My experience Upgrading the '09 R3's Bose system
 

Ok ... I've seen some stuff on here about upgrading some of the older rx 8 years but haven't seen anything on the 09 r3. I may have missed it .... but here's my experience. Maybe it'll help some out , maybe not .

I wasn't very happy with the Bose System that came factory with the car. It's ok for a factory system ... but I really like a good sounding system. I wanted to try just adding a four channel amp and replacing all the speakers with Rockford equipment and hope that the factory radio would work with it. Especially since I had a feeling replacing it would cause issues with the computer for hands free and the steering wheel controls , etc. Unfortunately, When we ran the line converter for the factory radio back to the amp the signal being sent just produced crap sound. Even with the new amp (Rockford punch) and all new speakers (Rockford T series) , was almost like the signal was even worse with the line converter.

So, it was either march on to a new head unit .... or suffer with the factory. I decided to give the head unit a whirl since most said I should be able to keep the factory functions of the car up front with an adapter that's available. Wrong ! The adapter for the 09 hasn't come out yet .... go figure .... so we tried the 08 adapter and it didn't work. However, The sound that we got out of the New head unit and the rockford speakers is nothing short of spectacular ! Absolutely Amazing ! Installed a Pioneer DVD 4200 ... which is just a bad ass unit, plays dvds on a 7 inch screen , too. The unit has a much better Ipod connecter than the factory Ipod connector so no worries there, however, the volume controls and hands free controls on the steering wheel were lost. Everything else works fine. Everything in the center dash / console is good and the cruise control on the steering wheel is fine .... you just loose the stereo control and computer voice / hands free . If you never really use that, like me, then no biggy. If you do .... you may have an issue. Just make sure you get a unit that has an ipod connector and also bluetooth / hand free capability if you want that. I can actually get an adapter if I don't want to wait for the adapter and just use thru the stereo.

What I added :

Rockford T Series 6 1/2 Component system up front
Rockford T series 6 x 9s in the back
Rockford Punch 400 4 channel amp to run
Pioneer DVD 4200 head unit (which actually runs the factory tweeters and center channel which I just left in)

I would recommend checking this stuff out online as it's MUCH cheaper than if you get at the store. Especially the Pioneer, which is usually 499 to 599 at the store. You'll find online for 399.


The result sound wise .... one of the best i've heard sound quality wise. Didn't even add a sub yet but you'd think I had a 10 in there. Well worth it if you want a great system and don't care about the hands free shit. I'm going to check with the dealership if there's a solution for this since the adapter isn't out for the 09 yet .... but if not it's something you should be able to correct eventually once it does come out. Unfortunately, not much of anything is out for this car yet except suspension upgrades. Many mods and upgrades are difficult to find at this point.

How much you spend all together?

Nice upgrade, and I'm glad to know that you're happy with your solution.

Just don't let me hear the improved sound difference over the standard Bose system, otherwise I'll get tempted. Yet truthfully, I'm pretty satisfied with the standard system.

Enjoy!

i personally wouldn't be happy losing any functionality that came OEM. it's like taking two steps forward, one step back.

what will you do with the old stuff? maybe someone could do a retrofit of those options you aren't using anymore. that would be interesting to see...

Whole thing installed was around 1300 / 1400 or so .... give or take a bit. amp was about 300, head unit 400 , speakers around 400, plus install labor. Keep in mind I bought the T 26 series speakers, not the T 16 . There's quite a bit of a difference.

It's honestly not bad for a factory system ... but not very good for a bose system. You're right , though .... you wouldn't want to hear the difference .... it's quite addicting. :ylsuper:

True .... was a bit of a bummer .... but the sound more than made up for it and it's not really a step back if you never were using those functions anyway. Plus, eventually they'll come out with the adapter and you can get them back if you want. Guess it just depends what you really want in your car. I just really like a loud and great sounding system. Not bass crazy, just good sound. I listen to mostly rock anyway.

I kept all the old stuff. Actually, i'll keep all the factory parts that i replace just in case.

meh, I like the sound of the engine better. radio is just there to cover up the road noise and RX8 rattle.

LOL .... well I like the sound of the engine , too .... however, at this point , every damn time I try to do something to the engine it's not available for the 09 yet, or atleast very little is. Some things , like the access port, have been discont all together so that really sucks. So I figured I'd have some fun with what i could until shit starts coming out for it .

spending on trackdays and autocrossing would be more fun.:boink:
weeeee.:wiggle:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/...ba5e5a0a_b.jpg

track time would be fun .... I gotta find me one around here in Ohio to play on. I did just get some S tein s , need to get them put on next week. The systems fun too , though ... but to each his own. Nice bike by the way, I have a CBR 1000 .

Im more of a starting stock then upgrade kinda person. I track my r6 too.

You can make th factory system sound great with an Alpine iva-b222. It's the best add-on you can get without loosing any of the functionality, infact only gaining more (I.e, iPod integration, better mid levels, bass, nav screen gets more functionality too).

Nice upgrade. The stock Bose is not good, once you hear the difference you wouldn't go back. Glad I made the upgrade, just need to find a way to cool my highs amp in my trunk! :)

The unit I have has ipod integ , etc .... all that you mentioned .... it doesn't matter what head unit you use you'll still lose the functionality of the steering wheel computer hand free / vol control, etc because they don't make the adapter yet. I'm sure it's a great unit .... looks like it from what i can see .... but it's not going to fix the issue.

Yeah it's a HUGE difference ! I have my amp in my trunk , as well ... lol

You don't lose any functionality on the factory stereo. This thing operates in two modes, one is factory mode in which the sound processor in the IVA-B222 enhances the sound quality greatly while retaining all factory functions like steering wheel input etc. It just acts as sort of amp in this mode.

If you switch to ipod mode or external CDC mode, it uses the factory navigation screen to show the ipod output. You also get a nifty controller that you can install on the console to control the unit. You can't use the factory volume/track control at *this* point.

I weighed all options and this was the best while retaining factory look and not losing any functionality. It has worked out great.

No intention to thread jack but just for your reference:

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1286956444

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1286956444

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1286956444

Ahhhhh ok .... what's the cost on this option ?

I'd be curious to hear the sound quality on this compared to what I actually did. Pretty cool option, though. Wasn't aware this was avail. Obviously knowone over here was either :)

The unit costs like usd 600, you will need to hack the tv tuner for the input terminals, now I know US models don't have that, so you're probably looking at another 400 usd or so to get the screen usable. There's lots of wiring to be redone (I.e rewire factory amps to pass through this device etc), so add professional labor to the cost as well.

I'd have to hear it. I have a hard time believing that this set up will sound anywhere near as good as what I have set up, but you never know. I guess it depends upon what you're trying to do , though .... if you're really trying to keep the factory set up then it's def a good option. I would like to hear it , though.

It sounds pretty good. I had a Rockford setup in my last Civic and it was great, this compares pretty well. IMHO, Alpine is by far the best head-unit money can probably buy. The BOSE speakers are the main hold back; but its unbelievable how their sound changes when the sound processor changes. Although there are always better speakers that money can buy ;)