Bose Package, Worth it?
 

Hey guys,

I've been looking at the Nismo's forever now and wanted some info on the Bose package. Right now I can find a Nismo matching most of my requirements but it's missing the Bose package that I wanted. Do you guys really enjoy the Bose package?

I'll be honest, I did the modding "thing" with my previous car and I don't want to touch the Nismo after I get it. Is the stock system much different from the Bose?

Let me hear what you think?

TIA

Bose sucks compared to any basic system you can install. It's a Nismo, not a unicorn. Mod it.

If you don't plan on replacing the factory stereo, then, IMNSHO, the Bose is the way to go - if for no other reason than the CD changer. The sound is a lot better than base but, as I'm sure many will tell you, it's not made for high volume (and many just plain don't like the sound at any level). I have the Bose system and like it - not great but very good (especially for a factory system).

On a Nismo, you have to be brain dead to get the Bose package

Not even worth the time or trouble, ditch the bose.

Should I not have bought high flow cats for my Unicorn??!!

People call it a Blose sound system for a reason. It's not a good reason.

If your not into modding audio then it's worth the upgrade IMO. If your even thinking about changing HU or speakers don't get it.

The only reason to get the Bose is if you have to in order to get Nav. Since you can't get Nav on the Nismo, you don't need the Bose.

It has very little to do with if you want to mod the audio. More to do is it worth it, when the base system sounds better than the bose system and fuller that's a hint right off the bat that it's not worth it. It's a terrible system to say the least. IMO your going to want to at least upgrade the speakers in this weather you get the base or bose.

I got mine with the base unit as I KNEW I would be replacing it. I had the Bose with NAV etc in the G37 and knew that was not what I wanted in my Z. Spend the money on an after market head unit. Even before I did speakers it sounded better than the BOSE unit in my G37. NAV worked better and the VR worked a million times better. Everything was better than the Bose unit. I don't even like the Bose unit in my Porsches, thats why in them they are the base unit....................

heehee Maybe Audio (in particular, Bose) should be added to the list of verboten topics along with Politics and Religion. Might ought to add Oil Change Intervals to the list, too. :driving:

Some people don't notice those qualities you mention I'm one of those people. Only thing I know is the Bose sounds better than base to me lol

Sound is so subjective - no two people perceive sound in the same way - that it is not reasonable to say that any but the worst systems available today sound "terrible."

A car is one of the worst possible listening environments and no system available today will give true high-fidelity sound. Yes, most OEM systems are not as good as many of the after-market ones (assuming one makes the proper selection of components), but you still don't have high-fidelity. And few people want true hi-fi; it tends to sound rather "flat" to many people. The Bose system was designed to sound pleasant to most people ... but it's not the answer for everyone's ears. Just because a few people don't like the sound doesn't mean it's a "terrible" system.

Whether it be car audio, home audio, headphones, or whatever, get what sounds good to you.

PS: With the current state of electronics (most are very accurate at reasonable listening levels), the speakers/drivers will have the most effect on how a stereo sounds.

State-of-the-art audio in a noisy, two-seat sports car where your ears are closer to your rear wheels through an un-insulated fender than they are to your nearest stereo speaker? I can't imagine a bigger waste of money than that. Bose is certainly "good enough".

Very well stated...

I actually enjoy the Bose system...the sub in the spare is a nice touch. People ask me all the time if I have a aftermarket system. Nonetheless I'm still planning on getting a new head unit but not because of the sound quality.

Well said. At the very least, a lot pithier than my reply. ;)

I've been out of my Z for the winter. Just did a hidden detector install and went for a cruise, blaring tunes.

That's when I realize Bose really blows. I listen to a lot of electronica, dub, and trance. Mostly mid 90's stuff and I notice on some songs Bose cuts the sound right out. It really REALLY sucks.

Don't believe me? Anyone with a stock bose system play Absurd by Fluke. You will totally see what I mean.

I should really have a chat with Bigautofanat and see what my options are....

I'll bet you have many options.

Me...I haven't noticed Shepard Smith cutting out at all. If I want an immersive audio experience, I'll put on a pair of good headphones on my home system. My primary focus in my car is driving, not critical music listening. YMMV. Some people simply don't give a crap about a) music b) music reproduction.

I do realize that car audio also is a hobby unto itself. Far be it from me to criticize another man's hobby.


/

Just putting my opinion out there. Bose really sucks in this vehicle. I do not expect ANY vehicle to carry the type of sound that an audiophile such as myself would create in a studio, but there is quality, and this isn't it.

Yeah, I get that. Whereas I think the Bose system is entirely satisfactory and a worthwhile part of the Touring upgrade package.

:iagree:

my aftermarket setup is quite a bit louder than my rear tires or my exhaust. Cant even hear the road noise with the windows down when really turned up.

Never liked bose car audio.. home audio.. not so bad!

Yep that my friend is the bose processing doing it's thing to make sure it cuts out anything that would distort the crappy paper speakers.

This.


-M-

the biggest downside for me is bose doesnt allow you to contour the sound as much as you can on an aftermarket HU.

also, since you cant get nav on a nismo (?), you might want to consider going aftermarket with nav built-in... plus rear view camera.

bose is very limited. my G has bose, but i ended up swapping out the HU and speakers.

How does the saying go, "no highs no lows must be Bose".

That being said, as much as I like trance dub step etc and I know some notes are lacking compared to my home system but the Bose sounds good enough for a noisy interior sports car. I have never heard the base system but I'm just going to have to imagine the Bose system sounds better.

I think the OP didn't clarify which Bose head unit he wanted votes on, the budget baseline Bose or the Navigation Bose package. I've never heard the baseline Bose so I can't testify as to how it sounds.
I've also done audio and electrical engineering for audio my entire career, faithful music reproduction is my everyday gig, designing products for audio reproduction and capture.
With all that said, I've never heard a car sound system that equalled any decent home audio system. Louder, hell yes, many times "quality" on this forum in audio is associated with SPL. Only aftermarket equipment can meet the SPL demand, so automatically Bose pre-installed doesn't meet that criteria.
Not a fair comparison if talking about SPL, which is what I think most guys use as the basis for quality.

I haven't read of any differences in the audio parts of the Bose and Bose+Nav. But just because I haven't seen it doesn't make it so. ;)

+1 :tiphat:

But if louder sounds better to them, then more power to them (excuse the pun). Music is all about what sounds good to you.

Anyone who knows about audio knows NOT to buy Bose... They are poor speakers with good marketing. You could replace them with speakers that cost 1/2 as much and they will perform better... People dont like to hear that, but its the truth.

The point is, a lot of people don't care about accurate music audio in a noisy sports car. To me, it's not even close to being worth it to even just pop a panel and bolt on a replacement speaker, let alone get my credit card out.

Even more reason to not buy Bose then...

I'm talking about upgrading from Bose. Bose came with my car as part of the Touring package w/Nav. I didn't make that buying choice. I'm sure if I were buying aftermarket, I'd buy something else. No interest in doing so. Bose is good enough for me.


.

I feel the same way. Like the OP said, he doesnt want to do anything with the car. I'd opt for it, which I did. As for any wannabe "audiophiles", its a noisy car... save that for the home or office.

Ok, I dont think i was originally commenting on your post but to the OP. If it came with our car as part of a package, then who cares. If your going to spend money on it, dont.

I dont understand your logic. You tell him to opt for it but then say its a noisy car? If it costs more, why get it if its a noisy car? Doesnt make sense to me... If anything he should get the Nismo since it doesnt come with the Bose and wont matter since its noisy...

And being accurate has nothing to do with enjoying the sound of your speakers, noisy or not. When a speaker isnt capable of hitting certain ranges, you dont hear how the music is supposed to be since frequencies are not able to be played. Road noise or other noises wont matter in those instances.

The original question was whether to get the base or Bose stereo. IMNSHO, the Bose is worth the extra few bucks. Is it a great system? No. But it's (arguably) better sounding than the base AND it comes with a CD changer.

Yes. Better components, especially speakers, can make a difference in how good the system sounds but, because of the inherent "crappiness" of car acoustics, you quickly reach the point of diminishing returns.

If you can perceive a significant difference between a system with "audiophile-grade" components and one with "pretty good" ones, and are willing to pay for it, then go for it. I'm just saying that most people are wasting their money if they buy great equipment and stick it in a crappy environment. It's like buying a Scarab and putting it in your two-acre farm pond.

YMMV

Yes, i agree but I do not agree that Bose is good in anyway and I dont put it in the 'pretty good" category. Ive seen comparison with "white van speakers" that outperform Bose. To me, comparing the base speakers with Bose is a lateral move and doesnt even make a difference.

With that being said, it seemed to me that the question was whether to pass up a Nismo because it doesnt come with Bose. To me, thats crazy.

I am not an audio person but I also hate bad sound. I got the bose non nav and it sucked so bad I was so dissapointed(very flat sounding but clean). The thought of changing everything made me tired and wonder about the touring package and its value. After, i installed a new headunit with the SOEM-4, the sound was amazing (lack of bass, but very clear even at high levels). I listened to music I didn't even like, just to hear the sound levels and it was crispy. I think after I put a 6" woofer I will be satisfied. If I could do it again, I wouldn't mind the touring package. Just saying.