serious upgrades in the audio department, and the installers I've been to range from a little over $3000 to $4500. This is for replacing the head unit with a 2-din navigation unit , replacing all speakers with MB Quart or JL Audio speakers, and a good amp with enough power to crank it when the top's down, plus install. The head unit alone is $2000 - $2200, so by subtracting that you'd be looking at $1000 - $2000 for the amp/speakers.

You could probably halve that by going with lower quality stuff, but this is your baby, right?

Also, in my opinion, the money is worth it for a nice clean install where everything looks and functions like stock.

Brucelee · 02-21-2005, 05:45 AM

I have had the rear speakers installed and it does make a qualitative difference. Worth the money in my opinion.

On the custom approach, as a dealer, I will tell you that I shy away from these cars. Most Porsche customers that I have had want their cars original. Moreover, if they are willing to buy the car with the boom boom stereo, they are NOT willing to pay extra for it. So, if you drop the $1800 on the stereo, it would be wise to consider this money as.... GONE!

Having said that, it is your car and your money. No one can make that call for you but you.

Good luck. Let us know how this turns out.

:dance:

Adam · 02-21-2005, 06:25 AM

1,800 bucks seems like alot but that's how much the bose system added to my sticker price. I like the sound but it could have slightly more low end for my tastes. It is PLENTY loud though and has lots of mid-to-highend. About the rear speaker kit. If I was going to drop 2 bills on the basic rear kit I would drop a few more or so for the BOSE rear shelf speakers(on ebay) to get the subwoofer that fits in between the speakers. I would think the car would be seriously lacking bass without this feature.

Dons986 · 02-21-2005, 07:01 AM

The quote of $1800. was from a high end car stereo shop. There are mostly Mercedes and Porsches parked out front. I'm not sending my baby to the Best Buy. Still, it is a lot of bucks to drop.

RandallNeighbour · 02-21-2005, 07:52 AM

I too installed the rear storage compartment (Ebay purchase, 300.00) and the speakers from a guy who had sold his boxster (ebay purchase, 200.00). Makes a huge difference.

Let me add though that the instructions you'll find online for installation of the storage box and speakers, where you are told to remove all those panels in your boxster and the center console is total crap! I have a totally hidden wiring from the speakers to the head unit and didn't remove ONE thing from the car.

Just run the wires under the rollbar reinforcement, down the side of the passenger's carpeted piece of backing that covers the rear engine compartment, and tuck the wire up under the passenger's side of the center console and keep going unti you go under the passenger side dash. You're now done and you never took off the cubby hole in the passenger threshold or anything else.

Call my installation non-professional or "rigged", but no one knows the difference and nothing falls out or looks bad... which is the definition of good stereo installation if you ask me!

Brucelee · 02-21-2005, 09:01 AM

Keep in mind that in the Box, you have a fair amount of noise to deal with in listening to your stereo. Road and engine noise (a low car, fat tires and an engine right behind your head) all conspire to interfere with sound from your system.

With the top down, the issues compound greatly.

Simply put, this is not a Lexus and these issues may make discretion the better part of valor.

Also it might help to keep in mind that it is not REALLY a baby, but a car. A great car but a car nonetheless.

This thought might save you a ton of dough, no?

Best of luck