Bose Sound system - Any Good?
 

I have read a lot of views on the Bose stereo system as installed in the RX8. While appreciating that music and sound reproduction is a very personal thing, I'm surprised that so many commentators think the system is worse than many other original equipment setups. I'd appreciate some (as near as possible) objective comments on the Bose. Do the reported "problems" arise from the automatic volume compensator?

Thanks.

From what I've read, the quality is pretty comparable to what you'd get from a bose home system...crappy. I've never heard it myself, but I would never recommend a product from bose.

I've said this before. I think the Bose sounds better than the base unit installed in the 8. I test-listened both systems at the dealer before I chose to go with the Bose system. Is it the best I've ever heard? No. Can it be upgraded? Only marginally. Does it offer better sound quality than the base system? I think so. Ultimately, is it worth the money for the upgrade? You'll have to decide that for yourself.

I Think there is nothing wrong with the Bose System...They sound just fine...

The Bose system is not that bad. People think it's crappy because it doesn't offer the bone shaking bass they like. I will admit the system is not the best for being premium Bose audio, but for a factory system I’d say it is more than adequate. The only real disappointing thing I found is that it is hard to upgrade any Bose system because their proprietary components.

The Bose system is absolute bloody crap by comparison to a properly designed and installed aftermarket audio system. People look at the word "Bose" and automatically assume that it is the best thing since sliced bread. What you have in this case, is bottom of the line paper cone speakers that are worth about $15.00 CDN each at retail for the rear 6x9" speakers. The front ones, well as interesting as they look, they are still of the same calibre. The real magic in a Bose system is the amplifier that gives the speakers a little more output, especially in the bass region. IMO, crap > Bose. Maybe this comes with being a car audio retailer for 18 years, maybe I am just full of it..... I tend to think that I know my way around an audio system.

The magic behind knowing how and what to do when faced with a Bose upgrade is simple. Use the proper interface adaptor and wear rubber gloves. When handling Bose equipment it must be handled with great care so as not to contaminate yourself. It then must be placed expediently into the garbage can with the lid tightly secured. (we don't want the Bose gear making a break for it). For some people, the Bose system or even the factory system is great, for the acoustically incompetent, it is more than great, it is phenominal. For those of us that care about how we hear and how good sound is produced and listened to, the Bose system is a far cry from being even in the same league as a well designed and installed aftermarket audio system.

I usually am not too harsh on a stock audio system, however I feel that the premium Bose system in the 8 is lacking. My Mustang GT (MACH 460) and Nissan Murano's (Premium BOSE) stock audio systems made me feel that there was something broken in the 8. I was terrified to find out that I was wrong. I'm sure that you've heard the saying "All highs. No lows. Must be BOSE" before, and I feel that this holds true in the 8. When it comes to music, I'd like to describe myself as having an ecclectic taste, and feel that most of the music that I listen to in the 8 was flat until I installed an aftermarket subwoofer and amp.

I didn't want to be one of those kids that you could hear from miles away, I just wanted something that would fill in the deeper bass hits that the BOSE system simply cannot touch. It did just that. It didn't cost me a lot of money but actually made the sound system sound like it should. I'm completely happy. If you REALLY enjoy music, plan on upgrading your BOSE system. Otherwise you'll be disappointed. This really upset me because the Murano, although it was still slightly lacking on the lower end, was excellent as far as stock systems go.

What the heck are you talking about? Marginally? I guess you haven't upgraded your Bose setup then.

Bose = tons of midrange, weak highs, weak lows

A quick and dirty upgrade of adding some ACTUAL TWEETERS in the front (yes, those little 3" speakers on the doors ARE NOT tweaters, they're MID RANGE speakers) and a sub will do wonders for the Bose system.

I've done it. It's like the difference between night and day.

This can of worms gets opened up at least once a month. In my humble opinion, the Bose system has great soundstage and superb imaging, but it lacks low end bass. The bass response is flat. As for the midrange and highs, if you turn the Treble setting up to 5, the response is very good. You also need to listen to this system at around the 17+ volume level for it to really shine. Everyone has a different opinion of what sounds good. I spent a lot on the system I had in my car before my 8 and I buy and listen to audiophile components at home (none of that crap you can buy at Best Buy, Circuit City, or any other mass retailer), but like I said, you are gonna find a milllion different answers. I knew that upgrading the system would have been a pain since the Head unit is so integrated into our dash. The Bose system for me was just something that came with package(s) I wanted. Your best bet is to just take a listen and see WHAT YOU THINK. I am 24 and I have been into very high end audio for 7 years or so and my concept of a good system is very different than the guy driving down the street with (2) 15" subs running 1000 watts and probably different than most people my age. Loud music and Clean music are two very different things. I am not sayin the Bose system rocks, but its not sub par either.....can you do better with aftermarket? You bet...

Which speakers did you buy??

I noticed quite a difference between the base unit and bose system. I'm trying to figure out why other people don't think it's better. It's certainly not one of the better bose car systems out there, but the clarity is much better then stock unit. I guess we just expect it to be superior, when in reality it's not. I'm happy with it though. It's still better then most factory stereos, and there's no denying the sound is loud and clear, even if it does lack hard thumping and high treble.

I used some Clarion tweeters from my old car (not sure what model) and a 10" Infinity 1030W sub.

the only issue I've found with the Bose is the difference between listening to it with the windows up and the windows down, but that can be said for any car audio system so it's probably not relevant. It is a pain in the arse to upgrade and scares off a lot of installers whenever I start to ponder adding/replacing stuff, but a reputable installer who really knows his stuff can work around it no problem (I've seen this done with amazing results). My major bitch about anything stereo related is the way our deck is integrated with everything, to replace it with an aftermarket and have it come out looking decent is a major job, and a maojr pain as well. I plan on adding some goodies to mine and keeping the facory bose for highs etc., I'll be sure to let everyone know how it all turns out :)

Oh..one good thin: The Bose FM reception and sound quality are very very good. The one thing I have noticed from all aftermarket head units (and I've owned expensive ones) is that they never seem to have the same level of reception as factory units, even though factory units sound like crap most of the time. The FM reception in my 8 is better than it is in just about all of my friends cars...

I think the stereo is great. It's better than most of the cars that I've had. It's not the best that I've heard, but pretty darn good.

I also like the automatic volume adjustment. It doesn't change the quality of the music as far as I can tell, and I find that I don't have to adjust the volume as often.

I have the bose system in my 8. I think the highs are great, very clear and capable of going pretty loud when the bass boost is turned off. The bass output of the bose sucks though. But adding a sub fixes that very nicely! I added 1 12" and I love the bose system now, I am extremely happy I got it. I was going to replace the system until I put in the sub, but now I definitely plan on staying with it. I would recommend it, just add a sub!

If you add a sub, you will need to turn off the AudioPilot feature. It will start attenuating the music to compensate for the introduced low freqs by adding a sub, but most people here say the system sounds better with it off...again, another personal pref.

Can anyone pm me or go into detail on how they added a sub to the Bose system? I have some knowledge of audio components and Pro Gear, but when I started messing around I personally didn't know where to start.. Everything is so integrated. =(

look me up in a few weeks, we're fixing to dive into mine and add a couple of subs :)

Canary,

I'll keep an eye on you as well if you don't mind.

My last car was pretty "decked out" when it came to audio components and I want to make sure my bose can keep pace if you know what I mean...

Mine has the GT so I'll be looking at adding some subwoofers as well.

Keep us posted. :D

I just drove my moms TL and the Bose System in it has MUCH bette low end response, but it terms of a good, balanced, soundstage, the 8 sounds much better. If you could combine the two, you would have a great system (for something from the factory)...

While driving I tend to listen more to the whirring rotors than to music, so for me the Bose is . . . adequate. Bose in general is very overrated. The public perception of Bose is that it's a great company producing great products. In fact nine out of 10 people (a number I pulled out of thin air) can't name a hi-fi equipment manufacturer other than Bose. Moral of the story? Advertising works.

Yea, the TL Bose system does sounds better overall than the 8.It also has a bigger stock amp & probably a better stock unit.

LOL - Well, they did have Paul Harvey on board for years extolling the virtues of a two-way, mono, tabletop clock radio for a mere $500. I, myself, was even curious for a while. When I finally heard one, it (the Acoustic Wave) sounded like a two-way, mono, tabletop clock radio with - you guessed it - no highs, and no lows.

Bose has incredible marketing. A friends of mines dad just dumped some INCREDIBLE seperates becase his mom wanted something more decor friendly. The Bose doesnt even come close to what he had, but the wife loves them. Looks and marketing can go along way. You want good speakers, try B&W....the avg. joe has never heard of them, but if you know real audio, you know they make great speakers. But you cant fault Bose for its ability to make its name good in mass market audio.

Cambridge Soundworks makes a table top radio that puts the Bose to shame for about half the price...guess which one sells more? The Bose. Why? Because the avg joe think the Cambridge Soundworks is a cheap knockoff and the Bose is the best and Dr. Bose is taking that all the way to the bank...