As a new owner of an '09
Cayman
I came here to research the muddy
Bose
stereo and possible fixes, when I saw someone mention a subwoofer pillow hack to clean up the muddy bass. I found a link to the "Article" here but there are no instructions, just people reviewing the "article" and saying that the hack cleans up the bass. Obviously it involves stuffing the subwoofer but I would like some more detailed instructions if anyone has them.
Also, has anyone replaced the head unit only, and noticed any improvement in sound quality? Or would an extra amp be needed as well? Thanks.
Open sub and stuff in synthetic fill from a craft store. Probably easier when you take it out of the car which is a few Torx screws and disconnecting the plug IIRC.
I did it in my 06 CS and thought it was decent. Swapping headunit is another search. Depends on
BOSE
, non-
BOSE
and end goals etc.
Replacing the head unit will require some additional work. You will either need to use a MOST adapter harness to use the
BOSE amplifier
or get a new 5-channel amp. I did the latter.
Note: The sub mod is NOT about making big bass. It's about improving the quality of the bass and every other note in the audio spectrum. I changes mush into distinct notes. It makes way more difference than new amps and all that. It is reversible. You will not want to reverse this one though. So much better.
Anyway, here are the basics. You need a torx wrench or bit set for this job.
Start by findng the subwoofer enclosure on the passenger's side floor. There is a small black plastic grill. The center of that pulls/snaps out with no tools required. Pull out and it should pop out. You can try prying but don't break it. Once that's out, you'll see a torx screw. Remove it.
There is another torx screw further back under. You need to lay in the floor to get to it. It's in the area of the air duct for the floor heater. Remove that screw.
Unplug the electrical wire.
Now, the enclosure should slide toward the rear of the car and out. Mind the metal thing on the tunnel. It's bend-able. It will be the hard part of this whole operation.
Remove the subwoofer assembly from the car.
Unscrew the plastic enclosure from the carpet covered thing. Stuff the insides of this plastic box with as much big-box pillow stuffing (comes in large bags at Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabrics for about $10.) You can just push stuffing into the port or you can take the enclosure apart and really do it. If you have some stick-on acoustic insulator stuff, you can stick pieces to the inside walls of the plastic enclosure in addition to the pillow stuffing. Once it's really filled to the gills, replace everything...don't forget the electrical connection.
The metal flange on the trans tunnel is designed by mean baboons. Eventually you'll figure this thing out. Slide it all in place, replace the screws, pop the grill back in place and enjoy really decent stereo. Don't sweat if you don't have any of that hi-fi stick-on material. It helps 1%. The stuffing helps 95%.
The Gen 2 cars have a different stereo. I don't know if this sort of thing will help it or if the sub is in the same general area.
981s
have a new body with a special compartment built into the floor that houses the sub. That stereo sounds great out of the box.
When I finished this little project, I felt like a GENIUS! It really does amazing and good things to your
Bose
.
:cheers:
If the head works, don't replace it. It's fine. The
Bose
subwoofer is the problem. It's a good driver but the enclosure is plastic and clouds the whole sound. It needs to be damped...a LOT. Do that, and you'll find that the stereo is quite nice.
