woo hoo, I got my new stereo today!! with an added bunus - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

mptoledo · 07-16-2009, 07:35 PM

Ok so I live in the middle of BFE. 50 minutes between Columbus and Dayton Ohio. I get absolutely no reception on my P-radio/cassette. It does really suck trying to cruise around looking/feeling cool with your radio cutting in and out.

So I decided to get a JVC kd-HDR50 for around $160, $225 installed for my 2001 "s".
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KDHDR50/JVC-KD-HDR50.html?search=kd-HDR50&tp=5684

I kept my stock speakers and amp. To my suprise I found i had a set of speakers behind both my seats that were never hooked up. He also told me my door speakers were basically small subwoofers. I swear they look stock but I will do some research on it. I am guessing that someone had a better stereo and put the factory back in before they sold it. It was kind of funny as the install guy kept looking puzzled and asked me if I knew I had rear speakers. I told him he must be mistaken until I stuck my head in the car and heard them. I guess I never raised the seats up and looked. Also my car now beeps when I push the lock button. I actually missed that as I never knew if I really locked it or not.

About the radio: It was rated one of the highest in fm reception. 8.3 dBf(lower the number the better. Most were rated at 10 to 11.3 dBf. Any ways, I down loaded some music(legally) onto a thumb drive and the sound was just amazing. A real cool feature of this radio is you can easily match the color to your dash lights as it has a bazillion different color comos. The remote is a tiny key chain style remote, but it is actually real convenient. The stock speakers really came alive and sounded great. No distortion what so ever.

I would highly recommend the radio, especially for anybody who needs better Fm reception. It also has hd built in, xm compatible, usb input(front), blu tooth capable and a input for ipod/smart phone.

Side note: You need a metra 70-1787 wiring harness. found at auto zone for $20 only took 1 day to get. and some antenna thingy found at best buy for $13.

tonycarreon · 07-16-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mptoledo

Also my car now beeps when I push the lock button. I actually missed that as I never knew if I really locked it or not.

as has been noted a few times ( and something i did not realize at first ) the "beep" when you lock the car means something is not secured. a trunk lid is open or some other part is not fully closed. for me it was always ( and most people seem to say the same ) the center console lid is not fully closed.

--
tony

lizBox · 07-16-2009, 08:25 PM

if you're in the middle of BFE, I must be on the North edge of it cause my reception is really lacking also.

That stereo looks exactly what I'm looking for. My truck has a radio with a USB input. I've been spoiled by putting MP3s on a thumb drive and listening to something that wasn't static. My Boxster has a factory cdr 220 so I mostly listen to the induction howl (which aint too bad).

The crutchfield link you gave shows that they include a free audi harness, an antenna thingy, and oem radio removal tool. $159 with free shipping.

Amazon has same radio for $139 with free shipping but no installation freebies.

I think I may be buying this. thanks

Is the metra harness the same as this free audi one?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120701787/Audi-Wiring-Harness.html?tp=2977

mptoledo · 07-16-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizBox

if you're in the middle of BFE, I must be on the North edge of it cause my reception is really lacking also.

That stereo looks exactly what I'm looking for. My truck has a radio with a USB input. I've been spoiled by putting MP3s on a thumb drive and listening to something that wasn't static. My Boxster has a factory cdr 220 so I mostly listen to the induction howl (which aint too bad).

The crutchfield link you gave shows that they include a free audi harness, an antenna thingy, and oem radio removal tool. $159 with free shipping.

Amazon has same radio for $139 with free shipping but no installation freebies.

I think I may be buying this. thanks

Is the metra harness the same as this free audi one?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120701787/Audi-Wiring-Harness.html?tp=2977

yes that looks exactly like the harness. it was $20 through auto zone. Crutchfield supposedly has the best support for do it yourselfers. so if your going to dyi then crutch is the key.

I actually went to best buy as i knew if they screwed up something they would fix it. It was 169 minus 10% coupon. install was $49 plus 13 for antenna. I haven't really played with the fm yet, so I will update tomorrow after I have figured out how to program it.

The only really minus on the stereo is that it has no preset buttons. As I have just gotten it i will have to play with it to see how intuitive the menu and stuff really is.

mptoledo · 07-16-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonycarreon

as has been noted a few times ( and something i did not realize at first ) the "beep" when you lock the car means something is not secured. a trunk lid is open or some other part is not fully closed. for me it was always ( and most people seem to say the same ) the center console lid is not fully closed.

--
tony

damn, I like the beep. maybe I will just leave the center cosole lid open from now on.

BeachBum · 07-16-2009, 09:05 PM

Glad you like the radio

Does it have a color that closely matches the yellow that is present on the dash and center console area?

Greg

mptoledo · 07-16-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachBum

Glad you like the radio

Does it have a color that closely matches the yellow that is present on the dash and center console area?

Greg

Yeah, its spot on orange. You hold menu, goto color, hit wheel button and it lets you dial through numerous colors until you find the one that matches. Very intuitive.

mikes_box · 07-16-2009, 10:12 PM

beep you hear when you hit the alarm is due to the new head unit... behind the head unit is a ground connection that is made with the oem radio once it is removed and not regrounded you have an open circuit making the alarm think the radio is missing... but its all good cause now you know the alarm is on...

E Kaplan · 07-17-2009, 06:52 AM

I have a pioneer aftermarket that I also purchased from Crutchfeld. But mine only has blue lights and it does clash with the rest of the orange lights. Good choice in choosing a unit that can change colors. I don't remember seeing your unit when I bought mine last year. Enjoy it!

mptoledo · 07-17-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E Kaplan

I have a pioneer aftermarket that I also purchased from Crutchfeld. But mine only has blue lights and it does clash with the rest of the orange lights. Good choice in choosing a unit that can change colors. I don't remember seeing your unit when I bought mine last year. Enjoy it!

Thanks, I was leaning towards the pioneer as the head install guy recommended it. What I have read you can't go wrong with pioneer. The only real complaint is its hard to read in direct sunlight. I went with jvc solely for the superior radio reception rating. The colors were just an added bunus.

As for the beeping, as long it doesn't drain my batterery or effect my alarm system, I am more than happy. My ford(s) always beeped when I locked them. It is just peace of mind when I have my escort 9500ix, new radio and other stuff in there. Before I found myself always rechecking the lock sometimes walking back 20 or so yards.

I thought I would miss the beep locator on the ford. It helps find your car in a parking lot by hitting your seperate lock button serveral times. I find myself not forgetting where I park, or I seeing were the people are looking at in the parking lot. Not bragging, you just don't get too many Porsches in my area. People at like its an alien space craft or something.

urban_legend · 07-18-2009, 08:01 PM

I just swapped mine out - the oem are a joke. I put in Infinity Kappa's - a huge difference. Very easy to do.

tonycarreon · 07-19-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikes_box

beep you hear when you hit the alarm is due to the new head unit... behind the head unit is a ground connection that is made with the oem radio once it is removed and not regrounded you have an open circuit making the alarm think the radio is missing... but its all good cause now you know the alarm is on...

didn't even think of that! good catch.

Chuck W. · 07-20-2009, 07:04 AM

And, a image of the unit;

mptoledo · 07-20-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

And, a image of the unit;

That would be it. Friendly warning, it takes a little while to get the hang of the radio settings. the Usb is plug and play. I am now thinking of getting new speakers. I am into crisp clean and clear sound, bass isn't that big of a deal, but is nice.

Hey urbanlegend, what model/size and what price range? are you talking dash speakers or door speakers. Thanks MP.

urban_legend · 08-11-2009, 04:23 PM

Can you get any decent channels?
In ann arbor just two stations listed on the web - and they are both college radio.

No TV broadcast stations here either - so just 2-3 digital tv stations. I am going to have to run cable to my garage.

mptoledo · 08-11-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban_legend

Can you get any decent channels?
In ann arbor just two stations listed on the web - and they are both college radio.

No TV broadcast stations here either - so just 2-3 digital tv stations. I am going to have to run cable to my garage.

Yeah, the boxster antenna really sucks for rurual areas!!

I do get more than before but not by much. My only digital is just a little too far away that it fades, I am trying to figure out if I can turn off the Hd function.

23109VC · 08-12-2009, 10:55 AM

mptoledo - you say that you kept the stock speakers and amp... did you have one of the OEM amplifiers that is mounted in the front trunk near the spare tire?? did this strereo work wtih that amp?

i had considered upgrading my head unit to aftermarket, with oe like you bought, but someone on this forum had warned that our OEM amps often woudl not work, and then I'd be potentially buyign a stereo and another amp...and to me, it wasn't worth spending several hundred bucks when I have the top down most of the time and I"m just listening to my exhaust/intake... BUT, if I truly can just swap out my head unit for about $200/installed - and get something that will work with my OEM amp,a nd get a LOT better sound quality - I'd be interested!!

I too have rear speakers...the former owner put in the OEM rear speaker kit...so I have two little speakers behind each seat....

thanks for the info! as far as you know is the stock amp working with your new headunit???

mptoledo · 08-12-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23109VC

mptoledo - you say that you kept the stock speakers and amp... did you have one of the OEM amplifiers that is mounted in the front trunk near the spare tire?? did this strereo work wtih that amp?
i had considered upgrading my head unit to aftermarket, with oe like you bought, but someone on this forum had warned that our OEM amps often woudl not work, and then I'd be potentially buyign a stereo and another amp...and to me, it wasn't worth spending several hundred bucks when I have the top down most of the time and I"m just listening to my exhaust/intake... BUT, if I truly can just swap out my head unit for about $200/installed - and get something that will work with my OEM amp,a nd get a LOT better sound quality - I'd be interested!!
I too have rear speakers...the former owner put in the OEM rear speaker kit...so I have two little speakers behind each seat....
thanks for the info! as far as you know is the stock amp working with your new headunit???

First off: Clean out your mailbox, I can't return your PM is says you have exceeded your limit. check the old ones and hit delete, gotta do it for sent ones too.

Yes the amp works fine with the JVC. the best buy guy did have to do a little extra to wire it. He did wire it to rears and "maybe" the door speakers. I am going back tomorrow and see if he can just do the fonts and back. I have been told its a 4 chan amp.

The jvc hd50??? lets you change colors to match your Boxsters interiors lights. It is a good deck. A few cons. Still don't get great reception, fm presets are difficult to figure out at first. other than that it is pretty cool.

Speakers: I have updated all my speakers(except the doors maybe later) Here is the link.

http://www.987forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21452&page=2&pp=20

I got the fronts in and they sound AWESOME!! Infinity Kappas 4". I used a roto zip and cut the middle out of the existing stock harness(front) and they fit in pretty good. Now it looks stock(doesn't sound stock). I paid $70 for amazon. the boxster stock speakers are garbage. Who the hell came up with the idea to use paper cones in a convertible?

MY 2 cents!! Get at least the 4" kappa fronts. it makes a world of difference.

Drop me a PM if you get the stereo.

I have some hints to really make it sound good. hold menu go to "eq" goto "user" hold down and then you can start the real fun. HIGHS, MIDs, SUBs,amp gain,.... The presets for rock, jazz, pop,... sound like crap!! Really even with the new speakers I was getting pissed off. The user setting were like night and day.