bagwell

I realize there are some Bose HATERS out there...just wanted to see everyone's thoughts!

Buellwinkle

I don't hate Bose, I love my wavetable radio at home. It's the crappy Alpine made HU that's the problem and even Bose's wizardry can't make up for that. While I don't personally have the Bose setup, most of the loaners I get do. Thanks to talk radio, I deal with it for the day! Also it sounds a little better in the sedan. In the coupe, it's just terrible.

trench

I think the type of music being listened to makes a big difference.

The younger set on hear that prefer to listen to bass-heavy seem to be the most disappointed with the Bose's performace. I happened to listen to a classic rock station the other day, it sounded super good. As this type of music generally has very little bass, it sounded very crisp and clear with the Bose - I was impressed.

The goth/metal crap I listen to sounds pretty good on there as well.



Cheers, BT

Eich

I've never been a fan of Bose and I think that their products are overpriced and that they place most of their effort in marketing. I've heard much cheaper speakers that sound better than any of the Bose offerings and I've heard cheaper boom-box-type stereos that sound as good or better than the Wave Radio.

That said, I think that Bose car audio has come a decent way over the years. I'd say it's definitely above the average factory car stereo. One of the things that I noticed on the 2001 Corvette that I had and the 2003 CLK 500 that I have now, is that the Bose system stays fairly stable at just about any volume level. I've heard other systems that start cracking when the volume is up high and the woofers bottom-out. Bose seems to have incorporated something that keeps the woofers within their operating range all the way up the volume scale.

I'm pretty happy with the Bass in my CLK. It goes fairly low but the impact certainly isn't what you can get from a nice aftermarket JL sub.

truelove

if you rate anything below "above average" than you're either comparing it to your aftermarket stereo or have only been in expensive cars with incredible stock stereos because most cars out there on the road have pretty sad systems. average should probably mean the sound you'd hear by turning on the stereos of any average car on any dealer's lot in america. you can't say that the Bose isn't at least above that, if only a little.

EDIT: sorry, didn't mean to say that if you rate below "above average" you were wrong, but...................well okay, you are wrong.

bagwell

right...the poll is not comparing BOSE versus a $5000 aftermarket system, just to other OEM car stereos.

Buellwinkle

When I say it's crap I'm comparing to other cars in the same price range (up to $54K in a C32) that have premium sounds systems like Bose, Nakamichi, Harmon Kardon, etc.) and I'm not comparing it to the sound system in a Ford Focus.

bagwell

BTW as I said in the other thread, I listened to a 330i's Harmon Kardon system and IMO it sucked. Bass even started distorting...(and no it wasn't blown).

isn't that Mark Levinson like a $5000 option package on a Lexus...if so...RIP OFF !

truelove

hmmm, maybe it should have been clarified where exactly this average lies. i guess you would be forced to compare it to cars of the same price range.

bagwell

SO FAR you're the ONLY ONE....!!!????

truelove

no no, that might actually be fair. i mean, you can't really compare the system in the C-class to a Ford Focus. you may as well be comparing the cars directly to one another. of course, just cause the cars are so different doesn't mean the sound systems have to be. maybe it is fair to compare them. i don't know. i'll shut up.

mctwin2kman

I like it and think it sounds as good if not better than the old JBL system in a Mercury Xougar XR-7, the good ones with the SC'ed V-6. Anyway, it sounds better that my aftermarket Clarion Head Unit did in my old Neon and the Neon has some very decent frequency response from its stock speakers. Believe me I changed them out with high end aftermarket in one Neon I had and they actually lost bass response with the aftermarket speakers. Yeah the highs were better but not the lows. I am quite impressed with the Bose system in the Coupe especially considering the space to work with and the mouonting of the speakers in the vehicle.

Rick

Personally, I dont think a car is a great listening environment. Too much glass and road noise...and besides...driving is my primary goal when I'm on the road. I have to say, the Bose sounds better in my coupe than the Bose in the E320.
When I want to listen to music, I come home and fire up the NAD amp's through my Magnapan MG2's....or hit the studio upstairs and drum along with whatever CD I pop in.

(**Let me add....I do like the Bose system in my coupe...much better than average...and I never intended this post to appear as if I didn't**)

Buellwinkle

Then MB succeeded, what can I say. My Bose system in an Infiniti I had sounded way better. Still the best factory car stereo I've heard is the MB Audio 10 but they built that radio to appeal to foreign tastes and I'm a foreigner so it's a fit.

Benzer

Even with the Audio 10 upgrade I had better sound in my former 95 Nissan Maxima with standard audio (the Max also come with Bose as option).

I have better sound in my 94 Montero's stock audio which is an extraction of Pioneer midlings.

But I get used to it now... SO no more ranting from me

moomeh

i think that bose system is excellent in the sedan. i barely hear any road noise or engine Rick, so it is actually a great environment to listen to music. i tried it with a variety of music and it works great. tried it in a non-bose sedan, not at all impressed. so having bose is a great thing.

MB-BOB

I think this poll would be more informative if it were split into two.... one poll about the Coupe Bose, and one poll about the Sedan Bose. Many say the two systems are vastly different in performance and with a combined poll you may get mixed opinions.

The Bose in my C320 Sedan is excellent. Not a $5000 system, but it's not intended to be, nor desired (I have a home stereo when I want to listen to music... I don't have a steering wheel in my home, either... for that I go to the garage and my MB). My stereo gets compliments all the time about it's clarity, and with the Bass cranked up, people think the amount of Bass is just fine.

Matt230K

I do. It works great for F1 2002.

SLK2C230K

Okay funseekers... I had Bose in my '99 SLK and compared to my C230K SC, my new system is very sad indeed. I have always been into car stereo, and would never compare an aftermarket system to an OEM system (even though BOSE is an upgrade... even in our cars). If we are willing to allow "Factory" BOSE into this discussion, then the very finest 'STOCK FACTORY INSTALLED' car stereo system I have ever heard is the Mark Levinson in my friend's '02 Lexus GS430. Absolutely a sonic marvel. I heard it stock, then after he added an additional 10" sub. The extra sub just added boom because he is into dance music. But in it's purely stock form, the ML system was incredible. If you have a chance to listen to one, DO! The BOSE in the C230K SC leaves much to be desired. The only reason that I have it in my car is that... well, someone looking to purchase a Benz looks for an unmodified Mercedes-Benz. BOSE in the C does sound better than the base Audio30. I wish I'd known about the audio10.


Okay... let me have it!
T

MB-BOB

Ha! I wasn't referring to that kind of steering wheel, but since you bring it up, if you like F1 2002, maybe you'll like my Porsche 917K add-on package, too. Just published today...

SBDT-SimMods Website: F1 2002 Editing/Mods Forum

bagwell

well Bob...since everyone claims the cars are sooo similar and are opposed to splitting the forum, I just decided to make one poll for the W203 (but I see ur point )

cliffybabe

I like the BOSE system, but i'm 20 and I like my music loud, with loads of bass, BOSE is good but not cool with the younger generation.

BOSE is clear but not loud.

BOSE is good for some music and other types it can't cope, maybe when i'm 30 I'd look at BOSE system

alankang3

Ultimate Audiophile System for New C Classes. Infiniti Kappa Speakers: 5.25' Separates, 6' rear speakers, 10' Perfect 10 Subwoofer. 700 Watt 5-Channel Orion Amplifier. Kenwood Excelon 5V Preout Head Unit. All Pieces are top of the line. I also have a custom ported box that fits factory flush into the new C Classes, replacing the old Bose Subwoofer. I also have a mounting kit for the head unit. This system is only 1 week old, literally. If you are in the LA area, I am willing to demo the system. The sound is really incomparable to the Bose system. All parts come with a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer. I am willing to e-mail pics of the subwoofer box and head unit. Serious Buyers only. Contact Info: Alankang3000@aol.com

pyy116

i am not sure how the sound quality is in a non-Bose C-class... my car has the Bose sound system, and I think the sound quality is great~!!

tom incredibie

does anyones speaker housing rattle like crazy while listening to music with a lot of bass?