I am looking to buy an 02 Maxima. Is the Bose stereo woth it. any respnses would be welcome.

 

Here's my opinion. If you are an audiophile and plan on doing audio mods, then it is not worth it. The Bose system makes things a little more complicated for upgraded speakers, amps, etc. True audio people will also tell you that you can get the standard radio and pull it out and put in any aftermarket system that will be better for less than what you pay for the Bose option. If you want to mess with that hassle (I didn't), then it's not worth it as well.

If you don't care about the stereo and listen to talk readio all the time, then it's really not worth it.

If you share my thoughts which are that I will never do any stereo mods, yet I appreciate a good sound and like to crank it up on occasion and really enjoy my listening experience, then my opinon is that it is worth it. I got it on my 2000 max and have been pleased with it. The heavy duty audio people don't really like it that much - say it distorts the base and all that jazz, but for me and my tastes, it is perfect. It is better than the standard and I get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

There will be other opinions, but that is mine.

 

i'm an audiophile, but not in my car. the bose system sounds good.

 

I believe it is a good system on a intermediate level.I prefer to spend money on go faster goodness and the stereo will remain stock so that was my reason for buying it. I prefer to see a nitrous system in a trunk rather than 2 15"subs.Or here the beautiful hiss of a blow off valve than the sound of a ungodly large sub. It was novel when I was in highschool but not anymore it's just silly now.Also saves you about 200 pounds or more. Just my 2 cents on it.
Later

 

Unless you want to go MP3, or are a car stereo person, the bose is plenty of a system.

 

I just purchased a 02 SE w/sunroof as the only option. My choices were this and a loaded SE (leather, etc.). I really labored over the leather issue but I did not hear a dramatic difference between the base stereo and the Bose. I test drove both models, brought my own CD's and tested the range and quality thoroughly. The 6-CD changer is nice. The Bose certainly has better low end with the sub and probably better quality at higher volumes. If you look at it from a strictly comparison issue the difference isn't worth $1000 (IMHO). I have no plans to upgrade - I like the stock look. If you get an SE I've seen cloth come on base, base w/sunroof, and base w/sunroof and Bose. Chances are you may not have the exact choice of cars to pick from that you would like. I bought the car mostly for the engine and I always wanted a Max. Just set your priorities and go from there. If you have to have Bose as some do with a 6-speed or leather don't compromise.

GoodLuck

 

I don't have the Bose but I wish I did...

 

I have the Bose and am VERY happy with it. Sounds great when I crank up the volume (or at least good enough for me). I was not willing to trade the "stock look" for aftermarket upgrades.

Bring a CD to the dealer and listen. Then you will know what you want to do!

 

I have the Bose and wish I didn't. Aftermarket upgrades sound a ton better.

 

I will be purchasing an 02 and I will definitely not go w/the Bose. I consider myself and audiophile and for the price of the Bose plus a little more, I can equip my next max w/a killer system. By killer, i mean excellent sound quality and clean tight bass. The Bose system is more than adequate for most people but once you have heard a good system (not a loud boomy system) its hard to go back.

 

And you bought a Maxima? Hmmmm.

 

Six is right.

 

another take--
i got the bose system in my max, knowing i would take it out simply b/c i wanted leather, auto climate control, moonroof, and the memory seats that back back and forth when i get out and in respectfully--letting the dealership know i was gonna take the bose system out allowed me to get a better price
good luck
matt

 

If you're an audiophile, you'll like the Bose. Is it an audiophile system?? No. But compared to what the factory offers, it's a whole lot better. It is "near audiophile" in quality because it is tuned to the car, gets a very flat frequncy response, with extended bass.

You can listen to your BOSE with the bass and treble at 12 oclock, and enjoy it with plenty of bass and highs. whenevr I hearan afetrmarket system, the guys who use them always turn up the bass and treble, doing the classic u shape on the eq. To me, a good systemn does not need an eq. That's a sign of weakness.

As for aftermarket, you can get more fetaures and power than Bose will give you, but there's one significant factor missing from most, if not all, aftermarket systems. They are not tuned to the car. The Bose system is. Aftermarkets will go louder, sound a bit cleaner, but in terms of FLAT frequency reponse, the Bose is hard to beat.

Drawbakcs to the Bose? Not easily upgraded. The extended bass pushes the smallish speakers to far, so at loud volumes, the bass is hurtin'.

DW

 

depends if u want after market stereo or like to keep it stock for the money if u r keeping it yes it is worth it! nice sound!!! other wise save the money for the after market.....

 

Either the Bose or an aftermarket setup...that's my opinion.

 

If you want leather you have to get the BOSE. I wanted leather but obviously was not interested in the BOSE. Kinda sucks, but true. When i got the car i knew i was upgrading and didn't feel like spending $800 for a radio i didn't need.

 

If you're going with GXE or SE, you dont need BOSE unless you are going to buy an option package where BOSE comes w/leather heated seats, sunroof, etc. If you're getting BOSE as a part of package then the cost is not so great if you bought it separately...

 

The Bose is a total rip off! Even though I have it I wish I didn't because the money spent on a bose could have went towards a much much better sounding system. If you don't really care too much about the stereo then just stick with the normal one and add a single 10" or 12" and you'll be fine.

 

I think the thing to do is "test drive" it. I think the sub and upgraded speakers are great. It's a noticeable difference. I, for one, really enjoy my Bose system. I listen to a lot instrumental Jazz, Classical, and Rock. If you are into thumping rap and super bass, you might want a custom system.

 

That's not true. I have Bose without leather.

 

The BOSE decks are trash. The speakers are nice, but you can do better on the aftermarket. I agree with straight six. Also the Bose CD units aren't made by Bose, they are Clarion I think.

 

I have the Bose system and I think it is one of the best factory systems you can get. Very happy with it.

 

Lets not get carried away, the BOSE deck is not trash, it might not be top of the line to all, but to most it's still a nice unit, especially compared to other stock decks. Keep in mind some people do not have the time, money, and most importantly any connections to get a nice aftermarket system installed. Believe me you can get severly overcharged in the aftermarket stereo installation world. I say get the Bose, most of the Maxes got em anyway, good luck waiting for one with the options you want and not the Bose. Spend the grand you got on some mods for your car, ex: Y-pipe, K&N drop in, RSB, etc.... just my .02

 

You caught my attention... Have an SE with the base CD/Tape/Radio combo and would like to add some bass. Thought of replacing the 6 3/4 door speakers with aftermarket ones. Would prefer adding a small powered sub in the truck. Can I do that without altering anything else??

 

check it....im loving the bose...im 17 and the only stuff that goes through my speakers is rap/r&b so a lotta bass and occasionally a lil bit of Bhangra/Hindi music....i state my age cuz i dont mean to offend any of the older memebers, but im guessn its stereotyped that teenagers r always bumpn music really loud and stuff..yea well, w/ the Bose, the music is loud and stays clear, and most of all really stays within the car, which is awesome for when cops come rolling by cuz although its loud to me, they barely hear it...my friends are always telln me how they like my bose over my friends system w/ a BMW 323 ci; however the 8" sub isnt really cutting it anymore, but it depends what ur looking for; if u want subs that hit really hard, the bose sub isnt gonna do it, but i love the other 6 speakers (6x9/tweeters), awesome...but if a decent amount of bass is aiite, then Bose is all good....btw, if anybody has any really good connects, im look for Kicker Solo Baric 12" subs rite now, 2 of em...lotttttta bass, best price i can get personally is around 2 bills, please PM me or post here and ill PM u if u can do better
atw

 

get the Bose system if you just want some better than most stock sounding system. It's hard for you to go on our opinions, so get your favorite cds, try it out in the Bose on the Max and go somewhere else try that same cd. Only then will you get an idea of how the Bose compares. I got the upgrade Bose system because of the very clear highs and good midrange, I spruced it up a bit by adding 2 12"Pyle subs with a Fosgate amp, and that's my "low" down. For those that think the stock Bose is trash, please, appreciate how technology has advanced, or would do you still prefer *****? pc

 

Compared to the base audio system with 120 watts/6 speakers, including 2 tweeters, the BOSE with 200 watts/7 BOSE active speakers, including 2 tweeters and woofer is a much needed improvement in sound quality. But, it still wasn't cutting it for me. When turned up to full volume the BOSE tends to distort dramatically, resulting in unacceptable sound quality for a $800 option.

 

I think its the other way around...you get leather, you have to get Bose....

 

It's like others here have said. If you are a "real" audiophile, then the Bose probably won't compare to a comparatively priced aftermarket system. I don't consider myself an audiophile so the Bose is great for me. The Bose sounds "way" better than the stock system in our Honda Odyssey. I am 36 years old and these days I listen to alot of talk radio. Let me tell you, the Bose allows for some killer AM talk radio sound.

 

and like a wide range of music.. I would not get the Bose system...
yes... it's a really nice system... but does it worth the 1200 dollar option... I don't think so... you can do so much better with 1200 dollars.....

 

The problem with the aftermarket is;

1) You have to build it.
2) Components you buy are not built specifically for the Maxima. The Bose system is. The main reason the Bose system sounds good is because those speakers were built with the maxima interior in mind. Can you say that about Polk speakers, JBL, Solobarics?? No. I wish you could. I would buy them in a heartbeat if that was the case.
3) in order to tune your system to the car,EQs and such, you'd have to spend more than the $1100 Bose to do it. So, the Bose system is a bargain in that regard.

DW