Boxster Radio is as good as my '72 Buick's

[Dons986]

I recently purchased a 2001 Boxster S 6 speed. I love the car and I drive it whenever I can. My problem is that the sound coming from my speakers suck. When the top is down and I am on the highway I can't hear a thing. I have speakers in the dash and door speakers but they are not Bose. I took it to a car stereo place and they told me that they could replace the amp with a 150 watt unit and replace all the speakers and it would sound great. They also said to forget about rear speakers because the space allows for only small units and it isn't worth it. The job will cost $1800. Has anyone had similiar work done and did it work. Don't suggest that I do the work myself because that will never happen.

Don

[Brucelee]

They stereo shop is incorrect. If you have the storage unit behind the seats, Porsche speakers fit right in the ends of the unit. The sound is pretty good and the speakers wire up to the existing stereo. If you are lucky, you can find some second hand ones at a Porsche dismanter.

Much less costly than what these stereo experts have in mind for you.

Do a search here on this forum. One fellow just reported on his efforts just last week.

Good luck!

[QporscheQ]

The OEM rear speaker kit is about $200. Seems like everyone that has done it thinks it’s a big time improvement. I reinstalled the storage bin complete with newly installed speakers this afternoon, but I haven’t run the cables to the head unit yet. I’m still waiting on some stuff to hook up my iPod. When that comes, I’m going to do it all at one time. However, you mentioned you didn’t want a do it yourself thing. This is a relatively easy installation; however it does involve removing a bunch of the interior trim pieces as well as taking a Dremel to your storage bin.

Basically, anybody who is into car audio will be seriously disappointed by any of the OEM audio packages. However, $1800 seems like a crazy high amount of money. You had better be getting an awesome system for that money. Also, depending on what you purchased the car to do, good stereos can be very very heavy. It always makes me laugh to see guys with zillion watt stereos, 15 subs, and fold down TVs point out the turbo charger kit they just installed.


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[Dons986]

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]

$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]

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: