2006 M35X: Bose 8 speaker vs. Bose 14 speaker Surround Sound

[m35xtobe]

Hi All,

Based on my research, the '06 M35X comes equipped with either of the following sound systems-

1- Base model sound system2- Bose 2ch 8speaker upgraded system (Premium Package)*3- Bose 5.1ch surround sound 14speaker system (Advanced Technology package)

Has anyone had a chance to compare systems 2 and 3? Is the 14speaker noticeable better than the 8speaker for MUSIC? As CD's are not encoded in 5.1 surround sound, is the surround simulated by the 14speaker system? I will not be watching movies in the car. Essentially, is the upgrade worth spending more for the Advanced Technology package?

*Infiniti specs the system as 2, so I am assuming they mean 2.0, in which case is there no subwoofer? Is base handled entirely by the midbasses?

If anyone has compared all 3 systems, that would be useful too!

I'm aware that for the most part BOSE is not well respected by audiophiles but I am not willing to modify whatever stock system I buy with this car, so I would like to get the best possible sound with the car.

TIA.
Modified by m35xtobe at 11:29 AM 7/13/2009

[EcstaSPT]

I have the 14 speaker system and using the Centerpoint function to simulate 5.1 with CDs, mp3s, etc sounds like s***. Regardless anything other than 5.1 sounds like s***. I added a Basslink and am replacing the front door speakers with a pair of 2ohm Inifinitys for more clarity. So I'd say in your case no it's not worth it for the 14 speaker system.

[antzrus]

I've got a "Premium" packaged '06 M35x. It came w/the 5.1, 14 speaker system; contrary to your information apparently. The system is great. Of course I'm not an obsessive and finicky aficionado of perfect sounding music. Come on, this is an outstanding driving machine, not a music lab.

Save your aural OCD tendencies for your living room and your proprioceptive OCD tendencies for the road.

[BigP]

I have the 14 speaker job. The sound is great when watching a movie made for 5.1 (including music videos) or listening to music made for 5.1. I wish I could get my home theatre systems to sound as good!

4 of the 6 extra speakers are the ones in the seat. They have minimal impact on non 5.1 music. You can hear them if you put your ear up to them, but they only really come alive on 5.1 sound.

If you don't do either of those or don't care then don't spend the money if you can avoid it.

[EcstaSPT]

I've got a "Premium" packaged '06 M35x. It came w/the 5.1, 14 speaker system; contrary to your information apparently. The system is great. Of course I'm not an obsessive and finicky aficionado of perfect sounding music. Come on, this is an outstanding driving machine, not a music lab.

Save your aural OCD tendencies for your living room and your proprioceptive OCD tendencies for the road.

Hey now, I'm not OCD and not an audiophile, I just want something that doesn't sound as flat as a board

[EniGmA1987]

Everyone seems to hate the speakers in the M, but I have the 14 speaker system and it sounds GREAT. Ecsta doesnt know what he is talking about so please dont mind him

Ecsta, the "Centerpoint" does NOT simulate 5.1 on 2 channel audio. To do that it would need some DTS or Dolby Digital encoding, which it doesnt do to stereo things. The centerpoint function simply makes the music seem more center and uses the center channel speaker a lot more for music, as well as the inner speakers in the seats. The reason it sounds so bad for nearly all music when using centerpoint is because of the characteristics of the speakers themselves. The center channel has a lot more low mids in it so that voices are more distinct, and the small seat speakers near the shoulders have a hard time producing a lot of frequencies and are mainly for higher pitched things. Turn off centerpoint when listening to music, and probably for DVDs as well. It doesn't do anything but ruin the mixing of whatever you are listening to.

[EcstaSPT]

Well you said so yourself, most everyone hates the speakers, or at least doesn't think it sounds near as good as it should for the money it costs. There's got to be a reason for that.

Taken from the Bose website:"The proprietary Bose technology is at the core of our automotive surround systems. It lets you experience 5 channel surround sound in your vehicle - even with conventional two channel stereo CDs. And it's based on our award winning surround decoding technology.

Award winning??

I swear, reading the swill on the Bose site reminds me of listening to Obama, just a bunch of hot-aired BS.

[The00Dustin]

Taken from the Bose website:"The proprietary Bose technology is at the core of our automotive surround systems. It lets you experience 5 channel surround sound in your vehicle - even with conventional two channel stereo CDs.

My 2006 M45 manual also indicates that the 14 speaker system emulates 5.1; I can't give an exact quote, as I don't have the manual, but it is in there as well...

[EniGmA1987]

Thats news to me. The salesmen who sold me the car said that it wont emulate 5.1, it just uses the center speakers more.

And when I said most people hate the sound system, I was refering to the lower end systems. I dont see many complaints of people who have the big 14 speaker package.

In the audio configuration area I like it best with the "bass" set up to max, and the "treble" set to +2. Try that and turn off the sucky centerpoint option and listen to music.

[1scott]

I have the 14 speaker premuim package Bose system. The system does a great job if you play a disc recorded for 5.1. When I play a recorded concert DVDs or when my Kids watch the DVDs the sound is awesome, better than most home systems. Having said that, like all high end audio equipment, where the music comes from is greatly important. If you play something from a bad source (Like FM radio, old CDS, etc.), it will sound really bad on the Bose, but if you play something from a good source it sounds great (Ie DVDS, newer recorded CDs, and XM radio with a good signal). If I listen to FM I turn off the centerpoint and audio pilot portion of my system and it sounds less distorted. You will not be dissappointed with the stock system either, it also sounds better than most OE radios.

[jankenpo30]

I concur...mentioned awhile back

5.1 DVD-Audio = best thing since slice breadCD Audio = good if you aren't an audiopdile, tolerable if you are.MP3 thru RCA jacks = horrible

[spenceryuan]

I've never compared the two. I have the 14 speaker bose and thought that there is not enough bass. I listen to alot of Rap and hip hop and the bass that the 10 inch woofer puts out is absolutely horrible. I went and installed a 10 inch 12" arc audio subwoofer, and a 500/1 watt Arc audio Amp to it and it sounds great now. The highs are pretty good, although could be more crisp. I really like the center channel speaker. I used to be a huge audiophile and had 2 sets of focal 2 way components with diamond audio subs and amps. This system does the job for me with the added subwoofer.

Also when adding a sub make sure that you do it right. I had a force vented enclosure made for my car. I took out the plastic piece behind the rear armrest so you can see into the cabin from the trunk. They then mounted basically a sealed box with the twelve and jammed it right up to the arm rest whole and build another enclosure around that. The effect is pretty good with all the subs sound going directly into the cabin. When the bass is bumping i can just feel the air coming through the whole from the trunk. Also there will be no rattling from the outside since the sub is firing into the cabin.

[fiveliterbeater]

Everyone seems to hate the speakers in the M, but I have the 14 speaker system and it sounds GREAT. Ecsta doesnt know what he is talking about so please dont mind him

guys,... the 14 speaker system blows when listening to CD's. i've been in plenty of other vehicles and our setup sux when listening to most music. on the contrary, when listening to movies however, it sounds freaking awesome!!! Enigma, the reason most people hate the 14 speaker setup in the M is because they speak of experience (like myself) and have driven or owned seeral other vehicles with very good to superior sound on stock setups.

[svard75]

Hi Guys, I have to disagree about the quality of sound coming from the BOSE 14 speaker system. I have an 06 M35x with the advanced technology package and found the system to sound amazing for any type of media. When I say amazing I'm not going to bother comparing this to aftermarket systems because there is no factory installed system that could compare to the best aftermarket system right? Playing the same media on a MB E320 AMG, Acura CL-S plus I had an aftermarket Sub installed, Built-in Pioneer premium speaker system on a Cobalt SS/SC, And the Pontiac G8 GT with the premium stereo system also from Pioneer. Bar none of these few vehicles I've listened to the Infiniti BOSE system is superior.

lol of course you're not going to wake the dead with the subwoofer like most of the younger generations enjoy doing!

CHEERS!

[NightWatch]

The only factory system that I've heard that is comparable to the 14 speaker Bose in the M and rates higher in sound quality is the Lexus Mark Levinson sound system. But then again... the system alone in the Lexus costs over $5,500!!

[NBP45]

I believe I have the 8-speaker system and the sound is descent...i feel its missing the low-frequency bass and very high frequency treble...its got a lot of mid-range. I must say its tolerable but can be much better. Its definately better than the M-Benz harmon kardon system but not better than the BMW sound system. Also, these infiniti's tend to rattle with the music at normal volume....very annoying

[svard75]

The only factory system that I've heard that is comparable to the 14 speaker Bose in the M and rates higher in sound quality is the Lexus Mark Levinson sound system. But then again... the system alone in the Lexus costs over $5,500!!

You're probably right. Possibly others out there that we haven't heard but apples vs oranges (Where apples are factory systems and oranges are aftermarket) the oranges are far better and tastier.

CHEERS!

[coveredbridge]

I tested both, would rank both in top 10% of stock sound systems I've heard. Agree, the Centerpoint is an artificial processing section using delay and frequency separation and redistribution. It's fine for low volume background only.

14 speaker version is slightly more spacial in non-synthesized mode and is noticeably better with wide frequency range music like classical or jazz. While serious music lovers don't listen to it with windows or moonroof down, we all do and there, 14 is better, particularly with the seat speakers compensating for some of the crispness lost from wind noise. But key is the dvd player.

Since most do not own audio dvd's , if you have any concert dvd's such as Eagles Farewell Tour 1 or Diana Krall Live in Paris (if not, check one out at your library), pop it into the console dvd player and listen (LCD image won't play unless in park/parking brake engaged). Each of the 6 channels is distributed most effectively and the sound is breathtaking, night and day difference and what the 14 speaker system was designed to do differently.

[antzrus]

... and the sound is breathtaking , night and day difference and what the 14 speaker system was designed to do differently.

"breathtaking" Just keep that as your mantra as you listen-the placebo effect is just breathtaking..!

[coveredbridge]

I've heard everything from tube amp/exotic material driver speaker set ups to the Bose radio and each has it's place though one might question value. The listening experience of a properly produced dvd audio track played through that 14 speaker system is as different from it's radio section as the speakers in your tv compared to a decent surround system. I guess it's only breathtaking as compared to listening to FM on that same audio system. For anyone with the 14 speaker system, try it.