Bose & B&O System Upgrade Project
#11
With that said, one of the best factory installed sound systems I've heard is in my buddies '07 Acura TL-S.
l8r)
#13
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
#14
In my experience, the quality of Bose systems varies widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. The Bose system in my Grand Prix, for lack of a better word: sucks. Tinny treble and no bass. On the contrary, I found the Bose system in my Q45 to be exceedingly pleasant to listen to and the one in my D3 even more so than that.
I think Bose' problem is that they'll make a system for any budget so if an entry level manufacturer contacts them, they're not going to turn down the business; they're just going to give them garbage.
I find the audio quality in my D3 to be great. It's stock, it works and it works well. That and it's a pain in the proverbial butt to change, as you're finding out.
I'll save my pennies for the upgrade to B&O when I go S8. I gotta save the pennies for the S8 first though!
I think Bose' problem is that they'll make a system for any budget so if an entry level manufacturer contacts them, they're not going to turn down the business; they're just going to give them garbage.
I find the audio quality in my D3 to be great. It's stock, it works and it works well. That and it's a pain in the proverbial butt to change, as you're finding out.
I'll save my pennies for the upgrade to B&O when I go S8. I gotta save the pennies for the S8 first though!
#15
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
In my experience, the quality of Bose systems varies widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. The Bose system in my Grand Prix, for lack of a better word: sucks. Tinny treble and no bass. On the contrary, I found the Bose system in my Q45 to be exceedingly pleasant to listen to and the one in my D3 even more so than that.
I think Bose' problem is that they'll make a system for any budget so if an entry level manufacturer contacts them, they're not going to turn down the business; they're just going to give them garbage.
I find the audio quality in my D3 to be great. It's stock, it works and it works well. That and it's a pain in the proverbial butt to change, as you're finding out.
I'll save my pennies for the upgrade to B&O when I go S8. I gotta save the pennies for the S8 first though!
I think Bose' problem is that they'll make a system for any budget so if an entry level manufacturer contacts them, they're not going to turn down the business; they're just going to give them garbage.
I find the audio quality in my D3 to be great. It's stock, it works and it works well. That and it's a pain in the proverbial butt to change, as you're finding out.
I'll save my pennies for the upgrade to B&O when I go S8. I gotta save the pennies for the S8 first though!
Last edited by williebone; 12-03-2010 at 04:56 AM.
#16
AudiWorld Senior Member
I'm looking for ways to quiet the cabin...did the addition of the mat panels apreciably make the cabin of your A8 more quiet than before when driving without any music playing?
#17
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Big Difference!
I could've done more, but I will say on a Percentage Scale that it is about 70% quieter. When I say that I could've done more here's what I mean. I added 4 Sheets to the Tin, but 6 Sheet would've covered it totally. I didn't remove the Ten Panel because of the Window & Regulator, but I would have added at least 4 Sheets to the Door Shell had I romoved Tin Panel w/Glass & Regulator. Instead, I opted to Cut 2 Sheets in Halve and just reach thru the Speaker Hole in the Tin and apply where I could. My main Goal was to Cut Sound Resonance, Stop Rattles from Vibration, & Quiet Road Noise all of which I did.
Here's the RaamMat Link. Just Click on the How To and go to Doors if you want to see what my 2nd Option was.
http://www.raamaudio.com/
Also, just to add to the Noise Quieting I add a Strip .175 Black Screen Spline in the Windshield Channel at the Roof Line. It fit just Snug enough that it doesn't come off during Highway Driving. I also added some Black Foam in the Headliner just below the Sunroof Wind Deflector and as to which one cut out the Roof Noise I'm not sure but it cut the noise by at least 80% from the Roof. When the Sunroof Liner is Closed that turn into 100% Noise Reduction. When the music is at 1/3 Volume Level you can't hear a Siren unless they're close to you. Crank it up and you will hear nothing but Pure Music Bliss! Laters,
Last edited by williebone; 12-03-2010 at 04:18 PM.
#18
Scope of this project ?
Can you explain a little bit better what the scope of this project is ?
What I understodd so far:
- You damped the car aaditionally - which I plan for me A8L with B&O as well.
- You installed an additiona subwoofer - well, not sure If I need this
My biggest complain is so far:
- The trebles do sound not right and the mids could as well be clearer. The trebles sounds like a cheap tweeter or a cheap coppling cap infront of the tweeter. It is simply a pain. I have in my BMW an Scanspeak-Tweeter with a Mundorf Supreme-Cap infront and this is real music.
Do you know if the tweeter is driven by the B&O-Amp directly or is there a passive crossover somewhere ?
Best Regards
Frank
What I understodd so far:
- You damped the car aaditionally - which I plan for me A8L with B&O as well.
- You installed an additiona subwoofer - well, not sure If I need this
My biggest complain is so far:
- The trebles do sound not right and the mids could as well be clearer. The trebles sounds like a cheap tweeter or a cheap coppling cap infront of the tweeter. It is simply a pain. I have in my BMW an Scanspeak-Tweeter with a Mundorf Supreme-Cap infront and this is real music.
Do you know if the tweeter is driven by the B&O-Amp directly or is there a passive crossover somewhere ?
Best Regards
Frank
#19
AudiWorld Senior Member
is a photo available...I looked at the area near the wind deflector and it is;nt readily apparent to me as to where I should put the foam. How thick, by the way? The roof quieting measures seem to have been very effective return for the effort and I would like to do the same.
#20
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Can you explain a little bit better what the scope of this project is ?
What I understodd so far:
- You damped the car aaditionally - which I plan for me A8L with B&O as well.
- You installed an additiona subwoofer - well, not sure If I need this
My biggest complain is so far:
- The trebles do sound not right and the mids could as well be clearer. The trebles sounds like a cheap tweeter or a cheap coppling cap infront of the tweeter. It is simply a pain. I have in my BMW an Scanspeak-Tweeter with a Mundorf Supreme-Cap infront and this is real music.
Do you know if the tweeter is driven by the B&O-Amp directly or is there a passive crossover somewhere ?
Best Regards
Frank
What I understodd so far:
- You damped the car aaditionally - which I plan for me A8L with B&O as well.
- You installed an additiona subwoofer - well, not sure If I need this
My biggest complain is so far:
- The trebles do sound not right and the mids could as well be clearer. The trebles sounds like a cheap tweeter or a cheap coppling cap infront of the tweeter. It is simply a pain. I have in my BMW an Scanspeak-Tweeter with a Mundorf Supreme-Cap infront and this is real music.
Do you know if the tweeter is driven by the B&O-Amp directly or is there a passive crossover somewhere ?
Best Regards
Frank
While I don't have Specifics on B&O Specs (Speaker Size & Location), I would assume the same is True in General as it is with Bose. The quality of the Product used is Paper Products or at Best it is Low Grade Materials. The issue with the Bose Set-Up is that there are No Quote Un-Quote True Tweeters except for the 1" Tweeters in the Rear Doors.
Based on Total Recall, B&O has a Dedicated Tweeter that Rises from the Dash with a Woofer & Mid-Range Component in the Front Doors. Had I had B&O the first thing I would've of done is use Bentley Service Manual to Remove the Tweeter Housing, Replace the Tweeters and Re-Install. However, it is not that simple because of Internal Processing done by the Amp.
So the Total Scope of this Thread will deal with a Total Upgrade By-Passing the Amp and Replacing Any & Every Speaker you choose to replace. This is what I did except you have a Hand Up over my Bose System because I added Additional Tweeters to the Front Doors and Replaced the Mid-Range in the Dash. I will be covering the How To when I return to the Write Up of this Thread which will be addressing your concern exactly. I'm progressing thru the Write Up from a standpoint of Simple to Extensive Modification. I hear and feel your Pain! Happy Holidays & Laters,
is a photo available...I looked at the area near the wind deflector and it is;nt readily apparent to me as to where I should put the foam. How thick, by the way? The roof quieting measures seem to have been very effective return for the effort and I would like to do the same.
I don't ride with my Roof Open so everything stays put and dry! The Foam comes out easy if you need to service anything, but how will it hold up to open air (Roof Open) I'm not sure since my concern was Quietness of the Cabin. However, I'm sure that if Tucked Tight Enough and using Peel & Stick that it should Hold Up To Open Air. If it doesn't then it was such a Cheap Solution that it would cost nothing but a Few Bucks to Replace. Once again this is Nothing that is Not Reversable! Sorry about not having a Camera, but If I did, you would see Pics in my Sig. Hopefully I'll have a Nice New Camera for a Christmas Gift! Happy Holidays and laters,