BOSE subwoofer level / crossover

I find that the BOSE subwoofer level relative to the main channels is about 2 or 3 times higher than I think it should be to get a *balanced* sound. I have to turn the bass down to -2 or -3 to get rid of the ridiculous thump, which of course completely thins out the rest of the spectrum because the crossover point is set too high. I'm wondering if anyone has come across any sort of configuration info (either PIWIS) or something manual (like a gain pot on the side of the unit / amp) to adjust the level or crossover frequency. On a totally different subject, I was thinking about the front engine coolant radiators and wondered if they have electric fans to deal with low-speed overheating. Doesn't seem like there'd be enough room there they are (maybe behind them?) Anyone know?

I second your complaint about the SW. It makes me wish I didn't have the Bose.

There are two electric fans that permit infinite control of the fan speed as a funcition of the coolant temperature according to Porsche. " This ensures flow optimized control of the exhaust air flow and aerodynamic optimization of the cooling system " they say.

I find that I too have to run the sub down considerably to get decent sound. I have been experimenting since taking delivery, and find that the individual levels for bass and treble are extremely program dependent. With what I consider to be well balanced rock on CD, I have the sub down anywhere from -5 to -7, and the treble anywhere from 0 to +4. When I first got the car, I dialed up several local rock stations, and thought the sound was absolutely horrendous. But popping in a few well recorded CD's has changed my opinion of the system. In fact, with good sounding CD's (a rarity in this day and age) I can say that it sounds pretty good overall. Has anyone done any experimenting with the surround settings, and AudioPilot? I find that I have settled on the Surround "Low" setting, and leave AudioPilot "On". Having said that, I am not really hearing a difference when toggling between the three surround settings. With surround off, there is a pronounced difference in the sound field, but not between the three surround settings. And I have yet to detect a difference when toggling AudioPilot on and off. A few discs that I have played lately that have been pleasing are Roxy Music "Avalon", Thomas Dolby "Aliens Ate My Buick", and The Beatles "Love". Putting all that aside, one thing I noticed is that if you have a CD that already has pretty ripe bass, you may not be able to dial it down low enough. One of the first discs I tried was Patricia Barber's "A Fortnight in Paris" which seems to have a very prominet low end. I could not dial the bass down low enough, although I will have to revisit that title now that I have changed the surround and AP settings. Brian

Thanks Santa Fe. I'd like to know how they achieved "infinite" control of the fan speed... What document did that info come from? So, regarding the subwoofer... no one that has removed it (or the cover) has noticed any sort of adjustment? I'll probably open the cover and see if there is anything accessible. Does anyone know if the amp is built into the thing inside the passenger footwell?

Just picked up my car today, my sales representative went through everything in the car with me. He says he has a customer that works at bose and apparently told my sales guy that everything set to 0 is the perfect setting. He also mentioned that the bass on the bose system is a bit overpowering.

Yancy, I would agree with you on the subwoofer. I play bass in a band and I thought the sw was overpowering. While sitting at a stoplight I was sure my neighbors thought I was listening a Rap Groove instead of Little Feat! dacrunk

Yancy the info is from the Service Information book (2006 Technik Introduction) - part number PNA 49 821 06.

I have the bass at +7, different strokes for different folks I guess. It's not the tightest or cleanest bass out there though, I agree with that. I havn't removed the whole subwoofer, but I took out the vent and trim panel around it to take the headunit out and no control there.

+7? You can't be serious! Our systems must perform differently. Thanks for the info. BTW, I was at a light next to a kid with a sub booming so much that I could hear his license plate frame buzzing like the screws were about to pop off (with my windows up)! Santa Fe, thanks for the info about the radiator fans. As it would happen, I answered my own question about the fans today while I was outside my car while the engine was running after I had been zipping around. The fans were most certainly on and moving a *ton* of air over the radiators and out through the wheel well vents. I had never noticed it before. Apparently overheating even while sitting still shouldn't be a problem!

I was not satisfied till 7 or 8 level at the Porsche center while trying out the bose s/w on one of the Caymans. Is it just me or what?

I am sorry, but I call BS on the fellow from Bose. I am not in anyway a Bose hater, but as I said previously, I agree with those that feel the bass level is way too ripe at the default settings. Then again, I don't listen to hip-hop. But, to each his own. One of my other hobbies is home theater and high quality audio gear. I have spent a fair amount of time setting up subs in home systems, using PC based measuring tools, and parametric EQ, followed by careful listenning with very well recorded music. I strive to get bass response that is free from huge peaks and dips in the frequency response. Once you get used to properly reproduced bass, you really have little tolerance from anything less. Even with the bass level cranked down, I am pretty sure that the bass response in our cars is far from flat, but on most decent recordings, I find that I can get a reasonable balance. But hey, if you like +7, go for it. Its all about choice. Its the same reason why they have chocolate AND vanilla ice cream, blondes AND brunettes...... Brian