Looking for opnions on the standard stereo. If I go for the standard, I'd probably add an amp and some new front speakers, but just trying to gauge how the non-Bose system grabs ya.

 

Bose is a part of the premium pkg ..... which anyway has lot of other things that interest me (personally) -- like bluetooth. sunroof, power everything etc ....

I think that may be the reason why you would see most ppl with the Bose system.

 

I realize that it's part of the premium package. I guess maybe I should have asked if anyone has a car without premium as opposed to without SOW.

 

I understood your question the first time ..... I just wanted to call out the premium pkg issue as the probable reason for seeing SOW in most cars (not necessarily because it is a better audio system).

All cars that I saw at the dealer were with SOW - and it does sound pretty good (but not mind blowing) - so sorry no idea about the regular stereo.

 

I don't have the SOW, but I did drop about $3K on getting a very nice sound system installed in the car...It's crystal clear and ground shaking...

 

Did you somehow change the HU? I haven't seen the layout of the non-SOW system, but I'm assuming the CD slot is integrated into the center console as well?

 

I heard the standard system briefly on a test drive, non premium. Sounded descent. The SOW has more bass and a bit more clarity.. but to me they both suck.. everything sounds bloated and un-natural. Fine for casual listening.. but nothing worth writing home about.

 

I didn't change the HU...I can almost gurantee there's no way to change it, unless you drop a lotta money into the project and get it custom made somehow.

 

Correct .. the whole thing is integrated ... CD/Nav/radio/video.

 

Were you able to put some nice woofers in the front doors? Or does the non SOW not have the big openings that the SOW has?

I assume you put a sub in the trunk? How many amps did you run off the HU? Would love any detail you could provide.

Thanks

 

I had the system installed at Audio Advice here in La Cresenta

I have AVI component speakers (mid range and tweeters in the doors) powered by a 120 Watt Arc Audio amp. The sound is VERY clear and distortion free (I'm very picky). I also have 2 12" Arc Audio ARC series subs in the trunk powered by a 600x1 Arc Audio amp. The bass is also very clean and strong enough that I get some dirty looks when my windows are down...Arc Audio is aimed more towards quality...so I'm happy with the outcome which has the best of both worlds (quality, and loudness).

 

BTW all work is done *very* professionally, no wires are visible, and amps are mounted on amp racks in the trunk...Crossovers and other things are mounted in discreet places.

 

So now the weakest link is the HU, but since it's difficult (& certainly not cost-effective) to change it out....

 

If you clean the output before amping it, the HU poses no problem in terms of sound quality

 

I got the premium package. But I drove a loaner for a day which had the standard stereo. If you are going to upgrade to a premium packaage just for the stereo and you listen to a lot of regular radio and sattelite radio, you are better off paying for an aftermarket system. There is not much difference in sound quality for regular radio use.