The following is a scan of a sheet Mazda mailed me on the Bose Stereo. I had emailed them about the stereo and they said they would send this out if I liked. Here is one side.

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Nice find... many thanks

Strider-

I got a kink in my neck trying to read the fact sheets; I guess I could have set my monitor on its side prior to reading it. :p

Here so you don't have to kill yourself :)

forgot ot upload pic :)

two :)

good thing I didn't scroll down before I hurt my neck as well :o

edit: thought this would be a good place to mention that Boowana confirmed a in dash 6-disc in the bose system in another thread, regardless of what customer service tells you.

Originally posted by Hercules
Here so you don't have to kill yourself :)

Sorry everybody, I should have rotated them before I posted them. I was in a hurry and didn't think about it.

Thanks Hercules for fixing my mistake.

Overall I think the Bose system will be impressive.

A few things that I am concerned about:

1. How does it come up with the sound for the center channel? Does it use some sort matrix alogrithm like Dolby pro-logic or just simple mix-mono. My guess is simple mix-mono which is okay but nothing compared to what the Matrix stereo alogrithms can do like Dolby Pro-Logic II. This Alpine is the first head unit to have it built in.

http://www.alpine.com.au/product_pages/dolby_page.htm

Clarion also makes a device, that I think is stand alone, that can do Dolby Pro-logic II.

2. How's the low bass going to be? My guess is Bose will do a decent job but there is only so much you can do with a couple door-mount 9" woofers and a couple free-air 6X9's in the back. A nice aftermarket add-on sub will be a good idea.

3. How loud will it get before distortion. I have never been too impressed with Bose systems when it comes to really jamming. Sure it gets loud but the speakers and amps usually start to distort before the sound level is as high as I like. This is where a complete speaker/amp overhaul might be necessary.

Personally I hope all I have to do is 2. but some says I am going to want the benefits of dolby pro-logic 2 so I will probably do something more extensive. I'm just glad there is a whole in the center of the dash already.

I don't mean to knock the Bose System (hell, I ordered it). Just I only give it a 50/50 chance of satisfying my picky tastes.

-Mr. Wigggles

The new Volvo SUV (I had one on order but cancelled when I saw the RX-8) has Pro-Logic 2 as an option. Sounded superb.

Neddie,

That is the only production car that has it. I had a private listening session with the Volvo at Dolby's both at CES.

It sounded awesome. If the new 300 Hp all-wheel drive Volvo sedan had it, then I would have strongly considered it. The spokeperson said he was pretty sure only the SUV would have it right now.

Pro-logic 2 and autosound are made for each other.

-Mr. Wigggles

Here's a picture showing the amp in the back:

http://www.ironchef.info/qqq/rx8_la/PICT0740.JPG

The size of the heat sinks seem to indicate that this is a fairly powerful amplifier. Especially since the literature refers to the amp as a "two-state modulation" amplifier (class D) which are very efficient to begin with.

With the normal factory system rated at 100W. My rough guess is the Bose system will probably make somewhere in the neighborhood of 175W.

In a small car that should be enough. I'm getting a little more excited about it now.

-Mr. Wigggles

Originally posted by MrWigggles

2. How's the low bass going to be? My guess is Bose will do a decent job but there is only so much you can do with a couple door-mount 9" woofers and a couple free-air 6X9's in the back. A nice aftermarket add-on sub will be a good idea.

I don't mean to knock the Bose System (hell, I ordered it). Just I only give it a 50/50 chance of satisfying my picky tastes.

-Mr. Wigggles

The size of a woofer is not necessarily indicitive of its frequency range. In paging through a car audio magazine the other day, I was suprised to see that many of the 10"-15" subwoofers that the lower budget companies are selling these days aren't breaking 25hz. The only ones that were full range (20hz) were made by Infinity , a reputable home audio manufacturer. Hell, the dual 6.5 inch woofers that are in my floor standing speakers can hit 30hz. I hope the system is close to full range.

Velociti,

The frequency range listed by manufacturers is completely up to the manufacturers. Some define the lower limit at the -10 dB while most use the more appropriate -3dB criteria.

With that in mind, the only way to effectively aproximate a speakers low end response is with what are called Thiel/Small (spelling) parameters. They include specifications like: Fs, Qts, Qes, Qms and a few others.

Of all the free-air woofers I've heard, most 6X9 or 9" (or 8") woofers can only go to about 50 Hz effectively.

-Mr. Wigggles

It is going to be a pity that after buying the car I won't have the same budget I did to put a crazy stereo in it. I'm sure going from the IASCA competition stereo I had (before stolen :( ) in my Camaro to this Bose unit is not going to please me. Pity I don't have 10k to throw at this car too :(.

BTW, you'll still be missing a lot without a sub, I can almost 100% guarentee it. You MAY get some deeper bass out of the 6x9's in the back, but depending on what other frequencies they are going to be playing, it'll get muddied. Never been a fan of Bose, regardless of home or car. However my old set up wouldn't most likely even fit in this car even if I did still have it.

BTW, 100 Watts is nothing for a full range system, shit I had more than that going to one 6.5" mid-bass in my system before. I'm not hyped at all about the sound.

...garners flame suit

I agree with DreamWarrior... although I am admittedly an extreme Audiophile and happen to make digital instrument based music.

Dream,

The STANDARD system has 100 Watts. The Bose system has not been specified. I am guessing somewhere in the 175 Watt area. Just a rough estimate.

And I too think that the system will benefit from a sub.

Personally, I think the system will sound good at medium to low volume. High volume might be a different story. The good news is with 9 inch woofers and large mid ranges in general, the speakers should be rather efficient to begin with. Hopefully, that will also help bring those SPL's up a bit.

-Mr. Wigggles

Originally posted by MrWigggles
Dream,

The STANDARD system has 100 Watts. The Bose system has not been specified. I am guessing somewhere in the 175 Watt area. Just a rough estimate.

And I too think that the system will benefit from a sub.

Personally, I think the system will sound good at medium to low volume. High volume might be a different story. The good news is with 9 inch woofers and large mid ranges in general, the speakers should be rather efficient to begin with. Hopefully, that will also help bring those SPL's up a bit.

-Mr. Wigggles
It still won't satisfy me, but I'm used to listening to 10 grand worth of gear in my car. Of course, had that gear never been stolen I wouldn't even be looking at an RX-8, so I'm trading a nicer car for the sweet system I used to have. Sucks, but I don't have the money to do both, and I don't care to turn over another 10k to theives :(. Pity I have to live my life worrying about people that may decide to steal my hard earned goods, but it's too easy for them to rip out another crazy stereo. I'll leave mine stock so they hopefully leave it alone.

BTW: 100 compared to 175 is really not all the big a difference, especially since it's driving the signal full range. It'll still run out of juice quick. Just to let you know what I'm coming from, so you can see why it's going to be hard to impress me, I had 150 watts going to each bass/midbass speaker in my system. That's 300 watts for a 45hz-500hz frequency range, ALONE! I had horns for my mids and highs, so they didn't need power at all they were so efficient it was crazy, 25 watts to them would literally make your ears bleed. Then I had 2000 watts going to two 12" subs. That's power...enough to make me get a high output alternator to keep my headlights ON (not from dimming, ON).

hey, i've been checking this forum out lately...newayz, HOW COME THE MAZDASPEED PROTEGE GETS A 450...that's rite! 450 WATT SYSTEM????? we get like wat 200 tops? lol..we pay 10k more and get hlaf the audio

Originally posted by flightz71
hey, i've been checking this forum out lately...newayz, HOW COME THE MAZDASPEED PROTEGE GETS A 450...that's rite! 450 WATT SYSTEM????? we get like wat 200 tops? lol..we pay 10k more and get hlaf the audio


.....and a nicer interior, a much more potent N/A rotary engine, a 6-speed transmission, and a much more attractive (and expensive I assume) chassis. What else should they have added to a souped up, yet relatively cheap sports sedan? I don't think anyone is planning to buy the MPS Protegé because it has a more powerful sound system. Also, if the Bose speakers possess any kind of efficiency, then having 200 watts or 1000 watts on tap will be irrelevant, because it will never be used by 95% of the owners.....

edit: thought this would be a good place to mention that Boowana confirmed a in dash 6-disc in the bose system in another thread, regardless of what customer service tells you.

I posted a correction to this immediately after finding out that the six CD Cahnager was not part of the US Bose Package but rather a single CD Changer. The earlier information had been given to me by a "high up" Japanese source that later turned out not to be accurate for "US Models". I definitely think the six CD Changer SHOULD BE PART PF THE BOSE SYSTEM in a car of this class.
Sorry once agin for the earlier confusion.

Boowana:eek:

I would get a NEW AND BETTER sub.....

Nine inch door speakers? Do you know of any other factory system with NINE INCH DOOR SPEAKERS??!?!
Digital Class D Amp and NEO magnets?
That is unheard of!

Of course its not going to be an SPL system - IASCA is irrelevant.
Add three kilowatts of amp and sub if you want to, but leave me out of it. (I prefer my ears NOT to bleed, thank you.)

I am amazed at the dismissive attitude towards this system - don't get me wrong (don't get me started!) I am no fan of the pathetic home Bose systems, with their plastic cased 'clock radio' speakers and overworked mid/ported 'bass unit', but this RX-8 effort seemsto be a solid effort. The amp is digital/class d and looks to have lots of heat sink, the speakers are well sized for the interior volume, and the neodymium magnets have obviously resulted from the 'gram taskforce' approach.

The 'Woofer-of-the-Month' in AutoSound and Security magazine was always close to my heart, as was the bloke who wrote it, but take it from me, unless you want to open the doors and entertain the whole beach, or stand outside while a microphone appreciates all the money you wasted, this system IS up to the challenge.





I don my silver Nomex suit and urge one & all to 'bring it on'.

(On a 'sirius' note, I have e-mailed Bose for details of the Satellite radio adapter this system will require to receive SIRIUS, the Ford/Mazda sat system. Film at eleven.)

I am sorry BOSE blows...no highs no lows it must be Bose!!!!
See my other post on this matter.....the car is great...

Originally posted by Doug Green
I am sorry BOSE blows...no highs no lows it must be Bose!!!!
See my other post on this matter.....the car is great...

Dude how many times are you going to say "BOSE blows...no highs no lows it must be Bose!!!!"

It was somewhat humurous at first but its getting old. :D No offense.

Also, I believe the Bose system in the RX-8 is 300 Watt.

From Mazda's website:

Touring Package (Sport Package items plus 300-watt Bose® 9-speaker audio system with AUDIO PILOT automatic noise compensation technology; power sliding-glass moonroof; auto-dimming mirror with Homelink® system)

300 watt is not bad at all for a stock system, and is much better than most cars out there. The Harmon Kardon systems in the BMW's sound terrible compared to this BOSE system.

For the most part the volume is capable of being over-kill witht he BOSE system. However, I have discovered a circumstance under which this is not true. At 80mph with the windows down and top open, it could use a little more oomph. That being said, the 8 experiences considerably stability and drag issues with the windows open at this speed. My 2nd gen 7 hates having the windows closed, but it is a 15 year old car.

Originally posted by Ioman
Dude how many times are you going to say "BOSE blows...no highs no lows it must be Bose!!!!"

It was somewhat humurous at first but its getting old. :D No offense.

Also, I believe the Bose system in the RX-8 is 300 Watt.

From Mazda's website:

Touring Package (Sport Package items plus 300-watt Bose® 9-speaker audio system with AUDIO PILOT automatic noise compensation technology; power sliding-glass moonroof; auto-dimming mirror with Homelink® system)

300 watt is not bad at all for a stock system, and is much better than most cars out there. The Harmon Kardon systems in the BMW's sound terrible compared to this BOSE system.

I'll bet Doug works for Jensen :D

Originally posted by Ioman
Dude how many times are you going to say "BOSE blows...no highs no lows it must be Bose!!!!"

It was somewhat humurous at first but its getting old. :D No offense.

Also, I believe the Bose system in the RX-8 is 300 Watt.

From Mazda's website:

Touring Package (Sport Package items plus 300-watt Bose® 9-speaker audio system with AUDIO PILOT automatic noise compensation technology; power sliding-glass moonroof; auto-dimming mirror with Homelink® system)

300 watt is not bad at all for a stock system, and is much better than most cars out there. The Harmon Kardon systems in the BMW's sound terrible compared to this BOSE system.

Ouch... That's pretty harsh.. Harman seems to me to have done a spectacular job on the BMW 745i. Have you sat in, and listened to it? I think it's got better range than the RX-8 (better high freq response, and MUCH better bass), but still seems a little bit 'hollow' but still, I think the audio quality is better overall.

OverLOAD

edit: my vote is that doug works for Alpine.. ;)

Well I would HOPE the BMW 745i would have a killer sound system considering the car costs more than twice the RX8. I have only listened to the Harman Kardon system in the 330Ci and it was pretty bad.

Sorry for being mean Doug, I just noticed you have been posting that in every Bose forum.

Do you work for Craig Electronics? ;)

TEASING!!

Originally posted by Ioman
Well I would HOPE the BMW 745i would have a killer sound system considering the car costs more than twice the RX8. I have only listened to the Harman Kardon system in the 330Ci and it was pretty bad.

Sorry for being mean Doug, I just noticed you have been posting that in every Bose forum.

Do you work for Craig Electronics? ;)

TEASING!!

My take onm BMW's concept, is that they spec out what they want their radio to do. Harman is obviously capable of amazing systems, I don't think that it's fair to judge any one radio mfg. on one model. And that includes Bose. They aren't to blame for the RX-8's component design. I would have much rather had a 'conventional' 8" sub as compared to these two cheesy 9" pieces of crap.

I personally would prefer a much changed layout, but Mazda is the one who specified it, and I think it was more of a marketing and sales decision, than a technically sound decision.

I can deal with the system. It sounds good, but not great. I've heard better, even from bose, and yes, they do a good job at what they're asked to do. They sometimes don't have the leverage to set up the system ideally, and like to experiment. Much like everyone else, including the manufacturers.

So, don't blame Bose for the RX-8, son't blame Harman for the BMW 330. Blame Mazda and BMW for specifing a system that was sub-par.

Still, have fun with the systems. Audio is one of the more easily changed components.

regards,

OverLOAD