How good is the stock sound system?
10-19-2005, 08:59 PM
#1
2005 RX-8 GT Sunlight Slv
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How good is the stock sound system?
I may be getting an RX-8 tomorrow for $299/mo with no money down.
My 2004 Grand Am GT is up this Monday and I was wondering if the RX-8 sound system can compare to the GAm's Monsoon.
I have an Acura RSX too with a BOSE sound system and it sucks.
So how is it?
My 2004 Grand Am GT is up this Monday and I was wondering if the RX-8 sound system can compare to the GAm's Monsoon.
I have an Acura RSX too with a BOSE sound system and it sucks.
So how is it?
10-19-2005, 10:57 PM
#3
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I don't know many systems...but from what I've heard in other cars...
the premium rx8 bose system kicks ***... to a good extent.... only thing i would add is a little more low end... cuz i like that big bass feel... but it has a good amount of accoustic bass.. little feel
the premium rx8 bose system kicks ***... to a good extent.... only thing i would add is a little more low end... cuz i like that big bass feel... but it has a good amount of accoustic bass.. little feel
10-20-2005, 04:03 AM
#5
Stuck in a love triangle
If you really need some powerful bass that can vibrate things in your car, you are definitely going to need to add some subs. But the stock bass is actually pretty good for a stock system, I have to admit. If you have the bass set all the way up, songs with enough umph will definitely cause some mild vibration. Compared to other stock systems, the RX-8's is actually not bad at all. I'll tell you one thing...the stock sound system in my friend's M3 for instance is a piece of **** compared to ours.
10-20-2005, 09:42 AM
#6
Pistons are Over Rated
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I have the 300watt Bose system w/ single CD in my car and I think it sounds darn good, although I have only had it on a handful of times, I usually listen to the sweet tunes of the Rotary :D . I can not compare it to many systems, but it is as good as the Premium Sound in an Infiniti G35, sounds much better than what is in a GTO, is not quite as good as the Shaker 1000 in a Mustang, but then again at 1/3 the power, it is not really an apples to apples comparison. I think it is a good all around system for the car, its speakers are well placed and it is easy to use. Go see for yourself with a CD that you are familiar with from your Grand Am, that way you will know for sure.
10-20-2005, 10:21 AM
#7
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I am sure all the people with negative comments are avoiding this thread since this topic happens about once a month. I too like the Bose system. Could it be better? YES. Is it OK for a stock "premium" system? YES. Does it need more Bass? YES. Are there better Bose systems in other cars? YES. I got mine simply because it came with the GT package. Would I have paid extra JUST for it? HELL NO. This system has excellent imaging with good mids, decent highs, and OK lows. Considering how much of a pain in the *** it would be to add an aftermarket, its good enough for now. I'll add a sub when I decide how I can do it without losing room for my golf clubs. I still miss my custom system in my last car...you can never beat a good aftermarket custom system.
10-20-2005, 10:25 AM
#8
RX8 HA HA
it sounds ok...it could use atleast an 8 inch sub. A friend of mine has a 05 mazda tribute and he got the optional subwoofer. Its an 8 inch located in the back...what a world of a difference a sub makes!
10-20-2005, 10:31 AM
#9
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Ok, if you want an honest opinion, I wasn't particularly happy with it. It is OK, but I thought the highs could be a little better. The lows are decent for a stock system, but for someone who really wants good audio quality, it is insufficient. Like deedub said, you'll definitely need at least an 8in sub. I have the GT package, so it came with the car, but if I could have switched it out for the stock system, and saved a few bucks, I would have done that, and just got aftermarket speakers for the sound I really want to hear.
10-20-2005, 10:35 AM
#10
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The problem with the two 9" subs in the front is that they also double as mid drivers. I found that with a Treble setting of 5 and Bass setting of 3 or 4, the system sounds pretty decent. This system DOES sound better at higher volumes (20+) than it doest at lower volumes. If you listen to your music at lower volume, you are going to be disappointed. Take a good CD with you. I find some people judge sound quality using the radio as the source...yuck!
10-20-2005, 01:01 PM
#11
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For a stock system, in my 20 years of car audio installation, this is the poster child for a stereo upgrade. It is without a doubt the worst case scenario for a tonally balanced and accurate system that I have ever heard. It is a far cry from a good system.
10-20-2005, 01:10 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by forbidden
For a stock system, in my 20 years of car audio installation, this is the poster child for a stereo upgrade. It is without a doubt the worst case scenario for a tonally balanced and accurate system that I have ever heard. It is a far cry from a good system.
10-20-2005, 09:15 PM
#14
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The Bose system is terrible. It sounds okay with the radio, but really falls short with CDs. It has very little bass with CDs that shake the doors on other cars, and they all sound "muddy". I am very disappointed when you compare it to other cars in the price range and class. My freinds Audi TT with the Bose system has the same problems. Bose is not known for exceptional car audio systems.
10-20-2005, 09:25 PM
#15
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The higher-end Bose system is OK for stock. If you don't mind lots of mud, you can get OK low freq volume, and a little vibration in the mirrors, and if you sacrifice the low end you can get decent clarity.
The audiopilot really screws with the balance, so I pretty much leave it off. Great clarity could be wasted on the car, though depending on performance mods, and driving personality (modded intakes, exhaust and suspension can result in enough engine and road noise that you won't know the difference unless you're running on pristine blacktop).
As with any car, if you want to really shake, or if you want lots of tight bass, you'll need to go aftermarket. Personally, I just stay home when I want great sound, and hit the highway when I want some speed and some g's.....
The audiopilot really screws with the balance, so I pretty much leave it off. Great clarity could be wasted on the car, though depending on performance mods, and driving personality (modded intakes, exhaust and suspension can result in enough engine and road noise that you won't know the difference unless you're running on pristine blacktop).
As with any car, if you want to really shake, or if you want lots of tight bass, you'll need to go aftermarket. Personally, I just stay home when I want great sound, and hit the highway when I want some speed and some g's.....
10-20-2005, 09:58 PM
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are you guys out there that say the bose system sucks reasoning that it sucks because of sound quality... or loudness? or what?
maybe just need to tune it better... i like to set the fader toward the rear a bit and get the back speakers involved... gives more of a stereo effect... i think if i have it playing loud... i set it to about -4 to rear... or -2 i forgot... but the stereo effect gives a good fullness to the sound... bass +2-4 depending on track... highs +2 trebles not really my thing... volume at like 22-24... i wanna feel the music.. not have it blow my ear drums out...
a sub would be nice still though
maybe just need to tune it better... i like to set the fader toward the rear a bit and get the back speakers involved... gives more of a stereo effect... i think if i have it playing loud... i set it to about -4 to rear... or -2 i forgot... but the stereo effect gives a good fullness to the sound... bass +2-4 depending on track... highs +2 trebles not really my thing... volume at like 22-24... i wanna feel the music.. not have it blow my ear drums out...
a sub would be nice still though
10-20-2005, 11:08 PM
#18
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The Bose system in my moms TL sounds WAY better overall than mine, but the 8 has much better imaging than hers. The bass in hers puts ours to shame. The only true thing for you to do is listen. We all have different tastes and definitions of what good sound is. Some people will think that because you think the 8 sounds decent that you have no idea what good music sounds like. I have some very nice home audio seperates, but that doesnt make me an expert on what good sounds like to you. For something that is very integrated into our cars, its good enough for me...not quite as good as the sound of our engine, but it will suffice. This is a touchy subject amongst us on the board...
10-20-2005, 11:48 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
I don't have the bose system in my car (luckily). I have the stock one
10-21-2005, 12:22 AM
#21
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mids.. control with volume ****.. and then turn up highs and bass.. or down.. whatever u like..
i haven't had too much with different audio systems... i tried out the infinite m35x one... that one has truly awesome sound... has new technology that separates the instruments to each speaker... so it sounds really neat...
i'm a musician.. so.. the technical skills and ideas in music i can detect very easily...
how well that sound is reproduced in car systems... maybe i'm not so good... but i notice... most times i ride in other peoples cars... they don't bump it hard enough... and have it tuned terribly... so they have no fullness of sound.. either all trebly.. or super bassy and muddy... and volume too low... front/rear balance off... usually people have it to the front.. which is weird for me... this makes it too engaged.. just blasting me in the face..
i like it to surround me... grasp my body... and take it away.. away into the skies... ah.. heavenly...
j/k i'm a little bored tonight if you can't tell haha
i haven't had too much with different audio systems... i tried out the infinite m35x one... that one has truly awesome sound... has new technology that separates the instruments to each speaker... so it sounds really neat...
i'm a musician.. so.. the technical skills and ideas in music i can detect very easily...
how well that sound is reproduced in car systems... maybe i'm not so good... but i notice... most times i ride in other peoples cars... they don't bump it hard enough... and have it tuned terribly... so they have no fullness of sound.. either all trebly.. or super bassy and muddy... and volume too low... front/rear balance off... usually people have it to the front.. which is weird for me... this makes it too engaged.. just blasting me in the face..
i like it to surround me... grasp my body... and take it away.. away into the skies... ah.. heavenly...
j/k i'm a little bored tonight if you can't tell haha
10-22-2005, 12:49 AM
#23
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I'm perfectly happy with the Bose system. If you want a good song to test it out, go out and find the song "Feel Good Inc." by the Gorillaz. Turn up the bass and volume a bit and enjoy. 
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