is bose upgrade worth it?
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is bose upgrade worth it?
wanted moonroof, but figured stock stereo was good enough. so didn't order premium. figured why pay for options didn't want.
now reconsidering. does the bose REALLY make a diff?
now reconsidering. does the bose REALLY make a diff?
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Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
I can't comment on the stock base model sound system since I've never heard it. But from my experience with a brand new Bose system in another car, I was completely UNDERWHELMED.
Yet, because I wanted the other features of the premium package, I did order it and got the upgraded Bose system. Again, I'm underwhelmed and I am no audiophile---I barely know where the on/off button is.
Apparently, in the ten years since I first got this supposedly premium sound system, Bose has not improved and my taste has changed. In between, I had another car that had a base stock system that was phenomenal even tho there were upgraded systems one could buy.
Unless the base system is awful (and even if it is), I'd not choose the Bose as an upgrade. I'd rather go to some audio shop and hear what they've got to offer. I'd be willing to guess that for not too much money and depending on the size of your wallet (or the importance of sound in your car), you could get a very good system.
Good luck.
BONDg35c
Yet, because I wanted the other features of the premium package, I did order it and got the upgraded Bose system. Again, I'm underwhelmed and I am no audiophile---I barely know where the on/off button is.
Apparently, in the ten years since I first got this supposedly premium sound system, Bose has not improved and my taste has changed. In between, I had another car that had a base stock system that was phenomenal even tho there were upgraded systems one could buy.
Unless the base system is awful (and even if it is), I'd not choose the Bose as an upgrade. I'd rather go to some audio shop and hear what they've got to offer. I'd be willing to guess that for not too much money and depending on the size of your wallet (or the importance of sound in your car), you could get a very good system.
Good luck.
BONDg35c
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Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
I wondered the same thing before doing my order. In fact, I was really considering getting a 6-sp stripper. Fortunately, someone else already did it for me. I found a car at one of the local dealers that was ordered as a 6-sp with no options. Since they were prepping it for delivery and they had a leather/auto/premium right next to it, I got to take a few of my CD's and listen to both for half an hour. First, you will be shocked at how flat the base stereo is. It is all mid range and nothing else. Even if you aren't into thump, with the base turned all the way up there isn't even enough for background fill. It was also impossible to get a good high-mid balance. Switching to the premium car, I was first also disappointed with the Bose when turning it on. But, turning the treble up 2 points and the base up 5 points quickly changed that. There is plenty of base for whatever you want to do. You definitely need to turn it up to hear it though. There is also a much better/sharper defined mid-range and high-range separation. I was actually very impressed with it especially since I was so disappointed in the mid-range lacking Bose system in my Miata. Definitely get the Bose.
There other thing I got to notice was in the sunroof-less car the headliner is very long and barren. In fact, without a sunroof the headliner just looks out of place. This was the reason why I ordered a premium. Had I never heard the base stereo, I might have made a very costly mistake.
04' G35 Coupe(on order)
6-sp Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium
There other thing I got to notice was in the sunroof-less car the headliner is very long and barren. In fact, without a sunroof the headliner just looks out of place. This was the reason why I ordered a premium. Had I never heard the base stereo, I might have made a very costly mistake.
04' G35 Coupe(on order)
6-sp Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium
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From: California
Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
Unless you plan to upgrade the system imediately I the upgraded Bose is a must. I consider myself a very discriminating audiophile and the Premium Bose is barely tolerable. I have never heard the standard but if it's worse than this I'd kill myself. I will probably end up upgrading it. But for now it is better than the standard. Good luck.
-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT
-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT
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Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
i did order the moonroof. was planning on it from the start.
now, i'm no audiophile, and also not to enthralled with the options in the premium package. i guess cost wise, i might be better off just getting the moonroof, and if the stereo is that bad, go to some shop and get one.
does the bose come with an extra speaker, and would i have to get that too installed?
also, would the installation, even slightly mar, the "new car"
now, i'm no audiophile, and also not to enthralled with the options in the premium package. i guess cost wise, i might be better off just getting the moonroof, and if the stereo is that bad, go to some shop and get one.
does the bose come with an extra speaker, and would i have to get that too installed?
also, would the installation, even slightly mar, the "new car"
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From: Seattle
Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
Studly, if you're no audiophile and didn't care for any of the other premium package inclusions, I think you made the right choice. You're $900 (cost of Bose upgrade) closer to an upgrade of your own choosing. Rambo has the base system, I believe, and is happy with it. ...dean
Seattle 'Eastside' area
'R' Order - IP/Graphite 6MT Coupe; Prem., Nav. & XM [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Seattle 'Eastside' area
'R' Order - IP/Graphite 6MT Coupe; Prem., Nav. & XM [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
The base stereo has 6 speakers and 160 watts. The Bose has 8 speakers and 225 watts. I think if you swap the door speakers to separates and get a powered sub you could balance it out. The big thing is the sub. I don't know if the Bose has 1 or 2 subs in it, but the base stereo has no sub at all and hence no base. It could use some more hihg-end balance, but the lack of base makes everthing sound off. $900 seems like a lot for a stereo upgrade, but is a lot more reasonable when you listen to it. On top of that, there isn't a lot of trunk room to use to put a sub in. Keep in mind that this is on a $33K car. The price of the sunroof is typical of what other manufacturers charge for it. The only thing I could personally not justify was the $2K for Nav. The really tough part of deciding is that all the regular allocations are ordered as Premiums, so the dealers don't have the cars to compare.
04' G35 Coupe(on order)
6-sp Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium
04' G35 Coupe(on order)
6-sp Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium
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From: Boston
Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
It is worth it?
NO
Invest the money in better speakers and an amp.
I've read about 100 posts on this issue and its about 99% against the bose system.
Q Order, VIN issued, somewhere at sea
Coupe 6MT
Laser Red
NO
Invest the money in better speakers and an amp.
I've read about 100 posts on this issue and its about 99% against the bose system.
Q Order, VIN issued, somewhere at sea
Coupe 6MT
Laser Red
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Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
If you don't want the premium package features, skip the Bose. For $900 you can buy a 2 channel amp and replace the front speakers with something really nice then grow the system later... Or if you aren't into high end car audio; replace the front speakers with some mid-level components and the rears with some mid-level coax. Run them off a decent four channel amp (make sure it has RCA outputs for a sub amp later). You can do this for under $1100 installed, and may be content with the results and not even want a sub... Or you can throw a sub any time you have the cash.
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From: Baltimore,Md
Re: is bose upgrade worth it?
The bose system does not have a sub that I know of. Most of the bass is driven by the 6x9's on the rear deck. I can only recommend this, the Bose system alone TO ME is not sufficient and not that desireable. However I added a 10" sub and a 280W amp for it and it made the difference in the world. Granted I spent $500.00 for everything to be satisfied I think if you spend a little bit more you can upgrade the entire system for under $1000.00 and have a way better sound system then Bose.
Edretti
2003 Nissan 350z Track Daytona Blue
2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6mt Loaded Brillant Silver
Edretti
2003 Nissan 350z Track Daytona Blue
2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6mt Loaded Brillant Silver
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