Howdy all,

Just curious as to how many people still have their BOSE systems stock.

Is it stock cause you're satisfied with the sound or just haven't upgraded yet?


It's an OK system for a factory system I guess... it plays all sorts of stuff that *I* listen to adequately. I know it can be improved though... it sounds a lil muddy at times. I definitely have different settings I prefer depending on the type of music I've chosen to play for my drive.

If you have upgraded... what did you get/install?

Cheers

P.S. pics are always welcome!

I like the bose but it has NO bass
I had 2 12inch JL w3 subs installed with audio bahn 600 watt amp and amp tray

--

Here's what i did to my 8.....

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11338

THe Bose in the 8 sucks. It's muddy at low volume. Another thing that I've noticed is that 1 and 2 are too soft on the volume settings, but when you goto 3 it sounds clearer but it's quite a bit louder. I'll probably just live with it as I wanna spend money on other things.

Originally posted by Wankeler
Howdy all,

Just curious as to how many people still have their BOSE systems stock.

Is it stock cause you're satisfied with the sound or just haven't upgraded yet?



It's kinda sad that you upgrade to Bose, and then it turns out you have to UPGRADE again to be satisfied..

yeah, I'm in the same boat... but I don't plan to upgrade, on that principle.. I can live with the sound, it's decent, but not the best, but I simply don't like the idea of having to upgrade again.. almost embarassing to me personally.

why would it be embrassing to upgrade

Originally posted by mikeb
why would it be embrassing to upgrade

I'm with you here mikeb..... Some people just don't like the extra bass but not all subwoofer are made just to hear the bass..... mine is set to hear the thump and here every word as well.

Still stock, and I'm pretty happy with it.

Previous system is an Eclipse in-dash with Pyle Millenium 6x9's in the back and Blau's up front, in a 93 Dodge Intrepid. So audiophile I'm not (in my car, anyway :))

I'm happy with the Bose. I'm not at all into hip-hop, so it has plenty of bass for my tunes, which range from metal to classical. I have tried out some of my audiophile test discs, and have been pretty happy with the results. There is a dead spot in the low midrange, but that's probably due to the size of the interior. The muddiness at low volume I have found to be a problem with the AudioPilot, not the speakers.

Oh yeah, it does a decent job with a Japanese O'Daiko drum (can't get much more bass than from a 200lb drum).

But, a 3-minute drum kit solo from the Sheffield Drum & Track Disc absolutely blew me away. The percussion was not the least bit muddy. To say the bass sucks is more than a bit of exhaggeration, IMO. However, I do agree that you will not get the booming, shake-the-car-next-to-you bass that some people think is a sign of quality. I just don't happen to be one of them.

Originally posted by mikeb
why would it be embrassing to upgrade

sort of a principle thing... I guess...

I mean I just spent some money to upgrade to the BOSE system, only to take it home and swap it out for an aftermarket system.... unfortunately a waste of money in the end.

i think the BOSE is fine in comparison to other vehicles. I mean I had a system in my Celica with 3 x 12" subs and it was cool and all but I think my hearing is affected by such bass. its great to have hard hittin bass with those songs that you love to bump, but also I think I will allocate my money in other parts of the car first.

For me, I could care less about thumb, bump, dump or whatever in my car. The point is that the stereo just sucks. This isn't the base radio, this is the ohh ahhh "Bose" stereo. It's lack of midrange, muddy at low volume, and other complaints are why it gets my thumbs down. Try listening to the Bose in the G35 Coupe, or the Premium radios in the new Expeditions/Navigators. Now those systems sound great and has all the thumps you want.

I paided for a great car and now I'm paying to make it better and more unique

Originally posted by AfroCreame
For me, I could care less about thumb, bump, dump or whatever in my car. The point is that the stereo just sucks. This isn't the base radio, this is the ohh ahhh "Bose" stereo. It's lack of midrange, muddy at low volume, and other complaints are why it gets my thumbs down. Try listening to the Bose in the G35 Coupe, or the Premium radios in the new Expeditions/Navigators. Now those systems sound great and has all the thumps you want.

I agree... the Bose upgrade in this RX-8 could be so much better.. the Bose upgrade for my Audi TT was awesome...

Just added a Kenwood 10" enclosed subwoofer and am really pleased with the results. The Bose system sounds much better.

Now if there was just a way to redirect the tweeters a little bit. If you cup your hand around the tweeter to reflect the sound towards you, it's amazing to hear how much high end is coming out. It's just all being lost given their current position.

please post pics of your sub
and you should do a search on the tweeter position because someone redirected their tweeters and was pleased with it

Here's the Kenwood sub.

nice
whats powering the sub

It has an integrated 100W amp. Here are the specs:

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/product.jsp?productTypeId=46&sortBy=price&productId=148

nice, I bet it sounds great

Dunno, I think it's pretty good for a factory system. I plan to upgrade the door pillar speakers, and MAY add a sub. We'll see.

But I do have a question for everyone. While I understand that bass is omnidirectional, if you just add a sub in your trunk (as most seem to have done) don't the back seats block most of the bass? Or are the acoustically transparent to low bass?

Thanks...

omicron,
its just like any car
my back seats dont block my subs
My rearview mirror shakes from my 2 12's
dont worry about the backseat

Thanks Mike, might have to throw a sub in mine just to see what it sound like... :D

Mine is still stock and most likely will stay that way. It sounds fine to me. I record live music (a local Irish band) and the Bose system reproduces what is on the recording. It doesn't add gobs of overblown bass, but I don't want that. It doesn't produce ear-splitting volume, but I don't want that either. And I certainly don't want my rear-view mirror to shake! YMMV

Originally posted by Omicron
But I do have a question for everyone. While I understand that bass is omnidirectional, if you just add a sub in your trunk (as most seem to have done) don't the back seats block most of the bass? Or are the acoustically transparent to low bass?

Thanks... Alot of the sound is blocked by the seats when a sub is put into a trunk, or otherwise separate from the inside of the car with the listener, especially around 80 Hz and above, which is normally where the output of the sub blends in with the midranges. Also, depending on the car, location of the subs, and other such things, the output of the sub in the cabin will not be as consistent at different frequencies. Don't forget, all of the sound has to transmit through the materials between you and the sub in the trunk, so all of the different resonances and properties of those materials change the sound, and dampen the impact.

Can you pump up the amps to the subs so that you can hear it in the car? Of course you can. But even so, all else being equal, it is much better to have the subs output in the cabin with the listener, than in the trunk.

---jps

extremely low and extremely high frequencies will ruin your hearing, by about 40 y/o. I've played in different bands since I was about 12 and I'm 30 now, I can definitely tell a difference. I have overcome most of it by training my ears to hear different frequencies. I've sat in at many a mastering house to help engineer & I've heard what you hear when you buy your CD's being played with. They listen at 80dB, you have to have perfectly resonant speakers with no echo. And placed in geometrically challanging spots. So let's say I know a little about music. When you have the volume down and it sounds muddy, I believe that is the Autopilot compensating for the Fletcher- Munson curve, that's where year ear hears differently at lower volumes. The midrange is more prominent at low volumes so you have to compensate by raising the treble and the bass. People on this list bust on Bose so much. I've had 2 Bose tower speakers with 10" subs at home for about 10 years, new they were $1,500.00 each. Best speakers, (acoustically) I've heard on a home system. I also had a set of 15" Cerwin Vega Tower Speakers with mid range cut and they still sound better. I can understand if you are into Hip Hop that the bass doesn't override the rest of the sound, but for music that needs clarity, it's a great system.

Originally posted by AfroCreame
THe Bose in the 8 sucks. It's muddy at low volume. Another thing that I've noticed is that 1 and 2 are too soft on the volume settings, but when you goto 3 it sounds clearer but it's quite a bit louder. I'll probably just live with it as I wanna spend money on other things.

I've seen a few people refer to volume levels around 3, when talking about problems with the audio pilot feature.

3? I rarely have my volume below 15. Except in rare circumstances, I never have it below about 7 or 8.

Am I the only one who thinks that 3 is preposterously low?

Originally posted by mmm
I've seen a few people refer to volume levels around 3, when talking about problems with the audio pilot feature.

3? I rarely have my volume below 15. Except in rare circumstances, I never have it below about 7 or 8.

Am I the only one who thinks that 3 is preposterously low?
When I'm by myself, I usually have the volume between 12-15 (or more, depending on the CD). But, If someone else is in the car, it's usually around 3-4 -- you know, to allow for conversation.

Before my GT RX-8, I had a 03 Accord Coupe V6. The stock stereo (dont know the mfg) was better in the honda than this BOSE "premium" sound system.

for those wanting more oomph, check out the Infiniti Basslink. It's a small powered sub that won't take up your trunk.

i wonder if there is interest in perhaps 7" midbasses mounted in the doors, and component sets in kickpanels or something.

granted, it's much more expensive, but it locates the 20-250 Hz range up front, and leaves the trunk open, albeit except for an amp or two, which could be mounted in the wheel well, or on the back of the backseats.

Originally posted by Sputnik
Alot of the sound is blocked by the seats when a sub is put into a trunk, or otherwise separate from the inside of the car with the listener, especially around 80 Hz and above, which is normally where the output of the sub blends in with the midranges. Also, depending on the car, location of the subs, and other such things, the output of the sub in the cabin will not be as consistent at different frequencies. Don't forget, all of the sound has to transmit through the materials between you and the sub in the trunk, so all of the different resonances and properties of those materials change the sound, and dampen the impact.

Can you pump up the amps to the subs so that you can hear it in the car? Of course you can. But even so, all else being equal, it is much better to have the subs output in the cabin with the listener, than in the trunk.

---jps That's what I figured, thanks.

N0 HIGHS NO LOWS MUST BE BOSE!!!!
Bose is just a great marketing company and that is all, my new Bose really blows......I had to spend big to sound good....McIntosh amps, MB quartz.
Mercedes-Benz has quit using Bose in favor of Harmon K. and so has a number of builders that are in the know......Just remember NO highs No lows must be Bose!!!!!!

Kind regards,
Doug
Las Vegas

While the BOSE system definately needs some fill in the high-end, and some fill in the low-end wouldn't be bad, for an off-the-lot system, it's pretty damn good. Remember, even the PREMIUM sound systems from the Mfg are intended to meet the listening requirements of the widest possible population group. Most people are not audiophiles. This sound system is designed to pleasant for most people, not kick-ass for Mr Bass. How often do you see Mr Mid-Life-Crisis thumpin' the tunes. How often does the Little Old Lady from Pasedena shake the block with her subs.

Want more highs, $120 and an hour of your time will bring them in nice and crisp. Want more lows, a couple hundred bucks and about an hour will bring them ery richly.

Once you're used to having a sub in the trunk, it's difficult to be satisfied with the stock stereo of any car on the planet. I had a JL 12" in each of the last two cars I owned, and the 8 is getting one as soon as I can afford to do it again.

Originally posted by h0rde
Once you're used to having a sub in the trunk, it's difficult to be satisfied with the stock stereo of any car on the planet. I had a JL 12" in each of the last two cars I owned, and the 8 is getting one as soon as I can afford to do it again.

I feel the same way

every car I've owned has had subs, tinted windows etc,etc

I'm pretty happy with the Bose but agree that it sounds a little "muddy" at low volumes. What I have found it that at higher volumes...15 and up...it sounds pretty damn good to me. Then again, I listen to 70s-90s rock mostly,, with some new stuff like Dave matthews, etc. thrown in. Guess I'm just not a true audiophile, but suggest you turn it up before you upgrade. I like my music loud when I'm not listening to my 8's engine, exhaust. Enjoy.

A true audiophile wants accurate sound reproduction. That's all. Period. Not exaggerated highs, lows, or anything else. Now you may certainly have any audio system you want in your car, just don't claim to be an audiophile when your bass is sounding more like ArcLight (a B-52 strike for all you too young to know) than music. Your car; your sounds -- cool. But please don't inflict them on others. OK?

Originally posted by bobclevenger
A true audiophile wants accurate sound reproduction. That's all. Period. Not exaggerated highs, lows, or anything else. Now you may certainly have any audio system you want in your car, just don't claim to be an audiophile when your bass is sounding more like ArcLight (a B-52 strike for all you too young to know) than music. Your car; your sounds -- cool. But please don't inflict them on others. OK?

Please read the preceeding..."not a true audiophile" But I know what I like and this is a car, not a studio. In any case, there will be some tire noise, wind noise, engine noise (even with a rotary) that will interfere with the clear listening experience. Only at very high volumes will these "noises" be drowned out of the listening experience. So, be a little more realistic. And I'd bet my car that I'm older than you!!!

This should have been a poll - I think the results would be surprising to those who say Bose blows. And no, I have no intention of 'upgrading'.

It's not upgrading, it's tuning. :)

I think the BOSE does a great job. Now I'm just filling in the sound where I want a little more deapth.