New owner

[mackworth]

Does anyone know if the cx-5 has the hardware to support adding the factory sub from one of the other models? I would guess that there isn't a wire running to the back, but I would be surprised if the hardware in the front was totally different from the cx-3, 6 or cx-9.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

The Centerpoint feature is 'grayed out' on mine. Is this only for the GT? Thanks!

I thought I remember in manual this was only enabled on CD play.

 

[IBJammin]

I thought I remember in manual this was only enabled on CD play.

It's been possible to have enabled on just about every source I've thrown at it so far. I'll do a more thorough test this afternoon.

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[Kedis82ZE8]

It's been possible to have enabled on just about every source I've thrown at it so far. I'll do a more thorough test this afternoon.

Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

That must be a '16 option as dimmed out on mine as well in all play modes... I've never played a CD in it to see if goes live on that option or not.

From '15 manual page 5-38. "Centerpoint offers you the experience of 5.1-channel surround sound in your vehicle even with your conventional 2- channel stereo CDs. Centerpoint can be set on or off."

EDIT: hhmmm.. now that read that again it probably should work in my car. It is dimmed like Tango2014 stated as well.

EDIT2: Further down... "Centerpoint is available for 2-channel stereo audio except for AM radio/FM radio/ AUX/Bluetooth audio."

 

[IBJammin]

The manual for the 16 says CDs, MP3s, and Satellite Radio. I've been using XM and the USB input with a thumb drive mostly. Also mp3 files from the phone via Bluetooth. I'll check FM and HD radio as well as Pandora, Stitcher, and Aha.

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[MikeM.]

Of course our 2016 CX-5 GT AWD has Bose Centerpoint 2 surround sound system! Are you suggesting again Mazda uses different grade of same part for the CX-5 and ours and IBJammin's unfortunately have inferior grade of Bose system installed?

I didn't suggest the Bose system in my 2013 is different from yours but, based on your description, I now think maybe the newer systems are very substantially different. And to be clear, I never said the center speaker is completely disabled when Centerpoint is turned off, merely that it is drastically lowered in volume and the stereo separation is vastly improved. If yours if different, Bose must have changed it (from the sound of it, for the worse).

Let me give you two examples from other peoples ears. These comments come from early 2014 in the Mazda6Club forum so they are likely listening to the same version in my 2013:

I've only had the car a little over a week. The car came with it turned on, and I was generally unhappy with the https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned). All the sound seemed to be coming from the center of the dash with zero stereo spread, with a congested midrange quality. It was very "up front" sounding and easily covered up road noise, but sounded unnatural.

Just tried turning it off and suddenly the sound stage spread out in front of me, and there is a more open, natural, transparent quality to the sound.

The following poster prefers Centerpoint on but described the difference very similarly:

I leave https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) on as well. With it off it sounds like all of the sound is coming only from the two speakers in the left/right corner of the dash.

Please note that nobody (myself included) said the center speaker was disabled with CP turned off, just that the sound comes from the left and right sides. In my previous post I stated that sound still comes from the center speaker but you must move your head closer to it to hear it.

If this is not the case with your Bose system, it sounds like Bose changed it and now amplifies the center channel more, even when Centerpoint is turned off.

I think people can express their opinion freely and don't get offensive on the negative statements to the CX-5 as we all know CX-5 is not perfect (may be except yours)!

But I never said it was perfect or even close to audiophile quality, just that most people would be satisfied with it. And that the perceived volume of the center channel is drastically reduced when Centerpoint is disabled.

 

[IBJammin]

So Centerpoint is an available option on everything I tried. Pandora, Stitcher, Aha, FM Radio, Streaming from the phone including .flac files. For reference I was on version 53 of the software and upgraded to version 55 this morning.

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[Tango2014]

Turning the Centerpoint feature to OFF definitely weakens the strong front center channel. The difference is night and day. That's why I suggested it.

I thought I remember in manual this was only enabled on CD play.

So Centerpoint is an available option on everything I tried. Pandora, Stitcher, Aha, FM Radio, Streaming from the phone including .flac files. For reference I was on version 53 of the software and upgraded to version 55 this morning.

Thanks Kedis, I had yet to play a CD. Upon inserting one with the Sound Display on the screen - the Centerpoint feature came to life. It was in the 'On' position. When I turned it 'Off' - the difference was amazing! - just as MikeM indicated. (cabpatch) I was always a bit disappointed in the dominance of the center speaker and had tried all sorts of adjustments to no avail. Would upgrading the software from whatever I have to Version 55 enable this feature for all sources? If so.....IBJammin: how do I go about getting that done?

 

[IBJammin]

There is some info up on Mazda 3 Revolution. http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/...-downloads.html#/forumsite/20910/topics/98202

The North America 55's seemed to be dead links though so I went to the dealer to have it updated.

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[MikeM.]

Thanks Kedis, I had yet to play a CD. Upon inserting one with the Sound Display on the screen - the Centerpoint feature came to life. It was in the 'On' position. When I turned it 'Off' - the difference was amazing! - just as MikeM indicated. (cabpatch) I was always a bit disappointed in the dominance of the center speaker and had tried all sorts of adjustments to no avail. Would upgrading the software from whatever I have to Version 55 enable this feature for all sources? If so.....IBJammin: how do I go about getting that done?

That's a good question. I've never updated the software in my 2013 and the Centerpoint function is grayed out unless I'm on CD or iPod (I've never used the "aux" source so I can't comment on that). I guess the risk in updating is that then the center channel might be louder and you could lose stereo separation (if the reports from those with newer Bose systems are accurate). I'm pretty happy with the way it is so I won't be upgrading.

 

[brillo54]

Hey Tango, the Infotainment system on a 2013-15 is different than the 2016 that IBJammin has. Here are a couple of links for threads that address the system you have.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123849980-2015-CX5-InfoTainment-Update

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...e-Bulletin-FIX-USB-playback-and-SMS-Bluetooth

I hope they help you out.

 

[yrwei52]

Off Topic

OFF TOPIC: yrwei52 (your way 1952?) - Can you explain how you encapsulate the quoted posts as you did in your reply? Thanks!

Check "Multi-Quote This Message" symbol at lower right corner for each post you'd like to quote. Click "Reply to Thread" button. Cut and paste one quote into the other as follows and {} are used instead of [] for demonstration purpose here.

"{QUOTE=Kedis82ZE8;6405767}{QUOTE=Tango2014;6405529}The Centerpoint feature is 'grayed out' on mine. Is this only for the GT? Thanks!{/QUOTE}I thought I remember in manual this was only enabled on CD play.{/QUOTE}"

Above text would look like this for your post:

The Centerpoint feature is 'grayed out' on mine. Is this only for the GT? Thanks!

I thought I remember in manual this was only enabled on CD play.

You can use "Preview Post" to double check the result before submitting your reply.

 

[yrwei52]

I didn't suggest the Bose system in my 2013 is different from yours but, based on your description, I now think maybe the newer systems are very substantially different.

For 2016 CX-5, we suppose to have newer version Bose Centerpoint 2 surround sound system which should make some differences.

When people opted for a premium Bose system. they expect premium sound. Speakers are always a weakest link for a good audio system. Good speakers cost a lot more than the rest of the audio system. Without tweeters and sub-woofer, CX-5's sound quality is mediocre at best! I felt I got cheated by Mazda and Bose! Like IBJammin mentioned, his upgraded stock premium audio system has 2 tweeters and a sub-woofer from Honda Element. Even older Mazda3 offered a sub-woofer. Bose system on Mazda6 has a sub-woofer, hence comments you'd quoted were not really applicable to our situation as richer bass sound will help to compensate the dominance of the center speaker which is for mid-range sound only.

 

[MikeM.]

For 2016 CX-5, we suppose to have newer version Bose Centerpoint 2 surround sound system which should make some differences.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, from what I'm hearing, it's worse!

When people opted for a premium Bose system. they expect premium sound.

I opted for the Bose system because, after listening to both systems, I determined the Bose was substantially better than the entry level. And most entry level systems just don't work very well for me.

Without tweeters and sub-woofer, CX-5's sound quality is mediocre at best! I felt I got cheated by Mazda and Bose! Like IBJammin mentioned, his upgraded stock premium audio system has 2 tweeters and a sub-woofer from Honda Element.

Fer cryin' out loud, it's a free Country, why didn't you buy a Honda Element?

Bose system on Mazda6 has a sub-woofer, hence comments you'd quoted were not really applicable to our situation as richer bass sound will help to compensate the dominance of the center speaker which is for mid-range sound only.

A sub-woofer is not going to solve the problem of lack of stereo separation which is what people with both Bose Centerpoint 2 and also those with the earlier version who had the Centerpoint feature enable were complaining about. At least the earlier version solves the lack of separation when the Centerpoint feature is disabled. If the feedback here from those with Centerpoint 2 is accurate, that is not a solution with Centerpoint 2.

You feel cheated? You remind me of the Tea-party crazies who b**** and moan about government spending but who hold signs telling the Government to keep their hands off their Medicare! How were you cheated? You would have a point if it were advertised as having tweeters and sub-woofers. You would have a point if the car you test drove was equipped with a special "audiophile quality" system of a higher quality than delivered.

But I'm confused how you were cheated? You knew (or should have known) it didn't have dedicated tweeters. You knew (or should have known) it didn't have a sub-woofer.

 

[yrwei52]

Fer cryin' out loud, it's a free Country, why didn't you buy a Honda Element?

Sorry, Honda Element is no longer in production...

A sub-woofer is not going to solve the problem of lack of stereo separation

It will help with richer, non-directional bass sound to compensate stronger mid-range sound from center speaker. And what I complained mostly was the poor sound quality due to speakers, and don't put your words into my mouth!

But I'm confused how you were cheated? You knew (or should have known) it didn't have dedicated tweeters. You knew (or should have known) it didn't have a sub-woofer.

There was no document you could find to specify what kind of 9 speakers CX-5 Bose system have. A pair of high quality 6" woofers can be served for good bass sound instead of a sub-woofer. High-frequency tweeters can be hide in the mid-range speaker locations as coaxial speakers, or can be Bose Twiddler speakers for dual-purpose speakers. Unless you opened up the grills to see the actual speakers, what else could you do to find out? I spent time during the test drive for other important things, not for audio quality! I trusted Mazda at least will put average Bose sound quality for the CX-5, not the stripped-down version for a premium sound system! Not until I saw people on this forum complaining the sound quality, and said all 9 speakers are cheap paper-cone mid-range speakers, I realized Mazda has cheaped out on CX-5's Bose premium sound system! In addition to above mentioned Honda Element, Mazda3, and Mazda6, our VW Passat, and BMW 528i, when we opted for premium sound system, they all came with good quality twitters and woofers or sub-woofer!

 

[MikeM.]

Sorry, Honda Element is no longer in production...

Maybe you should sue Honda for not sending you advance notice that the only car with a premium stereo was going to go out of production! You were cheated! If sound was so important to you, I'm surprised it wasn't high on your list of pre-purchase criteria.

I spent time during the test drive for other important things, not for audio quality!

And now it's Mazda's fault because you didn't even bother to listen to see if the sound system met your high standards? LOL! I hate it when people try to blame their own negligence on others.

 

[yrwei52]

Sorry, Honda Element is no longer in production...

Maybe you should sue Honda for not sending you advance notice that the only car with a premium stereo was going to go out of production! You were cheated! If sound was so important to you, I'm surprised it wasn't high on your list of pre-purchase criteria.

You played your old tricks again and put the words into someone else's month! When did I say Honda Element is the only car with a premium stereo? Did you see I list other cars too including Mazda3 and Mazda6? All the new cars we'd purchased, when we opted for a premium sound system, it has good quality sound! I expected Mazda will do the same on CX-5 with the same Bose system on Mazda3 and Mazda6! You don't call it a premium sound system if your have all mid-range cheap paper-cone speakers!

 

[littlebear]

You played your old tricks again and put the words into someone else's month! When did I say Honda Element is the only car with a premium stereo? Did you see I list other cars too including Mazda3 and Mazda6? All the new cars we'd purchased, when we opted for a premium sound system, it has good quality sound! I expected Mazda will do the same on CX-5 with the same Bose system on Mazda3 and Mazda6! You don't call it a premium sound system if your have all mid-range cheap paper-cone speakers!

Just ignore MikeM. I don't understand why other Mazda fans have to be antagonistic to other forum members. We can talk and even disagree but why get all nasty?

Back to the topic. So 2016 CX5 has paper speakers while the 2016 Mazda6 and Mazda3 has better speakers? Why would Mazda do that to the 2016 CX5s with the Bose systems?

 

[MikeM.]

You don't call it a premium sound system if your have all mid-range cheap paper-cone speakers!

It's a significant upgrade to the base stereo.

But let's be sensible here. As an example, when I bought my 2000 Volvo S80 T-6 it was Volvo's "premium sedan" and still is. I had seen the 1999 model and it had real wood trim on the dashboard and door interior. I ordered a 2000 MY directly from Gothenburg and waited for it to arrive. When it arrived I noticed it has faux wood trim (plastic). Disappointed, I checked the specs and, sure enough, I had overlooked that change between 1999-2000.

But I didn't accuse Volvo of ripping me off or cheating me, those are strong words. I took responsibility for not investigating my purchase enough (and that is what I think wyrwei52 should do rather than accuse the company of "cheating" him).

Manufacturers have every right to spec their vehicles however they want. "Premium" is a marketing term denoting "better", it does not mean it will be the best you can buy or have 1000 watts or any other specific quality. "Premium" leather is rarely the best quality, it is just better than the alternative. Doesn't mean you're getting ripped off, it's just a word denoting better.

 

[brillo54]

I found this press release on Bose's site about the Mazda6. https://globalpressroom.bose.com/us-en/pressrelease/view/44 If it is accurate they use 11 speakers in the 6. My CX-5 appears to have a similar setup except the 1" tweeters are missing.