Bose system's weakest link?
 

While I agree with most people that the Bose system is "serviceable," I still think it sucks from a quality/clarity perspective. I'm not even talking about distortion at high volumes. Even at normal volumes there is a lack of separation and soundstage that I would have expected from a "premium" system.

So my question is, has anyone figured out the weakest link of the system? It would be great if there was one big flaw, like a crappy head-unit or sloppy amp, which could be replaced with good results. I am guessing that a powerful, precise amp would really clean things up, but not sure how easy it would be to do that kind of swap and what kind of improvements it would make.

Any thoughts?

The problem is the speakers and amp, since they work together with a odd impedence there is not much you can do with out swaping all but the head unit.

I think the biggest flaw is that it is made by Bose.

This x1000

OP if I were you I would remove it all and start from scratch.

Not what I was hoping to hear, but I guess it is what it is.

you can use the stock HU if you get a good prosesser to fix the out put from it.

You would have to keep the bose head unit and probably the amps where as if you start over you can have a nice head unit as well.

Depends if you want to keep the stock look.

I was looking to keep the stock HU, but without a good iPod integration option (the add-on kit I'm using from USASpec isn't the easiest to use), I'm now looking at replacing the HU as well.

best put!

:tiphat:

BOSE
Better Of with Something Else

If you are replacing the head, you might as well replace the speakers and amp as well. You can get a Very small foot print amplifiers that are 5 channel now to run the whole car. For example JL XD700/5 will give you plenty of power for front and rear spekars and give you 300 Watts at 2ohms to your sub if you choose to do a sub. You can get a decent set of component speakers and you ahave a full system.

Depending on what you are in the market for, meaning CD player or Double Din Screen? you can get a full system anywhere from $900-1500 and up of course. add a sub for a few dollars more and you are done.

+1. They do a good job of marketing their speakers, and thats about it...

YouTube - The High End Store
YEP!

I was actualy happy with the BOSE up until I started reading these treads and really listening.

When you do put the volume up, it does just sound like a lot of noise.

I had some Boston Acoustic Components in my Lancer up front, stock Infinti speakers in the rear and it sounded much crisper than my Z...but ya, noticing it now :(

Oh wells, Audio will be the last thing I worry about right now since it seems like it will be a big overhaul...I just won't crank it so I don't get dissapointed lol.

I have to keep the treble at -4 otherwise the highest frequencies in the music sounds harsh especially rock. anybody notice this or it is just me?