New owner, couple of questions...

[rjmcinnis]

Hello all,

Just bought a Black/Stone EX35 with Prem, Nav, and Tech. Love it so far...

Three questions:

1. Is it possible to have the Lane Departure PREVENTION (LDP) on by default? I saw how to turn the Lane Departure WARNING on by default, but can't seem to find a way for the LDP. I don't really understand why one would be switchable, but not the other...

2. Should the Front Sensors be on automatically? Mine don't seem to make warnings unless I either put it into Reverse first, or hit the Camera button when I am moving forward slowly.

3. Can someone point me to a good resource about the Bose audio system in this car? I would like to replace the Speakers with something that doesn't suck. I believe that I should be able to replace the amps and speakers to accomplish this, but don't know if the head unit puts out a clean, flat signal, or if the DSP occurs in the head unit itself.

Thanks in advance!Jason

[BrokenTiller]

Don't know about the LDP settings as my EX doesn't have it.

Regarding the Premium Audio system, I suggest you read this Stereophile review before you needlessly tear up your new vehicle:

http://www.stereophile.com/news/071706infiniti/

[scottrod]

I think Bose can be gimmicky with their consumer-grade systems, but I'd say the 11-speaker EX35 system sounds pretty good. It was a bit harsh for me what with the reflection off the windshield glass, so I biased the system to the rear by 2 bars on the setup screen and it sounds much better. After that, it's just playing with the tone controls for subjective tweaking.

I prefer my serious music reproduction equipment to be anchored to the state of Ohio rather than being on wheels, but I'm curious what you would replace it with, me not knowing about such things.

[dividedhighw]

Welcome to NICO, rjmcinnis!!

Here's my take on a couple of your questions ...

1. Is it possible to have the Lane Departure PREVENTION (LDP) on by default? I saw how to turn the Lane Departure WARNING on by default, but can't seem to find a way for the LDP. I don't really understand why one would be switchable, but not the other...

LDP works like Cruise Control in that it's only meant to be on for a concentrated period of time and even disengages automatically (or refuses to engage) under certain conditions (Manual 5-18 to -21), so you can't have it come ON automatically (any more than you can have the Cruise come on automatically). LDW is on a switch so the driver can select whether or not they want the audible warnings.

2. Should the Front Sensors be on automatically? Mine don't seem to make warnings unless I either put it into Reverse first, or hit the Camera button when I am moving forward slowly.

When you have AVM I think it only comes on when the camera is selected (i.e. you're trying to park and/or maneuver the vehicle).

HTH,David

[dividedhighw]

Regarding the Premium Audio system, I suggest you read this Stereophile review before you needlessly tear up your new vehicle:

http://www.stereophile.com/news/071706infiniti/

Thanks so much for the link, BrokenTiller ... very worthwhile read!!

BTW, I have NO complaints about the Bose system and leave mine on "Driver's Audio Stage" all the time, even when I have passengers in the car!!

Cheers,David

[rjmcinnis]

Broken Tiller - Thanks for the link. Typically, I would consider Wes Phillips a good reviewer. Honestly, not sure why he would consider this system good.

Dividedhighw - Thanks for the info. I was hoping I was just missing something, looks like I was wrong. Oh well, I can certainly live with it. Just have to remember to hit the camera button as I pull in at home, until I am more used to exactly where the front end stops... The LDP is so cool, I don't see any reason not to have it on.

Scottrod - Last system I put in a car was Alpine head unit (before their quality went downhill), Memphis Audio amps, Diamond Audio Hex component speakers, and a JL Audio W6 Sub. Sounded absolutely amazing. I would probably go similar again, assuming that I can get a clean signal from the head unit. I don't know what the configuration is..

ie Does the head unit have the DSP built in?Does the head unit put a line out signal to the Bose amps?How many channels?Is there an independent Sub signal? Etc...

So my opinion of the shortcomings of the Bose system are:

Highs compressed.Mids too pronounced.Mids very nasally, and resonates.Bass is boomy, but not deep. Absolutely no "texture".Very limited in dynamic range. (I am not listening very loud, and it breaks up badly)

Yes, I am picky... I would much rather have the Lexus sound system. But my wife LOVED AVM, and I prefer the sporty nature, as opposed to the "boring" ride of the RX350...

[rjmcinnis]

Should I assume that a week without any replies means nobody hear knows more about the audio system?

Could anyone point me somewhere else that might know?

Thanks in advance!

[ayap888]

The sound was pretty harsh at first until I adjusted it .. now I really like it.

Go to the setting ... you can use the fader to increase the output from the rear speakers (much more than the front speakers)... and it will create a surround sound effect. In the default setting, the fader was equal for front and back and that suck. Now with more output coming from the back, it's better and the sound has a more 3D surround effect.

[SteveTheTech]

My 0.02 is that the Audio system is decent for this car (keeping in mind it was originally designed for the interior of the G) if it is tuned correctly and a clean recording is used. I find that CDs and Flash drive actually sound better than AUX inputs or direct connected iPod. Don't get me wrong I'm with you guys who are skeptical of Bose systems, remembering some of the old Caddys and earlier Infinitis. This system is leaps and bounds over the anything they have had in the past.

My boss (also an huge audiophile) and I recently compared the Mark Levinson system in an 07 Lexus LS460 L, 08M35x w/ Adv Tech and 15 speakers, and a new G37xS w/ premium. (It was realllly slow last week ). The Lexus was not suprisingly boring, no dramatic lows. The tweeters should not overpower the low range like that. Even after 45 minutes of fine tuning we couldn't get it just right. After that we got in the M and that had already been setup and spent a while listening to some live blues the dolby setup there is also a great setup. The G was last even in default we were both pretty impressed, it has decent range in our respective opinions.

It's subjective to personal taste, I would be glad to have the 3k factory setup and you may be happier with something else. Try a little adjustment before trashing the whole unit.

The EX could house a large sub array though. I've never seen anything other than an old G35 and one 03 Q that had a head unit and the Q had some serious integration flaws, many now useless buttons on the dash that cannot be removed. If you were to remove the face plate or modify it you run the risk of triggering an air bag light (Passenger side indicator circuit). Plus you will loose bluetooth, and voice command.

As for the LDP to the best of my knowledge there is no way to activate the system all the time. I think there is state legislation in some areas prohibiting that type of function currently. Plus driving with that on roads that average 30-45mph can be a little dicey if the quality of the lines varies of the lanes shift as they do in the Washington DC area the car kind of freaks out. With the 09 EX and FXs the advanced technology systems go way beyond LDP. The Sonar sensors with AVM are only activated when the camera is activated (must be <5mph), many people complain about the sonar in non-AVM EXs and shut them off permanently because the like to drive close to things I guess.

Welcome to Nico Jason

[gloa2000]

you can use the fader to increase the output from the rear speakers .

The first thing i do when i drive any cars...

[HondaGal]

I have a bunch of crap in my garage so it has become habit once I am half way in the garage I touch the camera button. I also have a 4x4 post as a stoping guide.

As far as I can tell the front sensors only work if you are in camera mode.