JSG

For me, in a word, excellent! It's a topic very dependent on how far you want to take your music quality. Having come from an S2000 a walkman in the car would have impressed me but at home I have a good separates set-up so I do know a thing or two.

Main thing I noticed is how clear the sound is - you can really *listen* to the music. The bass is stong and depends on the recording & volume you play at. For some CD's I have to turn it down a bit. It's biased towards queiter "normal" listening levels. Does go pretty loud though without distortion (max is 34 and normal listening is 4-6). One of my tests for good quality is does max volume sound painful? In this case it didn't at all which is a good sign IMHO.

I have the 6CD which is quiet in operation and easy to use. Nice to have in-dash so you don't have to fumble around with changer cartridges etc.

I didn't notice the AudioPilot although I had it switched on. I don't know if this is good, as it was doing it's job, or bad as it didn't do anything! Still - it's not intrusive.

Summary: easily the best stock in-car system I've heard. If you want to change it you'd have to be dedicated to want to ruin the beautiful centre console. If people are going to pick I think it'll be the bass - probably not crisp enough for some people. It's better at picking out strong double-bass type sounds rather than electronic sharp drumbeats. Whatever happens - I'm a happy customer.

rotarypower

thanks a lot for your info. did you get the bose sound system?

JSG

I got the bose premium

Renesis08

Have you heard the standard sound system (6 spkr.). I wanted the BOSE but didn't want the moonroof. I figured I can upgrade the sound but not remove the glass roof. Oh well can't wait.

For car audiophiles what is the best system speaker setup for the 8. I would like to add subs on the doors. and tweeders next to the spkrs in the rear. Also is it benificial to have a center spkr on the dash like the bose. I have a nice 5.1 system at home but know little about a set up in a car. Any suggestions. Thanks!

NomisR

How do you upgrade to the Bose system if you didn't get the GT model? I don't know if I'd want an aftermarket system.. plus how do you change the headunit with the center console like that?

G-man

Once again, a fantastic posting. I have found the Bose system in my 2000 Acura NSX-T was awesome! Crisp, clean and clear, even at excessively high volume. The Bose system in my 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo actually has the passive wave enclosure in the back and has so much bass you can't believe it. It is awesome as well. I would have hoped for a similar quality from the RX-8, but given the huge price difference in cars, I expected less. That is good news for sure.

For comparison, I was agast at how bad the Harmon Kardon system was in my 2002 BMW M3. Bose Rocks!

rotarypower

i'm in the same boat as renesis. anybody know if you can get the bose premium sound system as an option without the sunroof AND leather?? i want cloth

Renesis08

Hey rotarypower I noticed you live in SoCal. What dealer are you getting your 8 from? Specs too. Later! I guess we'll know in 4-6 weeks.

rotarypower

hey renesis08

sorry to disappoint you (though i'm more disappointed) but i didn't order one. it's still iffy if i'm going to get one. after all... my dad is paying for it. hopefully i'll get one as my college cruising car. btw... i'm going to cc where you're living. funny. if my dad is ever so nice enough to buy one for me, i'll tell you all about it if it'll help at all.

BRx8

JSG-quick question:

how does the navigation integrate with the stereo? does the volume lower when you're accessing the navigation?

P00Man

After reading some other posts, im somewhat confused again as to whether or not the in-dash 6cd comes with the GT package. If it doesn't im going to be aggrevated because the dealer said, the rep at the show said, some of US even said it here, then i read this other thing that says its a port option, and if thats the case, my "dealer" hasn't told me a thing...
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History of ferrari

zoom44

according to the folks at rx8orders@mazdausa.com the changer is not part of any package in the US. i'm not saying they are correct just letting you know what they are saying. they are also saying there is no auto climate control on the US models, but the production pics of the japanese models show the climate control(and jsg has confirmed it) and all other countries seem to be getting it.

P00Man

thats what ive been telling myself, plus i have the mazda rep saying that both come with the GT package, i just dont know anymore...gotta give the bums at my dealer a call, who probably dont know anything anyway, since ive oredered they have not followed up on anything nor have they given me any updates at all, im somewhat displeased...
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EASY VAPE DIGITAL VAPORIZER REVIEW

BRx8

are you in the US? if so then no, the 6-disc in dash does NOT come with the GT package...how do i know? i paid $500 for it as an option...it's listed as an option on the US Mazda.com site for $500...i even saw the price list AT THE DEALER on the options and the 6-disc in dash was there, for $500...

JSG

Stereo volume is reduced when navi woman wants to speak. I need to find out how to change the volume of her voice though!

BRx8

tell her she's beautiful, tell her she looks skinny in that dress, tell her you love her...compliments always sooth a woman's soul

JSG

I think I might try that. We got lost at the weekend (with the navi) as when you miss a turn she won't speak to you anymore. I went 60km off track before realising she was sulking! You guys really have to try working a navi in Japanese!

maverikk

Good luck! This one was really funny :D :D I supported a guy's laptop once which had Japanese windows on it -- I just knew where I had to click, otherwise I was totally lost. Tnx for the post, you've convinced me about the Bose though!

P00Man

word, just what i wanted to hear in regards to sound performance. Now i just need that darned changer...
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Weed

BRx8

JSG - one more question regarding the Nav...

by any chance have you been able to play with the DVD-Rom unit? have you tried inserting a regular DVD movie in there and see if it plays? also, by the looks of the unit, does it seem likely that you can somehow plug in an external unit with maybe an S-Video, RCA, or composite jacks? you may be able to find these behind the unit itself...

once again, thanks for your time!

Lensman

WHAT! Are you serious??? Is this just a config problem because you can't fully use the Japanese software yet or does the system REALLY not cope with alternate routing? It's nearly useless if it doesn't.

JSG

I'll look into playing a movie. Should work as I can watch TV on it already. I don't think I have any stock Japanese DVD's though as I watch mine from the UK through a multi system.

Don't think I'll be able to find any jacks as I'm not planning on ripping the car apart just yet! But I'll look for anything obvious.

Regarding automatically re-routing...I'm sure it does it - even rental cars I've had do it. It's just I have no clue what I'm doing! Kanji for re-route anyone?

BRx8

you can watch TV on it?? you mean it comes stock with a TV tuner? geez, now i really doubt you have the same version as the US...can you take a pic when you have the chance? or even if you can tell us if your navigation system is similar in appearance to the stock ones that the US boys are getting...her's a pic:



if yours looks like this one, then there's a HUGE chance that the US version will be at least hackable to play TV and/or DVDs (crosses fingers)

also, you don't really have to take the car apart, just look at the DVD-Rom unit, where you place the navigation software DVD-Rom and see if you spot any sort of inputs