Is the 2G Bose system intentionally out of phase?

[guy48065]

I've searched for an answer but didn't find any discussion. Yesterday I added a Bazooka sub in my trunk so afterwards I was listening critically in my driveway--something I haven't done in the few months I've owned it. I noticed the sound seems artificially "spacey" with no solid center image. Bass is awesome on test signal sine waves but lacking on music. All wiring is factory original as far as I know and the sub merely taps into the rear "subs" so if it IS wired out of phase--it's by design.

Not sure how to confirm this.
Anybody else feel their Bose system has the worst imaging ever?

[tigger]

Dolby Pro Logic does this to produce surround from a stereo source:

Dolby Surround/Pro Logic is based on basic matrix technology. When a Dolby Surround soundtrack is created, four channels of sound are matrix-encoded into an ordinary stereo (two channel) sound track. The centre channel is encoded by placing it equally in the left and right channels; the rear channel is encoded using phase shift techniques, typically an out of phase stereo mixdown. A Pro Logic decoder/processor "unfolds" the sound into the original 4.0 surround—left and right, center, and a single limited frequency-range (7 kHz low-pass filtered[1]) mono rear channel—while systems lacking the decoder play back the audio as standard stereo.

I don't have Bose, don't know if they use same/similar process to produce "space". If you don't want your new sub out of phase, switch the +/- inputs or get a cheap phase switch. Some powered subs have one built in.

[malibu5437]

My bose doesn't seem to have as much thump as I have had before. Even in non bose setups that were gm.

[guy48065]

Bass seems to be OK--at least not real weak like I've read is the result of out-of-phase speakers. I hope Delco/Bose didn't opt for some "space expander" circuit that can't be defeated--I really prefer sounds to come from where their intended in the real world. Or maybe that's what you get with speakers down by your feet. They should have left the tweeters in the A-pillars but that's not how Bose does things--they're all about sticking a bunch of cheap single drivers all over the place and equalize the crap out of it til it sounds "right".

[sempar]

I have a pair of very coherent speakers at home, and I've used a test disc to determine if speakers are in phase, so I can tell when speakers are in phase or not. The Bose system on my '01 is in phase, no doubt about that. The tweeters are still mounted on the A-pillars. System sounds great, if a bit bass heavy.

[Paulaurora]

Dont have any issues with bose had it in my intrigue and my wifes aurora and now her mom has it too in her 2003 aurora sounds always good.

[guy48065]

OK it must just be mine then. The system "sounds good"--little better bass and much more detail than the Infinity system in my Durango. It just doesn't image. In my Durango with all the controls set to flat and balanced the soundstage is directly in front of me on the dash with pretty solid instrument placement.

No biggie...I don't consider myself an audiophile anymore. As long as the sound is "good" I can live with the fact it's not phase coherent. As long as it covers the sound of my whining air pump, noisy PS pump, creaky rear shocks and an occasional right rear window rattle, I'm good

[sempar]

guy48065,

Are all the speakers working? I have a friend that had a Mach 1 sound system in his Sable. Sounded great until I got a ride from him one day. Highs weren't great and imaging was lousy. Listened carefully to both A pillar tweeters. Both were toast. He'd lent the car to his son the previous week....

[cane87]

Aug 7, 2014 12:01:38 GMT -6 sempar said:

I have a pair of very coherent speakers at home, and I've used a test disc to determine if speakers are in phase, so I can tell when speakers are in phase or not. The Bose system on my '01 is in phase, no doubt about that. The tweeters are still mounted on the A-pillars. System sounds great, if a bit bass heavy.

Bose?  Bass heavy?

How is this possible?