I just purchased a 03 touring with Bose and was wondering about the sub. Is it suppose to hit really hard or is it just there to add a little bass. I can barely hear it over the music. Its def working cause I can feel it hitting the back of my seat. I've searched and searched everything I need to know about the Bose system. I haven't read anything about if the sub is suppose to be loud or not.

 

its factory, and its bose. its not gonna hit hard at all.

 

I also noticed that my rear speakers aren't that loud either. If i would put in aftermarket speakers in will they be louder with the stock amp?

 

Get yourself a good head unit and it will sound better. Contrary to popular belief, a good head unit will wake up the bose speakers and sub. I know because I have a Pioneer d3 running the stock bose speakers and sub and everyone that's listened to it says it sounds pretty damn good.

 

yeah going to wait till spring to change the headunit. what wire harness did you use?

 

You've been a member of this board for an entire year and you still aren't aware that EVERYONE hates the factory BOSE stereo??? Amazing.

 

The Bose SubW is a joke (it is mostly to produce lows that the Bose midrange cannot do).

Replacing the Bose H/U with an aftermarket device to drive the Bose speakers is a mistake. Keeping the Bose H/U and replacing the Bose speakers is a mistake.

To get decent sound, replace all of the Bose stuff… everything.

--Spike

 

well I've only had the car for a week. my last Z didn't have a Bose in it. I'm now learning about how much the Bose sux. I've been reading alot on how others say chuck the Bose.

 

Some people report that replacing the H/U and keeping the Bose amps and speakers will give decent sound. That has not been my experience. --Spike

 

I would say that replacing the Bose headunit with a decent aftermarket is definitely an improvement, but it still won't be quality sound. As Spike said, you must replace everything if you want great sound.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the stock speakers just paper cones from Clarion (or at least the fronts are)?

 

I swear half the reason the Bose sub sucks so much is the microphone feedback system Bose uses to drive the amp. I've NEVER heard a factory system that varies so much in terms of overall volume and bass response as the car is driven. Its really a mess.

 

Yes, the OEM Clarion front speaker is made of paper and can handle only 40 watts.



The OEM Bose front speaker is not much of an improvement.

--Spike