I had an 04 rx8 and I traded it in for an 09 rx8 r3 package. I was under the impression that they both have the same Bose system. I liked the one out of the 04 it was stock. If you had it on 20 it was very loud. On the 09 I have to turn it up to 36 for the base to sound close to that. I am not sure if they changed the system or what. It says that they are both 300watt Bose systems, but they 04 sounded better. Any suggestions?

 

Even if the amp/speakers were identical, the headunit is different. Not sure what has changed internally in 09+ , but maybe that's your problem.