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Best/cheapest way to improve Bose System?

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Old 11-23-2004 | 04:48 PM
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Best/cheapest way to improve Bose System?

I'm disliking my Bose system! My Monsoon system in my VW sounds way better! How do I improve the overrall sound...bass and highend without the need for a new HU and without sacrificing space (bass box) Any suggestions?
Old 11-23-2004 | 05:35 PM
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upgrade speakers, add some amps, and get a bass producer(subwoofers).
Old 11-23-2004 | 05:58 PM
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All your base...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ...cfkmdffhdfii.0

Old 11-24-2004 | 01:47 AM
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... are belong to us.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/development-thread-custom-fiberglass-sub-box-rx8-41513/

-Mr. Wigggles
Old 11-24-2004 | 09:11 AM
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I have found for under $400 you can make your Bose system incredible.

Here's what I have done....Inexpensive $20 tweeters from WalMart, Infinity Basslink (no trunk space to speak of...See pict), custom mounting of Infinity Basslink switch in-dash.

This system sounds like systems I have spent thousands for in the past.
Attached Thumbnails Best/cheapest way to improve Bose System?-img_1865.jpg   Best/cheapest way to improve Bose System?-img_1866.jpg   Best/cheapest way to improve Bose System?-img_1867.jpg  
Old 11-24-2004 | 10:08 AM
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Congrats, Mr. Wiggles....nice looking box(es). That's the way to go.
Old 11-29-2004 | 08:53 PM
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For those with the basslink in the trunk, what is the sound quality like? Is it any better if you remove the pass-through thereby opening up the car interior to the trunk?

I noticed the basslink has an active 10" woofer and a passive woofer. Most folks install it with the passive woofer pressed up against the side of the trunk. Might the sound be better by moving the basslink away from a side (assuming you can position it so that the sound from the two woofers (which are probably out of phase) don't cancel each other out)?
Old 11-30-2004 | 12:10 AM
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My Basslink

I used velcro to put my Basslink on the floor of my trunk and turned the pass thru into a speaker cover. I had a car stereo shop fill it full of one inch holes and put black cloth over it. It looks stock, you can't tell unless you know it is supposed to be plastic. Cut the back off, it still locks and everything. Installed the controller for it on the front right side of the drivers seat, invisible to passengers, but can adjust without bending. Makes a huge difference in sound. Now, how do you install those Walmart speakers for more tweeter? The window tweeters are only high midrange speakers, lacking the higher ranges.

Last edited by Zokk's 8; 11-30-2004 at 12:15 AM.
Old 11-30-2004 | 10:44 AM
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Do you have pictures of the pass thru? I might want to do that also.
Old 11-30-2004 | 11:14 AM
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I'll be ordering my Basslink later today. I've already solved the front tweeter problem. I replaced the crappy 2" Bose tweeters in the front doors with Image Dynamics NX30 tweeters. These are sooo much better. I reused the non-polarized capacitor the Bose tweeters were using for a crossover so that the new speakers would merge in at the correct frequency.

I want the Basslink to fill in the low end that is entirely missing with the Bose speakers.
Old 12-01-2004 | 12:09 AM
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no pics of Pass thru

Sorry my digital camera is having issues with my computer, till they get back on speaking terms I have no pic's. The stereo shop charged me about $35.00 with tax to saw off the back compartment of the locking cover, drill it full of one inch holes and cover it with heavy duty black speaker cloth. They must of removed and then put the lock back on because the cloth goes under it. You cannot tell by looking that it is not stock, unless you know better. Makes a lot more bass come thru, especially when the spare is in the trunk.
Old 02-12-2005 | 08:29 PM
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Does anyone know (or can someone point me to a link) of the speaker sizes in the 8, front and rear? I have the standard audio system (not the Bose, thankfully) if that makes any difference. I want to upgrade the audio, and the first place to start is to replace the crappy factory units.

No highs, no lows. Must be Bose,
Bill
Old 02-13-2005 | 06:56 PM
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Front 6 x 8
Rear 6 x 9
Not sure what size the tweeters in door are.

__________________________

Originally Posted by Rotario
Does anyone know (or can someone point me to a link) of the speaker sizes in the 8, front and rear? I have the standard audio system (not the Bose, thankfully) if that makes any difference. I want to upgrade the audio, and the first place to start is to replace the crappy factory units.

No highs, no lows. Must be Bose,
Bill
Old 02-13-2005 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Rotario
I have the standard audio system (not the Bose, thankfully) if that makes any difference.
It certainly does. Makes the speaker replacement a whole lot easier
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/focal-speaker-replacement-base-stereo-19899/
Old 02-14-2005 | 07:03 PM
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im the opposite.. i like their home audio.. but not a big fan of their car audio. although.. its notthe worse.. i think bose is second to harmon kardon in the bimmers..
Old 02-15-2005 | 03:34 AM
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Originally Posted by djseto
the Mark Levinson systems in Lexus is excellent.. Mark Levinson makes some great high end home audio.

oh YESs... totally slipped my mind.. i agree the Mark levinson is the best.. i wonder if they make after market products.. i dont mind going the mark levinson way...
Old 02-16-2005 | 02:48 PM
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Thanks for the ideas and input. I have the Bose - just got my car on Saturday - and I have been dissapointed with the Bose as well. I test drove an 8 with the standard system and thought it sounded better. I agree that booming bass doesn't define good music. I actually like a lot of different musical styles and am a musician and have some live performance pro-sound tech/mixing experience. I agree that the Bose is altogether lacking in definition and clarity. I'll play with the EQ and see if I can get any improvement. Sort of sucks that you send the extra money on the Touring option and then have to dump money into better speakers.
Old 02-19-2005 | 11:46 PM
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Dual Basslinks with Stock Bose sounds Great!

I installed a pair of Basslinks on either side of the trunk upright against the side walls, wired a lowpass filter into the rear speaker wires and split that into the basskinks. I believe I now have the BEST sound I have ever had in any car or most home systems I have ever owned. Total cost of the install was under $400 (thanks to EBay for the $160 Basslinks). Took a few hours to run the power leads from the battery and the switched lead from the fuse block but was well worth it.
Old 02-20-2005 | 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by keyek
I installed a pair of Basslinks on either side of the trunk upright against the side walls, wired a lowpass filter into the rear speaker wires and split that into the basskinks. I believe I now have the BEST sound I have ever had in any car or most home systems I have ever owned. Total cost of the install was under $400 (thanks to EBay for the $160 Basslinks). Took a few hours to run the power leads from the battery and the switched lead from the fuse block but was well worth it.
_______________

Can you show some pics?
Old 02-20-2005 | 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by djseto
the Mark Levinson systems in Lexus is excellent.. Mark Levinson makes some great high end home audio.
MArk levinson is owned by HArmon Kardon which owns infiniti & JBl.To make bose system better, get rid of it.Bose makes good home audio speakers but not car audio.Change to components speakers & add a amp or 2 plus at least one subwoofer.
Attached Thumbnails Best/cheapest way to improve Bose System?-wayne_s_pic_001_716.jpg  
Old 02-20-2005 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by TRU681
Bose makes good home audio speakers but not car audio.
Can't agree with the first part of that (but agree with the second part).:D In my opinion, Bose makes some of the lamest and most overpriced home audio components, especially their speakers. They are experts at marketing, which has brainwashed the majority of the public. I write for an online high-end audio publication and get to test a huge number of components, so I'm not just talking out my butt. There's much better out there for much less money, at least from what I've personally experienced.
Old 02-20-2005 | 12:25 PM
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Tru, is that an Eclipse 12TI? Did you install everything yourself or did you get a shop to install them. I usually install everything myself, but I just got this car, and I am sort of scared to work on it because it's such a nice car. Where in the Bay Area are you located too? I'm in San Jose here, maybe we could meet up and I could listen to your system?


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