Rant about the Bose Radio! Now I understand why people complain and do aftermarket installs!
08-12-2003, 09:46 PM
#1
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Rant about the Bose Radio! Now I understand why people complain and do aftermarket installs!
<center><img src="http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/2003/500/h500cda9807-f.jpeg"></center><p>My old Accord needed a new radio and front speakers, so I added new $279 Alpine Radio and $100 6-1/2 front speakers. I am still running the old factory rear 6x9. I will update them soon.
But WITHOUT an AMP, old rear speakers, and no sub, this stereo kicks! Plus it has a remote and it plays MP3's. I get a lot of Bass and it sounds great - IMHO it sounds better then the Bose Audi Radio in the A4.
The stupid Bose option over and above the cost of the factory stereo is a real rip off! Audi should have a $750 credit to skip the radio, just pre wire.
I did not know what I was missing until I heard better.
No highs - no lows - buy bose.
But WITHOUT an AMP, old rear speakers, and no sub, this stereo kicks! Plus it has a remote and it plays MP3's. I get a lot of Bass and it sounds great - IMHO it sounds better then the Bose Audi Radio in the A4.
The stupid Bose option over and above the cost of the factory stereo is a real rip off! Audi should have a $750 credit to skip the radio, just pre wire.
I did not know what I was missing until I heard better.
No highs - no lows - buy bose.
08-12-2003, 10:24 PM
#2
Oddly...
I like the BOSE in my '98 Avant. I think a lot of people listen to music that is poorly mastered or are comparing the cd sound to the compressed programme coming through the radio. As long as you do not "over-crank" the BOSE, I think it sounds great. I did not even touch the hidden-eq on mine: bass 0, treb +1, fader R-3. I *know* you have a good record collection, Dustin! (answer- N.O.)
I wonder if the newer BOSE is weak sauce, I have to try it- my 2002 car had "no Bose", so it was pretty weak. FTR- I've spent 1000's of hours in *major* recording studios mixing tracks with my producer friend for ~you don't wanna know~. I read music and preform modestly well on a few common insturments plus had a hearing test a year ago. I can now even perfectly tune a guitar by ear with no reference at all. I strongly feel the Bose is fine, even good, but $700+ is overpriced.
Also, I am not impressed by the Bose label, hardly. At home it is a Nakamichi MB-1s, KEF C95s and Adcom amplification.
I wonder if the newer BOSE is weak sauce, I have to try it- my 2002 car had "no Bose", so it was pretty weak. FTR- I've spent 1000's of hours in *major* recording studios mixing tracks with my producer friend for ~you don't wanna know~. I read music and preform modestly well on a few common insturments plus had a hearing test a year ago. I can now even perfectly tune a guitar by ear with no reference at all. I strongly feel the Bose is fine, even good, but $700+ is overpriced.
Also, I am not impressed by the Bose label, hardly. At home it is a Nakamichi MB-1s, KEF C95s and Adcom amplification.
08-13-2003, 05:39 AM
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Interesting comment Audi Junkie...
Some people seem to equate "good" sound with whoop-*** bass and boosted highs. Perhaps this is because much of the current music is mastered to exaggerate high and low frequencies.
The best test of an audio system is a well mastered CD by an artist who gives a sh$t and doesn't need 5 extra vocal or electronic tracks to sound good. When you find a few of these recordings you can use them to evaluate any car or home system.
The Audi Symphony II unit installed in our A4's is not bad IMHO. Power is OK but not overwhelming. The HU has all the features you need except for people who want satellite radio. The paper door speakers can use some improvement but this is easy to do.
European Audi customers are not as fortunate as we are if they want any kind of decent sound. The Symphony system is an option on all Audis including exotics like the RS6. You have to pay over 1000 Euro for the system. If you want Bose speakers add another 700 - 900 Euro.
The best test of an audio system is a well mastered CD by an artist who gives a sh$t and doesn't need 5 extra vocal or electronic tracks to sound good. When you find a few of these recordings you can use them to evaluate any car or home system.
The Audi Symphony II unit installed in our A4's is not bad IMHO. Power is OK but not overwhelming. The HU has all the features you need except for people who want satellite radio. The paper door speakers can use some improvement but this is easy to do.
European Audi customers are not as fortunate as we are if they want any kind of decent sound. The Symphony system is an option on all Audis including exotics like the RS6. You have to pay over 1000 Euro for the system. If you want Bose speakers add another 700 - 900 Euro.
08-13-2003, 05:44 AM
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On the topic of poorly mixed music, I disagree...
I think this is where the Bose system is very limited. It seems like it's tuned very specifically for certain types of music (such as jazz and symphony), so it is incapable of reproducing other types of music accurately. To me, a good system is one that plays all types of music well, and doesn't use filters/tweaks to compensate for it's lack of range.
For example, I've purchased CDs and put them directly in the car for a while, then brought them home to my system (which I think is better). Each time, I pick up nuances in the music that were just not there in the car, even after repeated listenings. I also noticed this same effect when I pulled the system out of my '98 and replaced it completely with aftermarket gear.
For example, I've purchased CDs and put them directly in the car for a while, then brought them home to my system (which I think is better). Each time, I pick up nuances in the music that were just not there in the car, even after repeated listenings. I also noticed this same effect when I pulled the system out of my '98 and replaced it completely with aftermarket gear.
