m82492

Let me get a few things out of the way first. I am by no means an audiophile. I respect the opinions of all those that have listed opinions about the Bose System. To a car audio enthusiast it may not be the Holy Grail or anything....BUT

I just got my 8 on Friday night with the Bose System. I was very reluctant about the Bose because it tends to get shredded on the boards. I wanted people who are reading these posts to know that I am suprsingly happy with the system. I think it's better than many stock system's out there. You aren't going to win a competition or anything but to the average person looking for something to jam to down the road it does the job.

vectorwolf

I'm very happy with my bose system as well. I honestly don't get what all the negativity's about?

hagar852

Yeah I am with you guys on this also. Sound systems can only get so good, the human ear can only detect so many differences in sound. I think some people imagine the differences in sound.

Rx7Roadster

I like mine too. The only thing I am going to do to it is add a sub to get some more low end from it. It will be plenty good enough for me then.

HardHitter

Being in car audio for about 2 years now and going to competitions, you will be able to tell the difference dramatically. It's like night and day. Get a pair of components and an amp to amp them, and you'll get chills down your spine. I just got my RX-8 and going from my competition car to stock, it is as if there is no music at all. I am a SQ freak though. You're always satisfied with something that you have not had anything better than. It's like someone saying they are satisfied with their say a Civic and then they drive a Ferarri, they were satisfied with the Civic (representing the Bose system) until they drove the Ferarri (representing after-market system)

m82492

Hard hitter...I completely get your point. If you know no better you don't realize the difference that could be had. I'm happy with the Bose but if I knew a way to make it even better I probably would attempt it at some point. I just don't quite understand how to add amps and subs to the system in layman terms. I'm quite illiterate when it comes to car audio improvement.

rXter

For under $500 you can have a sub installed and it sounds infinately better. Here's the link that I used to get it done.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/best-cheapest-way-improve-bose-system-45728/

JonsToy

I too like the Bose system- I test listened to both the standard system and the Bose at the dealer and could tell a meaningful difference with the Bose. I'm not saying I haven't heard better factory installed systems (my wife's Lexus is no. 1, my daughter's Maxima Bose is no. 2, with the 8's Bose coming in no. 3). It was also the only way I could get factory leather and a moonroof.
I've read threads about making it better with another amp driving a sub, but frankly I can't give up any space in the trunk. My golf clubs barely fit as it is. If I carried a long putter or a 46" driver, they'd be riding in the cabin with me to the course!

Gambit

I'm perfectly ok with the bose system...I think all the negativity comes from people like that kid in elementary school who cried because he got a 95 on the test instead of 100.

I'm fine with my 95

DARKMAZ8

I hate those kids..... :D

bmcc49er

I get what the audiophiles are saying and have heard better but saying it sounds like crap i think is a little harsh. Oh how we forget the days of cassette tapes, little equalizers with a booster and no big subs.

moRotorMotor

I am completely happy with the Bose system with two 5 inch JL subs in the center pass through. I have heard better as well, (friend spent 2grand on audio) but his is the type that is severely (highs and lows) clear and crisp at extremely high volume...car body vibrating like crazy...eyes get fuzzy vision...etc. Mine isn't as good, but at the same time, isn't as bad a people put it to be. For something that comes from the factory - it's pretty good. If people thought they would be getting a 'competition worthy' sound system when they upgraded to the Bose is smoking something. For those that complain that it isn't worth more than a dead cat on the side of a road, should have skipped the Bose altogether and went aftermarket. If you look at other manufacturers' factory equipped audio systems relative to our car's price standpoint... it's pretty good.

Butch Brown

Low end sounded muddy to me, I added a 8" jl audio sub with jl 250 amp. It sounds really good now.

NomisR

Well coming from a car with aftermarket system, the Bose is really crappy especially at stock setting with audio pilot on, the highs suck, lows are muddy. However, after changing some settings, I think I have mine on Treb +4, Bass -2, it sounds decent enough to not suck.

TooBIG

I have nothing against this BOSE system at all. My opinion is that it sounds good
for a factory system
The aftermarket system I had a few years back was in a totally different class.
It sounded stunning and much better than the BOSE in my RX-8.
But, it is not fair to compare stock to aftermarket.
Mazda is not going to dump 2k worth of electronics into the car like I did.
I am in the process of upgrading the system to meet my needs.
I do like the factory stuff, but the sound is only average compared to aftermarket stuff.
My opinion of course.

DreRX8

I'm no audiophile and I use to love Bose--but I loathe them now--and not for the typical audiophile reasons. Usually Bose lacks the low end and you can fix that by adding a sub and amp--fine; but here is my complaint. When a component goes out--which it will--you have to have it rebuilt or buy a replacement which cost one kidney. My last 3 cars had Bose-- 93 RX7 Touring, 98 Millenia S, and 99 Millenia S. The FD had a nice Bose system with the Accoustic Wave Tube in the hatch area that provided wonderful bass and got me lots of looks and compliments; however the components started to go one by one. The headunit stopped accepting burned cds; then the speakers started to crackle and fizz. In order to replace components with better aftermarket units--the setup has to be rewired. The same thing happened in both Millenias, the headunit stopped accepting CDs all together. I just added an FM Modulated changer to my 99 S so I wouldn't have to pay $450 for a new shitty Bose head unit from Mazda. Hopefully, most of you guys praising Bose will have traded your RX8s in for newer RX8s or other cars before the Bose starts to fry. If you guys don't--I fully expect to hear a different tune from yall in about 3-4years. Good Luck with Bose.

Blah

Well, the Bose system in my 8 is great and all but I really expected more getting the GT and all. It didn't come with any subwoofers which to me is a must. I like bass and the system just wasn't kickin that much bass without woofers so I went and invested in some Kicka sub woofers...there tens but they kick like you won't believe and the 400 watt amp has alot to thank for that too...Question though, did anyone's 8 come with factory woofers, I hope I'm not the only one that hasn't

TRU681

It doesn't come with woofers.Just some regular bose speakers.

TRU681

[QUOTE=TRU681]It doesn't come with woofers.Just some regular bose speakers.I'm not happy with mine so I put 3- phoenix gold amps, 2-12 inch Eclipse titanium subs & 2-sets of component speakers.Bose went into the garbage can. :D

Blah

Are you serious?? That's not really good news, brah! I guess I gotta cross that bridge when I get there. I guess Bose is just a temporary thrill which in turn becomes a headache. So what do you recommend once the system starts to go?? Just getting a whole new sytems installed? That would cost just as much but then again I guess it's a better investment because it won't go like the Bose will requiring another repair once again. Thanks dawg for the info.

Blah

[QUOTE=TRU681]yeah, I'm gonna change out the whole system all together I think but I think my 10's and my amp is doing me just fine for right now...working on my 8's body at the moment but it still sounds hot...people be lookin like a motha******

TRU681

Kickers are nice.They hit pretty hard.My friend used to have 2-15in kickers in a 95 Honda Prelude & it pounded like crazy.

mikefrombarrie

The best audio system that I heard, was in a Lexus GS430 which had the Mark Levinson stereo. I dont understand some of the owners who put a subwoofer in their trunk and claim to have "better" sounding system??

TRU681

Obviously, you have not heard much & you're not an audiophile.Stock systems are usually average at best.Some are actually almost good but an after market system will beat a stock system anyday!Even the high end car's who put good brands of speakers in their cars just put basic models in it.The high end models are available through audio shops.They are not available in an option in your local dealership! Sound quality is not just about the quality of the speakers.One of the most important aspects of an audio system is the sound stage!So a Mark Levinson system is nothing compare to a lot of brands out there, too many to mention.

DreRX8

Well--I recommend rewiring the whole system if you are serious. For my 99 Millenia S I just added a sub and an FM modulated Changer. It really depends on your budget and goal--but I'd just rewire the whole thing and put together a system from scratch. I don't forsee the headunit problems in the RX8 like I did in the FD and the Millenias--but the speaker components will eventually go.