I was going to put this in the Audio System / ML Comparasson Thread but this is too good to bury:

The following is a list of resources you should read before you let anyone you know buy a Bose system. You can get far better sound performance for a much lower price if you buy audiophile brands such as Epos, NHT, and even the more well-known B&W. For those in the market for a pair of affordable, high fidelity "audiophile" speakers, I recommend the Usher S-520. I bought a pair recently and I'm very very satisfied. Stereophile also has a good list of audio component reviews for under $1000. If you have questions for other smart early adopters, try our discussion forum.

Smart Money Review - http://www.klipsch.com/media/Newscen...int_062404.pdf
We turn up the volume on the Bose Acoustimass 5 Series IIIsystem ($500), which includes two tiny speakers—just 6.2-inches high— and a subwoofer. Bose is the No. 1–selling speaker brand in the country, likely due to the company’s hundred or so retail stores. But it’s certainly not this audiophile’s speaker of choice. “No, no!” Reed yells, not even a minute into “Rock Minuet,” furiously waving his hands back and forth for us to stop. His complaint? The speakers deliver high- and low-end sound, but no middle. Plus, they display a “harsh high end,” and although the subwoofer adds nice bass, “it makes the guitar sound thin.”

A Bose spokesperson says that the speakers are balanced and designed to reproduce low and mid-to-high frequencies “according to the artist’s original performance.” But this artist, for one, disagrees. Still, we give the Bose another shot, this time playing hip-hop artist Mos Def, to test how the speakers handle heavy bass. “Oh no, oh no,” Reed groans, sitting up to pet Lola, his Jack Russell terrier, who’s curled up on a pillow next to him. “I’d pay money not to hear that.” “Next,” Reed demands.

Why Bose Sucks - http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html
As a part of a small sect of audio enthusiasts who loathe the company Bose Corp. for its marketing deception, shortcutting in manufacturing, and shameless consumer trickery, I was recently passed on a website written by a "Bose-o-phile", who was defending the company. Upon reading his site, I vowed to represent our side: the TRUTH.. Popularity of a name brand doesn't equate to quality. Bose mystique feeds off of its well-targeted audience: the ignorant, ill-informed, mass-market consumers who search for simplified hifi audio solutions in "all-in-one" chain stores.. Audio newbies often throw out the "But I heard that Bose is good!" defense, to which I respond "From who?" Was it a sound engineer, electrical engineer, materials scientist, studio engineer, sound producer, recording professional, musician, Mark Levinson? Ray Dolby? George Lucas? Anyone credible? Or was it your neighbor with the GoldStar walkman, Teac boom box, Funai mini-system, and Sylvania receiver? Perhaps the ubiquitous Bose Ads that they find in completely irrelevant magazines such as Popular Science, Times, Playboy, GQ, People, Astronomy, etc, had some sort of subliminal effect against the better of their judgment?

Bose equipment, even the flagship LifeStyle 50, resembles the sonic performance of the 11-year-old Aiwa minisystem in my garage. For $500, the Wave Radio is an overpriced alarm clock. If you're impressed by it, have a listen to a Henry Kloss radio for a fraction of the price! For $1000, the Bose 3-2-1 can not be described as anything less than a crime against sound reproduction. The message I want everyone to take from this lengthy review is that Bose, like Bang & Olufsen and Nakamichi, sell lifestyle and designer products whose prices are very heavily saturated by image and appeal. They are by no means, no means at all performance products. They have no cost-effectiveness, no bang-for-the-buck value, and draw no respect from any true audio enthusiasts. If your goal is to appeal to and impress housewives, then this system gets the job done, but if your goal is high fidelity, high performance, high endurance, upgradeability, and fair market value pricing then I would very highly suggest you look elsewhere.

Former Speaker Salesman - http://www.hometheaterblog.com/homet...ut_bose_1.html
I’ll close in saying that Bose is very often an emotional purchase by uninformed (through no fault of their own) buyers looking to buy a ‘surround sound system’ and more often than not the size of the Satellite Cubes is what seals the deal. However if you’re after genuine sonic fidelity and aren’t limited to a speaker that’s tiny, I urge you to do your research, hear multiple systems and refrain from impulse purchases, your ears and wallet will thank you.

Leading A/V Message Board on Bose - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...highlight=bose
I currently have a Bose Lifestyle 35 System. I thought I had the best system until I heard a friends Klipsch system. It litteraly blew me away. Apparently I bought advertising.

My roommate a few years back had Bose 301's. He thought they rocked. I picked up some Wharfedale Valdus 400's for about $200 less for a pair that simply made him want to cry. He said it made him sick, that he wasted all that money on a set of speakers that he cannot even listen to anymore without getting FURIOUS. To say the difference was night and day is a GROSS understatement.

The thing I don't like about bose is that in almost all of their displays the speakers are right on top of you, and usually cranked up to a very high level. This gives the consumer the idea that speakers are full and and have a good soundstage, when it's just the opposite. Almost any speaker will sound good, in a crouded store, when the speakers are right on top of you and cranked up so loud they are distorted.

Bose Sues Consumer Reports - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_Reports
In 1984, Bose Corporation sued Consumer Reports for publishing a review in which Bose speakers did relatively poorly. The review stated that the stereo image of the Bose speakers was unstable and "tended to wander about the room", undermining the basic Direct/Reflecting concept behind Bose's products. The final verdict ruled that Consumer Reports had in fact libeled Bose by overstating its negative findings, which were, more precisely, that the stereo image merely "moved along the wall" behind the speakers. This was something of a Pyrrhic victory for Bose, as since then both Bose and Consumer Reports readership in demographic areas where Bose products are targeted have became bitter enemies, and the same may hold true today. Furthermore, the monetary award of $210,000 in libel damages was appealed to the Federal Supreme Court, who overturned it. Nevertheless, the case is believed to have had a chilling effect on publication of subjective preferences in reviews, both specifically by Consumer Reports as well as in the media as a whole.

Circuit City Employee - http://www.retailworker.com/node/10435
Friends Don't Let Friends Buy Bose.. I am really ****ing sick of telling customers that the Bose speakers are really cheap cardboard and foam pieces of ****, and that Bose's high-tech "engineering" (if you can actually call it that) makes no sense at all. Also, small speakers (especially ones that are cardboard with foam surrounds) are not meant to handle any midrange or bass frequencies. My point to all this mess? Well besides hating companies like Bose (and sony too) that have no shame in ripping off people who don't know any better, I'm hoping that newer entertainment employees or CC employees in general will stop selling these pieces of ****.

 

Very good post.

So many people have been duped into believing Bose is "top quality" and "high-end".....till they listen to an actual system that delivers. Isn't it interesting that Bose has their own setup in most electronic chains but can never be found at the local audiophile/specialty store?

 

i have been duped in to believing Bose was good ****.

the only time i was in a G the main thing that stuck out to me was how good the bass was in my friends car for stock speakers... i was drunk and i guess i should really take a better listen to the system in the G when i get mine in August/.

 

Good luck.

If I were you I would not listen to any other high-end systems found in other cars, for if you do you'll be wanting a refund.

 

Alternative suggestions ?

 

Get over it. This isn't even about car audio systems which to my knowledge have very little to do with home audio systems... Infiniti dropped a Bose system in the first generation of the G35 line up and continues to improve it.. It might not be the almighty Mark Levinson but the G35 doesn't cost $47K loaded either. Accept the price range and what you get for the price. If you want ML then spend the extra $$$ and get a Lexus.

 

+ 1,000,000. Perfectly said!

While I have personally never heard one, I have no doubt that the ML audio system is better......and you know what, it should be for the price of it.

The only way to get an ML audio system on an IS350 is to purchase the Luxury/Navigation package.....which is $10,800 CDN!!!! That is a sh!tload of money if you ask me. If I spent almost $11K to get an ML audio system it had better sound way above and beyond other audio systems.

I have owned my G for almost 3 years now and I have been more than happy with the stock Bose system. And I am sure I will be even happier with the ugraded Bose system in the 07 model when I get it.

RLampke, if you want an ML audio system go buy a Lexus instead!!

 

Obviously your knowledge is lacking for Bose using the same junk speakers across their product range, including the car audio line as described in this article. I find it hilarious listening to some of you defend this product - this thread is not about what I want, it's about an incapable cheep sound system that goes right along w/other cheep parts of this car. Mark Levinson is certainly not the only system available that puts this to shame and availabe for the same $$$ as this system - and who was quoted $47K for an IS 350....? In fact, you have several post expressing your liking to a Lexus ES 350: "I really like the new ES350 too. If I could handle FWD again, it'd make a worthy trade from the G."

If you think Bose is great, more power to ya.

 

If you've already purchased the car and it is not leased [unless you do not care], the only real option is to changed out the system - unless of course you like Bose, and at that point why bother. If so, search the audio section of this forum - there are some good ideas to accomplish what you are looking to do.

 

...try listening to stations other then am

 

I like Lexus cars as well as BMWs. In fact, I liked them more than the G35. That being said, the G35 is priced well below both entry level versions of the above mentioned brands with RWD/AWD, nearly 300 hp, a spacious interior (including rear seat) and fun amenities (comfort access type system). It's not perfect (the navi leaves much to be desired and the Bose can sometimes be tragic) but I got the car fully loaded for less than $38K OTD so I'm willing to forgive it's flaws for it's value. If it were a BMW or a Lexus and I had paid more for the car, I'd be more demanding and have higher expectations of it's features. You can't drive an Infiniti with a BMW/Lexus state of mind for luxury because you will always be disappointed. Accept the car for what it is.

 

This is exactly been my point - why not...? Infiniti's directly competes and markets itself against Lexus and especially BMW. What your telling me is that Infiniti does not compete in this segment, and it is at a lower standard then these nameplates - and I agree w/you. Successfully ligitating againt Infiniti under the NYS lennon law speaks for itself as to what this car really is - sub par.

However, this really only applies to the G35/FX/Q45/QX56 - the M35/45 does compete and is on-par w/the Lexus GS/ BMW 540 - and in some regards better, but I'm not willing to spend that much $$$ right now. As I said, we'll see what the new G has in store, but it has a-lot of catching up to do.

I'm scheduled to see and drive the new G in late September for the dealer here is getting a demo, and I may totally change my mind about this car, or I may not and take a refund.

 

I am not unhappy with mine, nor am I pleased either. It has it's quirks, like not saving your tone settings when you turn the car off. However, never having owned or driven many high end cars, it's the best sounding system I have ever had from the factory. Sure I could have had a much better system for what I spent, but then I would have had to do a lot of work too.

If could be better, and It could be a LOT worse. I do think I will eventually change the speakers in the doors, however.

 

None of the comparisons to other cars' systems matters. The fact is that the Bose "upgrade" in the G is actually a downgrade from the base system. I chose the base system in my sedan after listening to the Bose premium and knew right then that it was total crap. Sit in a base sound system sedan and compare it to the Bose premium. Its no contest for clarity and accuracy. Sure, the Bose has "more" bass, but its so muddy and distorted that you just turn it down anyway, so what's the point?

Infiniti really should be ashamed of offering such a pathetic upgrade for that money. Sounds like they are trying to make amends for it with the '07, but its still Bose. Obviously, I have my doubts. Hard to think of a more inferior product surviving in a competitive marketplace for as long as it has. They must pay some serious commisions/kickbacks for salespeople to push their junk to the gullible.

 

If you are not willing to the spend the money on an M35 right now, you are not willing to spend the money on a Lexus with an ML audio system either. Looks like you are SOL to me.