I'll take this one step further:

1st let me state that [yes], it is a major improvement over the current horrendous system; which in reality is not much of a measuring stick. That being said, this system’s [audio quality] is a huge disappointment given all the hype ["The best system offered at any price"]. The real kicker is; the best part of this audio system is the part that Bose does not manufacturer as I understand it - the HU/Navi and OS - which are 1st rate. HDD based system are definitely superior to DVD based systems in terns of usability and features IMO. The HDD based “Music Server” is fantastic.

The design of this system was [purposively] designed around a $30K reference system..? If I paid $3K - let alone $30K and it sounded like this, I’d be one pissed-off customer. I was really looking forward to something special that rivaled Mark Levinson/HK/ELS, ect. and other hi-end systems, but unfortunately that is not the case at all. Infiniti should have adapted the M's 5.1 14 speaker DTS/DD system and saved the $$$; for even this system is superior to the one in the new G. I could not believe how muddy and flat this system sounded - I kept asking the Rep if this really had the upgraded system.

Take a listen for yourself - if you think its world class then all-the-better, but for those who have heard the other offerings, it's a big disappointment.

Too bad, for the ’07 G is really quite stunning otherwise.

 

I knew I can count on you to spin things in the right direction. The car I was about to buy had a Mark Levinson package. I know I'm not getting ML, but I'm hoping it's better than the am radio on my alarm clock.

Btw... I should be getting mine today. If I do, I'll post pics tomorrow.

*crosses fingers*

 

Good stuff, let us know if you end up getting yours today. Also, let us know if the SOW sounds better than your alarm clock!

 

Good write up Rich. Where do you find the improvement is with the SOW over the previous Bose system?

 

From an audio system perspective only [SOW]: Imaging is definitely been improved as well as overall authority; no doubt from the triple speaker-array layout, but unfortunately because so much of the sound is being processed up front, there is a huge hole in the rear. It's akin to having your fader switch set w/front bias. Yes you can compensate w/adding fade rearward, but you also loose overall volume - and the fact that the rear door speakers are "full range"; meaning that they can only produce accurate mid-range. So applying rear-fade bias not only decreases overall volume, it also washes out the sound even more. And let's not forget the active Eq. that steps in during any serious volume events and pisses all over the signal, and again washes it out even further.

Perhaps the issue w/this system is it's lack of adjustments. I think what I'll do is install a DSP/signal scrubber and used the scrubber to adjust the signal and see what the results are - bypassing any DSP/tone settings from the HU. Hopefully the signal modification is being executed by the HU and not by the Amp. I have heard some great results w/Bose and other less-than-capable OEM systems using this type of mod, and they are only a few hundreds $$$ and can be installed in the trunk so you do not have to dismantle the dash - so it's very painless.

Like I said, I’m sure others will no doubt find this system acceptable and even great; I’m just not of them. The ML/HK/ELS offerings are much better IMO, but if you’re not into high-end systems, you may never know the difference. It is also by no means a deal-breaker concerning a purchase of the ’07 G; more of a disappointment that can be death with.

As far as the rest of the package: HDD based Navi, HU/OS/Music Server functionality, ect - again this is a fantastic package and is a world better then the previous ideation.

 

Awesome, thanks again for the description. You mention that a lot of the sound processing up is front. From a driver's perspective, is this a big deal? The only reason that I ask is because I very rarely have anyone in the back seat.

I mentioned before that I find the Bose system in my 03 quite satisfactory. I haven't actually heard an ML system.....and if I did I am sure I would come to dislike the system in my 03 rather quickly.

 

Again, it depends on your tastes - I find it a flaw because it is noticeable dead-spot that other hi-end system do not have. Remember, a great system sounds great no matter where you are sitting; that is a mark of a high-end automotive or HT system. It is commonly described as a "wide sound-stage" that this system lacks; and this affects the overall sound experience even sitting up front. There are other deficiencies as well that I described – you may not notice them or you may.

I really tried to have an open mind about this system, and yes it is much improved but I really expected much more considering the hype/marketing and what this system was being comparing to.

Other than that, the new telematics are great and so is most of the car - so far.

 

Btw, any ETA on when your re-ordered one will arrive?

 

Jan-Feb - this is because of the Active-steer option delay.

 

I've been fighting with the sound system a little. My 03 sounded best with the bass and treble both at max. I tried this with my 07 and it sounded "harsh" to the point that the mid range would literally cut you in half. The new system has WAY more mid range than the one in the older G's. After playing with it I've found the best settings are treble 1 click past dead center, bass to max, and front/rear fader 1 click to the rear. The gets it sounding kinda close to my old system at max treble/max bass.

The new system does get loud without breaking up. Much more so than the Bose in my 03. That said, the bass never really seems to keep up. It just doesn't quite have the same "thump" no matter what the volume.

I think some of this was due to the setting in the 03 on the CD that I think was a kind of compressor. It had 3 settings. I always set this to HIGH. The new G sounds like the CD compression is set to MED by default and I didn't see anyway to change it. Overall, the new audio system is much clearer, especially the vocals and guitar. I think it just needs a little more "thump" in the bottom end. Keep in mind, I'm into hard rock (metal).

All-in-all I would take the new audio system over the old simply because it's so much clearer in the mid to high end. Just feels like it needed a bass boost button in there somewhere.

 

Interesting.....if I set the bass on my 03 to max, I'd be blowing voice coils and changing speakers every 6 months.

 

Only one way to really test this - put the THX test sound on a CF card, obviously : P

 

I wasn't aware that speakers have break in periods as well. How long of a break in period would be typical for speaker and subs?

 

If all else fails, I'll might try disconnecting those woofers in the doors. I think that's where all the over powering mid range is coming from What's 2 less speakers? The systems got like 10 or something right?

 

I just did a controlled comparison of the best available audio systems on these 6 cars:

• MB E350 (Harman Kardon)
• VW Passat sedan (Dynaudio)
• VW GTI (no branding)
• Acura TL-S (Elliot Scheiner)
• G35 (Bose Studio on Wheels)
• GS 350 (Mark Levinson)

I'll post the results once I get a chance to write it up. In brief, the G35 system did not acquit itself as well as I was hoping.