Does anyone know if the non-Bose HU is capable of reproducing a "relatively" neural signal at +0 bass/treble? Or is it EQ'd like the Bose units? It's hard to tell from the historical posts if "stock HU" is referring to a factory Bose HU or a non-Bose HU.

I'm an audiophile at home with all the goodies, but I don't want to spend the money to get my car to reach true audiophile quality. I just want my car to have a system that's not fatiguing; the stock non-mark levinson system in the new IS would meet this criteria for me.

In the stock non-Bose G35 sedan, the bass is too hot and the treble at +0 is siblant/harsh.

If it's the speakers at fault and the factory non-Bose HU is acceptably flat, then I'm pretty sure I'll eaily achieve my goals by replacing speakers alone. On the other hand, if the EQ isn't defeatable, I'd imagine I'd be looking at the double DIN mod (and waiting for the 2005 A/C controllers).

Thanks in advance.

 

My expectation, after all the OEM HU integrations we do, is that the Bose HU and the non-Bose HU are identical inside. I doube that there is any diff at all in their output sections. You will have a slight auto-loudness curve that is not objectionalble at all at lowest volumes.

The poor sound you describe is largely an artifact of the speakers used and the high-distortion OEM IC amp. Even in a non-Bose system I suspect there is an OEM amp (I don't know, but I bet there is) and you should have good preamp outputs to use.

I suspect that you will want to use a four-channel amp and new speakers to get better sound. I'd use 6.5 woofers that will fit in the rear, and 6.5 components in the front.

What IS your budget?

 

I've read that the non-Bose unit uses the amp integrated into the headunit only?

My budget is one of those things that is flexible. I'm just looking for the best value since I just need something that I can listen to without fatigue.

Ideally, I'd like to stick under $500, but if I can get away with just spending $100 + $100 on bottom of the line coaxial speakers in front/back to get decent sound, that's the way I'd go. If it takes an MD100+MW150 in front for $450 and leaving the rears, that's what I'd do too.

The hard part about car audio is that you never really get a chance to hear how the system will sound until you've already paid for it and installed it! =P

 

This doesn't help DIY guys at all, but that's why at my shop I have what I call the Avincar Performance Guarantee. Unless we're doing some totally custom mods, you have a thirty-day return or exchange INCLUDING INSTALL CHARGES. No restocking fees, no holdbacks, no hidden charges.

Best way to to close a sale is not to really close anything : )

 

Oh wow, that's a great service you offer. It's too bad you're not in California

So what do you recommend? Budget somewhere between $200-500. Just looking for decent sound along the lines of something like a home stereo with NHT SuperZero's, JBL HLS-610, Paradigm Atom class in terms of detail/resolution. Nice and clear without any shrillness, it's OK if the bass is slightly rolled off. It's ok if the imaging is sub-par too. A reasonble 85 dB peak listening volume.

Can it be done with just speaker replacements? Or do you think I need to bite the bullet and go with an external amp?