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YOUR RESEARCHMOST bus question - for those who have swapped it out
Leading reported evidence
Use kicker amp and speakers
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MOST bus question - for those who have swapped it out
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Leading evidence: 'Use kicker amp and speakers' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'mcintosh or nakamichi), and a new amp' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean head unit/amp isn't ever going' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suspected cause · Original poster
I will probably find a high-end head unit (probably a McIntosh or Nakamichi), and a new amp.
MOST bus question - for those who have swapped it out
Clean head unit/amp isn't ever going
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Suggestion
A clean head unit/amp isn't ever going to sound good with this stuff...
MOST bus question - for those who have swapped it out
Disconnect battery
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Suggestion
It's capable of higher sound levels overall, has far better bass response, and it doesn't require a secret code every time I disconnect my battery.
MOST bus question - for those who have swapped it out
Recommend amplifier
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MOST bus question - for those who have swapped it out
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18 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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Hi all,
I'm actually not much of a sound guy but even I couldn't help but to notice how horrible the stock CDR23 + Bose sounds. I've been doing plenty of research and have the dreaded '03+ MOST bus system - CDR23 + Bose + CDC-4 (CD changer).
I'm pretty handy with the car so the idea of swapping the entire system doesn't scare me. I will probably find a high-end head unit (probably a McIntosh or Nakamichi), and a new amp. I will try the existing speakers first before swapping them out. My gut feeling is that it's the OEM head unit that's making the system sound so bad.
My only question is, for those who have done this, I heard it mention on various forums that the computer may need to be reprogrammed?!
I can imagine that the computer could be looking for signals that no longer exist, but as long as the car is still supplying 12V constant and accessories (which I'm sure the car will), my stereo system will work.
So, does the computer need to be re-programmed? If it does, what are the consequences if I don't get it re-programmed? Could the computer cripple the car in ways I can't imagine?
Thank you everyone!
Howi
Other than the alarm beeping the horn when you arm it because the radio is no longer present, I don't know of any ramifications from removing the factory audio equipment that would require reprogramming.
Actually the BOSE system, when everything is working properly, sounds pretty damn good. I have it in my car, and am pretty amazed how good it sounds considering it's stock. Something may be wrong with your unit, but in no way does "horrible" describe a properly working BOSE system. Most people swap it out because you can't integrate any MP3 players with it.
You are probably right, because my system really sounds horrible, not an exaggeration. It sounds very "scooped" and "compressed", definitely does not sound like a full, natural spectrum.
There's sound coming out of all speakers and the sound doesn't crack. Just an awful sounding system.
Perhaps I should go to a Porsche meet and try out others', see if mine is normal.
No, it sounds like any other car when you arm the alarm. I prefer it, actually, since without the beep it's difficult to tell if you've just armed or disarmed the alarm.
You got a good one, then... the BOSE system in my 986, which included the door subs, the dash speakers, the amplifier in the front trunk, and the speaker box on the rear shelf, sounded like utter crap.
I changed to an alpine head unit/amp and kept the bose speakers. Certainly an improvement. No issues with the "computer" and my horn doesn't beep when I lock the doors.
I have the Bose system in my 2004 40th Anniversary edition, and I added a MoBridge unit for Ipod and the sound is fine for playing digital songs from the Ipod or Iphone. Could you spend thousands to get better sound? Of course.
As evidence that my expectations are not unreasonably high... the stock Delco stereo in my '96 Corvette sounds far better than either BOSE system in my Boxster and 996. It's capable of higher sound levels overall, has far better bass response, and it doesn't require a secret code every time I disconnect my battery. Including a security feature on the CDR head units is only slightly more insane than buying a Club for a Geo Metro.
I changed out the head unit, amp and speakers. The stock speakers are weak, and as you probably know, the sound system is only as good as the speakers. No sense spending the time and $$$ without going all the way.
Absolutely... the non-Bose speakers are $2 paper cone garbage and the bose speakers aren't much better. A clean head unit/amp isn't ever going to sound good with this stuff...
Also, I've had no alarm issues after replacing the system on my 2004 C2.
Comparison to a decent aftermarket component speaker... In this case the venerable a/d/s 236
on a similar note, I replaced the entire 11 speaker bose system (4 dash, 2 door, 4 rear + sub) by 2 6.5" in the doors and a new head unit and the sound quality is not that far, just missing some bass. (I was going for lightweight)
Stock bose would be fine if it was in a Corolla. in a $100k car it's a joke.
