stevejg1

This is by far the worst Bose system I have ever heard. Granted, one does not buy an RX8 for the audio system, but my god they could have designed something with a little more clarity. It sounds like the speakers are underwater.

I've only had German cars before with Bose, so perhaps that's it, but every Japanese stereo I've heard has been just absolutely dreadful. I don't plan on doing any modifications or anything, better off listening to the engine.

I'm pretty sure I have Bose, the tweeters on the door say it, but that's about it.

Alot of complaints about this setup? I can only imagine the base system

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Yep.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

While not defending the Bose too strongly, it's hard to get clarity when the lightweight doors are vibrating sympathetically with the door speakers.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/cheapest-audio-upgrade-ever-%3D-%2450-215671/

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

I agree the stock Bose system isn't that great but then again Bose isn't THAT great to begin with. more of a brand than anything. Like they say, "no highs, no lows must be Bose"

redline86

iTrader: (7)

Yeah the bose blows! Blew the mini amp in the door and one of the speakers. 6x9's sound like **** running at 2 ohms. The cd changer isn't so bad, I converted my door speakers to 6.5 and replaced the rear 6x9s running with a 4 channel amp. I left the bose tweeters and the dash tweeter alone, they don't sound to bad with a good speaker setup.

stevejg1

My A4, TT, and 3 series all had great Bose systems. Hard to believe there can be so much difference.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

And they all cost $10-15k more than the 8...

infatu8ed

I like my Bose system.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Bose anything is horrid.

monchie

Expensive and cheap sound.

yiksing

The only complaint i have about the Bose is i never turn it on

Pdub8

For a "premium" sound system ya its not the best. I don't think its too bad. Compared to the speakers in my truck it sounds godly so I don't complain

9kBeep

I don't think It's that bad of a system. Compared to most bose systems no its not the greatest. My dad has a denali and my girlfriends dad has an escalade, and granted those do sound much better. I still don't think the rx8 is that bad. I have always invested a lot of money in my cars stereo. Such has my last car had a full focal set up which cost me nearly $2,000. So I do know quality sound.

For some reason though the stereo in the 8 satisfies my needs. I know its not the greatest but I think it sounds great. Maybe the OP got a dud stereo or something because I wouldn't say its as bad as he describes it.

And to defend the rx8 a little more in comparison to other makers who use bose (audi, bmw, cadilac, etc.) those cars also have a lot more sound deadening to them. notice the ride in a more expensive luxury vehicle is more quiet. Its because all the panels are faced with material that absorbs vibration, thuds, knocks, and whatever un wanted sounds come from the outside. In return that amplifies and brings out better acoustic tones on the inside. The rx8 is a purpose built sports car. So there for mazda when designing it used less sound deadening material because it is very heavy.

If you want to bring out a richer sound, go buy some dynamat, and line all your door panels with it, If you really want to go overboard, do your rear deck, under the hood, and the roof. I guarentee your car will sound similar to a luxury car, but you also will add about 200 lbs, depending on how much you cover.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

I used Second Skin Damplifier on door panels, roof, floor, rear deck, trunk, and trunk lid where surfaces weren't already covered with the factory installed deadener. 72 sq feet and 25 lbs. Granted with lightweight material it's not in the luxury car category, but it does make a huge difference in should quality from the Bose or presumably any other setup as well. Cost ~$250 and a lot of hours for proper installation. Best bang for the buck is probably with doors and roof which will be ~20 sq ft and ~$50.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Say what you want. Sure our Bose system is better than other setups in other vehicles.... but it's still not impressive by ANY means.

bse50

The car is the worst environment to listen to music anyway so why even bother?
The bose system in my corolla is worse than the rx8 one so i'm happy with it... sitting in my garage lol.

GameChanger

Ive read BMW being thrown around here twice already. BMW doesn't use bose, they use Harmon-Kardon. I think the RX-8 system is adequate for a $30k car, it sounds a lot better with a sub and HPF set up.

EricB

iTrader: (7)

kind of old thread but its not a year old thread so i think im okay.

my 40th's bose is barely hearable at 1, too soft at 2 and too loud at 3, anybody experience this?

my 09 without bose was perfect at 3.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

You just buy it? Sounds like someone replaced the Bose headunit with a non-Bose headunit. A no no.

JohnnyG

As the former owner of an Audio/Video specialty store, I like to think I have a decent ear for audio (although, one of them doesn't stop buzzing now!).

I've never really been a fan of Bose (to be nice!), but the system in the 1999 Acura TL I once had wasn't actually half bad. However, the system in the RX-8 is BRUTAL! It has relatively decent power, but absolutely no grace, poise, openess, or delicacy. MUD!

I just bought the car and it's really the only disappointment of any kind.