My new rig is outstanding and I couldn't be more pleased with it, except for one thing - the sound. It's the Bose system with Nav. Maybe I'm just going deaf in my old age, but I'd like a bit more volume out of the system. Aside from adding an amp, is there a way to drive more volume?

 

I would think you could replace the speakers or go oldschool and put a box/tube in there. I'm not sure if there are any tricks to squeeze more volume out of the current system. Good luck though.

 

My Bose system was plenty loud enough in the mids and highs area. Low end was lacking. I took care of that for about $400.00 It sounds beautiful now. Just enough low end for decent fill, and the stock Bose soundstage at full volume with no distortion is perfect.

 

^what set up is that?

 

A simple 10" Inifnity Kappa 10" in a 1.0 cubic foot sealed enclosure with about 500W RMS available to it. I removed the 6X9 subwoofers from the deck lid, and tapped the high level inputs to the amplifier.

 

That's definitely a consideration, need to look into the options. Thank you for the suggestion!
How much room did you lose in your trunk with that setup?

 

Are you running an amp?

 

About 1 cubic foot worth lol. I can quick disconnect the box/amp in about 2 minutes if need be.

 

Yes. As I stated in my reply.

 

Which one may i ask?

 

The Bose system has a volume cap when u play a cd and use the iPod connector. I have a 08 so I use a mini head phone jact to AV audio cable. Plug it into your iPod or any audio source with a headphone input , much louder

 

An old school JBL BP1200.1

 

If you tap it right u can decrease the bass on the Bose and use them as mids and highs letting the added subwoffer takes care of all the bass. You'll get a much louder system 4 sure.

 

I can understand complaints about the fidelity with the Bose system but not a pure volume level. You guys must be going deaf. This topic has come up from time to time so a year or so ago I took my db meter and did some tests. Below are the readings. Readings between 80 - 100 fall in the real life levels of a Jet taking off to a lawn mower.

Station Song Meter Reading
XM #49 Peter Gabriel: Sollsberry Hill 98-100db
FM AC/DC: Back in Black 105-107db
XM #26 Chris Allen: ? 96-98db
iPod Keane: Bend & Break 104-106db

Then I opened the windows and sunroof and did the same test, unfortunately could not test some of the same songs.

Station Song Meter Reading
XM #46 Aerosmith: Back in the Saddle 99-100db
FM Heart: Barracuda 101-103db
iPod Keane: Bend & Break 101-103db

 

The thing about the bose system is that certain songs with low bass distorts from the rear speakers. Correct me if needed but we have 10" woofers in the front door 6.5 in the rear. The 6.9 cannot handle the frequency. The heights are fine but the low end sucks. That's why I have a 10" sub woofer and I also turn down the bass on my radionics pass half.