SL/R230: Improving Bose Audio
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 253
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From: NYC-NJ
06 SL600
Improving Bose Audio
Has anybody modified their Bose system? I'm not satisfied with it and am hearing that it is very difficult and costly to do. Has anyone replaced speakers, etc?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 372
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From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
Bose Modifications
Pablo,
I have not but am getting an SL55. I was planning on investigating. I have replaced the cheap paper drivers in the last 3 cars I have owned with great improvement. The bottom line is that high quality aftermarket speakers a) sound better and b) are more efficient than their cheap paper counterparts. You would be surprised at the caliber of car that still uses cheap paper drivers.
People tend to think that the Bose system is somehow not amenable to modification. My understanding is that the Bose systems are typically different in that the speakers are usually active meaning that the amplifiers are within the speaker module. This does not change the fact that there is an amp and a speaker. Now people may say that they are "tuned" for one another and that may be but the likelihood is again that the driver is relatively cheap and replacing it would yield improvement.
The improvement would not be as great as replacing the entire system with new speakers and amps but that might mean changing the head unit as well and yes that does get very expensive. Great sound is important to me so it is not so much the cost but the loss of the integration with factory systems that dissuades me from this route.
Again, I have had quite good results by carefully choosing the correct drivers and making subtle tweaks such as a) changing the stuffing or adding stuffing in larger bass modules or b) adding rubber isolation to the speaker mounts to keep the driver and enclosure from moving and c) adding Dynamat or equivalent to damp resonances in the enclosure since they are usually made of plastic rather than MDF.
When people get in my car, they are usually quite shocked that the system is a modified stock system.
I will let you know what I find when I get my car.
Jeff
I have not but am getting an SL55. I was planning on investigating. I have replaced the cheap paper drivers in the last 3 cars I have owned with great improvement. The bottom line is that high quality aftermarket speakers a) sound better and b) are more efficient than their cheap paper counterparts. You would be surprised at the caliber of car that still uses cheap paper drivers.
People tend to think that the Bose system is somehow not amenable to modification. My understanding is that the Bose systems are typically different in that the speakers are usually active meaning that the amplifiers are within the speaker module. This does not change the fact that there is an amp and a speaker. Now people may say that they are "tuned" for one another and that may be but the likelihood is again that the driver is relatively cheap and replacing it would yield improvement.
The improvement would not be as great as replacing the entire system with new speakers and amps but that might mean changing the head unit as well and yes that does get very expensive. Great sound is important to me so it is not so much the cost but the loss of the integration with factory systems that dissuades me from this route.
Again, I have had quite good results by carefully choosing the correct drivers and making subtle tweaks such as a) changing the stuffing or adding stuffing in larger bass modules or b) adding rubber isolation to the speaker mounts to keep the driver and enclosure from moving and c) adding Dynamat or equivalent to damp resonances in the enclosure since they are usually made of plastic rather than MDF.
When people get in my car, they are usually quite shocked that the system is a modified stock system.
I will let you know what I find when I get my car.
Jeff
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,104
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From: Rocklin, California
2011 GL450
I have!
I added a 8" sub woofer and a Alpine 250 watt amp. For me this cleans up the midrange and adds a little more base. Not allot just enough to enjoy the music.
All you need is an adaptor from the Bose system to the Amp an Sub.
It's very inexpensive, most Stereo shops can do it.
Cheers,
Tim
I added a 8" sub woofer and a Alpine 250 watt amp. For me this cleans up the midrange and adds a little more base. Not allot just enough to enjoy the music.
All you need is an adaptor from the Bose system to the Amp an Sub.
It's very inexpensive, most Stereo shops can do it.
Cheers,
Tim
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: NYC-NJ
06 SL600
Re: Bose Modifications
Originally posted by jeffreyy
Pablo,
I have not but am getting an SL55. I was planning on investigating. I have replaced the cheap paper drivers in the last 3 cars I have owned with great improvement. The bottom line is that high quality aftermarket speakers a) sound better and b) are more efficient than their cheap paper counterparts. You would be surprised at the caliber of car that still uses cheap paper drivers.
People tend to think that the Bose system is somehow not amenable to modification. My understanding is that the Bose systems are typically different in that the speakers are usually active meaning that the amplifiers are within the speaker module. This does not change the fact that there is an amp and a speaker. Now people may say that they are "tuned" for one another and that may be but the likelihood is again that the driver is relatively cheap and replacing it would yield improvement.
The improvement would not be as great as replacing the entire system with new speakers and amps but that might mean changing the head unit as well and yes that does get very expensive. Great sound is important to me so it is not so much the cost but the loss of the integration with factory systems that dissuades me from this route.
Again, I have had quite good results by carefully choosing the correct drivers and making subtle tweaks such as a) changing the stuffing or adding stuffing in larger bass modules or b) adding rubber isolation to the speaker mounts to keep the driver and enclosure from moving and c) adding Dynamat or equivalent to damp resonances in the enclosure since they are usually made of plastic rather than MDF.
When people get in my car, they are usually quite shocked that the system is a modified stock system.
I will let you know what I find when I get my car.
Jeff
Pablo,
I have not but am getting an SL55. I was planning on investigating. I have replaced the cheap paper drivers in the last 3 cars I have owned with great improvement. The bottom line is that high quality aftermarket speakers a) sound better and b) are more efficient than their cheap paper counterparts. You would be surprised at the caliber of car that still uses cheap paper drivers.
People tend to think that the Bose system is somehow not amenable to modification. My understanding is that the Bose systems are typically different in that the speakers are usually active meaning that the amplifiers are within the speaker module. This does not change the fact that there is an amp and a speaker. Now people may say that they are "tuned" for one another and that may be but the likelihood is again that the driver is relatively cheap and replacing it would yield improvement.
The improvement would not be as great as replacing the entire system with new speakers and amps but that might mean changing the head unit as well and yes that does get very expensive. Great sound is important to me so it is not so much the cost but the loss of the integration with factory systems that dissuades me from this route.
Again, I have had quite good results by carefully choosing the correct drivers and making subtle tweaks such as a) changing the stuffing or adding stuffing in larger bass modules or b) adding rubber isolation to the speaker mounts to keep the driver and enclosure from moving and c) adding Dynamat or equivalent to damp resonances in the enclosure since they are usually made of plastic rather than MDF.
When people get in my car, they are usually quite shocked that the system is a modified stock system.
I will let you know what I find when I get my car.
Jeff
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: NYC-NJ
06 SL600
Originally posted by Timster
I have!
I added a 8" sub woofer and a Alpine 250 watt amp. For me this cleans up the midrange and adds a little more base. Not allot just enough to enjoy the music.
All you need is an adaptor from the Bose system to the Amp an Sub.
It's very inexpensive, most Stereo shops can do it.
Cheers,
Tim
I have!
I added a 8" sub woofer and a Alpine 250 watt amp. For me this cleans up the midrange and adds a little more base. Not allot just enough to enjoy the music.
All you need is an adaptor from the Bose system to the Amp an Sub.
It's very inexpensive, most Stereo shops can do it.
Cheers,
Tim
Regards,
Pablo
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
The official word is that it now has surround sound and is digital and still has the AudioPilot which compensates for noise when the top is down.
I was thinking of the Infinity Basslink as an upgrade as well.
MB Quart or Boston Acoustics or Infinity. Depends on what size the existing speakers are. I like non-metal tweeters so, I often go with Boston Acoustics.
I'm curious Timster, where did you put the sub?
Jeff
I was thinking of the Infinity Basslink as an upgrade as well.
MB Quart or Boston Acoustics or Infinity. Depends on what size the existing speakers are. I like non-metal tweeters so, I often go with Boston Acoustics.
I'm curious Timster, where did you put the sub?
Jeff
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,104
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From: Rocklin, California
2011 GL450
Sorry guys, did not mean to mis lead you. I upgraded my CLK55. The stereo systems are usually the same across models. Thought my experience would be of some use. I am currently looking for a 04 SL500 and came across your posts.
Regards,
Tim
Regards,
Tim
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: NYC-NJ
06 SL600
I think they are 4.5" in diameter which is pretty small. I don't think that it is really a sub. It sounds as if to reproduce some of the lower range it boosts the mid bass as well and this sounds way off to me: muddy and slow. The system is good commercial grade but not high end imo. certainly not up to the standard of the rest of the car. Lexus' Mark Levinson blows it away.
