The difference in sound between stock and bose?
#26
Registered Lunatic
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I got the sport package, mainly due to the fact that the touring and GT have the sunroof which I definitely did not want.
The base stereo has crap paper speakers and no external amplifier. The stock Bose system will kill the sound emanating from that miserable base stereo.
On the other hand, upgrading the base is much easier than the Bose. That's what I did and am happy with what I have now.
Even just replacing the speakers of the base stereo will result in significant improvement.
The base stereo has crap paper speakers and no external amplifier. The stock Bose system will kill the sound emanating from that miserable base stereo.
On the other hand, upgrading the base is much easier than the Bose. That's what I did and am happy with what I have now.
Even just replacing the speakers of the base stereo will result in significant improvement.
#27
I have the Bose system and find it disappointing. I also had Bose in my Miata and didn't care much for it there, either. Unlike many, I'm not a hater of Bose products. I love their Wave radio and their sound-cancelling headphones. But I think their car systems tend to have lots of bass, fairly good highs – and no middle. For the kind of music I like, the middle is very important.
If you're a bass freak, you'll probably like the Bose system. But if you're into musical accuracy, you won't.
I'm into accuracy, myself. If I had a choice, I'd prefer the base system which I'd then replace aftermarket. Replacing the Bose system is a pain and a half.
If you're a bass freak, you'll probably like the Bose system. But if you're into musical accuracy, you won't.
I'm into accuracy, myself. If I had a choice, I'd prefer the base system which I'd then replace aftermarket. Replacing the Bose system is a pain and a half.
#28
I have the Bose system and find it disappointing. I also had Bose in my Miata and didn't care much for it there, either. Unlike many, I'm not a hater of Bose products. I love their Wave radio and their sound-cancelling headphones. But I think their car systems tend to have lots of bass, fairly good highs – and no middle. For the kind of music I like, the middle is very important.
If you're a bass freak, you'll probably like the Bose system. But if you're into musical accuracy, you won't.
I'm into accuracy, myself. If I had a choice, I'd prefer the base system which I'd then replace aftermarket. Replacing the Bose system is a pain and a half.
If you're a bass freak, you'll probably like the Bose system. But if you're into musical accuracy, you won't.
I'm into accuracy, myself. If I had a choice, I'd prefer the base system which I'd then replace aftermarket. Replacing the Bose system is a pain and a half.
#29
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I also didn't want a sunroof or all the added weight of the electric motors. Alas, I have no subwoofer, but I am about to put some nice speakers in, as audio is where the modding bug is biting next.
It all really depends on what your proirites are for the car.
#30
Just remember that if you are a bass freak you will be changing out all the speakers in a short time, the bose doesn't hit that hard, and as the base is easier to swap in aftermarket speakers, that may be something to consider.
I also didn't want a sunroof or all the added weight of the electric motors. Alas, I have no subwoofer, but I am about to put some nice speakers in, as audio is where the modding bug is biting next.
It all really depends on what your proirites are for the car.
I also didn't want a sunroof or all the added weight of the electric motors. Alas, I have no subwoofer, but I am about to put some nice speakers in, as audio is where the modding bug is biting next.
It all really depends on what your proirites are for the car.
#31
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Yeah, I would just go with whatever features you want the most then, i.e. sunroof, leather, etc. and worry about aftermarket system later. It will be one of the few mods that you can do on a smaller budget, and is generally something you could DIY and would be a good way to start to get to know the car. Cause replacing the rear speakers is a bitch... I will let you find that out on your own.
Honestly, I would recommend you buying a different car being 17, an older Beamer or something...
Honestly, I would recommend you buying a different car being 17, an older Beamer or something...
#32
Effin' Awesome User
What are the differences in speakers and placement in the base versus the Bose? I know the base has six speakers, but where are they and what kind are they? Same for the Bose, if anyone knows.
I think the base stereo has sufficient power, just that the speakers suck. A few hundred bucks in upgraded speakers and the sound system should easily surpass the Bose system.
I think the base stereo has sufficient power, just that the speakers suck. A few hundred bucks in upgraded speakers and the sound system should easily surpass the Bose system.
#33
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Same for the Bose, if anyone knows.
I think the base stereo has sufficient power, just that the speakers suck.
A few hundred bucks in upgraded speakers and the sound system should easily surpass the Bose system.
#34
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There are some good reasons some people go for a sport instead. It's a bit lighter, has room for a helmet, and it has some damn nice cloth seats which are a lot more comfortable in hot weather than the leather. And the sat-nav on the GT blows, or at least the early ones did.
There isn't much difference in price, it depends on what you want. If you are considering autocrossing, you might want a sport.
There isn't much difference in price, it depends on what you want. If you are considering autocrossing, you might want a sport.
In the Sport you do not get traction control either which is a nice edition, especially for a 17 year old. Also keep in mind, you can also get a Touring like mine, which gets you most of what the GT's have minus the leather interior ( A no no in Texas). My car has everything except NAV (which blows anyway) and leather.
#35
In the Sport you do not get traction control either which is a nice edition, especially for a 17 year old. Also keep in mind, you can also get a Touring like mine, which gets you most of what the GT's have minus the leather interior ( A no no in Texas). My car has everything except NAV (which blows anyway) and leather.
#43
I'm probably the only one to admit it, but I don't care for the factory Bose. It's just my opinion so doesn't mean I'm right!
There was an option package to add the DSC, HID, and fog lights on a base/sport. Later years they deleted the option and you had to step to the Touring model. Sheesh in 2010, they dropped the Touring so now you have to get an R3 or Grand Touring to get any of these.
I got a Touring because I didn't want leather, didn't want the Bose. Heck, I didn't want the auto dimming mirror, I like the plain one better. Didn't want the six disc either. I really only wanted the DSC, getting the factory HID & fog lights was just a bonus. They didn't have that performance package option in 2009 models.
There was an option package to add the DSC, HID, and fog lights on a base/sport. Later years they deleted the option and you had to step to the Touring model. Sheesh in 2010, they dropped the Touring so now you have to get an R3 or Grand Touring to get any of these.
I got a Touring because I didn't want leather, didn't want the Bose. Heck, I didn't want the auto dimming mirror, I like the plain one better. Didn't want the six disc either. I really only wanted the DSC, getting the factory HID & fog lights was just a bonus. They didn't have that performance package option in 2009 models.
#44
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I'm probably the only one to admit it, but I don't care for the factory Bose. It's just my opinion so doesn't mean I'm right!
There was an option package to add the DSC, HID, and fog lights on a base/sport. Later years they deleted the option and you had to step to the Touring model. Sheesh in 2010, they dropped the Touring so now you have to get an R3 or Grand Touring to get any of these.
I got a Touring because I didn't want leather, didn't want the Bose. Heck, I didn't want the auto dimming mirror, I like the plain one better. Didn't want the six disc either. I really only wanted the DSC, getting the factory HID & fog lights was just a bonus. They didn't have that performance package option in 2009 models.
There was an option package to add the DSC, HID, and fog lights on a base/sport. Later years they deleted the option and you had to step to the Touring model. Sheesh in 2010, they dropped the Touring so now you have to get an R3 or Grand Touring to get any of these.
I got a Touring because I didn't want leather, didn't want the Bose. Heck, I didn't want the auto dimming mirror, I like the plain one better. Didn't want the six disc either. I really only wanted the DSC, getting the factory HID & fog lights was just a bonus. They didn't have that performance package option in 2009 models.
#45
I think im going to consider this whole thing again... I dont know what the base sounds like, and i love the bose, so idk... how much would it cost to do swap to bose from base?
#46
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I am sure you could piece everything together, but I am not sure you would end up with a better system than you could buy from the aftermarket. the Bose is pretty good IMO, but I'm no audiophile.
#47
Yeah. Im not an audiofile either. I just think music is important and its gotta be bangin' a little atleast.. The bose in my dad's was excellent, thats what i thought. I hear base is better, i hear bose is, but i guess i gotta find someone with a base model to see.
#48
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#49
I have an 04 sport, and it has everything the GT has but the spoiler, sunroof and heated seats and bose system. It has HID, DSC, leather and nav.
I absolutely DO NOT want any car with a sunroof.
I absolutely DO NOT want any car with a sunroof.
#50
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Bose is far superior to the base stereo but it didn't stop me from tweaking the Bose stereo even more to get the sound I really wanted.
Here's your simple solution: Jedi's Bose Stereo Upgrade
Here's your simple solution: Jedi's Bose Stereo Upgrade