To Upgrade BOSE Speakers or Not....that is the question.

I've done a fair amount of research and there is a body of individuals who feel the BOSE speakers are quite good. I'm trying to figure out if I really want to be replacing these component speakers with aftermarket mainstream coaxial speakers like the Focal's, JL, or Alpines. This is without going hog wild and doing high end components - since the Turbo is really too noisy to appreciate that level of performance.

Were my system the low end non BOSE speakers...there'd be no question that I'd replace these. But what do you say for those that have done this?

Of note, my backend audio system - headunit and amp have been replaced by high end equipment: Pioneer 80PRS HU, Alpine Alpine PDX-V9, Ipad, all driving stock speakers and subs at the moment.

I will be replacing the drivers in my BOSE sub, since they simply don't have the excursion and power handling for what I'm tossing at them.

The soundstage and presentation is descent with the current full range speakers, but wondering if I can eek a bit more out of the system - again without going hog wild, hacking components in.

 

I just replaced my Bose speakers with JBL speakers, and it is the best bang-for-the-buck modification I've done to the car.

http://rennlist.com/forums/996-turbo...akers-wow.html

http://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum...in-here-4.html

The improvement in sound going with the JBL speakers is amazing. So much tighter, clearer, and more accurate, and no listening fatigue at volume.

Justin

 

No doubt the stock Bose system which is pushing 14 years in my car is a great system even now.

 

Thanks for the links Justin. I had looked through them previously, and it's somewhat why I'm considering replacing my speakers.

What has me questioning, is that I'm replacing _supposedly_ nice custom fit component drivers that is the BOSE, with mainstream standard issue coax's. This goes against the grain of high end install tenants, which I've done a number of through my years in various vehicles. From a staging perspective, it's also unorthodoxed, as there's now two tweeters in the front stage at both the dash locations and door. But then again, the various speaker positions s are likely producing the right bands since they are all crossed over in the amp.

Though the proof is in the pudding right and it sounds better to you? I'm just a bit hesitant as sound is subjective which is why I'm looking for more feedback. I'm an audio purist, and proper staging and imaging are important to me.

 

Hey Justin, just realized you're in SD. Do you attend any of the cars and coffee or krispy kreme meets? Perhaps I can sneak a listen?

 

ptek,

I haven't been to cars and coffee. I will have to come some time. I will be out of town much of next month, but you would be very welcome to listen to my system. Private me and we can set something up.

It seems sacrilege to some to criticize Bose, but although they have made some good systems, the product in our cars can be improved upon quite a bit with clearer speakers. I've spent all sorts of time and money on cars trying to get higher quality sound, and after replacing the speakers in this car I am really impressed by the improvement with such little investment.

My car has a real identity crisis with the 3.8 forged motor, GT2 transmission, Cup LSD, big turbos, piping, fuel system, roll bar, motor and transmission mounts and hard suspension bushings, Motons, and still wanting a pleasant road car. We all have our purposes for these cars, but for me listening to music while driving is a big one.

 

I'm going back and forth what to do with my speakers. One dash speaker is blown. But part of me doesn't want to change head units or put in an amp. I haven't seen really good options for that scenario.

I've got a 2001 with that weird equilizer or digital package.

 

i replaced the entire bose system with jl audio and polk audio components . the jl audio 3 way setup is mounted in the stock housings in the dash with a tweeter and mid and a 6" sub in the door. no way you could tell it wasnt stock. crossovers and polk audio amp in the front trunk. polk audio coax behind the seats for fill and a kicker self powered sub in the back window. k/w double din head unit. if you want stock looking speakers its easily doable

 

Good input guys. I in no way hold the Bose brand in any high regard. But somethings are good enough and not worth putting much more effort into, especially given the noisy turbo environment. But like most of you, I have a sickness on not being able to leave things well enough alone. I'm just trying to understand the value prop here.

Because the Porsche speaker layout is unique, I might just go off the deep end and go custom component drivers and integration. I already have an aftermarket amp and am using "active" crossovers from my headunit with 3 band amplification. It's just a bit hard to go from that, with components speakers, albeit stock, to using using coax speakers.

 

Diymobileaudio has both my car (silver) and Irish100p's setup (white). Fairly high end with digital processing, I'd go with a cheaper CarPlay enabled head unit though.

 

I swapped the stock head unit for a Blaupunkt bluetooth unit and it was a good first step, but my other car has CarPlay and I'm tempted to go there. I'd say it's about an 8.5 out of 10 in terms of integrating the phone. I have been eyeing iPod installs, but I like the extra storage bin you get with a single-DIN setup. So, on the fence on head units.

The Bose drivers, well almost anything is going to be an upgrade. Just looking for the easiest route. The 'subwoofer' is easiest, then dash speakers. I'm lucky to be not too far from Speaker City where there is a huge array of raw drivers available. I've had good luck with Dynaudio mids/woofers and Vifa tweeters in the past

 

I replaced everything in my 04 Cab. I went with the Pioneer AVIC8200NEX, Morel speakers throughout, powered by Audison amp. Anymore, my cars are where I listen to the majority of music and I decided to use higher end components. Bose components are adequate, but the upgraded system gives me crystal clear sound at all levels of volume. Perhaps it is overkill, but it totally impressed my 18 year old son and his friends...lol

I will say that a HU that is compatible with Apple and Android Autoplay makes the system much easier to use. I had mine wired with separate connectors to my Android phone or iPad.

Whatever you decide enjoy the car and then the music...