I stopped in to speak with a car audio shop and they seemed quite familiar with the G35 Bose system and shortcomings, the top tech guy owns a coupe apparently (I have '04 G35x w/premium).

What they tell me is that the Bose system and speakers really are pretty good (except maybe the total power, I often find myself at 31 and could still use more). They are of the opinion that the best thing one can do is replace the Clarion HU, that it is the weak link, leave the spkrs and amp.

They also claim a new "template" or faceplate is coming, in about four weeks, that is a direct replacement for the stock faceplate and let's you put whatever you want in it. Not sure of the source of the new faceplate, nor if it'll be double DIN.

Any comments?



... to Infiniti and beyond....!

 

I doubt that it's going to be a perfect fit like the dash from the Japan Skyline.. Did they say cost on that dash piece and/or who's making it?


2004 G35s 5AT DG/Graphite/Premium/Huper Optik Tint

 

Bose is complete crap. Its so muddled it's not even funny.

Upgrade to some high quality speakers like and you will be able to tell a HUGE difference right away.

all of bose's car audio = [censored]. They only make some good high end home audio stuff.

 

Hooby's got the nail on the head.. I ONLY have my JL XR's in (the Eclipse Coaxials are going in tommorow) and the sound levels and ranges are UNREAL (I had almost forgotten how well these JL's sounded.)

The Bose speakers are paper woofers.. That's absolutely unacceptable considerin the pricetag. The HeadUnit, while not the "best" is acceptable and could technically be worse...


2004 G35s 5AT DG/Graphite/Premium/Huper Optik Tint

 

The bose on my 2000 Audi had great speakers...rubber, composite, no paper, etc. All I had to do was add the sub and the thing pounded with amazing highs too. I think they just flubbed on the G. Replacing the tweets up front alone makes a big diff on the G. Try that before you do anything drastic, then you can always throw an amp in and see if that does the trick.....if not, then start replacing the 6.5s. Since everyone's ear is different, no use trashing the head if you don't have to.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but chin spoiler/Z Tube-Popcharger/Crawford V5 Plenum on the way

 

ya know, just because its paper, it doesnt mean it sounds like [censored]. Yes i agree, bose sound like absolute crap and are overpriced. But dont judge speakers because of a paper material. Paper has been known to be used in some very high end speakers such as dynaudio, among others. My brother is a material engineer, and he can name numerous advantages to paper, as well as the many disadvantages. Kevlar may be great for some cases, horrible for others. Just know your [censored] and judge speakers by their engineering, not their materials.

 

The stock speakers in the car aren't the best. Replacing them will give you the biggest sound quality for your money. That won't give you more volume, generally. For that you'll need an amp.

That's my suggestion. Replace the fronts with some "good" speakers and add an amp. I think the head unit is adequate.

 

I believe it's been determined that the front speakers are actually Clarion (as is the HU) and only the amp and rear 6x9's are Bose (if you have the premium)

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

They are of the opinion that the best thing one can do is replace the Clarion HU, that it is the weak link, leave the spkrs and amp.

<hr></blockquote>The front components suck. Even with a good source and amp they just don't reproduce highs well.

The Clarion HU isn't great but after replacing the amp and speakers, it's by no means the "weakest link". You can get excellent sound quality out of it with new speakers and new amplifiers. Replacing the HU will make the quality even better still, but the idea of trying to run the Bose stuff off a new HU and expecting significantly better sound is kind of laughable, IMO. At best, you'll get a better treble control so you can fake having some highs.

My front components have a "Bose" sticker on them.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by djrobx on 05/02/04 11:10 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

You all make good points, thanks for the feedback. What I know for sure is:

1. I need more power (Scotty!), so the amp does have to go;
2. The stock system and HU sounds best (but just okay) when I play a CD;
3. The HU sounds the worst on AM (I know, who listens to AM, I do (sports channel) when the Leafs are in the playoffs) and I actually find it impossible to understand some voices and I get a ringing type sound in my ears from some (never ever had that in a car before);
4. FM reception on the stock radio is quite bad (compared to my last car);

The last four are why I started to wonder about the HU being the bigger culprit.

... to Infiniti and beyond....!

 

I've noticed the FM reception is pretty bad.. theres a station in particular that comes in fuzzy in my car but CRYSTAL clear in my girlfriend's 03' Honda Accord Coupe.


2004 G35s 5AT DG/Graphite/Premium/Huper Optik Tint

 

buzz, there cannot be a cheap direct replacement.

1) The A/C Controller is on the same print circuit board as the Clarion HU controls. Therefore, if you remove the 2 Clarion boxes, you will have to remove the PCB as well, so then you lose Air Conditioning and Air Circulation capabilities- because the buttons are missing, and because the "brain" for it is not there.

The solution is: you will have to buy the jdm A/C Controller from Japan, which costs $200+shipping from j's garage.com


<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake/AVIC-N1-double-din

 

Okay, I understand. I've seen so many DIY posts for NAV etc.. (look really good) that didn't specifically mention having gotten this unit and installing it at teh same time so I assumed (I know) that they found a way to seperate the boards.

I guess the bottom line (why I started this thread) is I'd hate to spend good money on the speakers and amp and STILL hate my HU. Seems many have modified their audio system keeping the HU and are happy.

... to Infiniti and beyond....!

 

The bad FM reception probably come from the lack of a real antenna on this car. There's a reason most cars have those ugly metal rods sticking out of them Here in LA, radio works so inconsisently and poorly in any car that I don't really notice the G's reception as being particularly bad. Sirius and XM to the rescue on that one.

I'd probably change the front speakers before worrying about the AM clarity and "ringing in your ears". Better speakers with a different response curve may solve that one for you. If you get an aftermarket amp you can insert an EQ which will almost certainly allow you to adjust things to something more tolerable. For some reason every aftermarket HU I've ever had has not been able to handle AM worth a damn. The stock Bose works comparitively pretty well for me when I'm listening for traffic reports.

-- Rob

 

I prefer the antenna being built into the rear glass. Gives it a nice clean look without the external antenna sticking out. Personally, I haven't had any problem with reception with the stock HU or even after I replaced it with the AVIC-N1.