Bose System Sucks?

SouthArk370Z · 08-12-2013, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iissmart

... I'm listening to the stereo now, and I have to say...it doesn't sound great. I know it's a sports car so the stereo quality is likely an afterthought, but even with the upgraded Bose speakers I expected it to sound decent. Right now I think my 2004 Sebring sedan with stock speakers sounds better, honestly! There is more bass and fuller highs, while the Nismo sounds tinny with no bass at all. Even cranked the bass to +5 and treble to +2. Is something wrong with my system, or with my brain for expecting it to sound better than it does?

While I expect few to rate the Bose system as excellent it is a pretty good car stereo. Most (if not all) Bose systems are designed not for true fidelity (impossible in a car anyway) but for a sound that most ppl find pleasant (psychoacoustics). Apparently, you are not one of the most.

The Bose system in the 370Z was not designed for high volume (above 20 or so on the volume indicator). If you want to thump, you'll need a new system.

bigaudiofanat · 08-12-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

While I expect few to rate the Bose system as excellent it is a pretty good car stereo. Most (if not all) Bose systems are designed not for true fidelity (impossible in a car anyway) but for a sound that most ppl find pleasant (psychoacoustics). Apparently, you are not one of the most.

The Bose system in the 370Z was not designed for high volume (above 20 or so on the volume indicator). If you want to thump, you'll need a new system.

Actually not true. The Bose system doesn't even come close to audio quality whether it being a car or at home. A simple set of Polk speakers can blow the quality of the Bose paper speakers away. Read over my write up on them and it may explain why they are in more ways than one utter junk.

SouthArk370Z · 08-12-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Actually not true. The Bose system doesn't even come close to audio quality whether it being a car or at home. A simple set of Polk speakers can blow the quality of the Bose paper speakers away. Read over my write up on them and it may explain why they are in more ways than one utter junk.

Depends on what one wants from a car stereo and what one's definition of "audio quality" is.

I have read many of your postings and agree with most of your criticisms of the Bose system. I just disagree about how important those "deficiencies" are in a sports car cabin. For the casual listening I do in the car, the Bose works great for me. I would certainly be less forgiving if it were in a larger, quieter vehicle or I wanted to blast my music at very high levels (anything above about 20 for my ears). YMMV

falconfixer · 08-12-2013, 12:48 PM

I guess I'm one of the minorities that appreciate the Bose system. At one point I "needed" 1000 watts of power pushing 2 12"Alpine subs with blah blah blah...and then I got laid and grew up.

Oh and I can speak for Polks; in 2 years time I sent 3 speakers back under warranty from a simple 5.1 surround in the house. Good thing they come with a 5 year warranty. So far one year with the Bose in the house and 2 in the car and no issues.

exedy699 · 08-12-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

While I expect few to rate the Bose system as excellent it is a pretty good car stereo. Most (if not all) Bose systems are designed not for true fidelity (impossible in a car anyway) but for a sound that most ppl find pleasant (psychoacoustics). Apparently, you are not one of the most.

The Bose system in the 370Z was not designed for high volume (above 20 or so on the volume indicator). If you want to thump, you'll need a new system.

Exactly my point. While it may not be a harman kardon system, that has a cross over for each speaker and a unique channel per speaker, it is a good setup with quality until a point. Besides, if you wanted something ultra why would you expect a Bose system to be top notch? Spend the 4k it would cost to buy each component, and then spend another 1k getting it installed (assuming you cannot do it based on the description of your issues).

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Actually not true. The Bose system doesn't even come close to audio quality whether it being a car or at home. A simple set of Polk speakers can blow the quality of the Bose paper speakers away. Read over my write up on them and it may explain why they are in more ways than one utter junk.

Polk? That is a mass produced/oriented brand. Sure, it sounds decent, but you are buying cheap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Depends on what one wants from a car stereo and what one's definition of "audio quality" is.

I have read many of your postings and agree with most of your criticisms of the Bose system. I just disagree about how important those "deficiencies" are in a sports car cabin. For the casual listening I do in the car, the Bose works great for me. I would certainly be less forgiving if it were in a larger, quieter vehicle or I wanted to blast my music at very high levels (anything above about 20 for my ears). YMMV

+1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconfixer

I guess I'm one of the minorities that appreciate the Bose system. At one point I "needed" 1000 watts of power pushing 2 12"Alpine subs with blah blah blah...and then I got laid and grew up.

Oh and I can speak for Polks; in 2 years time I sent 3 speakers back under warranty from a simple 5.1 surround in the house. Good thing they come with a 5 year warranty. So far one year with the Bose in the house and 2 in the car and no issues.

Same here. I went the Kicker route myself, but after the 2000W system derailed my sunroof, and I got married, I got rid of it.

bigaudiofanat · 08-12-2013, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exedy699

Exactly my point. While it may not be a harman kardon system, that has a cross over for each speaker and a unique channel per speaker, it is a good setup with quality until a point. Besides, if you wanted something ultra why would you expect a Bose system to be top notch? Spend the 4k it would cost to buy each component, and then spend another 1k getting it installed (assuming you cannot do it based on the description of your issues).

Polk? That is a mass produced/oriented brand. Sure, it sounds decent, but you are buying cheap.

+1.

Same here. I went the Kicker route myself, but after the 2000W system derailed my sunroof, and I got married, I got rid of it.

Yes polk, bose is also a massive production company, over 80% of their speakers are just paper nothing better than a base non bose system. A set of polks actually has a silk tweeter rather than paper and a reinforced surround for the woofer for better reproduction of sound. I'd take polk over bose any day, now if you invest in some even better speakers (more than 100 bucks) than you will really blow the bose system away. 2 4 inch (speakers) in a trunk with a tuned port isn't a sub to me.

chii370 · 09-01-2013, 12:00 AM

I have the bose in mine and its worlds better than my 09 was. So ether your deaf, or your system/what your jacking into it are broken. Also, if you havent yet, use the eq settings, as the ones it comes with default make it sound like a 1980s boombox being played in a tunnel. could just be that BB too. I know If I play music off my Ipod its much better than if I use my phone.

SouthArk370Z · 09-01-2013, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chii370

I have the bose in mine and its worlds better than my 09 was. So ether your deaf, or your system/what your jacking into it are broken. Also, if you havent yet, use the eq settings, ...

Was your '09 stereo base or Bose? I'm assuming base but it could be read that the newer Boses are better. I like the Bose in my '09 Touring (not great but more than good enough for a small sports car) but it does suffer at higher volumes (over 20 or so).

What eq settings are you using?

bigaudiofanat · 08-12-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Depends on what one wants from a car stereo and what one's definition of "audio quality" is.

I have read many of your postings and agree with most of your criticisms of the Bose system. I just disagree about how important those "deficiencies" are in a sports car cabin. For the casual listening I do in the car, the Bose works great for me. I would certainly be less forgiving if it were in a larger, quieter vehicle or I wanted to blast my music at very high levels (anything above about 20 for my ears). YMMV

Even a normal personal that listens to music at normal levels can hear a quality difference between bose and a normal system. I am a audiophile, I own way over 1,000 cd's and all music is ripped in flac for full uncompressed. I do not like massive amounts of bass I like a fully clear level sound production. A bose system which processes and omits many of the frequencies a normal set of speakers can reproduce is not quality in my mind or ears. If the system works for you great, however even in a altima or audi a bose system is still as bad to my ears as ipod earbuds.

SouthArk370Z · 08-12-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Even a normal personal that listens to music at normal levels can hear a quality difference between bose and a normal system.

In an A-B test, yes, even someone with not-so-good ears can hear the difference. But few could tell you which is the most accurate. Yes, there are some ppl that have perfect pitch but they are few and far between.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

I am a audiophile, I own way over 1,000 cd's and all music is ripped in flac for full uncompressed. I do not like massive amounts of bass I like a fully clear level sound production. A bose system which processes and omits many of the frequencies a normal set of speakers can reproduce is not quality in my mind or ears. If the system works for you great, however even in a altima or audi a bose system is still as bad to my ears as ipod earbuds.

I feel sure that your home system is fantastic. But we are talking car audio where the acoustics defy true hi-fi.

I have over 2000 LPs, just under 1000 CDs, plus numerous 8-tracks, cassettes, MD discs, &c. I get high-end stereo equipment for the house, where the environment is conducive to sound reproduction, but not for the car. Putting high-end gear in a car, especially in a small cabin like the 370Z, is like polishing a turd, IMNSHO.

But if your ears can hear that much difference and you are willing to replace the factory system then, by all means, go for it. We all have different ears and I recommend that ppl get the stereo that sounds good to them; not the one that sounds good to me or the salesman.

PS: I've never tried earbuds - I'm a headphones kind of guy.

08-12-2013, 12:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
falconfixer Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: 10aC Posts: 978 Drives: Taco Rep Power: 77	I guess I'm one of the minorities that appreciate the Bose system. At one point I "needed" 1000 watts of power pushing 2 12"Alpine subs with blah blah blah...and then I got laid and grew up. Oh and I can speak for Polks; in 2 years time I sent 3 speakers back under warranty from a simple 5.1 surround in the house. Good thing they come with a 5 year warranty. So far one year with the Bose in the house and 2 in the car and no issues. V8Killer, exedy699 and Thesmoke90 like this.

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09-01-2013, 12:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
chii370 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: . Posts: 642 Drives: . Rep Power: 16	I have the bose in mine and its worlds better than my 09 was. So ether your deaf, or your system/what your jacking into it are broken. Also, if you havent yet, use the eq settings, as the ones it comes with default make it sound like a 1980s boombox being played in a tunnel. could just be that BB too. I know If I play music off my Ipod its much better than if I use my phone.