14 speaker bose

[mldjlg_02]

Hello all. I recently purchased an 06 m45 sport. I have reason to believe the 14 speaker bose stereo isn't performing as it should. There doesn't seem to be enough bass or volume to the system. I have owned 04, 06, and 09 maximas with bose that are much louder and deeper than this stereo. It just doesn't seem right. after doing some research, I found that the car is wired for an aftermarket amp and has a PAC output adapter that is hooked up to the wires going into the factory sub. There is also a PAC ipod hookup in the glove box. All speakers are working and all other connections seem to be original. The aftermarket wiring appears to be a professional installation. My speculation is that even though the output adapter has no load on it, it is still drawing from the system and causing it to go into a filter or protection mode? Just thought I would ask. I have searched this topic and have overlooked or been unable to find a clear answer. Forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse here. Thanks for your input.
Mike

[svard75]

PAC only makes adapters that connect to the satellite tuner plug in the trunk. What made you assume it's wired for an aftermarket amp? It's possible that whoever owned it before disconnected the factory sub and installed an inline htl converter on the lines intended for the factory sub.

[TXT]

Not sure if my reply will help but my 99' Acura TL with Bose had much more bass than this car has stock. I have the same car as you (06' M45 Sport) with the 14 speaker system. If you use CD's or DVD's the sound is much louder and crispy compared to satellite or FM radio.

I ended up adding a sub because the Bass just wasn't enough.

[mldjlg_02]

PAC only makes adapters that connect to the satellite tuner plug in the trunk. What made you assume it's wired for an aftermarket amp? It's possible that whoever owned it before disconnected the factory sub and installed an inline htl converter on the lines intended for the factory sub.

It is a PAC SNI-15 input adapter stowed in the rear deck it's hooked up to the speaker wire going into the factory bose sub which does still work. This adapter provides the RCA cable output for an aftermarket amp. There is 4 gauge power wire running to the trunk. It seems like the more you turn it up, the bass and overall clarity seems to fade out. As for the ipod hookup, I haven't traced what that is hooked up to.

Not sure if my reply will help but my 99' Acura TL with Bose had much more bass than this car has stock. I have the same car as you (06' M45 Sport) with the 14 speaker system. If you use CD's or DVD's the sound is much louder and crispy compared to satellite or FM radio.

I ended up adding a sub because the Bass just wasn't enough.

If I find out that the sound in the car is correct, I will probably add a sub and amp, I just feel there is no way it is right. It sounds like a stock radio in a base model us vehicle. The sound difference in a cd used to be present in my maximas also. Using a cd is not making much sound difference in this car. I am probably going to unhook the RCA adapter today to see if it could be what is drowning this thing. Thanks for the replies and any ideas are welcome.

[svard75]

"It seems like the more you turn it up, the bass and overall clarity seems to fade out."

This is normal factory operation. The factory sub is there to add just a bit more low end. When I turn mine up to the 50% point I get to the spot where the low end begins to disappear and the high end just slightly starts to distort, so really you won't get good sound playing from the OEM system higher than 50%. If you're looking for door rattling sound then swap out all the speakers with high powered component kits, high to low level converters, amps and subs.

"As for the ipod hookup, I haven't traced what that is hooked up to."

Depending on the ipod interface model you can get the model that interfaces directly behind the OEM monitor or the one that interfaces with the OEM satellite radio connection in the trunk on the right side mounted to the rear deck.

[mldjlg_02]

I unhooked the RCA output and wow! What a difference! Really woke the system up. Only thing I can figure is that the output was reducing the signal going into the sub. I'm not an expert with these things so I don't know. I do know that it sounds like it should now, very comparable to my 09 maxima that had the tech pkg. thanks for your input.

[EniGmA1987]

My system is plenty loud at 25% volume, so I am of the opinion if you have to turn it up to 50% or more then you are either quite deaf (hey, some people really just are more so than they think) or have very bad source material and you should fix your source problem to get good quality sound. Radio would be considered very bad source material. My sub also hits plenty fine till about 50%, but then the amp doesnt have enough power to properly push the sub past that which is the reason why low end volume rolls off compared to other speakers. But at 50% volume my factory sub shakes the doors and mirrors so it is plenty fine for me. Sure not JL W7's level shaking but it gets just the perfect amount of audible and feeling low end so it is good enough IMO.

[mldjlg_02]

My system is plenty loud at 25% volume, so I am of the opinion if you have to turn it up to 50% or more then you are either quite deaf or have very bad source material and you should fix your source problem to get good quality sound. My sub also hits plenty fine till about 50%, but then the amp doesnt have enough power to properly push the sub past that which is the reason why low end volume rolls off compared to other speakers.

Seems to be working correctly since I unhooked the RCA output. Source I use most of the time is xm which has less bass than any of the other sources to begin with. Sounds excellent on cd. I haven't tried the DVD player yet. Seems a little over the top to me but it's nice to know its there I guess. Thanks and btw, here's a pic of the car

[EniGmA1987]

Thats great that it worked out for you with such an easy fix. That is one clean looking ride you have there.

[mldjlg_02]

Thats great that it worked out for you with such an easy fix. That is one clean looking ride you have there.

Thank you very much. The wife and I are enjoying it so far. We work separate hours, so we are both able to use this to commute with.

[TXT]

Yes that is a very nice car. Nice color too. Do you know if the wheels were refinished and repainted?

[mldjlg_02]

Yes that is a very nice car. Nice color too. Do you know if the wheels were refinished and repainted?

Yes they were refurbished by the dealer. Probably had some curb rash. The spare is still the original darker color. I bought it in Hickory NC.

[svard75]

I unhooked the RCA output and wow! What a difference! Really woke the system up. Only thing I can figure is that the output was reducing the signal going into the sub. I'm not an expert with these things so I don't know. I do know that it sounds like it should now, very comparable to my 09 maxima that had the tech pkg. thanks for your input.

It kind of makes sense. A high to low adapter contains resistors in parallel so the amp likely saw the added load and backed down on power. It's unusual for the oem sub to still be connected when a high to low level is. In any case enjoy.

Enigma, *deaf yell* what did you say? Lol. Okay it's likely because of my sources.

[The Bodyguard]

You should pop in a dvd audio disc you will be blown away!! Search on Amazon for your preferred artists under dvd audio, not very many left out there but even a concert type dvd will work and you could experience the dvd source of your audio system!! Good luck and enjoy your new ride. These cars are vertu fun and enjoyable to drive!!

[mldjlg_02]

You should pop in a dvd audio disc you will be blown away!! Search on Amazon for your preferred artists under dvd audio, not very many left out there but even a concert type dvd will work and you could experience the dvd source of your audio system!! Good luck and enjoy your new ride. These cars are vertu fun and enjoyable to drive!!

Thanks for the info I may give it a try

[Larz]

I have the Bose surround system as well and it is very good. However, the other car makers in this price range have a better system including Genesis, BMW, Merc, and Audi. In fact, Audi and BMW have been offering a B&O system for about 2 years now that is absolutely brilliant and light years ahead of Bose. Beginning next year this system will be on the less high-end models of Audi and BMW. In fact BMW is offering it in the 3 series already.
Fetucini and I test drove an A-6 today and the sound and quality of the system is staggering! I'm hoping the newer Q70 when it gets the actual re-fit and re-design in 2016 will have this system. Bose is by no means 'bad' but is is also by no means cutting edge either.

http://youtu.be/2mwFyUNV0x4