A few days ago I took a TL Type S for a test drive. The dealer let me take it out on my own which was great. I liked everything about the car, except a few minor gripes: Not crazy about the gray/black fake wood and headroom was a bit limited, but I can live with both.

But, am I missing something here? The Bose stereo did not sound a nice as I thought it would--kinda wimpy actually. Maybe my adjustments were off, but after dinking around with it for a few minutes I couldn't squeeze an ounce of bass out of it!

Anyone agree on this? I thought Bose was high end and I have to admit I was expecting a much richer sound in a $30k car.

 

bose has never been "high end"

 

Bose sucks for two main reasons:

1. 200 Hz crossover frequency is too high
2. cheap paper cones

Nevertheless, the system sounds pretty good at loud volumes if you turn bass and treble ALL THE WAY TO ZERO.

 

Agreed... BOSE isn't that great for car audio...however, adding a few subs makes it better

 

Southbound.....Paging Dr. Southbound.......

 

BOSE SUCKS FOR CAR BUT GREAT FOR HOME!!

 

Quoting someone

BOSE BLOWS

 

Hey Lycos, nice to hear from you! You gonna pull the trigger on the TL-S, or what?

I also remember being disappointed with the Acura/Bose audio system during my test drives. Did you listen to a CD, or the radio? You know how crummy our FM reception is here in Puget Sound - it can make any system sound bad.

After a month plus of driving my TL-S, however, I think that it's a pretty good system. Not awesome, but pretty good for a factory system. Bass levels seem adequate when listening to a high-quality music source (unless you want to set off every car alarm in a 3-block radius!)

I also agree with other posters regarding Bose...they're a legend in their own mind, and have used marketing gimmicks to give people the impression that they're high-end. IMHO, even their home systems stink. I had a Lifestyle 25 home-theater system for exactly a week before I took it back and got something better (and cheaper). Go to an audio store with a listening room and do a blind comparison between Bose speakers and other brands, like Definitive Technologies, Boston Acoustics, Polk etc. When I did it Bose lost every time. Too bad I didn't do that BEFORE making my initial purchase! (Of course, I'll throw in the caveat that everyone's tastes are different and there are some who do actually prefer Bose - but usually it's for their small size and sexy shape.)

 

egilsrud, I'm close.

I didn't bring a CD, so I just listened to the radio. I do figure if I buy the car and it really gets to me I'll replace the speakers.

And then i got to thinking, what do I now listen to most often (and I'm not too ashamed to admit it): Talk radio: Howard Stern and NPR (i know an interesting mix! I have to confess I listen to Howard a bit more) 710KIRO = Mariners, Robin and Maynard, 950 KJR and on and on. So maybe this isn't a problem.

egilsrud, your advice is appreciated and I'll let you ALL know what I decide to do.

 

I don’t know what you guys are expecting. If I remember right, the TLs has won awards for its stock radio by magazines. I find the BOSE system awesome, defiantly better then any stock stereo I have ever had and better them most of the aftermarket ones I have put in. The base is loud enough to rattle the entire interior of my car, perfect... It might not be loud enough for everyone in the neighborhood to hear but that’s great.. honestly.. I don’t want to hear your music like everyone thinks I should.

 

Chrysler's INFINITY systems are even better! alot more speakers for mids and highs.........BASS is for 18 year olds...trust me been through that phaze.

 

If I recall correctly, the TL's audio system scored high in Edmunds' entry-level sports sedan comparison test, finishing second (to the Saab, I believe).

Like I said, I think it's pretty good, and definitely good enough for me. Since I'm about to change from a thirty-something to a forty-something, I'm not into bone-rattling bass or entertaining the entire neighborhood with my music.

However, I have heard better factory systems in less-expensive vehicles. Our 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd (which actually cost less than the TL after hefty discounting by Chrysler) has an Infinity system which (IMHO) is quite a bit better. I wish the TL had the dash-mounted tweeters mounted like the Jeep (and numerous other vehicles).

The steering wheel audio controls are better as well - in addition to volume and station/track, you can also select mode - CD, AM, FM, tape - select a different CD from the changer, and go forward/backward in tracks (or fast forward/rewind for cassette). While driving, there's usually no reason to take your hands off the wheel for audio system adjustments.

 

Actually... the original Bose systems in older Caddy's, before they started installing them everywhere, pretty much rocked. I think it was the Bose Gold edition or something like that in the first STS that I thought kicked ass.

However... I've never heard a really good Bose system in a Japanese car. Don't know why... but I haven't. I think the TL's system is ok, aside from the deck lid rattling with the bass. Any quick fixes on that?

But... I don't agree with turning the bass and treble to zero. What's up with that? I have my treble almost all the way up, and the bass at about 2 bars.

Bottom line... you have to crank it, and it definitely sounds better in the back seat!

 

there is a trick in the audi Bose system that wil allow you to change the OBD computer setting for the headunit to non bose. This actually opens the system up and allows for much better lows. It's a great free upgrade for those who want a little more bass. The way it's done is through a diagnostic tool (laptop pugged into the OBD port running commercially available softeware call VAG-COM) I'm not sure if anyone sells this type software for acura/honnda, but it's great...you can control many car functions with it and data log how the engine is running to diagnose fuel/air mixture, cylinder misfires and a million other things. Just a thought.

Like some others have already said, the acura system isn't bad for a stocker, but all stock systems are crap. Adding a sub is a good way to start upgrading. I just did everything in my audi because I got a good deal from a friend with his old setup. I am very happy with the purchase.

 

We've got several threads on this if you do a search...the bottom line each time was that there were two schools: my school was the one in which the system isn't good enough for a 30k car....I came from one of those Chrysler systems, which had much richer bass. The other school was satisfied. After almost a year with my car, I'm used to the stereo and it's just good enough, though it will never be the best I've ever had.

Then again, I didn't buy the car for the stereo.....

 

WELL SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You're kidding, right?

Bose sucks. There are no exceptions to that rule.

 

Yikes, Bose scored high on someones reviews. I just sold my 300M and got the TL-S and my 300M's stereo was twice what this POS Bose is. First thing was wheels, now its the stereo that is going.

 

I followed all the threads closely when I first got my TL-S.

Here's the 2 most important things I learned:

- someone did extensive testing and found that Treble at +2 and Bass at -1 gave a very flat response (you'll get used to it)

- but most importantly, you can't just replace the speakers.

I think there's a place near the radio that you can bypass the EQ for the sub, and then replace the sub.

Probably what I'll eventually do, but haven't gotten to it.....



.

 

Here are some words to live by

"No highs, no lows....it must be Bose..."

Alpine all the way for HU..McIntosh for components

 

Hey Walker29, you just cracked me up!

Yes, the doctor is in...

If the BLOSES system doesn't sound that great for you during a test drive in which you actually had time to fiddle with it... THEN IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE OVER TIME. If you have any appreciation for quality audio, you will only grow more disappointed over time instead of "GETTING USED TO IT". If you get used to it, you will find that you are always criticizing it as well.

I've said this before, if all you want to do is listen to "books on tape", then it will serve you well. However, if you like crisp clean audio with a punch to it... you will never get it from the stock Bose system.

I'm here to give you SOME good news, however... Contrary to the above post, YOU CAN SIMPLY REPLACE THE DOOR SPEAKERS AND GET A MUCH IMPROVED SOUND. There may be a limitation to the variety of aftermarket speakers that will readily fit witout extra mods and extra amplification. BUT THERE ARE GOOD REPLACEMENTS OUT THERE!

Trust me, based upon your initial impression, if you buy the car, you will become a member of the "Audio Forum" very shortly. THERE'S LOTS OF GREAT HELP OVER ON THAT FORUM

The TLS is a great car and you can remedy the sour stereo situation. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't make changes to the BOSE system. It can easily be improved!

Go for it... Good luck!
Southbound

 

Bose is high end, but the systems that they make for vechicles are in a completely different class than the ones they make for home use.
Want a nice system, then get a Lexus? Cant ask for much in a 30k car.

 

but the Bose system on my mon MB ML320 was great..wonder why?

 

Infinity are the best sounding car speakers I have ever heard. And with a couple of rockford subs i think we can call that a good system. But yes the Infinty speakers KICK A$$.

With the BOSE the TL only has 5 speakers.

I think if the TL had 8 or 10 speakers maybe we might be able to get some good sound. Cuz thier aint nothin wrong with a little bass.

 

It is true, BOSE in Acura cars sucks. By experience, we had an 92 Legend with BOSE and it sucked real bad.

On the other hand, as someone said, BOSE GOLD found in Caddys or Buick's Park Avenue are much better than those found in Acuras.

Don't know why. The TL-S Bose just don't impress anyone...

 

I agree for only 5 speakers, the system sounds descent. When you say the Infinity sound system in the GCL is better, I would have to agree however, they do have 8 or ten speakers in that thing. Also, it is a truck so bass sounds a lot louder than a car. I put two tens in my car and they are cheap as hell but they sound pretty good with the stock bose speakers. I just have to disconnect the factory sub because that thing rattles my car more than the two ten's.