Stereo Upgrade...what do you think?

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Jun 24, 2003 | 03:18 PM
  #1  
Hi folks....I have a 2003.5 G35 Sedan. Not happy with the "premium" bose system in the car. Not so premium if you ask me. It's very dull, not clear or crisp sounding. I'm not looking for a big "boom-boom" bass system. I just want a louder, clearer, crisper sounding system. I went to a dealer and he suggested adding a more powerful amplifier(Kenwood) and replacing all the speakers with Boston Acoustics which has more wattage. He's keeping the subwoofer that came in the car. Do you feel this is best for what I am looking for? By the way...cost...$1100.
Thanks for your replies,
Kev

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Jun 24, 2003 | 08:25 PM
  #2  
Re: Stereo Upgrade...what do you think?
Just double-check the impedence on the subwoofer before you keep it. It's my understanding that the Bose amp and speakers operate at 1 ohm, while most aftermarket car stereo equipment operates at 4 ohms. I think you have to replace the amp and all speakers together.

Sounds like a plan to me, though. I had a Kenwood system in my last car, and it sounded pretty darn good. I'm happy with the Bose for now, though.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter
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Jun 25, 2003 | 02:07 PM
  #3  
Re: Stereo Upgrade...what do you think?
Is there anything to back up the reported 1ohm impedence of the Bose speakers? I find this to be pretty unlikely, because low impedence speakers are much more difficult to drive than higher impedence speakers, due to current requirements. Since I'm guessing the Bose amp is a weak POS, I seriously doubt it can handle 1ohm speakers unless they're super super efficient. In fact, I thought I remember reading somewhere that someone had measured the Bose speakers as being 10ohms, which to me makes more sense; if you hook up 4ohm speakers to an amp that was designed to power 10ohm speakers it will run out of current real fast and start clipping.

That said, depending on how low your replacement in-door speakers can go, you might be better off just disconnecting the woofer. That woofer puts out some seriously distorted, muddy, bloated bass; it doesn't sound good at all. If your in-door speakers are rated down into the 40's or 50's, you may be able to by just fine without the woofer depending on the type of music you listen to. It'll probably sound better without the woofer even if you are missing some of the lowest bass, and you can always decide to upgrade to a real sub later.

Jeff Kohn
H-Town, TX
2003.5 Automatic Sedan, Desert Platinum/Willow, Premium, Nav, Tint
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Jun 25, 2003 | 04:39 PM
  #4  
Re: Stereo Upgrade...what do you think?
it depends on which bostons you are putting in. If you are looking for crisp high and very good lows, you might want to consider MB Quarts. I have the Q series, which I liked much more than the Boston Pro's.

Here's my suggestion.
1. MB Quart PSC 6.5 components ($210 shipped off of ebay)
2. MB Quart DKD coaxials for the rear doors ($110 shipped off of ebay)
3. JL Audio 300/4 (less than $400 shipped off of ebay) Super amp.
4. Wire and accessories of the net $100.
5. Installation at local shop: $200-$300.

The retail on the speakers and amp is about $1100.

Just try not to spend retail on the speakers and amp.


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Jun 25, 2003 | 10:51 PM
  #5  
Re: Stereo Upgrade...what do you think?
If you have a problem buying items off of e-bay, I have had good luck with purchasing from these guys. thezeb They have MBQuart products every once in a while and they have been very helpful with my past purchases.

Good luck
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Jun 26, 2003 | 01:57 AM
  #6  
Re: Stereo Upgrade...what do you think?
I went to Monney Car Audio in S.San Francisco today and talked to Chirs (shop mgr). He's going to install a NAV TV TUNER I have on order from www.avelectronic.com and I asked him about "upgrading" to a bazooka tube... I told him I didn't want a "GHETTO BLASTER" and that I'm looking for more Bass to go with my new TV/DVD/PS2 tuner system.
It already comes with an amp and recommended the 8"...they offer a 6" and a 10". I am debating about adding a "center" channel any suggestions on that?

'03 Sedan / Navi / Desert Platinum / Delphi Sat / 35% Tint
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