Infiniti QX60 AWD premium package Bose Audio System ..Not so great

61084 Views 60 Replies 30 Participants Last post by Huntet02, 12 mo ago

somnambulizt

Discussion Starter · Feb 23, 2015

Hi All,

I am certainly not an audiophile.. but the audio quality of my 2003 Honda Accord EX-L beats out the Bose System in my new QX60 hands down!

I agree that the Bose speaker system is loud, powerful and has good sub woofers, but the quality of the sound is quite inferior. The fineness in sound is lacking, especially the higher frequency, despite having my settings at full bass and treble. Also, some of the background sounds are overshadowed by the loudness of the other frequencies..Basically, the speaker system does not do a good job of delivering all the components equally.

I expected much better performance from Bose

I just want to know if it is just me or any of you feel the same way.

Thanks!

Reactions: 1

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mattreading22

· #2 · Feb 23, 2015

Have you tried using different audio sources? To compare the QX60 Bose system to a 2003 Honda Accord is a little ridiculous. It will work much better with CD's if you haven't tried that yet. I rarely see anyone complain about the audio in the QX60, much less compare it to a 12 year old Honda. Are you sure you have the Bose system? It will come in the premium package, so if you have a base model it will not have it. Unless you had a ton of aftermarket audio components in your Honda, I think this post is a little exaggerated.

somnambulizt

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 23, 2015

Hi Matt,

Yes, I do have the premium package and I do use my USB drive to play mp3's, but never tried the CD yet , I will try that.

As far as my Honda.. its factory built and its the highest model ( EX-L, V6), but traditionally they seem to have good audio systems in cars.. the ELS systems have a good rep from a lot of people.

Rooster

· #4 · Feb 23, 2015

I'm happy with the performance of the Bose system in my Hybrid.

Reactions: 1

somnambulizt

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 24, 2015

I tried CD as well, still sounds like there is no midrange.. its loud.. its got bass and treble.. but nothing in the middle! I am surprised none of you have felt this!

AndrewC

· #6 · Feb 24, 2015

Rooster said:
I'm happy with the performance of the Bose system in my Hybrid.

Bose is one of the best when it comes to audio quality.

A buddy of mine actually had his vehicle interior lined with sound proofing in order to better the quality of his stock bose audio system. Great thing to do if you love that level of clarity!

mattreading22

· #7 · Feb 24, 2015

Could be that fact that it is a bigger vehicle as well. It is going to sound different because the acoustics inside are different. You could always upgrade the midrange speakers if you really dislike it.

TranCana

· #8 · Feb 25, 2015

Hey Somnam
i do feel the same way
i bought a 2014 QX60 with all the pakages top model
the sound is not as good as my 2007 m35X
i did try the same CD between the 2 vehicles

Reactions: 1

theclutch

· #9 · Apr 28, 2015

somnambulizt said:
Hi All,

I am certainly not an audiophile.. but the audio quality of my 2003 Honda Accord EX-L beats out the Bose System in my new QX60 hands down!

I agree that the Bose speaker system is loud, powerful and has good sub woofers, but the quality of the sound is quite inferior. The fineness in sound is lacking, especially the higher frequency, despite having my settings at full bass and treble. Also, some of the background sounds are overshadowed by the loudness of the other frequencies..Basically, the speaker system does not do a good job of delivering all the components equally.

I expected much better performance from Bose

I just want to know if it is just me or any of you feel the same way.

Thanks!

I AM an audiophile and I was actually impressed with the Bose system in my 2013 JX. Maybe they changed something in the newer models? I am typically a Bose hater also which made me more surprised about the sound quality. I have the Tech Package which may have an upgraded system.

geero

· #10 · May 6, 2015

i have a lexus is350 with the ML system and it blows away the bose system of the qx60. not even close.

Reactions: 1

rlora

· #11 · May 7, 2015

TranCana said:
Hey Somnam
i do feel the same way
i bought a 2014 QX60 with all the pakages top model
the sound is not as good as my 2007 m35X
i did try the same CD between the 2 vehicles

+1
I won't say that it is bad, but was expecting more, I wish it sounded like my Q50.

Reactions: 1

QxSixty

· #12 · May 7, 2015

rlora said:
+1
I won't say that it is bad, but was expecting more, I wish it sounded like my Q50.

I bet if we were to look into the sound engineering process of both, we'd find there were difference processes behind both.

Maybe going forward we will have better chances of not coming across this.

Rooster

· #13 · May 8, 2015

QxSixty said:
I bet if we were to look into the sound engineering process of both, we'd find there were difference processes behind both.

Maybe going forward we will have better chances of not coming across this.

That's actually a good point. Of note there are actually two Bose systems that can go into the QX60. There is a 13 speaker system the other is a 15 speaker system. So we may not be referring to the same Bose sound system. The following information was pulled from infinity's webpage for the two Sound systems:

"Bose® 13-speaker Premium Audio system, including AM/FM/CD/DVD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control: Listen to your music with captivating depth and precision. Sound is channeled through 13 speakers, including two subwoofers, for the fullest experience. With better sound, enjoy greater selection: play from CDs, stream from a compatible Bluetooth® device or XM® Satellite Radio, or connect and control your iPod® via the USB port.[*]"

"Bose® Cabin Surround® 15-speaker sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding: Infiniti craftsmen and Bose engineers worked side by side to design a Bose® Premium Audio system that integrates 15 speakers intuitively into the cabin to reproduce the stirring experience of a live performance."

Note it says the 15 speaker sound system was a joint effort between Bose engineers and Infinity. I have the 15 speaker system and I'm very pleased with the sound. If you're not happy with the Bose soundsystem in your QX60, what version do you have? Is it the 15 speaker system or the 13 speakers system?

When I had my trailer hitch installed I was given a loaner QX60 that had the base Sound System (it wasn't one of the two Bose sound systems). That system sounded like an a.m. radio compared to 15 speaker Bose in my vehicle.

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JJRO

· #14 · May 12, 2015

YUP - the 15 speaker system is amazing !

QxSixty

· #15 · May 13, 2015

geero said:
i have a lexus is350 with the ML system and it blows away the bose system of the qx60. not even close.

That is quite impressive considering its a sedan, usually sound systems are best in a hatch, wagon or SUV as the entire vehicle acts as an enclosure. Lexus for the win

ScottL

· #16 · May 14, 2015

QxSixty said:
That is quite impressive considering its a sedan, usually sound systems are best in a hatch, wagon or SUV as the entire vehicle acts as an enclosure. Lexus for the win

I'm going on Day 4 with my New QX60 with the Premium Package AND Premium PLUS Package, and I as well was expecting a much better sound quality even though this is my 1st car with a BOSE system. After further research I believe my issue is the Bose which I have the 13 speakers VS. the 15 speaker 5.1 sound that comes in the Deluxe Touring Package would have been what I was expecting. My fault for assuming there would still be 5.1 sound in the Premium PLUS Package. After all there is a big center speaker that could have done the 5.1 surround sound..
Also while I can count on 1 hand how many times we listened to FM VS. XM on our last car, I am however disappointed there is no HD radio. :crying:

QX60owner

· #17 · May 22, 2015

I also don't like the quality of the sound in my 2014 QX60. Feels like I am playing songs in my old Hyundai Santa Fe

Reactions: 1

MatthewOrlando

· #18 · Jun 6, 2015

I just purchased my qx60 and I feel the same way about the bose. In the trunk is a big amplifier and there are speakers everywhere but yet it doesn't seem to be as loud as I would like. The quality of the sound is good but it only goes so loud. I have Bose in my BMW if I remember correctly and it's way louder than in my SUV. Is it the size? Idk

jlatis

· #19 · Oct 9, 2015

I am a new QX60 owner with the premium package. Regarding this topic I noticed a difference in sound between my previous 2013 JX and the new 2015 QX60 both with the Bose 13 speaker system. JX35 was better. So after reviewing the Factory Service Manual I run the self diagnostic option (hidden option). The system did not reveal any checks to the amp. It was not part of the check. According to the service manual, there should be an amp present. So I took the car to the dealership and they told me there was no amp, it is already integrated with the speakers. I feel like I have been lied to. How is it that Infiniti is advertising 13 speakers when in fact this is not the case. Can they call it 13 speaker if this it is integrated according to them? Not sure how we could verify that in fact the amp is integrated.

theclutch

· #20 · Oct 9, 2015

jlatis said:
I am a new QX60 owner with the premium package. Regarding this topic I noticed a difference in sound between my previous 2013 JX and the new 2015 QX60 both with the Bose 13 speaker system. JX35 was better. So after reviewing the Factory Service Manual I run the self diagnostic option (hidden option). The system did not reveal any checks to the amp. It was not part of the check. According to the service manual, there should be an amp present. So I took the car to the dealership and they told me there was no amp, it is already integrated with the speakers. I feel like I have been lied to. How is it that Infiniti is advertising 13 speakers when in fact this is not the case. Can they call it 13 speaker if this it is integrated according to them? Not sure how we could verify that in fact the amp is integrated.

So I'm confused... They can STILL call it 13 speakers so long as there are 13 speakers.. Just because "there's no separate amp" since they are integrated into each speaker doesn't mean there aren't 13 speakers. Did I miss something?

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