KayakDaddy

I don't think that just because the stereo will be Bose that it be bad. Many people on FreshAlloy complained about the Bose in the G35, and I didn't think it was bad at all. I guess it's all in what you are used too. The worst things about the Bose system are that it's a $900 option (about 3X what it's worth) and that the controls are not intuitive.

Hopefully Mazda will work more closely with Bose and make sure they get a more user-friendly head unit.

More important to me though is that the head unit have MP3 capablity. I would take a single disk w/ MP3 over a six disk changer any day. You can fit more music coded as MP3's on one disk than you can on six regular CD's. Obviously the best option would be a six-disk in-dash CD changer with MP3 functionality.

Fëakhelek

Couldn't you just find the leads to the microphone and clip them? My guess would be that if the system compensates based on feedback from the microphone and doesn't get anything then it should no do anything to the volume.

Otherwise what happens if the mic goes out a few years down the road? Do you have to go back to Bose for a replacement? That would be a pain, assuming you could even find one.

droidekaus

I wish it was that simple. I have already disconnected the mic three times during various experimentation. When you do this the system sounds 100 times better for about 2-3 minutes until the HU starts to freak out and cause extreme volume surges.

Remember that a Bose system is based on each set of speakers having their own amps. The AudioPilot mic is running to the sub amp as it's first stop on the way to the HU. It is then tied into every other amp in the system until it finally resolves at the HU. When the HU does not see a signal coming from the mic, it freaks out. So no, it's not a simple matter of disconnecting the mic.

We've had EEs on the Z board even try and trick the mic signal input to the HU by disconnecting it and soldering low output resistors or capacitors or whatever (I can't remember) into the circuit to make the HU think it was getting a null signal and that didn't even work.

If the AudioPilot problems cannot be resolved, I think that Bose/Nissan will have to start replacing HUs with the AP completely removed, and that could become a fairly costly operation.

Mazda man

I wonder if the Rx-8 will have the same "modular audio system" that the 6 has in the Mazda magazine. For anybody that has not heard about this it basically means that a cd changer, tape, single cd and possibly an mp3 can be installed just by plugging them in behind the facia.

roachman

This could be a huge issue. This is exactly what the mazdausa sight says we are getting. I want the best stereo system, but not if all this crap happens. I hope we solve this before I give the specifications for my RX-8.

Boowana, maybe you can look into this or maybe some of the guys going to NASIS show can asked Mazda if they have heard of the problems with this system in the Z...



Roachman

KKMmaniac

Just an opinion but...

I hope Mazda just puts in a decent CD/radio head unit with pre-amp outs. It looks like it would be pretty difficult to replace with something else, since it integrates with the console as it does.

I never really cared much for Bose, as their main philosophy has been to "force" some pretty mundane speakers to sound convincing, via electronics and acoustical trickery, and to me, this is what they sound like.

I'm hoping the speaker cutouts and spaces are of a decent size, volume, and depth, so I can install some good quality components instead. The Bose should be kept as an option for those who disagree with me!

said7

I hate Factory stereos.

Ive listened to several and they just dont have the quality and range you get from aftermarket.

In my cougar the stereo had the variable volume change and it was more annoyinng than effective. I swapped it out for a Sony headunit in no time.

I can only hope there is an option to downgrade the system.

Sputnik

That's why we see so many BOSE systems. More people than not are satisfied with the BOSE systems. Those of us who want "more", normally want different "more". So since there is no clear upgrade path, it is impractical for a car company to do anything other than let each "audiophile" do his own thing. Save for an occasional special edition, of course.

But for any of us who want even a little more than a regular factory stereo, a Bose setup is rarely a significant step up, especially considering what that "upgrade" costs (especially since you get "stuck" with it if you get certain "option packages" in order to get something else). It normally includes more "frills" than actual upgrades in volume, SQ, or range.

The big problem with Bose setups (for those of us just looking to get some good sound) is that it is very very difficult to incorporate some of the factory Bose system with aftermarket items. It's not impossible, but doing something like using the Bose head unit to power aftermarket amps and speakers can be quite tricky. But if you get something like that plastic tube sub from the FD, replacing amps and speakers becomes a big priority. And since most Bose head units are no more special than the speakers you are replacing, it's a simple decision to upgrade everything, instead of messing with trying to get things to work together.

The extra problem with the RX8 is that it appears that the factory head unit is incorporated with the climate controls (steering wheel controls can be incorporated with most aftermarket heads with little effort).

---jps

1.3 liter

One thing that I have ALWAYS liked about the RX-7's sound systems is that they have always sounded great, to me. If the Mazda 6 received a 9 rating than that is wondermous. If classical music was played, which is the toughest music to reproduce acurately because of all the tonal qualities of the instruments working together and seperately, and the 6's sound system handled them with ease, then the 8's should be equally as good or better. I listened to the acoustic waveguide system in an FD and that was a fantastic Bose product IMO. But I have a feeling tha Mazda will not go that route again, because the waveguides were too bulky. I agree with one poster who said that the Z was loud and the RX-8 would be quieter. In one of my previous posts, I eluded to the fact that the Z's interior contained vast amounts of cheap hard plastic, in which sound waves tend to bounce off instead of being absorbed versus other interior padding, foams, higher quality denser plastics, etc. Mazda's interior will be quieter because the rotary is quiter, the drivetrain is better isolated, the interior fit and furnishings are of higher quality and doesn't Bose tailor it's systems to a specific model car? But if Mazda does decide to use the Audiopilot from Bose, rest assured that I will give it a complete work over during the test drive. Oh yeah to the poster who likes Bach, I plan to play his Partita#3 for solo violin. If the Bose system can handle that, than it IS the S***t

Quick_lude

Has anyone ever heard the Mark Levinson or Nakamichi stereos from in the Lexus? I'm curious how those sound..
Myself if the stereo in the RX-8 is totally proprietory and hard to alter, that might sway me away from the car. I hate anyone forcing things onto me, especially if I'm making a $40K+ Cnd committment in a vehicle.. Shouldn't I have the option to customize or delete if I'm spending that much cash on a car? Why make things so hard for the consumer? After all they want our business, not the other way around...

Mazda man

I read in a magazine somewhere that the Mark Levinson stereo was excellent. (sorry i can't remember the details) They liked it more than the actual car!

pmacwill

I'm big into audio, and probably the best factory installed audio, and quite possibly the best mobile sound system available, even aftermarket, can be found in the Outback H6-3.0 VDC Wagon. The Outback flagship has the first ever McIntosh mobile audio system installed in it (I think they started putting them in 2 years ago but I might be mistaken).

McIntosh used the Outback to test their mobile potential. A typical McIntosh setup for use at home will set you back more than $20,000US, and can easily reach costs higher than an RX-8!

pelucidor

I had the Nakamichi system in my Lexus RX300 and it was quite good. In comparison the BOSE system in some G35s and Audis I've driven was pretty crap. The BOSE system in my MDX is really serious crap. The Mark Levinson in the LS430 and SC430 I've tested a few times was good (FM only, didn't have a CD with me), as is the basic unbranded system in my IS300.

I have never heard any stock car system that could hold a candle to semi-decent home hifi as the environmental conditions are so tough. At home I am a bit of an audiophile with a (very carefully selected) system from Linn and Naim Audio, but I have no clue about car stereos except how it sounds.

Jud

Has anyone ever tried to swap out one of these integrated head units? The NSX has a Bose system, and it is very expensive to replace. You have to purchase a new dash molding piece that can be produced for around $300. That's the cheapest I've seen so far. I really hope there is another radio option that's easy to swap, otherwise I'm not getting this car.

P00Man

the 6 is a beautiful product. I sat in it the other day at the dealership and the leather is beautiful, its actually real, unlike the highgrade 1989 Volvo vinyl in BMW's (and the g35, freking dissapointment). Every aspect of it is great comfy and quality, sound system looks probably as good as it sounds, and 9.0 from Edmunds sounds great.

I aint tryin to bash BMW's or G35's, but seriously, the leather is like vinyl (it might even be) and in the BMW, xenons and floor mats are 3000 luxury pakages
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P00Man

Also, Lexus sound systems are probably the best stock systems around, and the mark levinsons are beyond superb lol. A home mark levinson can be in the huge ranges often times 100 grand or more. Also, Bose systems (integrated) arent that tough, the only problem is the time it takes to take one out, each speaker has its own miniature pre-amp/amp. I plan on a fully custom install, which is easy enough with an integrated headunit, the biggest bucks will come from the manhours required to dissassemble all that bose junk, which is better than required by most normal peopple, so im glad its in the 8, just for marketing, and listenining before the install.
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Quick_lude

How are you going to change the HU? It looks totally integrated.

P00Man

Those usually plug into either 1 or both DIN units and can be pulled right out, or removed in a slightly more complicated fashion.
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Quick_lude

Have you even SEEN what the radio/dash looks like? It will NOT be easy and I have done my share of full stereo installs..

P00Man

This DOES look like it might be a little more complicated, but the is300 has an integrated HU and thermals and can be (maybe not easily) replaced.
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Jud

The real problem to replacing the head unit is how are you going to put it in the dash without looking like total crap. You're going to need to customize some sort of dash panel insert to cover the hole. What materials will be used (fiberglass, plastic, etc.). hopefully some company will design one, but that could cost $100-500 depending on how much of the dash needs to be reintegrated. Then, how will you make it match. The dash looks to be a very shiny, reflective black. If you do it yourself, your best bet would be some high quality automotive paint with the clear coat. I know if you're really into stereo customization it's just a matter of money, but for the average person it won't be that easy.

Quick_lude

Exactly. I'm not worried about the mechanical hookups, it's the outside look/shape of the whole damn thing that has me very concerned. It looks VERY hard to customize.. sigh..
This Bose stereo better be very good, otherwise I might have to look into another car.

Btw, I saw pics on the 350Z forum of the stock Bose speakers.. They are not even close to my CDT Audio Cambrias.. They look like cheap aftermarket speakers.

Hercules

Quicklude, I think the best bet you got is to go down to the Mazda dealer and check out the 6 with a Bose in it..

Quick_lude

Not really because it seems that every car with a BOSE stereo is different.. depending on setup and its features. I just hope someone comes up with an aftermarket dash solution by spring 2004.. :D

Jud

I think the best bet is to hope that audiopilot junk can be turned off. As long as it doesn't get in the way, you can add in an equalizer, signal processor, crossover, whatever you gotta do to get your sound.