Sound quality for BOSE
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6
From: Long Island, NY
I'm another person disapointed by the Bose system. I just cannot get it to sound right no matter the source or how much messing with the fader I do. As others have said, the sound comes from in front of the driver/passenger, not from around. The system in my 08 VW R32 sounds MUCH better. Even the system in my 06 Murano which the Maxima replaced sounded much better.
About the only positive I can say about it is that it has a good amount of bass.
About the only positive I can say about it is that it has a good amount of bass.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
I am also disappointed with the "BOSE" system. I always feel like I am behind the music instead of in it. I used the fader to move some of the sound to the back but then it really loses the punch.
When shopping for a car I drove the Genesis and E350 both had much better systems with surround sound included.
Can a surround sound decoder be installed with the BOSE ?
Rob
When shopping for a car I drove the Genesis and E350 both had much better systems with surround sound included.
Can a surround sound decoder be installed with the BOSE ?
Rob
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 98
From: Joliet, IL
So I'm comparing the Bose system (RSN-E Navigation head unit) in my Audi RS6 and the '09 Maxima I just bought and the Max is slightly better.
I feel like they should have added a mid-range adjustment since the bass is too "boomy" and "muddy". The mid-adjustment would have allowed some of this to be taken out.
iPod with the EQ set to "Rock" with the factory head unit's bass at 1 below center and the treble at 2 above center sounds good.
FM sounds bad.
AM, hahaha
XM sounds like it's coming through a pillow or something.
CD is really good and is the best but the least flexible so I'm not ever going to use it. That leaves XM, iPod and CF for true comparisons.
CF is one step below iPod but better than XM. It's sort of a flat sound but with some adjustments it can be made acceptable. Just don't switch back to iPod or you will never use the CF for music again!
iPod wins for the best sound adjustments since you can also play with the EQ on the iPod itself. I'm using a 4th Gen 16GB Nano. Some songs the bass hits too hard and some songs the system is too bright. I'm still working on some other iPod adjustments to find the right mix. I just ordered the Ridax 4th Gen iPod charger converter so I will leave my 16Gb iPod in the center console full-time. I won't have to worry about changing the settings since I'm not taking the iPod with me and listening through headphones or one of the other accessories scattered around the house.
CF is a close second. I'm using a 32GB CF as a backup for music but mostly filled with audio books since I travel a bunch all around the Southeast via car so I can stop playback at the exact point in time I want on the book then listen to music on XM or iPod and come back to it on my next trip.
One other oversite that Nissan made is that you can't set independent adjustments for each Source like on my Audi and many other aftermarket head units. That is very annoying. Since XM sounds worse than iPod, I have to play with the adjustments every time I make the switch to XM and lower the bass while raising the treble. Not a good design but good enough considering all the technology they packed into the car.
I feel like they should have added a mid-range adjustment since the bass is too "boomy" and "muddy". The mid-adjustment would have allowed some of this to be taken out.
iPod with the EQ set to "Rock" with the factory head unit's bass at 1 below center and the treble at 2 above center sounds good.
FM sounds bad.
AM, hahaha
XM sounds like it's coming through a pillow or something.
CD is really good and is the best but the least flexible so I'm not ever going to use it. That leaves XM, iPod and CF for true comparisons.
CF is one step below iPod but better than XM. It's sort of a flat sound but with some adjustments it can be made acceptable. Just don't switch back to iPod or you will never use the CF for music again!
iPod wins for the best sound adjustments since you can also play with the EQ on the iPod itself. I'm using a 4th Gen 16GB Nano. Some songs the bass hits too hard and some songs the system is too bright. I'm still working on some other iPod adjustments to find the right mix. I just ordered the Ridax 4th Gen iPod charger converter so I will leave my 16Gb iPod in the center console full-time. I won't have to worry about changing the settings since I'm not taking the iPod with me and listening through headphones or one of the other accessories scattered around the house.
CF is a close second. I'm using a 32GB CF as a backup for music but mostly filled with audio books since I travel a bunch all around the Southeast via car so I can stop playback at the exact point in time I want on the book then listen to music on XM or iPod and come back to it on my next trip.
One other oversite that Nissan made is that you can't set independent adjustments for each Source like on my Audi and many other aftermarket head units. That is very annoying. Since XM sounds worse than iPod, I have to play with the adjustments every time I make the switch to XM and lower the bass while raising the treble. Not a good design but good enough considering all the technology they packed into the car.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 535
There should be nothing to be disappointed about b/c its pretty well known Bose blows. They are all marketing and that is all. Cheap speakers and components and fooling people for years. "Oh I have a Bose system"...well thats saying "I have crap"
Sorry. My suggestion rip it out and replace the speakers with some really good ones first! Google "Bose blows".. or ask anyone with a clue. Its horrendous and they should be ashamed they are doing this to people.
Sorry. My suggestion rip it out and replace the speakers with some really good ones first! Google "Bose blows".. or ask anyone with a clue. Its horrendous and they should be ashamed they are doing this to people.
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 95
Overall, I like the system. I have had and listened to many aftermarket set-ups and to me the Bose is just fine for what it is. I may add a small 10 inch sub later to take some of the load off the factory speakers. The one gripe I have is I have yet to figure out how to scroll through my Ipod quickly as it always starts with the A's and takes forever to scroll to an artist in the T's. Anyone have a solution. Before you call me a dumb**s, I have only had the car a few days and need to go back and get the manuals as some salesman must have removed it from the glove box.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
why do the rear deck speakers suck so bad??? i mean i cant hear anything coming from them, not even bass when i fade to rear....heck i wondered for a whille if they were really there...what is back there in that rear deck?? thats the biggest issue i see so far with the system...THE REAR DECK NOT MAKING SOUND!!
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 38
From: Chesapeake, VA
Overall, I like the system. I have had and listened to many aftermarket set-ups and to me the Bose is just fine for what it is. I may add a small 10 inch sub later to take some of the load off the factory speakers. The one gripe I have is I have yet to figure out how to scroll through my Ipod quickly as it always starts with the A's and takes forever to scroll to an artist in the T's. Anyone have a solution. Before you call me a dumb**s, I have only had the car a few days and need to go back and get the manuals as some salesman must have removed it from the glove box.
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 95
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 738
From: New Jersey
why do the rear deck speakers suck so bad??? i mean i cant hear anything coming from them, not even bass when i fade to rear....heck i wondered for a whille if they were really there...what is back there in that rear deck?? thats the biggest issue i see so far with the system...THE REAR DECK NOT MAKING SOUND!!
I hear you man, I thought there was something wrong with the speakers when I first got my Max but after speaking with the regional product specialist and my local dealer, and reading from other maxima owners on here, those two huge *** speakers in the rear window are for bass only; they produce no audio whatsoever
As I have said on other posts on maxima.org, the bose system is great if your sitting in the front seats but if your sitting in the back seats the audio experience is completely crappy since only mild audio comes out of the two speakers on each rear door which are no where near the rear passenger's head so when sitting in the back the sat radio/ipod/cds etc sound low and distant, which they are since the majority of the sound is coming through the three speakers on top of the dash by the front windshield!
wish Nissan had not screwed up like they did on this one; have heard that the Bose in the altima has the same setup as the max so the rear passengers in that car get treated to little audio too; really disappointed after having a FX35 with the Bose which had audio coming out of the speakers near the rear window and all around the cabin
I hear you man, I thought there was something wrong with the speakers when I first got my Max but after speaking with the regional product specialist and my local dealer, and reading from other maxima owners on here, those two huge *** speakers in the rear window are for bass only; they produce no audio whatsoever
As I have said on other posts on maxima.org, the bose system is great if your sitting in the front seats but if your sitting in the back seats the audio experience is completely crappy since only mild audio comes out of the two speakers on each rear door which are no where near the rear passenger's head so when sitting in the back the sat radio/ipod/cds etc sound low and distant, which they are since the majority of the sound is coming through the three speakers on top of the dash by the front windshield!
wish Nissan had not screwed up like they did on this one; have heard that the Bose in the altima has the same setup as the max so the rear passengers in that car get treated to little audio too; really disappointed after having a FX35 with the Bose which had audio coming out of the speakers near the rear window and all around the cabin
It really seems like Nissan tried to apply a 7.2 sound field to the Maxima. The problem with this is the fact that a 7.2 sound field does not work that well in a car or for music. I have a home theater in my house. I do not need a poor attempt at one in my car.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 738
From: New Jersey
It really seems like Nissan tried to apply a 7.2 sound field to the Maxima. The problem with this is the fact that a 7.2 sound field does not work that well in a car or for music. I have a home theater in my house. I do not need a poor attempt at one in my car
What really busts my chops with this sound system is that some freaking Nissan engineer(s) thought that having the closest speakers to the rear passengers for audio was the best on the rear doors near their feet; the last time I checked, the part of our bodies we use for hearing is our EARS; our feet seem to be the farthest part of our body away from our ears! sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm...
I have never had a car, in my many years of having many different cars, GM, Acura, Toyota, Infiniti, Audi have never had a car, before this maxima, where audio DID NOT come out of the speakers in the rear window because those speakers are usually the closest to the rear passenger's ears so that they can get the maximum benefit of the sound system even if they are sitting in the backseat
how some professional thought that having only the two speakers on the rear doors near the floor for audio gave any kind of great audio/listening experience is just beyond comprehension; my only advice for you and anyone else if riding in the maxima is to call shotgun whenever possible
What really busts my chops with this sound system is that some freaking Nissan engineer(s) thought that having the closest speakers to the rear passengers for audio was the best on the rear doors near their feet; the last time I checked, the part of our bodies we use for hearing is our EARS; our feet seem to be the farthest part of our body away from our ears! sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm...
I have never had a car, in my many years of having many different cars, GM, Acura, Toyota, Infiniti, Audi have never had a car, before this maxima, where audio DID NOT come out of the speakers in the rear window because those speakers are usually the closest to the rear passenger's ears so that they can get the maximum benefit of the sound system even if they are sitting in the backseat
how some professional thought that having only the two speakers on the rear doors near the floor for audio gave any kind of great audio/listening experience is just beyond comprehension; my only advice for you and anyone else if riding in the maxima is to call shotgun whenever possible
As much as the Bose system does irritate me at times, I would never go through the trouble of replacing it. I doubt there is a good way to do so when you have the technology package. Everything is so integrated nowadays that it is just impractical to replace head units. It is still open season on the speakers but there is only so much you are going to get out of aftermarket speakers without the right source. What a vicious circle.
As much as the Bose system does irritate me at times, I would never go through the trouble of replacing it. I doubt there is a good way to do so when you have the technology package. Everything is so integrated nowadays that it is just impractical to replace head units. It is still open season on the speakers but there is only so much you are going to get out of aftermarket speakers without the right source. What a vicious circle.
If it's too much, you can always crank the gain down... I say go for it. I hear what you are saying though, I went with an 8" so i can get the best SQ possible with tight, clean, musical bass. I used to have an Eclipse Titanium 15" and an Eclipse Digital 1000w amp, and that thing was clean as hell, but I couldn't turn the gain on the amp past 1/3 or my ears would start to bleed. Ive decided to tone it down a couple notches this time around. It IS a W7 though... and I've heard that it will still rail... I don't really know what I'm getting into with this little beast.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 910
From: Alberta, Canada
If it's too much, you can always crank the gain down... I say go for it. I hear what you are saying though, I went with an 8" so i can get the best SQ possible with tight, clean, musical bass. I used to have an Eclipse Titanium 15" and an Eclipse Digital 1000w amp, and that thing was clean as hell, but I couldn't turn the gain on the amp past 1/3 or my ears would start to bleed. Ive decided to tone it down a couple notches this time around. It IS a W7 though... and I've heard that it will still rail... I don't really know what I'm getting into with this little beast.
.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
I think the base in my Max is plenty good. I've had riders who assumed I had a sub, but it's all OEM. I realize its fun to have a sub pounding away in there, but your hearing will pay the price when you get older.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 780
From: Orlando, FL
The Bose system Is a 9 speaker system with two subs. Most of the sound comes from the front no doubt. Are the two subs located in the backseat head area?? If so that leaves only two floor/door speakers in the back for vocals and five up front, three being in the dash. Is that why there is so much more sound up front? Does any one know this to be factual??
The Bose system Is a 9 speaker system with two subs. Most of the sound comes from the front no doubt. Are the two subs located in the backseat head area?? If so that leaves only two floor/door speakers in the back for vocals and five up front, three being in the dash. Is that why there is so much more sound up front? Does any one know this to be factual??
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 780
From: Orlando, FL
I used to try and entertain people withing a 1/4 mile but have since grown out of that. I do however still have an ear for quality and balance. Not sure about you but I will drive with more than just one other in the car and while the quality is pretty good for stock (and I stress the just for stock part), I still notice it myself and have recieved comments of most the sound coming from the front. With the speaker arangement of what type of speaker goes where in this car ( 5/7 mids and highs being in the front) you can tell it is set up for the 4 door "Family" style. That being dad hears a song he likes and is able to turn the sound up A bit without totally disturbing little Bobby jr. Sleeping in the back.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10
The BOSE 'Sound on Wheels' system for the G35/G37 is a reasonable comparison. I've heard both systems at different times, but not back-to-back. It sure seems like Infiniti has a clear advantage in this area, but some members of this forum may own both vehicles and have a better idea.
I added a JL Audio 500 x 1 amp and a 12" sub to the G, just started playing around with the Max
My initial impression however is that the Maximas system is as good or better than the G's was "pre-sub", although I haven't listened in my back seat as yet
The Ipod interface works much better in the Maxima, the G's gets very buggy sometimes and shows as "disconnected" even when docked.
The only negative using the I-pod via USB in the Max is that it will not recognize he older Ipods - my 160 gig Classic works flawlessly, however it cannot "see" my 60 gig photo
All in all very happy with the stock system, and I'm one who has had many cars where I added aftermarket equipment in the past
Eddie
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 229
2010 Maxima SV+Premium package
I absolutely love the system and don't think it needs any thing extra. I mainly listen to FM & Ipod hooked up to the USB. I have all my song sin iTunes @ the max 256kbps i think? I listen to everything Rock, Pop, Folk, Bluegrass, Classical... I adjust the bass from song to song and typically keep it between 60-100% I did the fade towards the rear 1 or 2 clicks.
This car is soo clear with NO distortion and NO rattles. I love the center channle speakers especially for folk, blue grass, and classical. It really brings out the violins/fiddles, picking of a banjo, and twang of a folk singers voice.
This is my first nice vehicle, The main things I have to compare it to are pickups w/ aftermarket headunits and speakers. Although I do have an amazing system in my house...
As for the XM quality I had Sirius in my f150 and its quality was clear no static but the music is weak and from everything I have read its very low bandwidth like 56k compared to 256k on an ipod ... hope this helps.
I absolutely love the system and don't think it needs any thing extra. I mainly listen to FM & Ipod hooked up to the USB. I have all my song sin iTunes @ the max 256kbps i think? I listen to everything Rock, Pop, Folk, Bluegrass, Classical... I adjust the bass from song to song and typically keep it between 60-100% I did the fade towards the rear 1 or 2 clicks.
This car is soo clear with NO distortion and NO rattles. I love the center channle speakers especially for folk, blue grass, and classical. It really brings out the violins/fiddles, picking of a banjo, and twang of a folk singers voice.
This is my first nice vehicle, The main things I have to compare it to are pickups w/ aftermarket headunits and speakers. Although I do have an amazing system in my house...
As for the XM quality I had Sirius in my f150 and its quality was clear no static but the music is weak and from everything I have read its very low bandwidth like 56k compared to 256k on an ipod ... hope this helps.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 738
From: New Jersey
2010 Maxima SV+Premium package
I absolutely love the system and don't think it needs any thing extra. I mainly listen to FM & Ipod hooked up to the USB. I have all my song sin iTunes @ the max 256kbps i think? I listen to everything Rock, Pop, Folk, Bluegrass, Classical... I adjust the bass from song to song and typically keep it between 60-100% I did the fade towards the rear 1 or 2 clicks.
This car is soo clear with NO distortion and NO rattles. I love the center channle speakers especially for folk, blue grass, and classical. It really brings out the violins/fiddles, picking of a banjo, and twang of a folk singers voice.
This is my first nice vehicle, The main things I have to compare it to are pickups w/ aftermarket headunits and speakers. Although I do have an amazing system in my house...
As for the XM quality I had Sirius in my f150 and its quality was clear no static but the music is weak and from everything I have read its very low bandwidth like 56k compared to 256k on an ipod ... hope this helps.
I absolutely love the system and don't think it needs any thing extra. I mainly listen to FM & Ipod hooked up to the USB. I have all my song sin iTunes @ the max 256kbps i think? I listen to everything Rock, Pop, Folk, Bluegrass, Classical... I adjust the bass from song to song and typically keep it between 60-100% I did the fade towards the rear 1 or 2 clicks.
This car is soo clear with NO distortion and NO rattles. I love the center channle speakers especially for folk, blue grass, and classical. It really brings out the violins/fiddles, picking of a banjo, and twang of a folk singers voice.
This is my first nice vehicle, The main things I have to compare it to are pickups w/ aftermarket headunits and speakers. Although I do have an amazing system in my house...
As for the XM quality I had Sirius in my f150 and its quality was clear no static but the music is weak and from everything I have read its very low bandwidth like 56k compared to 256k on an ipod ... hope this helps.
)
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
i have a '10 sv premium, that I love- been listening to xm, pretty much since day one- now after xm expired i am now listening to the radio and i keep hearing a type of feedback coming through pretty much all the stations, especially when they are talking. sometimes i hear it during a song and it becomes a headache. i've tried adjusting all settings, taking off my bluetooth, display brightness etc...so i am taking it in next weekend, but wanted to know if anyone else has this problem---btw all other-ipod, cd and when i had xm sounded great
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 118
From: MD, USA
I'm gonna add my $.02 - the Bose in the Max is OK, but not fantastic. The 6x9s in the rear deck just can't reproduce the sounds properly. I will play with the fader next time I drive it, but so far I've moved the sound to the left 2 notches, which centers the music nicely. Bass and Treble are at dead center. I really don't want to add a sub to this system, because that's why I've got the higher-end stock stuff.
Because I have Tinnitus, I can't listen to music loudly, and I highly value quietness in a car. The Max isn't bad in this regard, but it could use some more sound deadening
-John
-John
Because I have Tinnitus, I can't listen to music loudly, and I highly value quietness in a car. The Max isn't bad in this regard, but it could use some more sound deadening
-John
-John
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4
From: Wash DC area
I didn't like the Bose system quality either. I had an Audi A6 which had an awesome factory Bose system, so I guess I was spoiled...turns out all Bose systems are not created equal.
I just paid Crutchfields to install new speakers, an amp, and a Cleansweep system. Still not happy with the sound, but the bass is better and overall sound is improved. It still has stereo separation issues that I want improved. I think it is because of the front window mounted tweeters. The sound just reflects off of the front window and gets muddied.
The Crutchfield guys did have a lot of trouble figuring out the Bose amp wiring. There are a lot of digital lines going to the Bose amp that probably do something with the hands free phone stuff and navigation voice prompts. The way they wired it, I ended up loosing fader control as they took all of the signal for the Cleansweep from the front speakers. I still think there could be improvement there if I just had the wiring diagram for the Bose amp's inputs and outputs. Anybody know where I can get that?
Thanks.
I just paid Crutchfields to install new speakers, an amp, and a Cleansweep system. Still not happy with the sound, but the bass is better and overall sound is improved. It still has stereo separation issues that I want improved. I think it is because of the front window mounted tweeters. The sound just reflects off of the front window and gets muddied.
The Crutchfield guys did have a lot of trouble figuring out the Bose amp wiring. There are a lot of digital lines going to the Bose amp that probably do something with the hands free phone stuff and navigation voice prompts. The way they wired it, I ended up loosing fader control as they took all of the signal for the Cleansweep from the front speakers. I still think there could be improvement there if I just had the wiring diagram for the Bose amp's inputs and outputs. Anybody know where I can get that?
Thanks.