Upgraded Hi-Fi Stereo option

I've had my Cali for about 2 weeks now, and I am loving it more and more with each passing day. My car has the factory $5K upgraded hi-fi stereo option. To be perfectly honest, I am having problems discerning any difference from the standard stereo. Does anyone else have this option that can provide feedback? I can't even find any information from Ferrari as to what the upgrade is comprised of. There is absolutely no low end bass response, which strikes me as odd. This leaves the music sounding very flat. Is there anyway Ferrari could have made a mistake and forgot to install the upgraded system? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated!

 

I am having the same issue! It wasn't listed as one of my options on the sticker (although specifically requested and on the MODIS order). The sticker has a list and there was another designation of "other options." This totaled about $7500, so it certainly could be included. I have asked my dealer about it and have not been able to get an answer for over a week. Hmmm. We shall see.

 

Not sure what I have, but the sound is pretty terrible. It's so trebly and even with the eq adjusted to keep the bass at max there is no discernible difference. C/W sounds ok...but the engine sounds best!

 

Very Interesting, I'm sure any good audio shop should be able to eyeball it for you. Let me know as I also have this upgrade on my car that's being built.

 

I was thinking of selling my California because of its poor audio quality. I was hoping that the High Power High Amplitude upgrade option now available would be better. I am very disappointed to hear your comment about the new upgrade. I have had several Ferrari models, and the only Ferrari that had any decent bass in the audio system was Scaglietti. California has great engine sound, but the stereo sucks big time. On a long journey with top up or on a rainy day, you need great music system. Thanks for your posting because I was thinking of switching my California to one with supposedly a better stereo.

 

If you're willing to take a chance of disrupting the electronic balance, an aftermarket amp may be installed. I am sure that the speakers can be swapped out for better ones as well.
Geez, for $5000, is there anything better? (Rhetorical question!) The seal on the flip down into the boot from the rear seat is not that tight. Therefore, a sub would probably work well in this spot.

 

Yes, I agree. I don't have the upgraded stereo option, but the standard stereo really sucks in the California - in particular since the car is so expensive. You would expect to get the best of everything.

The California is my first Ferrari, but to be honest, I was never expecting anything too good. I don't think people buy Ferrari's for the stereo as the engine is so loud anyway. Hence, I'm surprised you would want to sell your car just because of the sound system.

 

I have the standard stereo and agree that it is not what it could be. It's not possible to get good bass response in a convertible without a subwoofer. If you notice it sounds a lot better with the top up. By closing the top you create an enclosure which helps trap the low end. Bass, in a convertible can only be achieved by moving a lot of air and you just can't do it with the little speakers that we have. I agree that a good place to put a sub might be right behind the back seat flip down access but then you wouldn't be able to use the access without removing the box. I had a custom subwoofer made for my porsche 996 which made a huge difference but I'm not sure how easy it would be to access the preamp outputs from the stereo on this car, which would be needed to run to a separate amp and sub. I don't understand why they didn't use a sub on the upgraded system. They could have put one under the front seat, like on the X5, which sounds really great.

 

I listened today-it has been a while. With the upgraded stereo, if you tweak the equalizer some (boost everything-bass, mid, and high), it really is not bad. Naturally, the source factors in. I just love the car, so I may be listening with a jaded ear!

 

What actually is the difference between the two and who is the manufacturer of the upgraded unit?

 

I just drove in my car today, and can confirm that the standard stereo really sucks! But to be honest, even if it was a good stereo, it wouldn't be much use because the engine noise is so damn loud. For that reason, I don't have any regrets about not getting the upgraded stereo.

Anybody else feel the same?

 

There are 2 modes in the Audio Setup. I do not seem to have those modes. Instead, in the position on the touch screen, I have an equilizer touch, which enables me to boost the frequencies some. It sounds MUCH better than at the default setting. The 2 modes may be sound processing and may help. I always thought this bit about listening to the engine was a bunch of bunk. However, when going through the gears on back country roads, I concur.
When cruising for a distance, good sound from the stereo is nice.

 

Isn't boosting everything the same as turning up the volume?

 

.... and getting a new cellphone because the battery died in this one.






Why not take it to a reputable audio shop and spending a little bit on a stereo that will blow away any factory stereo? I'm guessing Ferrari charges at least a couple thousand for the upgrade - with that money you can get the best JL Audio or Focal speakers money can buy.

 

I hope someone chimes in and tells us exactly what the 5k bought us over the standard stereo

 

Found this :

"High-power Premium HI-FI (Modis code SNDB)
A new enhanced audio system designed and developed exclusively for Ferrari by Harman Becker can be ordered for the Ferrari California.This high-power next generation HI-FI audio system is equipped with 9 loudspeakers and a 8x50watt amplifier.In addition, the DVC (Dual Voice Coil) woofers ensure faithful sound reproduction even at verylow frequencies.The system is developed by JBL Professional®, Harman Becker brand, leading supplier for music
and film markets."

I would make sure this was actually installed in your car.

 

Again, the drone is so loud in the car that I don't think anybody could really make out the expanded sound range of a better stereo. But that's just my opinion.

 

Perhaps boost was inaccurate. What is it called when a frequency is augmented on an equalizer?

 

Compressor/Limiter?

 

what we really need is a way to independently evaluate and compare the two systems

 

In any car today you should have a great sound system and when you pay for a Ferrari you should have the best ...period....of everything. This said ,you will not have great sound with only loudspeakers, a sub is a must. What you need to find out is how easy it is to add a sub and where. I pod, i Phone, blue tooth, touch screen integration etc....with Alpine or other with super great sound will cost you 4-5 g... so just make your decision but its not acceptable to just have an...ok... audio in a car like the California... open top fun is not only great sounding engine...its great sounding everything!.... negotiate a sub when you buy the car...they cant say no!! ...have them send the car to a good shop or have them bring the audio technician at the dealership and it wont cost much and they will have to deal with any problem because in this case they are the subcontractor...not you.

 

where are our audiophiles and can they chime in on this topic?

 

Well, no one seems to have detailed, direct comparison of the standard and upgraded audio options in the California. I have asked the dealer to see if I can pay 5k for the upgraded audio installed in my California. They told me this is not possible. I can only order a newer version of California which has such an option. I haven't done any after-market installation, as this, I am afraid, may void the warranty or affect the internal electronics. Even the the engine sounds great, there is no excuse for an audio sound that sucks in the California. I am not sure if it is worth changing the entire vehicle for an audio system, which may not be as good as I had hoped.

 

Fret not. I had my audio guy check it out and according to him, one may modify the system with an add on amp and a sub. I suppose there are additional pre-amp jacks in the back. I did not do this however because I think the upgrade sounds pretty good when tweaked and with a good source. I am a bit nervous to disrupt the delicate electronic balance of the car especially with my recent electronic problem requiring $18,000 worth of replacement parts!
I would DEFINITELY check about how any audio mod would affect the warranty and get it in writing.

 

Hope all that was in warranty!