Rob C

Hi All,<p>I'm speccing my Car next week hopefully, But I am still unsure whether to have the BOSE+CD Changer of go for an aftermarket. Could anyone with a Standard TT please help me with a few items I am unclear upon.<p>1) is the standard TT stereo a weird size ??<br>2) what are the dimensions of the TT Speakers, could they easily be replaced ??<br>3) I seem to remember someone saying that the BOSE system increases volume as ambient noise levels go up, and that it looks pretty on the dash. Are these just 'frillies' or are they handy & functional.<p>Generally speaking, are the guys who got the BOSE and CD changer, happy with the decision or wishing they went for an aftermarket system ??<p>Regards<p>Rob<br>(uk)

Jim Torongo

I like the Bose system very much; sound is very good and it will get LOUD if you like it that way. However I have heard criticism from some who know a lot more about audio than I do. It seems to me that audiophiles generally think poorly of anything with a Bose name on it; this may just be elitist BS. Anyway I do like the system and would rather not jack with an 'after market' installation. I am sure you can do very well with $1200 in the after market.

Wisco

I am very disappointed with the Bose. It is flat at moderate volumes, especially at selected frequencies and with types of music. I am not elitist, I just care very much about my music and am focused on value for the system. In my opinion, the Bose system is by far the worst part of the car. My suggestion -- get the base system, keep the head unit, but upgrade it with a new amp ($400+), an external subwoofer ($350+), and a good set of front speakers that fit in the existing grill of the front doors ( $250+). The rear speakers are only for surround effect due to the configuration of the car. You will have a far better system than the Bose, and will maintain the integrity of your dash design.

Dr. Lane

Any high end, specialty car audio person can adapt a nice system to any car. The size of the stock head unit is meaningless. I don't recommend going to a circut city or chain store for installation. If you call up a speaker manufacturer like JBL, they can probably recommend someone to you. That is how I found my present istallation specialist, and he will do the install in my 225Q next year. I would delete the Bose option and spend the $1,200 somewhere else.<br>Just my $.02<br>

John Rutledge

My wife and I have better aftermarket systems in other cars. A Denon receiver in one and a MacIntosh in the other with a/d/s speakers produce much better sound. The Bose system is merely adquate,<br>compared to the other systems. We put on a test CD that both of us knew from several other systems and found that the Bose sound was mushy and indistinct. Other systems allow you to hear layers of sound, but the TT/Bose does not do this. But to get an aftermarket system would have meant a longer wait and we would have been taking a chance that a custom stereo company might mess up something in the TT, although the helpful<br>sales rep suggested that we could get the TT<br>specs and give them to the custom guy. A custom<br>job would probably have cost $2,500, incl.<br>extra labor costs for learning how to install a<br>system in an unfamiliar car.<p>As I understand it, the $1,200 Bose "upgrade" really costs about $2,000 because you're paying $1,200 ON TOP OF the cost of the basic<br>unit. I like the way the Bose system operates,<br>but it is not really audiophile sound. So far, though, I'm still grinning from ear to ear about the CAR, the RIDE, the FUN--and not paying much<br>attention to stereo sound.<p>Where you're deciding on whether to pay for an<br>aftermarket system, you need to be sure that your<br>ears/brain are trained to hear the difference. O/w, it's probably not money well spent.<p>

John P.

Does anyone know if the base stereo is pre-amp--or does it rely on an outboard amp? I recall reading the official TT release .pdf file (available last year at "audi.com")--it stated that the standard stereo employs an amp under the rear seat. Confirm or deny? Thanks.<br>PS--I imagine all of you have the Bose at this stage.

Brad Willis

I agree with most of the other comments. If I'm not an audiophile, then I'm certainly close. My home equipment includes Perreaux, Threshold, Paradigm, higher-end Polk, etc. I think that the Bose is respectable, but not a terrific value. I like the clean installation and the way it integrates with the driver info system, but if I had the choice, I'd probably omit the Bose and do my own thing, leaving the stock head unit in place, if possible. <p>One thing that I will say for the Bose, it will very much reveal the limitations of your source. If your CD originated from a so-so recording, then the Bose will sound so-so. Conversely, a very good recording will sound very good. Don't get me wrong though, the Bose is a decent system, it's ust that you can probably do much better on your own for similar cash.

Warren Wang

Do some research, like going and listening to equivalently priced speaker systems from say, PSB, NHT, Paradigm, etc. No you can't find these in a superstore somewhere, but they're worth listening to. That I promise you. The one thing that Bose does, better than any of these other companies, is advertise. Ever wonder why they don't release FULL specs on their speakers?<p>Legacy Audio for me, thanks,<br>Warren ****

Rik

Really I have NO tin ear, I know there are better systems. But for More Money, More Money, More Money only to have someone experiment/learn on my car is a nauseating thought. to put an addtional srew or hole is anathema to me. Though there are a couple extra panelsin the "trunk' for a couple extra speakers. One thing I do know is that there a point of diminishing return for money spent for sound returned.<p>At the risk of sounding Plebian, The Bose is just fine! Relax! The observation that it sounds great with good recordings is right on if not obvious . Since I do not buy junk music or junk recordings, My Bose system revealed some new sounds to me. If you got the bucks & bravery, well knock yourself out. In the meantime I'll keep my car unscathed. A good 15 dollar Telarc recording or even a reamatered Rock Album sound just great to me. <p>Try "Duel of the Fates" on the new Star Wars Soundtrack (track 2)<br>Try Emerson, Lake & Palmer (self titled)<br>Try Telarc ORCHESTRALSPECTACULARS - Crank up the 2 Rimsky-Korsakov pieces, they will blow you away no "mushiness" here.<p>All of the of course IMHO <br>Rik

Jim Torongo

Warren I've been into Hi FI since the 60s and was over the top for a while. I have good freinds with $60,000 systems, $5,000 speaker cable and the whole nine yards. I do like the sound but I also like Bose 901s. Specs mean nothing to me (although they did years ago). I got lost in the equipment and at the same time lost sight of the music. Today I pay alot more attention to thr music and alot less to the electronics. So I think you find a system that sounds good to you and call it a day. JIM