Well, I've had a great system in all my cars for the past 10 years. I haven't listened to a stock system at loud volumes in that time. I'm a little concerned about putting a system in my Z now. When I turn up the volume on the stock Z system (non-booze), it really hurts my ears. Does anyone else notice this? Could it be from the horrible quality of the speakers, or am I just getting older and the ears aren't able to take it?

Well, hopefully someone will understand this question

 

Woops, sorry I posed this in the wrong forum. I'll copy it over th audio.

 

As they say, if it is too loud, you are too old.

If you are happy enough with your stereo, leave it.

 

stock stereo sucks ***..

 

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I haven't cranked up a stock non-Bose Z stereo yet (still waiting for mine to get here), but I do know what you're talking about. Like you, I've always installed high end audio in my cars since the beginning. I've definitely found that the typically low quality stock systems in cars tend to hurt the ears at high volumes, while the aftermarket high quality systems (assuming they are tuned properly) tend to not hurt my ears at the same volume.

It most likely has to do with the very poor, non-linear frequency response of most systems, combined with extremely high levels of harmonic distortion that most cheap OEM systems have. If you've got a lot of mid and mid-high frequencies being pumped out much louder than the other frequencies, all the while being distorted like crazy from the disgusting amps (typically just the head unit), it's very easy to fatigue your ears very badly.

As 'toykilla' so eloquently posted up above, it's likely the stock system just... well... sucks.

 

Just got back from listening to my OEM stock (non-bloze) system. I have to agree with you though it does get shiety when it's loud. It's crappy when it's at low volume as well because it sounds scratchy and completely one-dimensional.

In most aftermarket setups theres designated mids, lows and sub so theres a definite balance. Even at low volume a good aftermarket sub will make things sound warm and full.
When you crank up the stock unit everything is trying to flood out of those little speakers giving more of an unpleasant auditory attack to the earbuds. This is more so with the Z's speakers being directly behind our heads.

You're not getting old....it's our stock systems that will get old soon! time to upgrade!

 

i know exactly what you mean. i've has lousy stock systems before, but this one HURTS when you turn the volume way up. the problem is that the treble (at least on my non-bose 04) is way too high. adjust your treble down, and increase your bass a bit, and you'll notice that you can turn it to loud without the pain.

 

Wow, 10 years of having a sound system. I'm surprised ur not deaf.

 

This is a common misconception people have about aftermarket car stereos. Having a nice system doesn't mean you have to have a painfully loud, gigantic system with huge subs that can do 130 dB of bass. In my mind, a nice system is simply one that uses high quality components all the way around, and has clear, concise, accurate output across the frequency band. A high quality system will sound just as good at low volumes as it does at high volumes, so you'll often find that you don't have to turn it up nearly as loud to enjoy it.