RNS-E = premium audio w/ Bose?

[FastB7S4]

I have the RNS-E but do not have the little Bose emblems on the door speaker panels. Does this mean that I don't have the premium audio package? I don't understand how the original owner would opt for navi but not go ahead and get the Bose package as well. Not really complaining as the stereo sounds pretty good as is, but I wouldn't mind having the upgraded system.

[nimski62]

Yes that means you do not have bose. The non-bose system IMO sounds good and it also has a sub, but the bose sounds AMAZING. I disagree with people who swap out the BOSE system for aftermarket.

[FastB7S4]

It's really that much better? What's the difference? A few amps? Also, I wonder how much it would cost to do the upgrade and if it's worth doing. I'm not really into big aftermarket stereos.

[colonelburke]

Interesting as I have the non-Bose. Can you upgrade to the Bose? Is the headunit different?

[Tiny2000]

I have two cars, one Bose and another non-Bose. The Bose has much better sound, especially deep bass (almost too heavy, not great for classical or jazz music)

Then I added RNS-E to each of them.

The non-Bose sound improved tremendously! I think the amplifier in the RNS-E did wonders, as the sound is much cleaner. If you add the NAV it will be an instant upgrade, even with your standard speakers.

The Bose car also improved, but not as much as the non-Bose did. When the lady talks and gives turn-by-turn directions, you can really hear the bass in her voice.

[FastB7S4]

Then I added RNS-E to each of them.

The non-Bose sound improved tremendously! I think the amplifier in the RNS-E did wonders, as the sound is much cleaner. If you add the NAV it will be an instant upgrade, even with your standard speakers.

Well, I already have the RNS-E, so do you think I the Bose upgrade would be worth it? Like I said, it already sounds good, but am wondering if it will be that much better with Bose.

What's different about the Bose? Different speakers and some amps?

[evilb]

I don't have Bose on my speaker grilles in my RS4. Yet I have Bose. Just FYI.

b

[swoyekr.]

I'd like to add a new sub possibly if there's something that's discrete. any ideas?

I have the bose, and keep in mind that this could be a pro or a con depending on how you like your music, but the base is DEEP with some music and ok with others. obviously, this is the radio just replicating the incomming signal, and most aftermarket systems will provide a good upscale on base, at least in my opinion..

[FastB7S4]

I don't have Bose on my speaker grilles in my RS4. Yet I have Bose. Just FYI.

b

Interesting. I wonder how I could find out for sure...oh wait, I have a print-out from the dealer with production detail on my car. It lists all the option codes etc. I guess I'll take a look when I get home.

[Cyrix9445]

I never understood why someone would option an S4 without bose, esp with the navi system. very strange, but i saw many of them when i was shopping for mine

[colonelburke]

I don't have Bose on my speaker grilles in my RS4. Yet I have Bose. Just FYI.

b

Dadgum, you ARE evil.

[Lugi20]

Why in the name of god would you "upgrade" to the bose system? Do yourself a favor and upgrade to a GOOD aftermarket set of speakers. Have you ever heard of somebody getting aftermarket bose speaks? No, because they are not very good.

Get MB Quartz, Infinity, hell, even Alpine speakers sound pretty good.

[FastB7S4]

good point

[colonelburke]

True, good point Lugi, but is it as simple as swapping the speakers out? If so, then I agree that would be ideal, coupled with a RNS-E of course.

[channad]

Evil B - the RS4s come fully loaded.

FastB7S4 - I've sat and tested both the bose and non bose system for about an hour each. The difference is that you can turn up the Bose system a lot louder with less distortion coming from the speakers. So you get a cleaner sound at higher volumes. However, if you were to change speakers to MB Quarts, you would have a better sound than the Bose.

[FastB7S4]

Ok, so if I just replaced the speakers, they would sound good. Would they still sound good if I don't add an amp?

[FastB7S4]

True, good point Lugi, but is it as simple as swapping the speakers out? If so, then I agree that would be ideal, coupled with a RNS-E of course.

Exactly, this is all I would want to do. Like I said, aftermarket systems sound good and stuff, but I don't want to do any of that. I just want my stock system to sound a little better. I don't want to add an amp and run wire and cable all over the place.

That's why I said upgrade to Bose because it's already a "stock" or OEM system that would integrate nicely. I was under the impression that aftermarket speakers like MB Quarts wouldn't sound good or reach their true potential unless I powered them with an amp.

[channad]

i thought Evil B had a system going...do some searching or ask him.

[asurugger]

I have the Bose system and I thinks its crap. Absolutely no bass at all...all you hear is highs and mids. Ive been looking to upgrade to JL Audio.

[swoyekr.]

what were you going to do with JL, w6/7?

[Lugi20]

"No highs, No lows, thats Bose"

Anyway, I can promise you that there are some standard size component speakers in our cars, and all of the mid-high to high end audio brands have something that fills those. The ONLY thing you'll need to look for in after market speaks is what kind of RMS power they need to sound decent. In my opinion, underpowering speakers is WORSE than overpowering them a little, and most of the stuff you'd want is begging for 70 or more watts RMS, I doubt if even the RNS-E can push more than 25...

Moral of my ranting is that if you aren't going to upgrade to something worth upgrading to, I would recommend not investing any dollars into the OEM Bose speakers.

[evilb]

Ok, a couple of things real quick before I get to work.

Number one. My grilles do say "Bose" on them. I was mistaken. Bose still sucks. Yes, no highs, no lows, must be Bose.

Number two. I am doing a system right now, using the OEM integration method. I am not, nor should you ever consider running aftermarket speakers off of OEM head unit power. It will sound like complete dog shit, and will be a waste of money. Always amplify. The amplifiers are *the* most critical part of your system. Go with ones that are highly regarded, have a nice S/N ratio, and put out good power CONTINOUSLY. I'm using JL Audio goods because it's quality and they're purdy.

My sub enclosure is currently at the body shop getting sprayed Avus Silver. We're building the rest of the trunk this weekend and should have it all wrapped in suede and embroidered "in 2 weeks." lol...

Questions, ask away.

Later,
Brad

[FastB7S4]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm just going to leave the stereo as is for now and save my money for more pressing matters like exhaust and suspension.

[colonelburke]

Think I'll get a used RNS-E at some point and call it quits as well. But make sure you let us see how it goes evil. Sounds like it is going to be a great system.

[Cyrix9445]

The RNS-E is a great unit, you wont be disappointed

[clumpymold]

Ok, a couple of things real quick before I get to work.

Number one. My grilles do say "Bose" on them. I was mistaken. Bose still sucks. Yes, no highs, no lows, must be Bose.

Number two. I am doing a system right now, using the OEM integration method. I am not, nor should you ever consider running aftermarket speakers off of OEM head unit power. It will sound like complete dog shit, and will be a waste of money. Always amplify. The amplifiers are *the* most critical part of your system. Go with ones that are highly regarded, have a nice S/N ratio, and put out good power CONTINOUSLY. I'm using JL Audio goods because it's quality and they're purdy.

My sub enclosure is currently at the body shop getting sprayed Avus Silver. We're building the rest of the trunk this weekend and should have it all wrapped in suede and embroidered "in 2 weeks." lol...

Questions, ask away.

Later,
Brad

Old thread but this sounds pretty crazy. Any pictures of this?

Also, without sounding like too much of a noob, what is RNS-E? I'm a tad confused on this and tried a search. How do I know if I have it? Is it just the navigation?

[sakimano]

I have the RNS-E but do not have the little Bose emblems on the door speaker panels. Does this mean that I don't have the premium audio package? I don't understand how the original owner would opt for navi but not go ahead and get the Bose package as well. Not really complaining as the stereo sounds pretty good as is, but I wouldn't mind having the upgraded system.

yeah, I think on our car BOSE was a $1000 option that included Sirius and Bluetooth.

If you don't have Sirius and Bluetooth, I guess that would make sense (although I have a 2007, and the packages may have been different year by year)

[sakimano]

Old thread but this sounds pretty crazy. Any pictures of this?

Also, without sounding like too much of a noob, what is RNS-E? I'm a tad confused on this and tried a search. How do I know if I have it? Is it just the navigation?

well, he sold his car months ago, so probably not!

check his 6speedonline...he had about 120 pictures of the car. It's a stunning RS4. Love it.

[clumpymold]

well, he sold his car months ago, so probably not!

check his 6speedonline...he had about 120 pictures of the car. It's a stunning RS4. Love it.

Thanks for that! Went to the site and talk about some REALLY nice cars. These owners are ballers! I didn't find that one guy you were mentioning but I did see other nice cars.

[sakimano]

Thanks for that! Went to the site and talk about some REALLY nice cars. These owners are ballers! I didn't find that one guy you were mentioning but I did see other nice cars.

I love his car. If it was for sale when I was buying, I'd have bought it.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/a...condition.html

[clumpymold]

I love his car. If it was for sale when I was buying, I'd have bought it.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/a...condition.html

Nice car. Very clean. Way out of my price range though. But I already bought my car anyway. Haha. Very well kept for sure.

Thanks for that link!