So i was cruising the bose site after getting a newsletter email from them to see what new stuff they got and i went into the automotive sections and found a FAQ section as seen in this link below. I was nice enough to copy and paste so you dont have to xfer out of the forum.

Also, BOSE makes a quality product, i feel that i should add this edit in today. They make good quality home products and for stock systems when they work they are soo much better than a stock crappy system Knowing how to do audio myself now, i wouldnt go that route necessarily anymore. Home audio and commercial, phenomenal, all the bars around me in my area have bose systems and it works well, i just wishi could see some more klipsch, but like i have said before, BOSE is the low in the High end audio.

BOSE FAQ

Q1.How can I be sure my car's sound system is from Bose?

A1.
The best way is to look for the logo. You can find it in every car with one of our sound systems, though it isn't always obvious. To find it in current car models, refer to our model directory. For previous models, look at the speakers in the front and rear doors, the speakers in the rear shelf, the front of the radio and in the radio's electronic display panel when you first turn on the system. If you can't find our logo in any of these places, your car almost certainly doesn't have a Bose sound system. If you're still in doubt, contact automotive for more information.

(Lies, the HU was made by clarion a ****ton of times, the speakers are bose)

Q2. Can I buy the parts to add a Bose sound system to my car?

a. If my car's manufacturer doesn't offer a Bose system as an option?
b. If my car's manufacturer offers a Bose system as an option, but I didn't get it when I bought the car?
No, in both cases. Bose does not offer audio systems or parts for aftermarket sale in the US because we would be unable to assure the high level of audio performance for which we are recognized. Each of our automotive sound systems is engineered as part of the car itself and installed on the car manufacturer's assembly line. The system's elements become part of the automobile. And, most importantly, special acoustic checks and balances are performed to ensure that the sound quality meets our standards. This level of custom engineering is not possible with aftermarket parts.

(this is probably for the better although bose does sound nice at first, it is overpriced junk for what you actually get and the hassels you have to deal with, suxors in the end)

Q3. Can I get a list of technical specifications?

A3.
No, because our custom-engineered, complete system solutions largely supersede conventional audio measurements. Even some basic building blocks have been redefined—including amplifiers, speakers and equalizers. But most importantly, our integrated systems deliver results significantly different from those of conventional systems with individual, unmatched components. With a Bose automotive sound system, the location and design of the speakers can be much more important factors in determining output than a wattage power rating. The bottom line? The best way to test a Bose system's sound quality is to use your ears, not a list of specifications.

(AKA we dont want you to find other equipment that will match up and work better with our equipment and we have the specs, most likely both personally designed and industry standard for comparison sake.)

4. Shouldn't I be hearing better radio reception?

A4.
Not necessarily. What you're hearing is a limitation in FM broadcast technology, rather than something broken inside your car. As you've undoubtedly noticed, FM signals become weaker and stronger as you drive. They're also subject to interference, particularly in urban environments. Currently, there's just no way to give an FM broadcast the sound quality of a CD.

5. Why doesn't my Bose sound system have lots of controls?

A5.
Because we engineer our systems with the technology on the inside, not on the outside. For example, you might notice the absence of a graphic equalizer. But inside the system, our Bose proprietary technology applies a separate EQ curve to each individual speaker. You enjoy clearer, more natural sound, at a far greater resolution than is possible with most graphic equalizers. And you're free from having to make the many adjustments required for high-fidelity sound yourself.

(i like simple controls, but then again its preference)

6. Can I change my Bose sound system?

a. Can I add a CD player or changer?
Yes, in most cases. When Bose works with a car company to design a sound system, we almost always include provisions for adding CD capability. To learn which CD players or changers will work best, contact your vehicle dealer. If you're not sure whether your car has the option of adding a CD player or changer, contact automotive for more information.

b. Can I add a new radio?
Each Bose automotive sound system is completely integrated, with the elements custom-engineered to work together as a whole. That's why the music sounds so rich and lifelike. To help achieve this sound quality, special circuits are built into the system, including the radio. If you install a new radio, you lose these circuits. This can result in decreased sound quality, incorrect bass and treble balance, distortion at high volumes, loss of bass at low volumes and in some cases, no audio output at all. In addition, changing the display, which is also known as a headunit, will void the warranty on your Bose sound system.

(**** YES YOU ****ING CAN YOU SOB LYING COMPANY, suck my **** you can add a new ****ing radio, stop lying to people and giving them headaches)

c. Can I add a subwoofer?
No. As noted above, each Bose automotive sound system is completely integrated, with the elements custom-engineered to work together as a whole. If you add a subwoofer to the system, its output is unlikely to be proportionate with that of speakers already in place. In most cases, adding a subwoofer will detract from—not enhance—the sound quality.

(**** YES YOU CAN YOU MOTHER ****ERS, I DID IT AND SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE DID YOU SOB'S ONCE AGAIN STOP LYING)

7. Can Bose help me get service on my car's sound system?

A.7
Yes. For any questions about service, replacement parts or warranty information for your vehicle's Bose sound system, give us a call or send us an email.
In the US call:
1-800-231-2673
Outside the US call:
1-508-766-6885

Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM EST (13:30 – 22:00 GMT)

For information about our other, non-automotive products:
In the US and Canada call:
1-800-999-2673 (1-800-WWW-BOSE)
Outside the US and Canada:
1-508-766-1099

(THEY HELP NOT, MAYBE WITH TELLING U TO GO AND REPLACE **** WITH UBER EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT PARTS OR PUT A WHOLE NEW UPGRADED BOSE SYSTEM IN)

 

why the "hateon" for bose? For a stock system it sounds ok. at least for my ears. I will be upgrading soon, but that's just because the stuff that came with the car is now 11 years old.
Interesting information. thanks for posting it up.

 

I'm not a fan of Bose myself, but in their defense:
Point A - They never said they made them. A lot of factory systems are not made by the people who tune them. Much like the car itself, certain parts are sourced from other vendors.

Point B - That's partially the vehicle manufacturers fault. Most of the packages nowadays include Bose or some other "premium" audio on the higher trims. That premium package also includes other options. When all is said and done, the price premium on the audio component of that package really isn't much.

Point C - They're not saying you can't replace it. What they're saying is that the OEM unit is integrated with the rest of the system. Take out the OEM unit and you have a mismatched system.

Point D - In the basic sense, you cannot easily add an aftermarket sub to an existing Bose system. For that to happen, you'll need adapters which are usually provided by third parties. Additionally, Bose has their own interests in mind when providing that answer so of course they'll say no. (It is a business after all.). They're not lying, per se, but rather preserving the integrity of the "quality" of their products. Much like how vehicle manufacturers say you cannot install any type of forced induction on your vehicle. We all know that's not true, but they say no because it affects the quality of the vehicle which eventually funnels down to the media and the masses in terms of Quality Surveys and Consumer Feedback ratings.

On a similar note, i do agree with Bose on the "component matching" theory. Mix-matching various components may get one the audio quality that one requires, but it doesn't always mean that's the proper way of doing it. Just as you do with home theater components, having speakers that voice-match each other will always sound better and work better as an integrated unit than combining various components from various vendors.

Audio is a very subjective field, what may actually sound good to some is not boomy enough for others. I've always gone for SQ in any of my audio systems, as opposed to SPL. In my case, "boomy" and bass-heavy systems are good for what they are, but are in no way close to being a perfect system.

I guess this is why i still prefer a perfectly done stereo set-up than the now "standard" multi-directional audio (a.k.a surround sound).

 

i agree with you on all those points, each is very valid. I dont agree with the ethics of secrecy that bose takes. I feel as if they speak to me as i am dumb and ignorant and cant understand what they are saying. Its just a pet peve i guess.

I too like sq, you need to find what you like and like what you find to be happy. Everyone is different and has a different medium for accoustical enjoyment.

BTW i prefer a full frontal home stereo setup, i prfer a wide range infront of me. The fact is that nothing on tv is 5.1, decorders do a blah job at trying to divide it up. Until everything is in 5.1 full frontal is great. I just wish that companies built amps for 3.1 only. Center channels are great for the vocals and paired with a good left and right you can have a great soundstage. Add the .1 in and you got yourself BASS woot. But for now, i am stuck buy 5.1 or 7.1 receivers and activating the 3 channel mode, which better receivers tend to have.

 

glad i got rid of my "BLOSE" a long time ago

 

Um... I'm not gonna mention who, and we all know this crap already, but someone has a helluva a lot of time on their hands.

 

bah. i have alot of free time at work, im doing an internship kinda thing

 

Tool.

 

mine says Bose but Bose says its made by clarion.

 

They also don't want to answer any questions about it.

 

Who cares, in 4th gens they sounded decent. It's not like you went out of your way and got it to realize it sucks or something. Stock it is fine for 90% of the people out there.

 

yes, indeed, stock is fine for me, if it works properly.

But here's my problem;

I've got an '05 w/ stock Boze cd. It won't play, load, or eject. It does make a noise like it's trying. I tried unhooking the bat'ry...ng.
I have an extended warranty, but dealer said burned cd's void it. Can I remove those cd's somehow? If I take the unit out can I get it apart to get those cd's out?
Any answers are appreciated.
Thanks.

 

burned cd's void the cd warranty? That's a load of crap. If it was not meant to play mp3 files/wma/acc why was it designed that way?

Unless you used those stupid stickers to design your own cd face then I could see that. but really. take it to another dealer and if they won't help you call nissan north america.

 

The owners manual does say, "Only use...discs that have the 'COMPACT disc DIGITAL AUDIO' logo...". The burned ones usually say 'COMPACT disc ReCordable'. The dealer said the recordable ones are thicker than the others. But I called Clarion, supposed maker of the unit, and they said the recordable ones were thinner. I think it's just a way for them to avoid honoring the warrantee.

 

True story. I don't like Bose as a company but the stock stereo in 4th gen worked for me. And I like to crank my tunes. Could have used more bass but who couldn't these days...

However the head units do start to fall apart after awhile... I bought a used one that started cutting out at certain times and look what I found:



Oh look, a grounding diode carelessly soldered shorting a pin to ground in a crossover (possibly even amplifier) board. Good job douches.

 

That's Nissan and Clarion. Bose supplied the speakers

 

Supplied, perhaps, but still not made by them.