Anyone know the impedance of the speakers in the CTS? I'm going to be replacing the Bose crap this week and need to know so I don't get mismatches.

Well, can't swear to it, but Bose is generally 2 ohms.

Probably marked on the speakers themselves so I would just pull a couple to see if you plan to replace them. Be aware Bose often builds equalization into the amplifier units themselves so you might have to replace more than just the speakers if you don't like the Bose sound or you may end up with some really odd tonal balance. OTOH if you are after booming bass just add the typical large subs and amplifier to the trunk, in this case you could say GM made it convenient by putting the battery and high current connections close by.

If you are going to replace the speakers, replace the amplification and processing. I have had horrible experiences with this, no BS. I am quite nit-picky about my audio systems, and my path is going to be only the addition of subwoofers (and the subtraction of processing on them). The bose speakers really do sound great if you set the bass control to about 50% cut. (1/4 of the way up from the bottom) Supplement the lack of bass with some sealed 12's and I think you will be quite happy.

BTW - They are 2 ohm. The front door speakers are really whacked out and need a custom plate made to accomodate a 6.5" speaker. Also, don't forget the center channel.

If you are going to replace the speakers, replace the amplification and processing. I have had horrible experiences with this, no BS. I am quite nit-picky about my audio systems, and my path is going to be only the addition of subwoofers (and the subtraction of processing on them). The bose speakers really do sound great if you set the bass control to about 50% cut. (1/4 of the way up from the bottom) Supplement the lack of bass with some sealed 12's and I think you will be quite happy.

BTW - They are 2 ohm. The front door speakers are really whacked out and need a custom plate made to accomodate a 6.5" speaker. Also, don't forget the center channel.

I noticed the strange EQ of the Bose too. It seems that at low volumes, the amp pumps up the bass frequencies and attenuates them at high volumes to prevent distortion.

I think I'm going to go the same route as you and just add a sub while turning down the stock bass setting.

There is nothing strange about pumping bass at low volume and backing off at high volume. Many amps allow this, tho many amps have it switchable off/on. It is called "loudness". It is done to overcome the ear's natural tendency to roll off low freqs at low volume. If there was only one correct way to listen to music, no manufacturer would include bass and treble controls and nobody would build equalizers.

There is nothing strange about pumping bass at low volume and backing off at high volume. Many amps allow this, tho many amps have it switchable off/on. It is called "loudness". It is done to overcome the ear's natural tendency to roll off low freqs at low volume. If there was only one correct way to listen to music, no manufacturer would include bass and treble controls and nobody would build equalizers.

Wisdom speaks. Couldn't have been said better. Lewis

listen the bose system is noting to write home about, so i ditched it in place of all new interior speakers also dropping in an 18in. Utra sub in the rear spare tire space custom fiberglass box with just over 2000watt running everything using Arc audio amps, and its amazing.

There is nothing strange about pumping bass at low volume and backing off at high volume. Many amps allow this, tho many amps have it switchable off/on. It is called "loudness". It is done to overcome the ear's natural tendency to roll off low freqs at low volume. If there was only one correct way to listen to music, no manufacturer would include bass and treble controls and nobody would build equalizers.

This relates to the Fletcher Munson effect. Something Bose engineering hasn't ignored.......

DCB:eek:

listen the bose system is noting to write home about, so i ditched it in place of all new interior speakers also dropping in an 18in. Utra sub in the rear spare tire space custom fiberglass box with just over 2000watt running everything using Arc audio amps, and its amazing.


um.. got any pics of this install??? sounds quite nice!!