What to know about Bose - Altima Forums.net - The Nissan Altima Enthusiast Talk and Discussion Forums

bigaudiofana · 12-28-2011

Well it is that time again boys and girls. Time for more information.
This time around I want to inform you about your choices when you buy your car and upgrade it as well. We will cover:

Should I get the Bose system?
Should I get the OEM Nav system?
What are my options for upgrading from bose?
What obstacles do I have to overcome when upgrading the bose system?
Why is bose bad?

bigaudiofana · 12-28-2011

Should I get the Bose system?

The very first thing you need to ask yourself is this. Am I going to upgrade? Simply put many of you go and drive the Z and do not either bother listening to the stereo or at low volumes. You need to listen to the system how you really would!! Bring cd's, ipods or other media to test your music on the system. Sit in the car and really listen, even if you're not an audiophile, you will know wether or not you will be happy with the system after a few songs. If you are read no more the bose maybe for you. If you think you will be upgrading or even adding a sub read on.

Should I get the OEM Nav system?
Simply put once bought you are stuck with this head unit, there is no changing it out no adding on a head unit nothing. Everything is integrated into the factory nav from your climate control system to your headlights. You may be able to bypass the parking brake safety system or add a rear camera but that is about it. If you think you are going to want more options or a new head unit stay clear from this.

What are my options for upgrading from bose?
This is where it can get interesting. You can add new audio to your bose system but you have to do some things in order to do so.
If you have the regular non nav bose system you can upgrade the head unit and use this dash kit and adapter to run it with the rest of the bose system still in tack.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1207075...s.html?tp=2977

http://www.metraonline.com/part/Niss...h_kit_99-7607B

Base speaker brackets or make them yourself:
http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_6601.jpg

If you want to do a complete overhaul you can just as long as you have the regular bose system and not with the nav. And make sure to run new speaker wires

Speakers
If you want to upgrade your speakers it is not as simple as plugging in new speakers and your set. The bose system has odd ohms levels for it's speakers and on top of this they have build in crossovers on the bose amp. You will first have to use a LOC such as the mtx-req5, Alpine imprint, JBL MS8, and so on. These devices connect to the bose system wires, before or after the factory amp and allow you to connect new amps to power your new speakers. Yes you will need not only a LOC but a new amp to install new speakers. Also you will want to run new speaker wires as well.

You can put a 6X9 in the door however 6.5 is recommended with a spacer ring. Component set is also recommended

LOC
As mentioned this device allows you to install a new sub and/or speaker amp to power your new sub or speakers. The high end ones are the JBL MS8 and Audison Bitone right now. There are other such as the MTX re-q5 and so on. The only one I do not recommend is the JL cleansweep this one will make you use a small volume knob it comes with to control the volume and you will not longer be able to use your factory volume knob.

The bad about these are ground loops. Bose system are notorious for having already present alternator winning in the system that when you upgrade you may bring out. The higher end LOC's are not as sensitive to this as the lower end ones. I personally encountered this problem doing a install in california. This can sometimes be fixed by using a ground loop isolator.

Why is bose bad?
Simply put the bose system is nothing more than upgraded paper woofers just like the base system below are some pictures of some base speakers and some bose speakers. Other than the size the only differences are ohms and the bose had the brand name on them. take a look. More information about the bose system can be found under Car Audio 101

Speakers Bose

Base

Base tweeter

Bose tweeter Coming soon

gameguru1360 · 01-07-2012

great write up by the way!

Also Bose for home theater isn't that great either. I've found that their Lifestyle systems are only good for easy listening/pop and classical music. whenever you play heavy metal or hip hop/r&b music using their supposedly patented multichamber bass modules, the bass frequencies don't compare to better powered subs. It's mostly the name you're paying for.

izzymeister · 02-10-2012

Damn cheap azz Bose speakers. I put the volume on my 2011 on 30 for 5 seconds and the speakers (specially the 3 under the windshield and the 2 in the rear, doors seem to be fine) are all crackling and popping now, there is static all through any and every song >.<

What should I do now??? Take it back to the amazing dealership that states any sound (from any part of the car) I complain about is an "operational noise"? or spend $1k that I don't have now on some audio upgrades??

MrHiggles · 02-10-2012

^^^ turning anything up to max lvl will cause damage.

Familyguy1 · 02-10-2012

I cant put the volume on anything above 18.

izzymeister · 02-11-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzymeister

I tend to disagree, quite a few of my audio devices work fine at MAX volume level... anyway I'll try to get it fixed and keep the volume less than 15 after that...

I'll save a dime since the bozo audio system is covered under the warranty... I just hope, at the next service, i'll be able to convince the hard-heads at the dealership it's not because of "normal operational noises"...any ideas on how I should approach them? There aren't any audiophiles over there, just generic "technicians"...doubt they'll fully understand my arguments

@Familyguy1 I did the Max volume to test the speakers and see how high they can go... Usually, I set the volume to 15 at most... It just annoys me that a 5 second jump to Max volume on a "premium" audio system could cause damage.

MrHiggles · 02-11-2012

hmmmmm I still get alot of compliments on the system I have. Everyone I know tells me its the clearest sound they ever heard. However they dog me out about the bass.

jspagna1 · 02-11-2012

Bose just does'nt make their systems like they used to. Owned a 92 Max SE and the Bose system in that car was awesome. Still own a 03 Max and the Bose in that car not as good. Can't crank the volume like the one in the 92????

bigaudiofana · 03-21-2012

Correct, higgles, if you heard a GOOD aftermarket system you may think differently.

Penguinchit · 03-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofana

Correct, higgles, if you heard a GOOD aftermarket system you may think differently.

For what it is, the Bose system is not really as bad as you make it out to be. Their technology and processing is actually quite a marvel when you look at the quality of the sound they achieve using those simple speakers. It's not going to win any sound quality competitions, but it is a giant leap forward from the NDSS garbage.

Advantages of having a Bose system include a decent audio system without having to invest the extra time to install, 6.5-7 out of 10 for sound quality in a cookie cutter system, ability to add a sub by tapping straight off of the sub wire amp inputs for a little extra low end and not having to have an aftermarket head unit on display for potential thieves.

Although they're not near to being perfect and you can get a better sounding system for cheaper than a $2000 factory option, I completely support the Bose systems. It takes the component research headaches out of the equation and adds value to the vehicle.

bigaudiofana · 03-23-2012

A bose system omits a lot of frequencies even a standard stock system would be ok to reproduce. The technology behind their products is to do just that in order to not harm their very small paper speakers found in almost all their lines and car audio. Their amps are half or even a quarter the size of what a real amp should be to produce a true clean signal. Most systems if played normally will fail probably from one of these. Speaker distortion, amp failure, display failure, or other causes. Yes there are those who have been lucky to not have to deal with replacing something damaged that is bose however I would far from call their products good.

Just my observation/opinion.