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From Bose to Alpine

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#3 ·
Angeletti said:
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I wouldn’t unless you plan on changing the amp too.

Bose premium sound system, the first use of a branded audio system in Civic. Featuring Bose Centerpoint 2 and Bose SurroundStage digital signal processing, the new system was custom-engineered precisely for the Civic’s new interior so that drivers and passengers – regardless of their seating position – are placed in the middle of the music, with a clear and spacious listening experience for all audio content.

Expert audio engineers developed the Bose sound system with advanced components and technologies, working closely with Honda to integrate the system early in the vehicle design process for optimal performance. Clear, impactful sound is delivered through high-performance Bose speakers, strategically placed throughout the Civic’s interior for exceptional music reproduction across all frequencies, low to high.

Helping to preserve the quality of the listening experience, Dynamic Speed Compensation technology automatically adjusts volume and tone based on vehicle speed, reducing the need for drivers to manually adjust settings while on the road.

Bose System Details:

One 3.25-inch (80 mm) Bose Twiddler mid/high-range speaker in the center of the instrument panel.
Four 1-inch (25 mm) lightweight neodymium tweeters – one in each A-pillar and one in each rear door.
Two 6.5-inch (165 mm) wide-range speakers – one in each front door.
Two 5.25-inch (130 mm) wide-range speakers – one in each rear door.
Two 3.25-inch (80 mm) Bose Twiddler mid/high-range speakers – one on each side of the rear deck.
One 8-inch (200 mm) subwoofer in the center of the rear deck.
Bose digital amplifier with 12 channels of custom equalization and advanced digital signal processing.
 
#6 ·
That's the key though. You can't drive better (Alpine) speakers with the stock Bose amp, they are programmed (equaliized) to work with (mask) the (idiosyncratic deficiencies) stock Bose speakers and their placement in the car.

I have said before that the 11th Gen Civic's Bose system is the first one I've actually thought sounded decent, but for sure, going with a full set of aftermarket amp / cabin speakers / subwoofer / sound processor will sound better.
 
#11 ·
Angeletti said:
Replacing only the front and rear door speakers and tweeters as well as the subwoofer. Installing Alpine Type R component speakers and two Alpine Type R 10" subs.
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So you just dead-ended the other Bose ancillary speakers then, right?

Paradoxically, this is one of the reasons I decided not to install aftermarket audio components in my ST, first time in over 20 years I haven't upgraded my car audio. Too much investment for not as much return: it will not raise the value of the car for resale, and I actually found (to my great surprise) that I rather enjoyed the stock Bose system.

Is it as good as what I am used to? No - not as much power, bass reach, clarity of soundstage, crisp highs, etc.

But, it's like 80-85% of what I need to enjoy music in my car. I'm past the point of sinking upwards of $5000 into car audio stuff that I'll never see again.

OTOH I hated, HATED the Bose audio systems in my 2000 Acura TL, 2007 Acura TSX, and 2008 Acura MDX.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
robardin said:
So you just dead-ended the other Bose ancillary speakers then, right?

Paradoxically, this is one of the reasons I decided not to install aftermarket audio components in my ST, first time in over 20 years I haven't upgraded my car audio. Too much investment for not as much return: it will not raise the value of the car for resale, and I actually found (to my great surprise) that I rather enjoyed the stock Bose system.

Is it as good as what I am used to? No - not as much power, bass reach, clarity of soundstage, crisp highs, etc.

But, it's like 80-85% of what I need to enjoy music in my car. I'm past the point of sinking upwards of $5000 into car audio stuff that I'll never see again.

OTOH I hated, HATED the Bose audio systems in my 2000 Acura TL, 2007 Acura TSX, and 2008 Acura MDX.
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I totally feel you on the costs. I have everything I need, just getting it installed and I'm actually keeping the other bose speakers connected to the stock amp. Just connecting my aftermarket speakers and subs to my aftermarket amps. I can't live without my Alpine sound system. I am big into bumpin my music and enjoying good sound quality. I'm getting some sound dampening as well.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Angeletti said:
I totally feel you on the costs. I have everything I need, just getting it installed and I'm actually keeping the other bose speakers connected to the stock amp. Just connecting my aftermarket speakers and subs to my aftermarket amps. I can't live without my Alpine sound system. I am big into bumpin my music and enjoying good sound quality. I'm getting some sound dampening as well.
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Haha, I did that with my MDX too. Left in the center speaker and others "bypassed" by the components in the doors and aftermarket amp - they were powered by the stock amp.

I couldn't tell if they made a difference in the soundstage at all, probably just contributed to killing my alternator faster with a form of "parasitic draw", LOL.

It may have contributed to a persistent ground loop type of hum I got in that setup, though, having essentially two amps tapped into the same factory head unit. I would only hear it if I turned the volume very low, or when the system first powered up.

I'd suggest dead-ending the Bose system rather than trying to overlay it. You don't have to remove the speakers, just leave them unattached.
 
#15 ·
robardin said:
So you just dead-ended the other Bose ancillary speakers then, right?

Paradoxically, this is one of the reasons I decided not to install aftermarket audio components in my ST, first time in over 20 years I haven't upgraded my car audio. Too much investment for not as much return: it will not raise the value of the car for resale, and I actually found (to my great surprise) that I rather enjoyed the stock Bose system.

Is it as good as what I am used to? No - not as much power, bass reach, clarity of soundstage, crisp highs, etc.

But, it's like 80-85% of what I need to enjoy music in my car. I'm past the point of sinking upwards of $5000 into car audio stuff that I'll never see again.

OTOH I hated, HATED the Bose audio systems in my 2000 Acura TL, 2007 Acura TSX, and 2008 Acura MDX.
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It's really a testament to how far factory systems have come since then that a factory system in a Honda can provide decent audio. I've listened to some amazing systems in higher-end late model German cars and they are absolutely fantastic, especially the Burmester and B&O systems in Benz and Audis.

For the Bose system in the Touring and Si (in Canada) I find that there's so much more ambient noise in the cabin that when the car is going, you can't really hear any detail in the sound system, which is fine for me since the Si was never meant to be a great cruiser, hence my full bolt on bits.
 
#16 ·
Bighat said:
I have no idea what the new bose system sounds like but back in the day, way back, I had an Alpine system that would also blow the bose away. I agree, Alpine sounds better. Mabye that's why I'm half deaf.
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I have had mild tinnitus for going on 25 years

I REGRET NOTHING
 
#18 ·
I’m actually glad I can’t hear the finer differences between stereos because to me the BOSE sounds pretty good, especially for the price of the car. I do notice you have a sedan, and I have the hatch: makes me wonder just how different the systems are considering one had a slightly differently shaped cabin, subwoofer placement, and I would assume the speakers on the rear deck of the sedan are also larger than what’s in the rear pillars on the hatch
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
cleanneon98 said:
I’m actually glad I can’t hear the finer differences between stereos because to me the BOSE sounds pretty good, especially for the price of the car. I do notice you have a sedan, and I have the hatch: makes me wonder just how different the systems are considering one had a slightly differently shaped cabin, subwoofer placement, and I would assume the speakers on the rear deck of the sedan are also larger than what’s in the rear pillars on the hatch
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I wonder the sound differences too between tbe sedan and the hatchback. I'm sure Bose tuned them to sound the same.
 
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Angeletti
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