chuckbeatin

i just bought a 2005 sl55...man what a car!.....although i cant figure out how they can allow bose to put in such a weak stereo.....im in south florida and deperately want to change this out although i know bose can be very challenging.....does anyone know of any audio places that have had success or can give me any reccomendations what to do?

sprins

Everybody is always b*tching about Bose. I however am very happy with it. What's the problem with Bose?

vraa

It doesn't sound as clear, crisp, and accurate as it should, also most of the defining criteria for high-end systems are missing such as spatial definition, clarity at high volumes, and precise reproductions at low ranges and high ranges.

sprins

Ah I see. Well, I listen to rap music, so all that stuff doesn't really apply

blk03cl55

Got no highs? Got no lows? Must be Bose!

vraa

Actually with rap it applies too.
You don't want your bass to be muddy, you want it to be clear and pounding. Feel it rather than hear it.

I listen to a lot of rap, heavy metal, classical and electronica. I think it's a good variety to test audio systems with. What works well for rap (I'm simplying a lot) like 2 15" woofers, is horrible for metal because the larger subs can't move air fast enough to replicate the double bass. Other things exist, but you get the idea.

newton22

My bose sucks so badly, I don't turn it up too loud when I have friends in the car.

My friend's Civic with a cheap aftermarket stereo solution pounds much harder.

sprins

I'm telling you, it doesn't sound that bad to me. And the bass is pretty good. Then again, car-hifi culture is a lot more alive in the US rather than here in Europe I guess. That's probably why you are more critical to a sound system over there.

vraa

Move to Texas than

SuperDave

I just turn it off and listen to the engine.

newton22

My engine sounds worse than my Bose.

Don't know if I should invest in a new sub, or Magnaflow mufflers.

SuperDave

How many miles on the car???? Any mods???? I ask cuz I just got my '05 last month and have the Renntech ECU/Pulley mod already and will be installing the 2nd intercooler/upgraded IC pump this next week.

The SL 55 AMG is a great car, IMO. Congratulations....

There is a thread in here about an upgraded Reus Systems stereo......look around.

Dave

gqmagic

I put some Diamond Audio speakers in the doors, replaced the stock radio with an eclipse and put an eclipse amp behind my windsceen. I left the bose bass and its amp in place. I listen to jazz and vocals and with the top down it sounds great. On freeways, windows and windscreen up. Mine is a 129, but the effect should be similar. you can start with the speakers. Speakers, amp and installation( I already had the eclipse head unit) less than $1000. There was another place that wanted to sell me a Mcintosh radio, and some higher end speakers,$3500 up, but in my opinion it would be wasted with the top off/down.

IanSL55

The stock sound system stinks. The sound is all down at your feet and not at head level in the center of the passenger compartment. If you want to keep the stock head unit, Reus is the way to go.

~ Ian

Bipasha493

the HK system blows, im sure its capable of being much louder....as if the volume is limited

mrkompressor

And there you have it: When I was 15, I too ASSumed the value or quality of an automotive stereo was the sum of its total bass-thumping output.

...Makes you wonder how many other BOSE haters even know the first thing about m.u.s.i.c.

sound 8

Everything has Bose, because it's the best.
My 63 has HK, YUK.
Anyway as my name suggests, it's a waste of time listening on the move,
especially over 60 and with the roof down. Forget crisp highs, and clean lows,
with a 100db of background noise just listen to the exhaust, and other peoples engines.

SRQLAW

I spent a fair amount of time and money getting the right sound. I kept the command unit b/c I like the clean look of the interior, but once you turn it on it is anything, but stock. I am running Hertz in the doors, the "rear speakers" have been disconnected simply b/c they are too small to even add sufficient "fill" and to replace them made no sense due to the time/cost. I had a new box made for the passenger side footwell with Critical Mass 10. Power is Audison. JL Audio to convert the digital signals and Apline Imprint to pull it all together. The Apline allows for 2 distinct set ups - there are others with more - I have one for top up - very clean with much tighter bass. For top down... a little more of everything and the bass gets a lttle muddy which seems to help as the speed increases. Overall - very happy with the system. Also, I like the fact that it looks stock - even the truck - to a casual observer - there is no indication of any electronics. Oh yeah - the iPod integration is real nice as well!

SRQLAW

oh - yeah - where r you in Florida? I have a great shop in St. Pete. Check with AMGFan - he did a pretty killer set up and has a shop in Tampa.

NORCAL///AMG

Hey mrkompressor ...it is apparent that you are a BOSE fan or a BOSE employee...which is alright...but I notice you seem to be on a mission to bring back threads which are years old to defend BOSE.

I know that sound quality is subjective, but as others have already stated, Bose is not an audio company as much as they are a MARKETING company.

Don't want other forum members to make a BOSE "O" mistake.

Just some friendly advise from a fellow forum member

sound 8

Actually Bose doesn't make a high end 2 channel home systems. If they did I imagine it would be quite horrible. However they do make good, car, boat,
plane systems, with enough power to overcome background noise to a point.
But I still say it's a waste of money to try and get high end sound in a car
whilst on the move.If you have a good system at home try and listen seriously
with a 100db noise source at the same time. If you listen stationary or at low
cruising speed, and in a S Class you may be able to enjoy it with around 60
db of backgound noise. Personally I prefer to listen to my exhaust. SL that is.

BVLDARI

I will add to the "hate bose" list.

I had an M3 converitible a couple of years ago with all aftermarket sound except the head-unit, Focal speakers, JL subs etc. Car sounded amazing at low speeds and high speeds alike. So I disagree with you assessment completely.

Rick SL55

I'm very satisfied with sound upgrade done by Reus Audio upgrade on my SL55/Bose.
I will recommend if you want to keep the stock looking system.

sound 8

Sorry I don't hate Bose, in fact it's very good in it's place.

Just answer this. Did the sound in your BM remain the same at 70 with the roof down than it did at a standstill.

BVLDARI

Sound 8, I know you dont hate Bose, that is why I said I disagree with your completely.

Frankly, you and I do not see eye to eye on anything so I am not looking to get in an argument here.

To answer your question, YES the sound remained THE SAME. What changed was the ambient noise. What the difference between the stock system (this applies to Bose too, one of my best friends has an SL55 which I have spent a lot of time in) and a good aftermarket system was explained earlier in VRAA’s post. I could play my aftermarket system super loud and never want to turn it down because it sounded great. The Bose, sounds ok at low volumes and not so good once you start turning it up. I rarely listen to the audio system in the S loudly – I just do not like it.