Why all the hate for the BOSE in the MS3 GT?

I have only had my MS3 for 3 weeks and I already hate the Bose system. In Canada there are no options, the MS3 comes as one model. The only saving grace is that the Bose has a line-in jack. It was obviously designed on a tight budget, it's very under-powered so it has no headroom and distorts at moderate volumes. The bass manages both to be muddy and have no impact at all, which the bass control only makes worse. The tweeters are just terrible, yes they play treble but there is no detail whatsoever (cymbals have no crispness, just a dull crash). The same could be said of the mids, acoustic guitars are dull and lifeless. This stereo has no emotion to it, no warmth, no sparkle. Granted it's alot better than factory stereos used to be, but for a company that claims to be dedicated to audio perfection it's pretty lame. All I want is a nicely balanced system, which I'm going to have to put together myself.
 
How do you know it's the exact same Bose system?

Hikaru9 said:
You have a good point, but you're also completely missing the point of this conversation.

What CTGrey is saying is that Mazda already has the exact same Bose system that plays MP3s. $400~500 option that was never available even as an option even though they had them available. Your argument about extra configuration is null because Mazda already has them built for our cars.

No, I understand where CTGrey is upset about, but my arguement still stands. How do you know it's the EXACT same Bose system? And even if they have a Bose system that supports MP3's it's supply maybe restricted to a certain model line. Or they may not want to take on the added cost of having stock of a optional head unit that may only find it's way into 2% of the MZ3/MS3's. CTGrey maybe happy to spend an extra $1000 for the updated system, but the reality is that it may cost Mazda more in shipping and storage costs to make that option available to limited number of customers. Not to mention the additional cost of reconfiguring the line to install a different head unit. We don't even know if those MP3 equipped Bose systems use the same wiring harnesses.
And which model uses the MP3 equipped Bose system? The CX-7? CX-9? Both of those systems use a completely different Bose set-up with different processing. Each system is calibrated for each car, so you can't simply move one head unit to another model. Those systems also have Centerpoint surround.

FYI, the standard Mazda, non-Bose head unit is different from the Bose head unit.

BTW, I for one would kill to have the CX-9 Bose system as an option in the MS3. One thing I wish the MS3 had was Bluetooth, whihc the CX-9 Bose system does include.
 
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The money has to come from somewhere...

HAVOC said:
My last car was around $22,000 and came with a Monsoon audio system that is one of the best quality (not supper bassy , no subwoofer) car audio systems installed from a factory I have heard. Although the rest of the car fell apart (VW) the stereo from Monsoon is amazing.

I hate the fact I have a BOSE system as they are way overpriced for the quality speakers they produce. It is like buy Monster brand cables in Best Buy/CC and pay $75 for a $20 cable. The Monster is not a bad cable but you can get much better for less money than Monster charges. Same goes for BOSE.

My Uncle is a BOSE fan but also has a Monsoon system in his Buick and is amazed how bad the Bose sounds in the car.

While I do not need a supper bass system that shakes every bolt loose in the car, I like quality and feel that it is not there. Any volume over 12 and the system sounds like crap.

Remember BOSE spends more money in marketing than all other speaker brand companies combined. If any are interested in a BOSE story you can read it here

Funny how the rest of your car fell apart but the stereo sounded good.

Like Mazda, Volkswagen builds to a budget and makes choices to stay within that budget. Volkswagen has had a long-stnading reputations for poor long-term reliability but gorgeous, fit and finish. In fact some would argue that you pay a premium for the Volkswagen name when the product quality is mediocre.

Bottom-line the money has to come from somewhere. Mazda chooses to spend it in areas that increase long-term reliability, where Volkswagen chooses to put the money into the look and feel and then charge you crazy money when stuff breaks.
 
My gosh guys my Bose sounds bitchin with a CD and the bass is all I could ask for unless you want a box and a 10".

On my sirius its pretty life less but over CD it really does sound good.
 
Antonio DiMarco said:
No, I understand where CTGrey is upset about, but my arguement still stands. How do you know it's the EXACT same Bose system? And even if they have a Bose system that supports MP3's it's supply maybe restricted to a certain model line. Or they may not want to take on the added cost of having stock of a optional head unit that may only find it's way into 2% of the MZ3/MS3's. CTGrey maybe happy to spend an extra $1000 for the updated system, but the reality is that it may cost Mazda more in shipping and storage costs to make that option available to limited number of customers. Not to mention the additional cost of reconfiguring the line to install a different head unit. We don't even know if those MP3 equipped Bose systems use the same wiring harnesses.
And which model uses the MP3 equipped Bose system? The CX-7? CX-9? Both of those systems use a completely different Bose set-up with different processing. Each system is calibrated for each car, so you can't simply move one head unit to another model. Those systems also have Centerpoint surround.

FYI, the standard Mazda, non-Bose head unit is different from the Bose head unit.

BTW, I for one would kill to have the CX-9 Bose system as an option in the MS3. One thing I wish the MS3 had was Bluetooth, whihc the CX-9 Bose system does include.

Okay... take it from the person who actually owns an MS3 with the Bose system. MS3s in other markets do come with MP3 built in. When I said it was the exact same Bose system, I really meant "exact".

Guess what my MS3 owner's manual has? Instructions on how to use the MP3 CDs in the Bose system. It really is the same model (sans the MP3) with the same wiring & fitment, and Mazda really screwed us (in the States) by not even offering it even as an option.

The options were installed at the factory, not at the dealership. Mazda didn't have to ship any parts.
 
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OK, so you have a point. :-)

Hikaru9 said:
Okay... take it from the person who actually owns an MS3 with the Bose system. MS3s in other markets do come with MP3 built in. When I said it was the exact same Bose system, I really meant "exact".

Guess what my MS3 owner's manual has? Instructions on how to use the MP3 CDs in the Bose system. It really is the same model (sans the MP3) with the same wiring & fitment, and Mazda really screwed us (in the States) by not even offering it even as an option.

The options were installed at the factory, not at the dealership. Mazda didn't have to ship any parts.


Taking the position that "Mazda screwed us" is pretty shortsighted though. Manufacturers rarely make a decision without a reason. Every decision they make usually revolves around cost or availability. My guess is that the lack of MP3 capability was due to money or licensing reasons.

IOTW, they didn't get up one morning and say "yeah know, there's this guy, CTGrey and we should really think about screwin' him real good...(idhitit)(lol2)
 
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hehehe, that zany banana. Like I said, lacking the MP3 capability is my only real gripe.
 
Hikaru9 said:
You have a good point, but you're also completely missing the point of this conversation.

What CTGrey is saying is that Mazda already has the exact same Bose system that plays MP3s. $400~500 option that was never available even as an option even though they had them available. Your argument about extra configuration is null because Mazda already has them built for our cars.


stop being a tool... I told you back in februrary that it IS AN OPTION AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CAR.

let me make this easier for you.... part number is BS0D-79-EGX, it IS a $500 option.... all it is is the headunit, it IS a CD changer, and it DOES have the MP3 decoder built in... IT IS FOR THE BOSE SYSTEM!!!
 
Hikaru9 said:
Okay... take it from the person who actually owns an MS3 with the Bose system. MS3s in other markets do come with MP3 built in. When I said it was the exact same Bose system, I really meant "exact".

Guess what my MS3 owner's manual has? Instructions on how to use the MP3 CDs in the Bose system. It really is the same model (sans the MP3) with the same wiring & fitment, and Mazda really screwed us (in the States) by not even offering it even as an option.

The options were installed at the factory, not at the dealership. Mazda didn't have to ship any parts.

it's not *exactly* the same... all the speakers are the same, but the headunits are slightly different due to tuner frequency and regulatory differences in different regions
 
Antonio DiMarco said:
Taking the position that "Mazda screwed us" is pretty shortsighted though. Manufacturers rarely make a decision without a reason. Every decision they make usually revolves around cost or availability. My guess is that the lack of MP3 capability was due to money or licensing reasons.

IOTW, they didn't get up one morning and say "yeah know, there's this guy, CTGrey and we should really think about screwin' him real good...(idhitit)(lol2)

availability and licensing was not the reason, money was... simply they didn't put it in to keep the price of the car down, plus they want to make more money off us by selling the accessory upgrade
 
TheMAN said:
stop being a tool... I told you back in februrary that it IS AN OPTION AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CAR.

let me make this easier for you.... part number is BS0D-79-EGX, it IS a $500 option.... all it is is the headunit, it IS a CD changer, and it DOES have the MP3 decoder built in... IT IS FOR THE BOSE SYSTEM!!!

Ok... Mr. I love the $500 Mazda Bose system w/ MP3 player. I am aware of your posts regarding the matter since you pop out of nowhere everytime anyone mentions the word "mp3" along with "MS3". I was simply educating a forum member/ supporting another's gripe, so thanks a lot for the name calling. *^_^*
 
TheMAN said:
stop being a tool... I told you back in februrary that it IS AN OPTION AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CAR.

let me make this easier for you.... part number is BS0D-79-EGX, it IS a $500 option.... all it is is the headunit, it IS a CD changer, and it DOES have the MP3 decoder built in... IT IS FOR THE BOSE SYSTEM!!!

Since we're getting technical, if it was an option I could have ordered the car with it. It's not an option on the Build a MS3 site. I have to order this via the parts counter, thanks for resurrecting the part number though. Now I don't have to go hunting for it again.
 
I know...I have gripes too. But...

CTGrey02 said:
hehehe, that zany banana. Like I said, lacking the MP3 capability is my only real gripe.

Glad you got a sense of humor. Life's too short. (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit) (idhitit)
 
Thanks for clarifying...

TheMAN said:
availability and licensing was not the reason, money was... simply they didn't put it in to keep the price of the car down, plus they want to make more money off us by selling the accessory upgrade
.

But doesn't it always boil down to the "MONEY"
 
Antonio DiMarco said:
Funny how the rest of your car fell apart but the stereo sounded good.

Like Mazda, Volkswagen builds to a budget and makes choices to stay within that budget. Volkswagen has had a long-stnading reputations for poor long-term reliability but gorgeous, fit and finish. In fact some would argue that you pay a premium for the Volkswagen name when the product quality is mediocre.

Bottom-line the money has to come from somewhere. Mazda chooses to spend it in areas that increase long-term reliability, where Volkswagen chooses to put the money into the look and feel and then charge you crazy money when stuff breaks.

While I agree with you about the choices companies need to make for budget reasons. My comment about Bose is they will charge the companies more for their name but give a lesser product than a company like Monsoon. Monsoon is in many car companies that are not high end like Buick,VW,Chevy, and gm and produce a far superior sound system than Bose.

Mazda pays the higher price to have Bose in their cars because of the perceived notion that Bose is a superior audio system.

I can not speak for their car systems but ther $3000 home theater systems from bose still use paper cones and foam insulation. We all know how paper reacts to humidity and the foam insulation wears away which is why no sell respecting speaker manufacturer still uses paper and foam.

Maybe I will pull back one of my speaker covers to confirm that the Bose speakers in the car arena are paper as well.
 
Simple.

Bose is not an audio company.

The proof in this is their exploration in suspensions for cars. Which of course has nothing to do with audio. Further proof is they are specialists in "psychoacoustics", but rarely do they work towards perfection of their drivers and the cabinets they put them in.

Bose is a technolgical think-tank and design company that has its roots in audio and psychoacoustics.

BTW, Dr. Bose is a not a pleasant guy. Sorry, that is my assessment of him. He's got a real "Holier then thou" complex, just like Noel Lee (Monster.)


The truth is, companies like Mazda could do better with a quality speaker house like Vifa, SEAS, or Dayton, Tang Band or something along those lines, with direct OEM gear, and a little more careful consideration towards sound deadening, and amplification.

In the ideal yet price conscious factory sound system, it would go like this:

SEAS Mid-woofer, 8" Front doors
SEAS 4" Midrange, front doors
SEAS Neo tweeter, A-pillars
Tang Band slim 10" sub, trunk
SEAS coaxial 6.5" drivers, back deck

Blaupunkt, or Fujitsu OEM 8ch main amp 35Wx6 (for the midrange, tweeters, and coaxial rears) + 50Wx2 (for mid-woofer)
Blaupunkt, or Fujitsu OEM mono sub amp 200Wx1

Pre-programmed digital chip processor with crossover functions to each driver, including DSP for extra "ambience"

Clarion or Fujitsu-Ten (Eclipse) OEM head unit, unpowered with balanced outputs to the OEM amps

Total cost to the manufacturer? About $1000, including a quality head unit with flat output and adjustable features. They could then turn around and sell this as a massive, quality upgrade (without cutting corners!) for about $1600-2000, depending on the car.
 
That's quite an extensive list, FourthMeal. *^_^*

I've played around only with Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood and Alpine products in my cars although I did service a variety of other brands at my last job.

Where is SEAS from? o_O
 
i think they are a speaker manufacture. i also think they provide various oem companies with some equipment.
 
Just becasue a cone is paper doesn't mean that it is sub-par

HAVOC said:
While I agree with you about the choices companies need to make for budget reasons. My comment about Bose is they will charge the companies more for their name but give a lesser product than a company like Monsoon. Monsoon is in many car companies that are not high end like Buick,VW,Chevy, and gm and produce a far superior sound system than Bose.

Mazda pays the higher price to have Bose in their cars because of the perceived notion that Bose is a superior audio system.

I can not speak for their car systems but ther $3000 home theater systems from bose still use paper cones and foam insulation. We all know how paper reacts to humidity and the foam insulation wears away which is why no sell respecting speaker manufacturer still uses paper and foam.

Maybe I will pull back one of my speaker covers to confirm that the Bose speakers in the car arena are paper as well.

Bose uses treated paper. Not plain o'le paper. It all depends on the application.
 

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