I have the OEM Bose stereo with the Bose subwoofer box in the rear. Even though I have the BASS set all the way down on the headunit to -7 (I think), it seems to me that there is still way too much bass present. Before I start digging into it, does anyone know if there is a gain adjustment on the OEM amplifier itself? My plan is the swap out the OEM headunit with an Pioneer x930bt but I will be retaining the Bose speakers and factory amp.

 

Do you have a "loud" setting - that will pump up the bass.

 

is the "loudness" function on? if so, that'd do it. at least you don't have the "03 with MOST. the "02 system sounds much better.

 

Thanks. I didn't think about the loudness feature. I have no idea if I have it on. How can you tell? I've never really messed with the radio since it is about the least user friendly unit I have ever come across. Whoever designed it should be shot. As far as the sound goes I think it's decent (besides the excessive bass in my case) considering these cars offer such a poor listening environment anyway with all the road noise, drone, etc...

 

flip thru the options on the sound button. it should take you thru bass/treble/ etc, until you see loudness. toggle it. i'm going from memory and no longer have the 02 system, and my 03 has no "loudness" option.. OR bass response.

 

Ok, thanks....

 

Yep, that's what it was. I turned it off and it sounds much better. Thanks for the help guys. It's amazing how pronounced the "loudness" function is on this stereo.

 

yeah, wish i had one.. glad it worked.

 

I thought the OP was nuts until I read that the systems changed. I've got my bass on the '04 up to +4 or more at all times. It's just so anemic at the low end, but I don't expect anything serious from a sports car.

 

it's incredible, the difference between the "03 and beyond MOST system and the analog one that preceded it. it was NOT an improvement. the 02 was incredible, and when i got the later car, i kept asking the guy who sold it to me "what happened to the subs", do they work?

 

I have no experience with the Most system but I'm actually very impressed with the sound of the 2002 Bose system (analog) that is in the car. The subwoofer provides a surprisingly good kick. For what it is I think it's more than adequate and provides a fairly dynamic sound and I believe a modern headunit with an equilizer would make it even better. To me these cars are about performance but make a horrid listening environment from an audiophiles standpoint and as such I am satisfied with the Bose sound.

 

agreed. i never thought of replacing the 02 bose, it was slamming loud and bass always when i needed it. i work in music and often use cars to a/b mixes, regardless of how horrible the system. we use this car a lot now, as in "well, if it sounds good in HERE". lol

 

Just picked up an 03 TT a couple of weeks ago from SoCal. A one owner car with ~27K miles. The user's manual for the CDR-23 mentioned a "Loudness" function when you push on the Sound button as described in the above posts. For some reason, my CDR-23 does not have this function. Also, I cranked up my bass to +9 and the bass still sounds underwhelmed. The previous owner also stuffed some foam into the two subwoofer ports behind the rear seats which I have removed. This leads me to believe that the previous owner did not like too much bass. I am wondering if there is a way to program the CDR-23 to remove the loudness function, which was done by the previous owner.

Thanks in advance for your comments.
Mike

 

I actually don't find the non Bose in my 2001 that bad other than reception.. I have Bose in my Audis and they are better then the Porsche.

 

I can't stand the Bose sound system. It is colored and not accurate sound production what so ever. I took all mine out and much happier for it