Boston Acoustics System is by far Horrible in every respect. I am ripping it out ASAP

[55Designs]

not sure even if I paid extra for it but it sucks 100%. I have spent so much time adjusting and messing around with optimistic hope that just maybe i can save this system from the trash bin in my shop. No luck whatsoever.

OnStar blows, last 3 times I used it they got me lost and caused me massive traffic jams. So for me to loose Onstar is not gonna make me cry.


Ok its not an uber expensive car but there was so much hype about this premium audio system and I cant see any of this hype.

Doors rattle, speakers distort when you crank from 30 and up. There isnt even audible levels of audio until you hit like 18+ on the rotary knob. My 24 bit CDR from the studio sound AWFUL. The head unit is the main issue along with poor amplification.


I was going to try and do a simple basic upgrade by just adding bass but thats not gonna cut it. Bass isnt the solution to what I want.

I have just pulled some of my audiophile car audio gear out from storage and I am mapping out the design of the system now. I am going all out using the absolute best stuff you can ever find sonically. Mcintosh, Morel, Dynaudio, Zapco Comp and Scanspeak.

I am not too excited about all the labor and expense and I promised myself I would never do a system in a new car because most new cars sound pretty decent. Well my BMW M5 has literally spoiled me silly so My goal is to match or exceed those levels on the Camaro. Not a easy task.
Not going to do any fancy displays and massive sub enclosures I am going to knock down the sound floor by sound proofing the car this week then build the system for clean SPL and clarity.

if I didnt love the car so much I would just sell it but thats not happening. Music is so important to me for my other business and I spend 60% of my days on the road so its the only thing I have to keep my sanity driving in the NY Tri State.

Gonna be a long 2 months ahead for me to get this project done.

[Muscle Master]

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Think I mite see were your getting at ... The stock BA system in my brother in law's Magnum was very lacking

When it was cranked up ... it was just loud and uneven, bass was okay

[55Designs]

Originally Posted by Muscle Master

Subscribed




Think I mite see were your getting at ... The stock BA system in my brother in law's Magnum was very lacking

This system sucks so bad and Im such a music freak I have no choice.

Drove the Camaro for 9 hours this weekend and I was so fed up I just turned it off and went deaf with the windows down and the wind.

I am going to do a step by step build along the way to share with everyone because it will be unique in design. I regret not gutting the car over the winter months.

[Indpowr]

Knowing you this will be nice...

[55Designs]

Originally Posted by Indpowr

Knowing you this will be nice...

The heart to the build is me choosing which audiophile head unit which i already have. The Mcintosh MX5000 or the Clarion HX D2. Google them you cant buy them in the states only in Asia and they are $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ but have the best internals for sonic perfection.

I think the Mac looks too old school for the Camaro so the HX D2 most likely will be my choice.

Im saving the Mac for one day when I get a Aston Martin.

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Originally Posted by 55Designs

not sure even if I paid extra for it but it sucks 100%. I have spent so much time adjusting and messing around with optimistic hope that just maybe i can save this system from the trash bin in my shop. No luck whatsoever.

OnStar blows, last 3 times I used it they got me lost and caused me massive traffic jams. So for me to loose Onstar is not gonna make me cry.


Ok its not an uber expensive car but there was so much hype about this premium audio system and I cant see any of this hype.

Doors rattle, speakers distort when you crank from 30 and up. There isnt even audible levels of audio until you hit like 18+ on the rotary knob. My 24 bit CDR from the studio sound AWFUL. The head unit is the main issue along with poor amplification.


I was going to try and do a simple basic upgrade by just adding bass but thats not gonna cut it. Bass isnt the solution to what I want.

I have just pulled some of my audiophile car audio gear out from storage and I am mapping out the design of the system now. I am going all out using the absolute best stuff you can ever find sonically. Mcintosh, Morel, Dynaudio, Zapco Comp and Scanspeak.

I am not too excited about all the labor and expense and I promised myself I would never do a system in a new car because most new cars sound pretty decent. Well my BMW M5 has literally spoiled me silly so My goal is to match or exceed those levels on the Camaro. Not a easy task.
Not going to do any fancy displays and massive sub enclosures I am going to knock down the sound floor by sound proofing the car this week then build the system for clean SPL and clarity.

if I didnt love the car so much I would just sell it but thats not happening. Music is so important to me for my other business and I spend 60% of my days on the road so its the only thing I have to keep my sanity driving in the NY Tri State.

Gonna be a long 2 months ahead for me to get this project done.

Agreed with everything this guy said until I saw BMW. Then I remembered this is a muscle car first, boom box second. But agreed that the stereo sucks, which is fitting as it has sucked in every stock fbody as well.

[Rogue Leader]

No offense.. but yet another person who expects a sound system thats a $500 option to sound like one from a $90k car. Considering the pedigree of equipment you seem to prefer you should never even have bothered to turn this stereo on.

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

No offense.. but yet another person who expects a sound system thats a $500 option to sound like one from a $90k car. Considering the pedigree of equipment you seem to prefer you should never even have bothered to turn this stereo on.

Boston Acustics isnt known for making junk, which is why I didnt expect this to sound like junk. My buddies sentra typ r had a better stereo and the mustang mach 500 (or whatever it is) still sounds way better.

[Indpowr]

Originally Posted by 55Designs

The heart to the build is me choosing which audiophile head unit which i already have. The Mcintosh MX5000 or the Clarion HX D2. Google them you cant buy them in the states only in Asia and they are $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ but have the best internals for sonic perfection.

I think the Mac looks too old school for the Camaro so the HX D2 most likely will be my choice.

Im saving the Mac for one day when I get a Aston Martin.

We are not huge audiophiles but went with higher end equipment I.e. Hertz high energy, audison, arc.

[Legend]

Serves it purpose for me...I don't really listen to the BA system when driving as I would much rather hear the sounds of the engine!

But I'll agree with you that it is lacking since i've had higher end systems in my other cars I've owned. I don't plan to do anything to this system as I want go-fast parts more!

(*disclaimer...at this time I want more go-fast parts!! Who knows down the road!)

[ron10]

my system sounds fine.so much better than my last car.

[SuperFly03]

Originally Posted by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Boston Acustics isnt known for making junk, which is why I didnt expect this to sound like junk. My buddies sentra typ r had a better stereo and the mustang mach 500 (or whatever it is) still sounds way better.

I think you have issues man.

By the time I get to 30 my ears are bleeding the thing is so loud. Sounds there is a problem with your stereo or something. My iPod, XM, BT AD2D, and CD are all plenty loud enough at 20. Hell, I have the stereo at 5 when I'm talking to my GF and is still kind of loud.

I've had Lexus' and I've had Mercs... the BA system does as good a job as good as their systems... minus the bass of course.

[The 2010 Sin]

I think the boston sucks.. already did the SQ JBL Sub and JBL GTO series amp. now to add the big GTO and the high end components and get rid of those crappy 6x9's and go to a regular speaker.

Im going to use a Focal "Be" speaker up in the center spot.

I will post when the job is complete.. I will have under 3500 in this setup with the factory head unit.

[55Designs]

Reason I mentioned my BMW was that for years I mean 20+_ BMW had notorious crap audio system even the premium ones.

When I got my M5 I paid $700 for enhanced Premium option and all I can say is the system rivals almost every aftermarket one I ever heard over the last 5 years. it make my friends cry when they hear my car versus the 5-7k they spent on theirs.

My speakers are so well broken in, yes speakers do require break in and the car just screams.

I wasnt expecting my Camaro to even come close but my friends 2010 Mustang stereo kills the Boston Acoustics in every way. Similar priced cars.

I never used Boston Acoustics aftermarket stuff so i dont know much about the brand or its reputation.

As much as I wanted to avoid gutting the car and doing this I dont have much of a choice for my driving enjoyment.