What radio, how does it look and sound

[wvboxst3r]

Going to remove my stock and looking at changing it out. Lets see some pictures and hear about install and how it sounds now. I am not looking for a system that will blow you out of seat. Just a nice look and quality sound.

[Burg Boxster]

When you call a plumber for a clogged drain, his solution ain't gonna be to put a new faucet in.

Same thing here... to change the sound you want to start w/ (as Porsche calls them in the 986) the "speakers". Leave room for further expansion of course in the way of a different amp (if desired) and head unit. Truly, the speakers are crap and rival a $3 AM alarm clock radio from Dollar General... no disrespect meant to Dollar General...

If you're fine w/ the functionality but just want better sound, change the speakers and you'll be surprised at the dramatic improvements. Otherwise, there are many many options as to which way to go. What is your goal? Nav, Sat Radio, iPod/phone interface, Bluetooth, etc.? Also, it helps to know what your system currently has too (base, hi-fi w/ door woofers, rear shelf speakers, Bose)?

Start by reviewing the excellent document called Upgrading the Speakers by Andy_M on the Boxster Wiki under option 2 - Audio:
Boxster Tech

Good luck

[davedeck]

I recently changed the stereo and dash speakers. I went with Kenwood X496 with satellite and iPod control. Replaced the speakers with Kenwood 4" 3 ways. Got both from Crutchfield. With their adaptor for the stereo it was literally plug n play. The stereo fit was perfect, changed the backlight to match the dash color and is now rockin'. The speakers can't handle max loud but do sound great and the stereo has enough umph for anything. The controls on the stereo are horrible so it takes awhile to figue it out. I plan to add a subwoofer somewhere. I'm think about between the seats like the Viper.

[stephen wilson]

I'd love to see pictures of a sub between the seats, I've been thinking about the same thing. I just don't have the time for a project like that right now.

[MaizeNBlueBoxster]

I'm in the process of changing out my stereo at the moment and purchased a Sony DSX-S310BTX from Crutchfield. Make sure you have the Porsche radio removal keys (not sure how I would have gotten the stock radio out without them - you need 2 and you can get them at Pelican) and an antenna adapter if you go this route (12040VW12 - Motorola/Male to Volk/Female Antenna Adapter - Crutchfield)

Make sure you disconnect the battery first so you don't blow anything and the alarm doesn't go off. The only thing I can't figure out is where the "Common Ground" wire goes from the yellow connector in the car to the new stereo. 4 of the wires go to RCA plugs and the other is the power which matches with the Sony instructions, but there is nowhere to connect the "Common Audio Ground" wire on the new stereo. Anyone have any ideas?

I'll call Crutchfield tomorrow to see if they can help and then I'll post their answer if they have one. The wiring seems pretty simple beyond that. The chart from the Pelican website (http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/88-ELEC-Radio_Install/88-ELEC-Radio_Install.htm) was extremely helpful and it matches up perfectly with the instructions from the Sony (with the exception of the common ground wire.)

[Tmbcn3]

I immediately got the Alpine 183BT receiver when I got my '01 boxster this year because I hate the radio, never use CD's, and only listen to my iphone (usually internet radio, but iPod when I have something good on it). It's a very snug fit, but I assume most receivers are in the car. Fairly easy install with crutchfields help, but it was such a pain to take out the stock unit. It wouldn't budge, but i kept trying for hours and when I was finally sure the removal tools were locked in there, its just a slow firm pull out. The bright LED's are good for the unit, but don't match anything in the car. It came with a phone mic which was easy to route back under, and I put it to the right of where your right knee is in the drivers seat. You'll never notice it there and picks up light talking easily. At the same time I replaced the dash speakers and put in Alpine SPS -410's which fit perfectly with the common mod of cutting around the old rubber surrounds and using that harness. The sound quality difference is night and day; way clearer, less muddy, and LOUDER. Still not much difference in bass, but the receiver helped the door speakers a bit - i think. I chose this unit because it has the 4 volt pre-output which helps the signal, bluetooth which allows me to simply turn the car on and it starts playing music from my phone in my pocket in about 15 seconds and hands free calling just as easy, and HD radio which I am actually a little disappointed in. It has great reception and HD radio has pretty much zero static, but you kinda forget after a bit. It has a 1/4" AUX input in the front as well as a USB input which charges at the same time. Overall, I've always trusted Alpine's quality and am sure this will last forever, but a better screen would be nice for the $300 price and I'm sure there are head units out there that would match the interior of the Boxster better. 8.5/10

[Skrapmot]

Is there any radios that match the interior at all? I like my Alpine radio for it's Bluetooth hookup, but hate the non-factory blue look. Wouldn't be so bad if the dang display turned off when you are not touching it.

[Bruce Wayne]

I have to say, i'm consisently suprised at the comments about poor sound of the stereo in the boxsters, mine seems to pretty good.

now dont get me wrong, i'm not an easily pleased non-audiophile average, the last car i modified hi-fi wise went good guns on alpine/alpine/focal/infinity with quite a bit of dynomat added to reduce vibrations and tighten the sound.

in a past life i was a sound engineer.

currently my boxster has the CDR22, trunk changer, factory amp and dash and door speakers and i am rather satisfied with the sound having it set correctl.

No its not something that will create bass that will knock you over, nor is it overtly 'loud' but i find it very good for listening to various styles of music.

the door enclosures seem to provide good parameters and sub enclosure options are limited in a 2 seater convertible.

i really dont like pioneer speaker quality as yes they can produce 'loud' but i find the quality harsh and well pretty offensive. same with JBL (Gerbils) and Polk, Rockford Fosgate etc are for ghetto tuners with equal quality sound. Alpine electionics i find are very good but the speaker response a bit 'wallowy' for me, hence why i am a fan of Focal speakers, with alpine amps, crossovers and head units they, for me give a warm 'rounded' sound quality.

but then it's all personal choice.

but then like i say i'm pretty satisfied with the what is in my own boxster, the only thing i would perhaps do is add speakers into the rear deck cubby holes, but then it seems the option is pretty much 3.5in so that is fairly limiting as i dont want to be cutting the plastics about as my objective is to keep the car as close to porsche as possible.