Should I Bother? (Sort of an audio question)

[Mark Linkous]

Good Evening All,I know that there are a litany of ways to upgrade the Blose system standard in our M's. What I question is should I bother to integrate a JL Audio 12W7 Prowedge with a JL 500/1, which used to reside in my 2K TL. I also have a JL 300/4. The question may seem obvious to some. However, last time, I fully pulled the "No Highs No Lows Must be Bose" from my TL and ended up going full monty(Focal, Kimber Kable I/C's, Optima,...etc. I am afraid once I start, I will not be able to stop. BTW I have a 04 with the six disc changer where the 03 has the tape deck. I have a high end system as well at home so its not as if I am suffering. I do miss my TL system though. I started my TL by just adding Bass, next thing I knew I went full on. I really did miss having a trunk. I also missed the steering wheel controls as well. The SWIX(aftermarket steering wheel control interface) is not the Rosetta Stone it is made out to be. (Slow reaction times, other glitches)I hope this is not too rambling I suppose I just wanted some thoughts.Thank You for ReadingCheers to allMark

[CakeDaddy]

"Blose system" I like that one. If I could intergrate anything with the oem system I would, especillay a JL sub. I have an installer her in town that's pretty nifty with this type of stuff, but I've yet to go and ask.

My last car (Ack Legend) had a bose system and I was stuck with it because of the ohm issues and the speaker selection. I wanted to keep the head unit, plus I didn't want to give up the steering wheel controls. The PAC1 setup didnt appeal to me so I stuck with a stock system.

[ca996]

Mark I'm with you Bose blose. In fact I almost didn't buy the M because of it. Initially, I was getting the Lexus GS350 with the Levinson system. However Infiniti had more agressive pricing. I have been an audio geek forever and am looking for ways to incorporate better electronics without eliminating the stock controls. My installer is looking into things now and hofefully everything will integrate.

[szh]

I guess I am not necessarily the best person to post in this thread, but ... you asked ... so here goes!

My problem is that I am a bit of an audiophile in some ways (although my ears are now getting a bit old and rolled off). So, I have always had an excellent audio system at home - not necessarily expensive, but with just the kind of sound that makes people get pretty amazed at what is possible with being selective about components and sources.

I simply don't find the interior of any automobile capable of providing the environment (outside noises, reflective surfaces, speaker placement, etc.) that allows me to enjoy music the way it should be enjoyed! So, it is virtually impossible to recreate, in my car, what I have in my listening room at home - almost no matter what the cost.

Thus, my philosophy is to not bother with changing the cars audio, unless it is the barest of systems! If I want to listen to good music, I go home and listen there. If I just want music in the car while driving, pretty much the stock system on my current M is sufficient!

Hence, my vote is: don't bother changing the OEM audio. If you want to listen to music, spend the money on the home system and listen there.

Z

By the way, note that I have similar other ideas that may not necessarily be in agreement with the general population - here or elsewhere!

For example, I believe in spending money on high-quality tires ... and mounting them on the stock OEM wheels! Instead of wasting (IMHO) money on buying fancy wheels that do nothing for the performance or handling!

[nmgoodthing]

IMO , I personally like the stock system. In my old age, I'm not all about thumping down the street poluting everyone elses environment w/ sh**** music.

Anything over the volume of half w/ the stock system does not cut it. The sub almost quits working etc...

But if you listen to it at reasonable volumes you can hear crisp highs ands lows. I actually have had people ask if thats a stock system because they were impressed. But as far as cranking it, it doens't cut it. Personally I'm satisfied w/ it. Besides, I like OEM look. Having some aftermarket stereo sticking out of the dash somewhere looks like a sore thumb, then you have the big audio volume control on the dash that is just worthless from that point. Just my opinion.

[exbmwdude]

I'm with you 100%. I too have a very good home stereo (tubes and vinyl) and am a "bang for the buck" audiophile (not into $1000 cables for instance). I share your opinon that if you have a decent factory stereo, it's not worth messing with it given the imperfect environment of a car.

That being said, I do know some friends who have big dollars into custom car stereos and they are very impressive when done right. It's not *my* thing, but I can understand why some people choose to do it.

What I will say again, is that the upgraded stereo with the DVD in the console is very impressive with the right source material. I've never heard imaging quite so precise as with a good DVD-Audio. It's a very high-quality format and the difference over a CD is immediately noticeable.

It's still Blose, but it's better than any Blose I've heard up until now. It's not like a good Lexus/Nakamichi or Levinson setup though and I guess that's what disappoints most of us. We've heard how good it can be and we demand better from Infiniti.

exbmwdude2006 M35S

I guess I am not necessarily the best person to post in this thread, but ... you asked ... so here goes!

My problem is that I am a bit of an audiophile in some ways (although my ears are now getting a bit old and rolled off). So, I have always had an excellent audio system at home - not necessarily expensive, but with just the kind of sound that makes people get pretty amazed at what is possible with being selective about components and sources.

I simply don't find the interior of any automobile capable of providing the environment (outside noises, reflective surfaces, speaker placement, etc.) that allows me to enjoy music the way it should be enjoyed! So, it is virtually impossible to recreate, in my car, what I have in my listening room at home - almost no matter what the cost.

Thus, my philosophy is to not bother with changing the cars audio, unless it is the barest of systems! If I want to listen to good music, I go home and listen there. If I just want music in the car while driving, pretty much the stock system on my current M is sufficient!

Hence, my vote is: don't bother changing the OEM audio. If you want to listen to music, spend the money on the home system and listen there.

Z

By the way, note that I have similar other ideas that may not necessarily be in agreement with the general population - here or elsewhere!

For example, I believe in spending money on high-quality tires ... and mounting them on the stock OEM wheels! Instead of wasting (IMHO) money on buying fancy wheels that do nothing for the performance or handling!

[Mark Linkous]

Thank you for all of your thoughts. My reluctance in starting to incorporate my preexisting car audio gear are pretty much the points Szhosain made. I truly love my home rig. I guess just having the stuff sitting in the closet makes my mind wander. Perhaps to EBay it goes. I will say that once you have super high resolution sound in your car it is difficult to transition. I know having a couple extra hundred pounds of ballast if you will, does nothing for performance or fuel economy. However, having great sound in your car can totally change your commute. If I lived in LA or even Atlanta for that matter, I probably would pull the O.E.M. Without the excuse of hours sitting in traffic for long stretches, perhaps the VK45 soundtrack will do. CheersMark

[szh]

That being said, I do know some friends who have big dollars into custom car stereos and they are very impressive when done right. It's not *my* thing, but I can understand why some people choose to do it.

Agreed! If it works for them, great!! Which is why (both with wheels and audio upgrades) I don't tell people that they did the wrong thing.

Indeed, if it looks good (wheels) or sounds good (audio), I say so too ... it is just that I would not spend my money in those areas for my cars.

Z

[conley_jb]

For what it's worth. I was in the same boat a couple of years ago when I bought my M. The biggest problem with a sub only upgrade, especially a Jl 12incher, is space. Unlike your Acura there is a fuel tank between the trunk wall and the back seat, limiting the space you have to mount a subwoofer. So whatever you do most likely unless you go really custom, will requiring loosing some of that precious trunk space. On another note, I started with a JL Audio Cleansweep to integrate my aftermarket equipment in to the M, I am now using a Rockford 3Sixty.2 and love it!! As a self proclaimed audiophile myself, the weak link in my own system is the OEM source units; CD, XM, cassette, etc. I've been told that I shouldn't be able to hear the difference, but I can. Overall I am happy with what I have, but until someone invents an aftermarket "drop-in" replacement unit, that you can control all the cars features, and incorperate the OEM onscreen stuff in the dash, I am happy.

[Mark Linkous]

Good Morning All,Conley, JL's Cleansweep makes the impossible, possible. I ended up selling my old system this week so I would not be tempted. While I truly miss my system, a system I had invested almost 10k, I love having a trunk again. To be honest, if mine did not have the six disc in dash(03's don't ,04's do) I would have probably started integrating my old system. I miss my Focal's!. Thanks again to all who have read or submitted,Mark