Stereo upgrade options?
 

Does anybody have a double DIN stereo mod installed in their Boxster? What other options are there? I've been eyeing this one at Crutchfield, and am wondering if anybody has ever installed one. Does anybody have this particular stereo?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_1304200NEX/Pioneer-AVH-4200NEX.html?search=Pioneer_AVH-4200NEX&skipvs=T

Dave

I have exactly that unit and really like it. Sound quality is way better than the stock CR-220. You can customize colors on the lighted buttons to match the Porsche yellow. You can use a custom screen background - a Porsche logo looks most excellent. Bluetooth and Apple carplay also work great, so I have handsfree calling, streaming, large nav screen, etc. You can also add a backup cam. $500 is a very good price.

I guess you need to remove the cup holders to install this unit? My local installer place says I need some modules to connect the speakers and AMP... they want to charge me several hundred dollars for this module.... 01 BOX S... is this true or are they taking me for a ride!

Thanks, Stan. Seattle people think alike. What year is your Box? Can you tell me about the installation? Did you do it, or have it done someplace? Did you lose your cupholders? Did you need to buy additional modules or installation components? What speakers do you have installed? Any lessons learned you'd care to share? Pictures would be great, so I can see how it fits.

Dave

Too funny. Same one I'm planning to put in mine in the next month or so. Also appreciate any info.

$500 is a great price as the Canadian site is asking $1100 for it... crazy how the price differs for the same unit from the same seller.

Very different, right? I'd suggest you contact Crutchfield directly, and see what you can arrange. That price seems very inflated, even wth CDN exchange rates.

Hoping stantheman1 replies with specifics. I like the idea of this stereo, and would very much like to see a real-world installation, especially pictures of the Boxster with it installed .

Dave

I have the Pioneer AppRadio4 installed in my '02 with Bose. It connected using the factory speaker-level inputs to the Bose amp. No modules needed.

It's exactly what I wanted--Radio + Apple CarPlay.

Here's a photo of the install...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3dca542d54.jpg

Thanks! This looks really great! And we have another Seattle fan. ;)

I've heard one issue with this screen is it can be hard to see in the sun. Have you experienced any issues along those lines? Have you had to do anything to deal with that?

Dave

A few details on my install:
I have a 2001 s. The double din unit replaced the 0riginal cr-220 radio and the small parcel slot - the HVAC controls were already in the lowest slot, so didn't need to be moved.
I had it installed by Foss (several shops in Seattle area) but can't recommend them. The install price was right (<$250) but they didn't seem to know how to do it - it took them two tries, over 7 hours total, and it's still not right - the right and left channels are reversed and the trim piece around the unit does not fit right - it's not flush and it is loose. I jut ordered an install/trim kit from Crutchfield, and I'm going to redo the physical install with Crutchfield parts.
I also can't recommend Cary Toys (another area chain) - they quoted me $200 for the install, but when I asked them to print it out so I could think about it, the install price jumped to $700!
The previous owner had installed MB Quart speakers with a high-end crossover and separate amp, so I was already good to go there.
I'll post a pic or two in a couple days, when I am able to.

Thanks, Stan. Sorry the install was a hassle - and that was quite a jump in price for the one company! I live north of Everett, so will likely use a local installer I know and trust - but I want to make sure I have all the answers and pieces before I walk in the door of his shop. I'm researching options and modules needed for a proper install of a unit like yours.

Do you happen to know any details on the amp you have? My '02 S had the base CR-220 stereo in it, which was swapped out for a Kenwood single-DIN unit a number of years ago, but it is a POS. Impossible to push the tiny buttons without a magnifying glass to see which one to push, and it's easy to turn it off when selecting which mode to be in. Very NOT user friendly design. There is no separate amp in the car, as far as I know.

Does anyone have details on stereo upgrades like this they'd care to share? At this point I'm especially interested in speaker options and amplifiers used. What fits, where did you put it, and so forth. I'm not after killer-base or anything, just would like to enjoy the stereo while out for a drive - with or without the top down.

Dave

I quite like the look of the Becker unit. It's period accurate as I think modern car stereos have become ridiculous, looking like children's toys, spaceships etc. Not to mention they've become dangerous to adjust or even turn on! This was a pet peeve when you try to replace a car stereo in a 70's vintage vehicle, for example. Even though it late 90's onward, it still looks dated - which is good:)

There is a user who set up an iPad mini into his (now sold) 2001. That looked cool, is cheaper and offer greater flexibility - though it still can be dangerous to operate.

My local install shop is giving me an outrageous price also to install a double din in the $700+ range.... I think that's just crazy and don't think spending $2000 on unit and install is worth doing on a 16 year old car. It would be nice granted but I feel like I am getting rammed pretty hard if I paid that.

Has anyone every looked at buying those 7" touch screen Android double din units from China ? They are like $250 and have every feature possible in them....

I also like the look of the Boxster radio. I have the CDR23 and Bose system and I think it sounds amazing. I opted to get the iSimple TransitBLU HF to add Bluetooth and hands free calling. It was $80 and I now have XMRadio, Pandora, and Waze all through my great sounding Bose system plus I can remove it and keep my Box nice and stock.

I didn't go with the China unit, I actually went with an Android tablet (Nexus 7) and after market Kenwood deck. I followed the Ipad Mini DYI on this site, and love the results. I have a different interface on it now, that looks much better, and the great thing about the Nexus 7 is they are dirt cheap, and you can do cool things like add extra disk storage.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1491419183.jpg

I installed it about a month ago. Sun since then? Not here...

It seems to angle down slightly, which doesn't seem to suffer significant reflections (at least with the top up). I haven't driven it with the top down yet.

I will say that the sound quality is surprisingly improved over the old unit, something I didn't expect.

Saving my pennies for ...

http://boxsterregister.org/attachmen...3&d=1462224873

Equalizer ?
 

I am looking to do something similar. Did yours have the equalizer controls like mine?
If so, don't they have to be there to control the factory amp?http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1512181820.jpg

Sony XAV-AX100 Upgrade
 

I just completed a stereo upgrade on my 2001 Boxster S. I removed the CR-220 unit. I moved the climate control to the lower position and added a backup camera. The head unit I used was the Sony XAV-AX100. I chose it for having Apple Car Play, a volume knob and the bezel was the best match to the factory color and texture. I use Crutchfield for the the install kit and harness. I did have a few questions and they responded with good feedback. Because the Apple Car Play (or the Android version) requires you to connect to the unit via USB, I wanted to maximize the USB placement. I elected to use the cigerette lighter location. I removed the lighter which is a bit of a pain and gutted it. I used the lighter body as the frame to fit a USB receptacle as well as maintaining the factory lighting for the bezel. I epoxied the USB plug into place and it worked perfectly. I did remove the cig lighter fuse and pulled the 12VDC pin from the connector. I heat shrunk the pin and stowed it in the harness. I also installed a microphone in the factory location just to the left of the instrument cluster. It is proud mounted but works perfect even with the top down. http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1521683267.jpghttp://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1521683324.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1521683359.jpg

Beutiful installation!

Xtrons
 

My Boxster came with a very poorly installed fast and furious looking aftermarket single din head unit that didn't look like it belonged. I wanted something that appeared OEM but had more capabilities than the Becker stereo that the car had when it was new. My solution was to get a Chinese Xtrons double din Android head unit. As well as playing music it can also run GPS & OBD software (and any other Android app for that matter). The head unit has no tell-tale brand name on it's face and it was fairly easy to customize the interface to make it look OEM. I just completed the installation this past week and well pleased with the result.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1521935426.jpg

Looks great.

I’ve got a kenwood system in my car. Most shops, or Crutchfield will have install kits to include harness for most, if not all of what they sell, or is available. Getting the console out isn’t too big of a deal. I also have an aftermarket amp that was in the car, wiring was FUBAR, but with some patience I got it sorted. Works nicely.

Nice install. I wanted a double din install but my wife is like its a classic should stay that way. So i went with a single din, so i can put it all back factory. I have nav on my phone, really just wanted streaming capabilities.

Have not installed yet doing a whole sys swap. Have hu, amp, on hand soeakers should be here next week. Hopefully i can post pics soon.

I like the idea of more programming options though.

I added an ebay Chinese unit, replaced all the factory speakers and added 6 speakers to the rear deck and replaced the amp with one from a 996 cabrio. I think the 6 speakers in the rear deck did the most to enhance sound. My factory speakers in the doors and dash were shot.