Opinion on Sound System

[blackjak]

Ok, I was just curious what kind of sound systems people are running, I always hear that the stock Bose sucks because when you apply and aftermarket head unit the Bose speakers output is drastically reduced, but then again I have a couple friends with infiniti's and nissans with the Bose system and they put in a new amp, sub, and head unit and they love their systems never replaced the 2 front or 2 backs. So why when I contact local audio shops or bestbuy they tell me I have to replace all the speakers or else my system will suck with the Bose.... What are common setups that people use I don't want to drop a stack on a system, maybe just head unit, amp, and sub or maybe even just amp and sub and keep stock look. What does everyone recommend? Thanks in advance.

[Quattrocket]

My car had some crazy setup when I bought it. Not sure what he did to make it all work. Doesn't matter though. I improved it by ripping it all out and selling it.
Sound systems are heavy.
Stock bose has great sound just not the loudest.

[BASARAB]

Bose system is good enough if u add one extra amplified sub. But if u think of replacing speakers, u gotta rewire and get all new system. There are a lot threads about it if u search

[blackjak]

Bose system is good enough if u add one extra amplified sub. But if u think of replacing speakers, u gotta rewire and get all new system. There are a lot threads about it if u search

Yeah, I know about rewiring, but what do you recommend about keep stock head unit with an amplified sub.

[BASARAB]

Aftermarket no doubt is better, but many people choose to keep stock headunit for clean OEM look. No need to change it unless u want navigation,bluetooth and all that fancy stuff. Just add a bit more powerful amp

[Audiophyle]

Bose amp is designed for the 2ohm speakers, so changing the speakers can create issues unless you either bypass the amp, replace it with an aftermarket amp, or stick to 2 ohm speakers of the stock size & ratings.

The deck can be replaced no problem, but the bose amp is the weak link of the system. The Bose amp is what splits the audio signals to the speakers & controls the crossovers.
Because of this any aftermarket deck will sound pretty much the same as the oem radio did unless you bypass/upgrade the bose amp too.

You dont need to spend a ton, pick up a deck & speakers, and bypass the amp. You will get a great sounding system, and you can always add an amp later on. Wont limit you to 2ohm speakers either, you can pick any setup you want. (so long as it can physically fit)

[WikiWiki]

BOSE= BUY OTHER SOUND EQUIPMENT

no highs and no lows- must be bose

rip em out- replace front components (5 1/4 will fit with some persuasion)and some coaxials in the rear deck- no need for the 6 inch mid bass in the rear doors- cut their wiring and leave them dead

[s4nicetry]

BOSE= BUY OTHER SOUND EQUIPMENT

no highs and no lows- must be bose

rip em out- replace front components (5 1/4 will fit with some persuasion)and some coaxials in the rear deck- no need for the 6 inch mid bass in the rear doors- cut their wiring and leave them dead

I thought the rear doors were 3.5"

[mholme]

Before you replace anything, you should try playing with the EQ settings for the factory system. No need to change any components and it adds a better dynamic to the factory system that might meet your needs on a budget.

[ColinGruenfeld]

Before you replace anything, you should try playing with the EQ settings for the factory system. No need to change any components and it adds a better dynamic to the factory system that might meet your needs on a budget.

Absolutely true. The stock EQ sucks. Search it, there's a thread about how to tweak the "Hidden Equalizer". Night and day difference.

[Tormented]

Those stores tell you that you have to replace those speakers because they want to make more money, its as simple as that. Thats just how stereo stores work.

[Short4Law]

If you wanna keep it simple swap your speakers out for infinity reference, they are 2ohms. Change your head unit, add a x1 amp and a 10" sub.

[BASARAB]

If you wanna keep it simple swap your speakers out for infinity reference, they are 2ohms. Change your head unit, add a x1 amp and a 10" sub.

Is the price for one speaker like $180?

[Short4Law]

About 180 for a set.

[LowA4]

I added a 1000 watt amp and 2 10's to my stock bose and it sounds amazing. Crystal clear with good bass now.

[BASARAB]

Which ones are better http://cgi.ebay.com/INFINITY-5022I-R...item20b3f3759f or these http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-INFINITY-REF...item56367b6829 ?

[Audiophyle]

5.25" components in the front doors, you need a separate tweeter & woofer.
6.5" Coax in the rear doors, oem does not have a tweeter.
6.5" subwoofers in the rear deck lid (back window), and are dedicated mini subwoofers.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

I'm actually quite happy with my Bose system connected to my Carputer giving the signal.

I did add a single 12" sub though, the bass sucked on the stock system.

[Dutchsider]

Wow, a little surprised to hear such negative opinions on the stock system. I run a Dice iPod adapter and the stock sound and I'm very pleased with it. I don't need tons of bass, perhaps I'm just a little too old for such a thing. I like the bass and clarity of the BOSE system. Could it be better? of course, but cost/benefit wise, I'd rather just stick with what I have now.

[blackjak]

Thanks for opinions all, I think I am going to try and do some research on the "Hidden Equalizer" and see what that gives me and maybe just add a single 10" or 12" sub/amp and keep stock bose, I think thats staying safe.

PS

Does anyone have a 10" and wish they had a 12" in this forum? Or is anyone satisfied with their 10"? Just curious I have never heard a subbed S4.

[ColinGruenfeld]

Thanks for opinions all, I think I am going to try and do some research on the "Hidden Equalizer" and see what that gives me and maybe just add a single 10" or 12" sub/amp and keep stock bose, I think thats staying safe.

PS

Does anyone have a 10" and wish they had a 12" in this forum? Or is anyone satisfied with their 10"? Just curious I have never heard a subbed S4.

I've gone through the following systems with my S....

Factory BOSE + 1x 12"
Factory BOSE + 2x 10"
Factory BOSE + 2x 8"
Infinity Speakers + 2x 8"

Depending on your choice of music, I would say stick to 2x 10's for a universally acceptable flavor of bass. 2x8"s provide good quality and clarity, but little bump. I kind of miss the 10's.... I was never a fan of the 12" though... shook the crap out of everything and was too low on the bass scale. Each to their own, just my two cents.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Depending on your choice of music, I would say stick to 2x 10's for a universally acceptable flavor of bass. 2x8"s provide good quality and clarity, but little bump. I kind of miss the 10's.... I was never a fan of the 12" though... shook the crap out of everything and was too low on the bass scale. Each to their own, just my two cents.

Agreed, even one proper 10" in a good dialed in box is better then a 12 for most types of music.

[shorterthanrich]

What size are the front speakers, actually?

Bose = blose. But out of many of the stock bose systems I've heard, ours isn't the worst. If you replace the head unit and speakers simultaneously, you'll want to get 4 ohm speakers and skip the infinity's.

[Tormented]

Replace everything, get good component speakers all around and get 1 good woofer, either 10" or 12" and i promise you will leave with a smile on your face. Hifonics make extremely good component speaker sets, go with a kenwood head unit if you plan to add a subwoofer because they run 4v to the preouts vs 2v from majority of other stereo companies. More V to the pre outs the better quality bass you recieve. Also for the amp go with a rockford fosgate because their amps are extremely under rated as far as power goes. I built a system in a scion toaster (forgot the model of the thing) with a single 300W 2 channel Rockford Fosgate amp that powered 4 15" Rockford Fosgate T2's . That alone should speak for itself

[Audiophyle]

I built a system in a scion toaster (forgot the model of the thing) with a single 300W 2 channel Rockford Fosgate amp that powered 4 15" Rockford Fosgate T2's . That alone should speak for itself

Just because you did it doesnt mean it was a good idea, considering the t2 is rated for 1000w rms each.

What size are the front speakers, actually?

OEM the front Bose speakers are a 3 bolt 4" woofer & a small 1" tweeter.
You will never find a replacement 3bolt 4", and dont need to since a 5.25" will fit pretty easily.


Hidden EQ isnt that hidden.
Turn the radio off, press & hold preset #5 while turning the deck back on.
A series of 8 numbers will pop up
First # = Fronts low bass
Second #= Fronts mid bass
Third # = Fronts mid treble
Fourth # = Fronts high treble
Fifth # = Rears low bass
Sixth #= Rears mid bass
Seventh # = Rears mid treble
Eighth # = Rears high treble

Volume knob adjusts the number, P.scan button moves to the next number. Numbers go from 1 to 9, 1 being the lowest 9 being the highest, factory preset is 55555555.
Turn the deck off then on again for the new eq to take effect. Rinse & repeat as needed. lol

Bose system is poor at best, but as you have seen in here everyone has their own tastes & desires for sound quality. Personally, I feel the Bose system has muddy & quiet highs, moderate midbass, and a low end that is great at mid to low volume. I am far from a bass head, and found a single 10" with 400~500w easily overpowered the entire system.

[Short4Law]

Wow, a little surprised to hear such negative opinions on the stock system. I run a Dice iPod adapter and the stock sound and I'm very pleased with it. I don't need tons of bass, perhaps I'm just a little too old for such a thing. I like the bass and clarity of the BOSE system. Could it be better? of course, but cost/benefit wise, I'd rather just stick with what I have now.

That dice works with the bose?

[Tormented]

[QUOTE=Audiophyle;5795808]Just because you did it doesnt mean it was a good idea, considering the t2 is rated for 1000w rms each.

Also doesnt mean it was a bad idea either. i was simply stating that Rockford Fosgate amps are extremely under rated. And that amp handled those woofers just fine. And seing as we built the car for Rockford Fosgate im pretty sure they were aware of the capabilities of their equipment. So yes i think it was a good idea because it was for marketing to show what could be done with their products. But i dont know what im talking about or anything

[8520]

Also doesnt mean it was a bad idea either.

Yeah, actually it does.

But i dont know what im talking about or anything

Certainly doesn't sound like you do....

[Tormented]

How are you going to say it is a bad idea? Please explain. Seing as that amp is what RF wanted us to use with those subs i dont see what the problem is. Maybe you guys should be the owners of RF instead.

[Monaro-Azz]

I've just swapped out my 1DIN stock concert(?) headunit for a 2DIN kenwood touchscreen running to a 6ch Signat amp running the stock bose speakers with focal tweeters & crossovers to supplement the high end in the front & have a 12" MTX thunder 9500 installed(but not running yet).

Even though it was a thrown together system from extra audio gear I had lying around you would be amazed what the stock speakers can sound like when you give them some real power, they have some awesome clarity once powered right. Probably best not to push them too far but they do produce adequate volume.

I thought about putting some of my AVI speakers in but wasn't convinced I needed to after hearing the BOSE powered by a proper amp. I'll just keep them ready in case I blow the Bose up.

[sqitis]

+1 on the Focal stuff. That is what I will be putting in my front stage soon. Maybe even mod the rear deck to hold some 7" Focal mid bass for some real bump.

[blazns4]

i have my stock bose speakers and stock amp running just fine on my s4 w my subs and aftrmarket dubble din- stock bose system is really one of the best on the market i do alot of systems and thats your best best

[Tormented]

blazn where did you find your double din dash kit?

[BASARAB]

i have my stock bose speakers and stock amp running just fine on my s4 w my subs and aftrmarket dubble din- stock bose system is really one of the best on the market i do alot of systems and thats your best best

I had Infinity fold system in my old 2000 Grand Cherokee, even without subwoofer it sounded way better than my current Bose. So I went ahead and bought Basslink and Reference speakers, hopefully it will improve my system lol

[dannyn424]

I had Infinity fold system in my old 2000 Grand Cherokee, even without subwoofer it sounded way better than my current Bose. So I went ahead and bought Basslink and Reference speakers, hopefully it will improve my system lol

I beleive bose are a paper cone... a synthetic cone is better than paper..... infinity mkes awesome speakers but any major components set speaker plus tweeter should be awesome.. kenwood, pioneer, jbl etc.....

[ski&drive]

I think the bose is a great system for what i use it for all tho i never really listen to it.

Buy a twin 1 and some dp's and you wont want to listen to the bose

[Audiophyle]

How are you going to say it is a bad idea? Please explain. Seing as that amp is what RF wanted us to use with those subs i dont see what the problem is. Maybe you guys should be the owners of RF instead.

Who at Fosgate asked you to do it? A tech or a salesman? My guess is the setup was a marketing ploy to sell these amps & boost hype because the general public is stupid.
You were running 4 1000w rms subs on roughly 300w each. (1/3 rated power on a power hungry sub) While it is impossible to underpower a sub, it is VERY easy to push such a setup into severe clipping, which WILL destroy even a 1kw sub. Did you set the gain with an O-scope or DMM? How do you know what kind of power it was actually pushing if you didnt? (easy, ya dont)
For a "show car" its one thing, but to use such a setup to claim RF is superior is something else.
The amount of wasted money to get 4 T2 15's when a smaller & far better matched sub could have easily kept up (if not sound better), but would not have lived up to the over-hyped car audio world.
Maybe its just me, but I prefer to get the most for my money, which doesnt include buying high price subs & running them off an amp made to run door speakers.


Fosgate is a great company but far from what they were 10+ years ago, and never will be again.

Even though it was a thrown together system from extra audio gear I had lying around you would be amazed what the stock speakers can sound like when you give them some real power, they have some awesome clarity once powered right. Probably best not to push them too far but they do produce adequate volume.

This I completely believe, because I think the Bose amp is the primary limiting factor to the oem system.
Give the speakers more clean power (adding tweeters was also a good idea) and using an amp that doesnt do stupid things to the signal, and you should be golden. Speaker placement, orientation, and install is quite a bit better in the Audi than many other cars (the main focus of Bose to begin with). Bose uses decent quality speakers, but have seriously lacking amps.

[Dutchsider]

That dice works with the bose?

Yes sir, charges and functions with the head unit controls.

[BASARAB]

Quick question about installation. I installed Basslink (self amplified sub) and used similar to this hi-lo converter

I connected red wire and yellow together and connected them to my positive right rear speaker wire, green and white to negative right rear speaker wire.
Now I have a question, is my set up gonna be allright or should I go the proper way and connect each wire to both right and left rear speakers wires?

[blackjak]

So some people have successfully added an aftermarket amp to the Bose system, so I'm assuming if you wanted to add a sub you need another amp on top of that? I though the Bose only worked on 2 ohms or does that not matter with amps and only headunits I like the idea of adding an amp to the Bose system but would you place it where the old amp is, I don't even know where that is, lol. Does the Bose sound substantially better anymore base or rather just loudness.

I've got lots of questions!!