All of the alleged comments about fancy eq and crossovers in the Bose system did not seem to be borne out by this install. Noting the high pass capacitors in the Bose tweeters really convinced me. I don't know everything, only what I've installed. If there is a white paper on the Bose system, I'd love to read it.

 

Naturally I could not possibly guaranty that anything won't happen. However this install really showed me that this seems to be just another car stereo. Changing speakers is not rocket science. The integration line from Focal is engineered with factory replacement in mind. I'm sure other mfgs must offer similar solutions.

 

From the pictures it seems that the door woofer is a passive radiator as yoi mentioned...does it have any electrical connections? You did not include pictures of the 6.5 woofer install brother.

 

Yes it is wired as a woofer, the design is just unusual and I believe I actually misspoke-it is not a passive radiator. Check evhudsons thread. The woofer install is well detailed. I would just be adding the same pics and instructions.

 

Rye, i think you just tickled so many of our brother here who finallynhear that a simple speaker swap is all that is needed to improve the sound of our supposedly complex bose sound system. Have you thought about just pulling the sub woofer and placing s powered sub like infinity bass link or something like that. Im sure it provides bigger fuller sound

 

I think this is a great budget install, but I don't think anyone is expecting it to compare to a high-end competition system!

 

For a 6.5" driver, especially if you're running it semi-infinite baffle, it is almost impossible to achieve useful, undistorted bass output in the bottom octave or so. I have never heard any loudspeaker system (at home or in car) based on a 6.5" midwoofer that didn't need an additional subwoofer. Out of curiosity, what are you basing your opinion on?

 

Gasongasoff, i think for most of us, we do not want to achieve competition sound fromp a budget install. Anything say 3 or 4 clicks better than that damned bose system would alsready be sufficient. Our cars are not for loud listening with bass booming and ear defeaning highs. Just crisp crystal clear full bodied sound....you think a simple speaker upgrade to the bose system can do this? Seldom can we get "wine taste for beer money" with anything with a porsche but maybe just something better than beer would be good enough

 

I wish for something as simple as what i didi to my w140 merc. Awful sound system i tell you. But, upgraded to a pioneed hu and an infinity basslink at the back and all is now fine. Full clear sound, from the oem speakers! It wasnt a bose system! You should see the mercs oem tweeters, beautiful construction and angled for bounce. Simple upgrade but huge improvement. Not competition but good enough. Hope this upgrade can do that for the bose because i think im doing this and really hope gasongasoff can share a few more insights because i feel he knows his audio.

 

Ah, but then it wouldn't be a budget install.
I AM thinking about stuffing the subwoofer as mentioned in another thread. Should tighten up the bass, just what I'm after. Actually, I'm surprised by the size of the stock sub, something really good could go into that space. Someone else needs to try a powered sub and report the benefits! I don't even know, is the feed to the sub a line out?

I was cruising online and found that Focal makes a really cool, flat sub. It is a bit smaller than the Bose, but would fit nicely. I think it is new and doesn't seem to be distributed to the US, however. Maybe it will come.

Very true. That's why it would be hard to "rate" the budget system. I would say that the Bose sounds pretty much like most factory stereos I've heard. I would also say that the upgraded system sounds better than most factory units I've heard, including Premium option systems.

I'm not an expert on car audio. However, I still notice that the Focal Be component system that is just a 2 way and costs $5000, still relies on a 6.5" driver.

I would say that I'm still running the Bose subwoofer and it integrates very well. I was expecting the reduced efficiency of the Focals might result in bloated sound because the sub would be overdriven. I'm really happy to say that did not happen. If you use more expensive speakers, you run a greater risk of reduced efficiency and a mismatch with the sub. The Focals I used were about 90db, as I indicated.

Anyway, as for home audio, you can certainly reach below 30hz with 6.5" drivers. Check out Aerial Acoustics. New model, 7t, 7.1" drivers and clean to 25hz. That's only one example. I have 7b's and they are certainly below 30hz with 2 6.5" woofers. However, they have well braced cabinets that are 2" thick and weigh 100lbs each! Their top speakers only use 9" drivers and cost $32,000 a pair. Most high end speakers don't use 12" drivers anymore, they don't have the speed of smaller ones. Sure, there are exceptions to every comment - I know there are makers running 15" drivers, but they are really the exception.

I would never run a sub for high end audio. Certainly there are $2000+ subs worth their weight, but I still don't like them. I use a sub only for home theater. Sure, there you want the walls to rattle when the bombs drop. Unless it's really good, it just makes music muddy.

That's the best part of the upgrade, it has made the mid bass tight and punchy. Much punchier than the Bose. You feel the impact of the kick drums. Big difference than the muddy deep bass from the sub. That's exactly what I was after. If you want big, booming bass, this upgrade isn't going to give it to you. What is most surprising is that the little 4" Focals are pretty punchy themselves, never would have guessed it.

Running 8's instead of 6.5s? Could be better. Probably won't be worse!

 

Hmm, maybe the focal integration ibus 20...

 

Hey rye, you just made me spend $190 on a focal is200. I think i will stick with this first. And see if there is really an improvement as you mentioned. Of course we will need to stuff that sub with fiberglass to clean up the sound and lessen the boom. Hopefully those 2 items would create what i need though for sure the mids front and rear will not be new so we will see or rather we will hear the effect. You mentioned breaking in of the speakers...thats new to me. I think i will be more inclined with cheaper alternatives specially for the rear fills.

 

I have a targa so have the footwell sub rather than the rear shelf one, but it has a very small amp in there behind the driver, so I would say its fed by a line level output

 

After reading some more about sound upgrade i now feel it might not be as easy as i first thought. Gasongasoff seems to know audio and i am starting to believe that it might not just be a speaker upgrade. Ryem3's alpine tweeter discovery might be the only thing i will do. I have an is200 coming but might not be inclined to put it on as it mit not be balanced with everything else. And bring a component set i dont want to install just the tweeters. Will report after installing the tweeters

 

whats your concern?