[Norskiepete]

Has anyone done a custom sound system installation that kept the original, stock head unit, but fronted new amp/CD changer/iPod/HD radio components? I really want to keep the OEM look, but want more toys! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

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[PorscheDude]

IMHO, I think the head unit is the weak link to quality sound.

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[flash]

very definitely - not sure i've heard a worse one in the last 20 years

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[Norskiepete]

I agree, but it is nice and clear to read for these tired middle-aged eyes of mine! Every single head unit I have looked at for the past three years has itsy bitsy teeny tiny writing on little bitty buttons! I have to basically memorize the head unit in order to operate them while driving. Plus, I like the stock look.

Is there a different head unit model from Porsche that is better?

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[PorscheDude]

I think you can get a CD220 from 993's or Boxters.
I don't know where I saw it, but someone mods the angle of the front panel or
something for a better viewing angle.

Maybe someone else could chime in.

I had a Kenwood EZ500 that looked decent, had nice features including Sat and was easy to read and operate.
It was also pretty cheap.

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[Darryl]

AS much of a gadget guy that I am, I actually agree that the text and legends on the newer radios have gotten insanely small. The work around is most now come with a remote control. As goofy as it sounds to have a remote control for your car radio, I have found myself using it more often than I thought. Of course, it's something else to lose and something else to fiddle with while driving, so there's that!

Blaupunkt makes a couple of fairly stock looking units with displays that may work for you. Happy hunting!

- Darryl

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[Jamie '92 968]

I can vouch for Darryl's last statement about the Blaupunkt decks.
Last year I installed a Blaupunkt Brisbane.
It looks like it could be an OE unit. Mostly flat black with big letters on the display. It also has the ability to adjust the color of the backlighting to whatever color you want, in order to match the interior.

It has aux inputs front and rear, USB, and SD card reading ability. You can get a bluetooth module as an option. No CD player, but you can get an external multi-disk changer if you want that. I mostly use MP3's on a 4 gig thumb drive and my XM radio through the aux in.
Relatively cheap.

I did a lot of looking to find something that looked at home in the car and this is what I found.
Just a suggestion.

Jamie


   

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[biotechee]

Definite OEM look: the CD/CDR220 and CD/CDR210. Both work in the 968 once you have had the faceplate mod done. These units are made by Becker for Porsche and are OEM. The reason you need the faceplate mod is because the mounting angle of the head unit precludes you from easily viewing the display while in the car.

The CDR220 can be had from Harman/Becker in NJ for under $300 I believe (refurbed, with factory warranty). The faceplate mod sets you back another $100. You can buy an iPod adapter online which will feed the iPod to the head unit via the AUX channel. It will also charge the iPod. These adapters are available from manufacturers like P.I.E. Do not buy the adapters from Becker- it is merely an RCA AUX input- will not charge the iPod and you need to convert the iPod jack to RCA plugs as well.

Newer Beckers are also suitable for an OEM look. Availability and price are considerations though.

Blaupunkt also has nice units which look more OEM than others (like Jamie's).

I am leaning towards Pioneer when my time comes. I really like the DEH-P410UB and the DEH-P510UB. I am hoping the organic displays on these units can be seen in the 968.... I really like the direct USB/iPod connectivity of these units. I can run the iPod cable behind the dash and under the armrest cover or into the glove box and the iPod is out of sight and completely controlled by the head unit. These two Pioneers can be had for under $175 each via Sleezebay and such. Plus they still play CDs.

Bottom line- there are quite a few choices out there which can look OEM. Really just matters what functionality you want and how much you want to spend.

If money were no object for me, I would end up with a Becker Grand Prix with the optional iPod adapter kit - really looks OEM and has the necessary functionality, built in, for me. Not sure if the viewing angle would be problematic though!

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[T-Bone]

I have the exact CDR-220 that Bio mentions above, with the Aux. input. I did want the factory look and the functionality of the Ipod adapter. It works very well for me. The sound is so-so but I don't need a major system anyway. I'm sure that an amp and some rear speaker baffling would help tremendously. The look is exactly what I wanted.

T

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[biotechee]

A new set of modern speakers and a subwoofer, if you can, make a world of difference. I never got to the subwoofer, but I did replace the factory speakers in my previous coupe as well as adding a CDR220 and it sounded so much better than the old stock 968 cassette player and paper cone speakers. A subwoofer would have really done the job up.

Certainly not audiophile level stuff, but leaps and bounds better, IMHO.

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[flash]

the stock speakers are actually quite good - the installation they did is not

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