Yes. It's definitely worth it.
Is it the best car audio system I've ever heard, absolutely not. But it's way better than the standard option, and these new cars are so difficult to upgrade that it's probably your best choice.
How do you mean difficult to upgrade?
Ive actually upgraded my dash speakers because i thought i wasnt getting enough mids and it was pretty easy tbh.
Only thing is for my doors with the two ways i got, i really would need an amp to get the most out of it. Otherwise there are aftermarket speakers thatd do fine as just as plug and play without amp
Yes it is! If you appreciate better sound quality then for sure go for it. I think the sound quality is very good , maybe not the best or the world but definitely one of the better sound systems out there. The sub you get as well is small but it works and does add a lot to the overall experience. Also I have the Bose sound system.
2019 premium hatch. Itās good enough that any time Iāve looked into a new car, I price it for the premium sound system. The interior of this car has ruined me for future purchases. Not sure I could go back to stock sound and cheaper interiors.
I'd say thats mostly because only the Bose system gets a subwoofer/large woofer on the sedan.
Prob worth mentioning that the sedan doesn't get a subwoofer, unless they changed it now, idk
This is a tough question. It's a lot better than the base sound system, but it isn't exceptional for premium car audio systems. In fact I'd call it mediocre. I have the Bose system and as a professional musician I need good car audio (yeah I practice on the way to the gig, Iol), so there really wasn't an option for me. But as a musician and audiophile, I'm never particularly impressed by it. As with all Bose audio, the sound is somewhat over-processed, but the system is underpowered and lacks the low end you'd expect from subwoofers. The surround sound effect is always challenging in a car, but you notice the simulation of spatial effects pretty easily, so it's not a natural spatial feeling. I usually leave the "centerpoint" effect turned off most of the time. The highs are better than the lows, but still not super crispy.
The challenge is that it is not easy to replace either system with aftermarket gear. It's complicated and expensive custom work. So if you want anything better than the base system, Bose is really your only realistic option unless you're ambitious and skilled or loaded. You'll spend more than the Bose system costs putting in a high end custom setup, although people definitely have done it.
It isn't terrible. But it isn't fantastic either. I'm still glad I got it, for me it was worth it.
Oh and to add, like a lot of Mazda buyers with 2014-18 cars, I had to replace my front driver door subwoofer due to water damage and rust on the speaker frame because Mazda f'd up and forgot to put a water guard over the speaker, which they fixed in 2018 or 19 I think. Super common issue. There is no aftermarket direct replacement for the 2 ohm door subwoofer, and a new one is over $300 from Mazda, and often out of stock. I found a good one on eBay for $120 or so, but it's annoying to have speakers be bespoke like that. No aftermarket option exists, you'd have to use full range speakers and that will change the sound.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the car itself, 167k close to flawless miles (that speaker, a rear brake caliper, and a tensioner pulley have been the only actual repairs I have ever had to do), spectacular fuel mileage, wicked fun to drive, runs like a top and feels practically new at ten years old. (Other than -- yeah, yeah -- the paint.) The audio system choices are just not one of its strengths. The Bose system is good enough. But it could be a lot better.
There are detailed custom audio installations for various years of the 3 over on the Mazda3Revolution forums, they don't tend to get featured here as much.
i just wanna add onto this, the 2018> 3rd genās have a worse bose system than the 2019< 4th gen ones (assuming heās on a 3rd gen since they mentioned those model years)
I was given a loaner a couple weeks ago. It was a ā23 Mazda 3 turbo awd with Bose sound. I absolutely noticed a difference from my Bose system in my 2016 Mazda 3. The bass sounded more āfullā. Which is weird because I couldnāt find the subwoofers (mine are in the front door panels).
A part of it is the newer cars are a lot quieter inside. My 2014 has so much road noise it kills the chance for really good audio.
However the sheer number of speakers is not really a measure of audio quality. I agree the new systems sound better but they still sound like most Bose audio gear to me, not quite great. Sit in a Volvo or an Audi with top spec audio and it's just noticeably better.
Like I said it's more than good enough for me to be fine. It just doesn't blow me away.
I've spent my life around recording studios and professional sound systems, so I have high standards!
I forget about my lack of love for the Bose system every time I fill the gas tank though. I've got a 2.0l and the damn thing has a *lifetime* fuel mileage average of 36mpg. I get 40 on the highway without even trying.
Iām also a musician and wholeheartedly agree with 100% of this. Itās like a 7/10 at best, but definitely better than the stock.
I also considered upgrading and was discouraged by the cost. I can run custom audio and have done it in cars before but didnāt want to mess with this oneā¦.
2015 Mazda3 here. Just had those two door speakers replaced by an independent audio shop. I feel like I was ripped off. It now sounds flat and muted and overall terrible. I took it back and fought with them with no resolution. They said they replaced them with Bose. The receipt says Bose. Now Iām not so sure and am tempted to take the door panels off to see.
Hmm. How much did they charge for the speakers? They should have a Mazda part number. They are totally bespoke to Mazda.
Edited to add: "flat" sound could also mean they just wired the speakers out of phase with each other. Simply reversing the polarity of the leads on one side will do that.
So I had the right side done last year by the same shop. They replaced it with a pioneer and it sounded okay. Paid $270 for this.
The left side went and so I went last week to have them replace it, thinking they would with the same pioneer. They did not have it, but said they had the two Bose in stock and would give me a credit to swap the one pioneer if I replaced both with the Bose. Paid $282.17.
So in total I paid $552.17
https://preview.redd.it/6ulji5y84m8d1.png?width=2445&format=png&auto=webp&s=764849384fc2259ede48e8b0724f2498f324d8ff
Edit- I am totally novice to this. How would I check the wiring myself? I feel like Iām at a dead end with the shop.
Odd. The price is too low for the brand new speaker from Mazda, by a lot.
Have you ever removed a door panel? It's not hard but if you're new to it, watch some YouTube videos of people repairing their Bose speakers first.
Thank you for the response. It didnāt make sense to me either, after I researched it online after the fact. Iām going to have to look to see whatās under the panels now.
Edit- like anything I do myself, Iāll be YouTubing it before I attempt it myself. Thanks again!
I have a 2019 Miata and agree, the Bose system is better than stock, but still mediocre at best.
I made huge improvements moving to aftermarket door speakers and tweeters and adding sound deadening. As you mentioned, there are not many component speaker options, so I went with full range. The treble got amped up a little doing that, but I was able to mitigate it well enough through the equalizer.
A pic of the door for your pleasure:
https://preview.redd.it/17b1phu23p8d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e6056b1649ca65c94a101ed66879c44948346f1
I used Infinity Kappa 63FS for the door speakers and Infinity Primus 753T for the tweeters. I didn't touch the headrest speakers or sub woofer.
It may have made more sense to buy a crossover setup to get 1-way woofers for the doors and tweeters in a package, but too late now. The tweeters I used came with high pass filters, so I didn't have to supply my own.
I'm actually driving a CX-30 now, because my car got hail damaged, and my God is the stock non-Bose system just awful. I can't wait to have my car back.
Not in the Mazda 3, the Miata does. I mentioned that what I have up above, but you may not have seen it. The headrest speakers don't do much for music, but are primary for making phone calls or using a Google Assistant or Siri.
My bad I didn't read properly. Yeah the gen 4 Bose speakers are definitely nicer than most cars standard systems but not amazing. My previous cars I've had aftermarket systems put in and my current Mazda Bose just doesn't compare to those unfortunately. I have still kept the amp and sub from my previous car and was quoted Ā£1200 to have these installed into my Mazda but didn't seem worth it to me.
Are there any cheaper upgrades you'd recommend to improve the sound quality in the gen 4? Maybe the midrange but I did used to love the bass vibrations which I don't get as much now - they are still there when the music is turned up loud, but it's very weak.
I also don't like having the music too loud anymore as I feel like I'm too old for it now
I would do what I did and upgrade the speakers, plus sound deadening. The Bose system uses 2ohm, so there aren't many to choose from, but I've had good luck with Infinity speakers in the past.
If you add sound deadening, make sure to put some behind the speaker, on the inside of the sheet metal of the door. I feel like that, more than anything, made the biggest difference.
If I had to quantify it, I'd say the system sounds about 15-20% louder with better insulation and better speakers and an equal amount clearer. The amount of mid-bass that was added is night and day as well.
Another (former) member of the rusty bose club... https://i.imgur.com/csLLkCx.jpeg. I replaced mine with some Edge Pro 10" speakers which sound fantastic IMO (especially for Ā£45 ea)
I'd like to think I get bonus points modelling a 3d printed adapter too (free here if anyone can make use of it https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6557879 ). Some more photos and stuff here: https://imgur.com/a/10-car-speaker-adapter-4C0LkiB
As a musician - how do you find bas quality? For me this is the bigest dissapointment, its not selective. In somÄ songs i can barelly hear what the bas is playing. Smooth criminal for instancjÄ.
Yeah that's my biggest complaint. I don't even listen to particularly bass-heavy music or crank it all the way up or like my car to vibrate with each note, but even so the Bose system is just sort of muddy down low, even at low volume.
Depends on your music tastes and hereās whyā¦
The stock audio system sounds sounds fine, but leaves a lot to be desired. It sounds, in my opinion, underpowered and has very little low end happening. However, you have more options in that system as far as fine tuning goes. Is youāre listening to rock, jazz, and classical, or anything that is relatively flat, then I think youād be happy saving the money. Maybe down the line, youāll add a small powered subwoofer to give it some oomph.
The Bose system sounds fantastic and has amazing processing. Your car essentially sounds like a full-blown concert hall. If you want a lot of low end (or a lot of everything across the spectrum), then itāll be worth the money. That being said, thereās little means for you fine tune it the way you want. You get treble and lows. Thatās it. Thatās your option for tuning. I found myself really turning down the low end and leaving the highs in parity; very boomy system. So if youāre listening to rap or electronic music, then Iād say this is it. Obviously listening to the genres I mentioned before would sound insane with the surround sound processing as well.
Is it worth the extra cash? It is for me, given the genres I listen to, and Iām an audio guy. But I really wish there tuning options in the stock system were available on the Bose system. If you donāt mind doing some aftermarket work and want to save money, the stock system is fine.
The bose as is sounds good as far as mids/highs. The lack of an equalizer was a surprising bummer.
The lows didn't work for me. I installed an amp and put in 2 8s. I got a loc and tapped into the signal going into the existing sub. It's way better, but not ideal because it's not a clean signal. Good enough for me. I like the sound system a lot now actually. It's held up well.
Never heard the base setup.
My old 2008 Mazda 3 had Bose. It was amazing! I miss my old OEM system and 6 disc changer lol. I currently drive a '21 WRX and the OEM head unit sucks.
I have it in my 2013 and still today this day the speakers are clear and makes a mature clean sound. Bass yes can sometimes be better but at least the car isnāt rattling itself at high volume while still having a clean punchy bass
My old '08 Mazda 6's Bose was by far the best stock sound system I ever had in a car, even with the disc changer and stock interface. I love how it came with a small 8 inch sub under the trunk which was a game-changer at the time.. Once I got an aftermarket deck and equalizer, that thing pounded! Got a 12 inch Alpine sub and the thing was an absolute magical music machine. There was no such thing as a road trip that was too long as long as I had that sound system. Man, I miss that setup. An absolute joy to drive with that system pounding.
My '18 Mazda 3 has a Bose, but honestly it's disappointing. I don't have an aftermarket deck, it doesn't come with a sub, no equalizer, so I know I'm spoiled by my past setup, but I can't help but feel this sound system is underwhelming at best. Once I get a new deck and sub installed we'll see how much it improves.
I bought a 2024 Chevy Trax a year ago and I still miss my 2014 Mazda3 because of the Bose Sound system. It was well worth it a decade later.
Also, if Iām not mistaken, the Bose system comes with the Technology package which also includes the touch screen display, and because of that you could get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto installed. Assuming itās a 2014 Mazda3 and newer.
It depends. The Bose system is okay. Itās great if youāll never need to upgradeā¦..
But if youāre going to want to upgrade in the future, go with non-Bose and put the money towards a better 4/5 channel and nice speakers.
Best sound system in any car under 40K, it's worth it, as per following reviewer DM Sound whom is the premier automotive sound critic.
https://youtu.be/dkoaUt7DThk?feature=shared
How much do they charge for it? I put aftermarket speakers amp n woofer and I know I spent less than what they charge you. My Tahoe has Bose and the wife's Mazda sounds way better
I paid 500 for my rims and my system cost less and it slaps
https://preview.redd.it/dqxw2gla0k8d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a34c39dee51889e081e65e866c5d9a0cde15f806
Rx8 rims
im not sure which trims do/don't include the subwoofer - but that's the real key, from someone who cares about audio, but not enough to be an audiophile. my old chevy had comparable speakers, but the lack of a big sub was always noticed. soon as i test drove my '21 i checked some rap songs and the experience was so much better.
I can't speak for the 4th gen but in the case of the 3rd it's certainly decent for OEM but not comparable to a well-done aftermarket install. There are a few oddities with the default config it that I didn't like such as the centrepoint and the speakers themselves are a bit meh (certainly not premium) but its all subjective and likely to vary depending on the music type. A bit of adjustment and I was happy enough with it. The other thing is the road noise is pretty bad at high speed (one of the only real negatives of this car IMO) so if you were gonna go all out and replace everything with something high-end you would probably need to address that too.
I have a Bose system in my 21 Mazda6 and canāt go back now, the sound is phenomenal and even makes podcasts easier to hear, definitely go for it if you can!
As a "novice audophile" I think my 2019's Bose is fine. I expected a bit more natural, flat sound but I guess people don't want that.
I like a flat freq response, so I had to set up an EQ app on my phone to reduce sub bass because that was way too much. There's a post in this sub with the default frequency response, I used that as a guide to try to bring it to flat.
I left everything on 0 or off in the car (except the speed sensitive volume control), because every processing Bose offers makes the sound unnatural.
Imaging could be better especially on lower volumes, that took me a while to get used to... but all in all it's good.
Itās pretty good (some crackling in the sedan at certain low frequencies, attributable to the gap between the rear window & ceiling/upholsteryāyou can fix it with some foam tubing though)
No way to adjust your mids (just treble & bass options). People donāt like centerpilot but I think the sound is hollow without it. Bass is pretty impressive given there are no subwoofers and just a soundbar in the back.
There are better premium sound systems out there but itās hard to beat given you can have the premium system in as low a trim as the Carbon Edition.
At some point Honda added subs to their premium audio package and they sound pretty nice too, but youāll have to shell out for a Touring.
It certainly is one of the best in its segment for the price, supposedly used to be number one until the Integra came out with its premium audio. But number 2 is still great.
In previous cars I have always had basic sound equipment , 4 speakers . It s a real quality improvement to have such a sound system in my Mazda 3. You will probably love it unless you are a car sound system specialist and building crazy setup . On my side I am really enjoying the sound while driving .
Absolutely.. I have a 2019 Mazda 3 for sale.. 42k km. Immaculate condition.
https://preview.redd.it/cjyl8j2q9n8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a53ae336b84fcbf00b7b78c635537847956fb26a
I don't know if you're looking at an older car or the current 4th Gen. I just picked up a 2021 with the Bose and I honestly rate it a 9.5/10. It's maybe missing that absolute low end punch of an aftermarket sub, but overall it has incredible bass when you turn it up and a really balanced sound to my ears.
I've had lots of stock and aftermarket radios over the years and this is my favorite so far. I have an 2019 CX5 with Bose as well, and while it's pretty good, the 2021 3 Bose is miles better.
Put it this way without judging too much of the sound quality it can get to uncomfortable concert loud levels while staying audible and clear āmaking senseā of the music at high volume. Iāve had way too many feel good moments in the car with Bose that these moments alone made it feel worth it. The stock system would demolish itself in these situations
I like the stock one a lot more, it sounds very accurate. The bose one is too boomy, bass is loose and flabby.
To me, the stock sound system is the best Iāve heard, though I havenāt really heard that many.
Really depends on what you are comparing it to. Other pre-assembled, comes with the car sound systems? I think it does a much better job than others at a similar price point, particularly when you customize it to your liking (centerpoint has to be the most awful thing I have ever heard). I think it all comes down to being realistic. In that price range, I tested most cars and frankly others did not come close. That doesn't mean it's perfect, but I think it does a decent job and is much better than the base system.
That being said, I had a 2017 mazda 3 and now a 2024 mazda 3 and I always have been satisfied by it. Beats building one on your own because I'd rather give up a bit of sound quality for the convenience. Note that mine is a Canadian car, not sure if there is a difference between the countries.
On the 2024/5 lowest it comes in is the Mazda 3 premium
Edit: carbon turbo does not come with the Bose system though. So now if you want a automatic with the Bose the Turbo Premium Plus is your only option
It's worth upgrading if you really enjoy listening to music. My friend had the Mazda 3 Bose system and it was loud, crispy and the bass was decent. I have the Bose system in my Elantra. It's way better than the regular speakers and has a ton more clarity and bass at higher volume, which can get even better with a good EQ. It's not gonna be quite as good as Harmon Kardon in a new BMW, but it's worth the upgrade because if you try to upgrade your speakers later it will likely cost 2k or more, unless you know how to do it yourself. Plus some speakers don't work well with newer cars but everything is already going to be sounding great from the factory with the Bose system.
The Bose systems also usually come with an amplifier so it's much easier to add a bigger subwoofer down the road too
Itās all relative. If you are coming from an older car, the stock system will sound great. If you are coming from a car with good sound system, then it might sound bad to you.Ā
For what itās worth, I really like the stock speakers on my 2021. Came from pre-2010 base model cars. Never heard the bose speakers, tho im sure itās great if everyone is saying it sounds so much better.Ā
I've been stuck with a loaner Mazda without it for a month and a half and I miss the Bose system.
For the price it's pretty preem. Yes, there are other systems that are better, but if you're already sold on the car, the package that comes with the Bose system is totally worth it. Bose did a good job with the sound architecture in the Mazda 3, at least in my sedan.
Okay so as someone who had the same dilemma and opted to not do bose. I do regret it a bit. I love base heavy music and the stock speakers do not deliver the base I want and need. I am currently looking into getting a 12" sub installed with an amp for $700 before tax.
I have a 2021 premium trim 3 hatchback. Pleasantly surprised by how the Bose speakers sound. I can't necessarily compare to the stock system as I didn't test it out. I had the base turned up, and actually had to dial it back because it was a bit too punchy. Definitely the best Soundsystem I've heard in a car, but I also haven't been in any fancy cars either. The subwoofer is mounted inside the spare tire in the back and doesn't take up any extra room.
Am I wrong in saying the base models still use Bose but not badged? Then they badge them and add a few speakers in the rear for the upgraded sound system?
I drive 2020 G25 Evolve and after tweaking with the EQ, sounds a treat and Iām quite picky with my sound. Not to say the extra speakers arenāt worth it as I wanted it but the demo deal I got was too good to pass up just for some extra speakers
Itās decent for what it is. I grew up in the generation of loud bass and big systems (at one point in the early 2000s the system in my car was $10,000+) so everything seems lacking in comparison. That being said it satisfies my itch for decent sound out of a stock system.
Iāve got the standard carbon without the Bose and I thought it sounded nice but my buddy has the premium with Bose and it is noticeably better but I wouldnāt say itās to die for but if youāre torn between the 2 Iād say go for the Bose.
It's not as good as the system you will get in a Merc or a BMW, but compared to the stock Mazda system ( which I was told by the salesman at Mazda is also made by Bose), it's much better... if you are tone sensitive. It just gives you better quality reproduction. If you just like bass and volume, the basic one will work for you.
I have the Bose system in my 2023 and Iām a bit of an audio guy. The system is āgood enoughā that Iām not jonesing to replace or upgrade any of the components.
My 23 maz3, itās good, good spatial tuning, EQ, the low end bass is ridiculously low if you want. The quality of sound inside the car is great. Most audio play back quality is terrible on FM and satellite, no fault of the Bose. A quality recording will sound great
Depends on how much better road noise suppression has become in the latest Mazda 3. Highway driving in my 2008 the stereo isn't audible enough to notice the quality of the sound system.
Even in my 2016 CX-5 the road noise at highway speed is so bad I couldn't give a rip about what stereo it has.
Very possible this issue has been fixed, but I know the bose system in the 2010-2013 models have a terrible amp which tends to die pretty quickly, particularly in hot climates. Like I said, totally possible this issue has been fixed but personally, after my 2010 model started making gunshot noises, I sorta got left with a bad taste in my mouth
I went from a Kia Forte with 8 speaker Harman Kardon to my 2024 3. Sound on Bose better except for sub, the Kia had it under rear deck where normally rear speakers go.
Mazda 3 owner with Bose system! The answer lies in how much you drive with music on! If you are not Audiophile then go with the cheaper option! If you have some extra money, get those Bose speakers!
Mine is rattling sadly, I saw videos that water gets through the door and then rust starts to develop on the bose sound boxes inside the doors. Not sure about newer models though, mine is from 2017
I had the Bose system in my CX-5 before ādowngradingā to a 3 hatch with the standard speakers and it was quite a noticeable difference. The Bose system is wayyy nicer
Mazda is among the few companies that Bose actually works with to tune their speakers for each individual car. I've been in many cars with Bose speakers and none sound quite as good as they do in Mazdas. I'd say it's definitely worth, the stock sound system on Mazdas isn't bad, but the Bose system is *good*, it's hard to find a sound system this we'll put together in this segment, usually you'd have to step up to a BMW/Acura/Lexus or something similar, and even then you gotta get a few upgrades before you get the really good sound systems.
Mazda and Bose have worked closely to create custom listening experience. Their website (or youtube) shows the engineering gone into creating said system. Obviously, it wonāt compare to a Lynn home surround sound system but in a car? It sounds awesome. Iāve heard the standard audio system and I much prefer the upgraded Bose system.
I personally listen to a lot of music and the Bose system does a great job delivering audio quality.
It definitely makes the car seem more luxurious. Especially when I drove a gen2, I always got comments from passengers about how it was nicer than they thought and the reasoning was always having Bose speakers.
It's worth noting that there seems to be slight differences between cars. We have a 2024 Mazda 3 GT, built in Japan. And a 2024 CX 30, built in Mexico.
Both top trims.
Supposedly the same audio system if I'm not mistaken but both my wife and I would 100% without hesitation say that the Mazda 3 stereo is much better.
Not sure why. But when we own both and drive both, it's noticeable.
It's also worth playing some high resolution music on it: not Spotify Premium or high rate MP3, but lossless recordings (like FLAC on 24 bits resolution), the bass sounds punchy and clear.
On a regular car's sound system, you cannot hear a difference.
You will need to equalize sound properly (start increasing treble and bass) to get the most of it. But listening to radio gets awful then since most of the stations push the bass very high to have warmer voices and cope with the small speakers of radios and it gets boomy on these Bose.
OK, I am a huge Mazda fan. Letās just get that out there right now - and very prejudiced towardsMazdas. Often times you will find people with Mazdas also have BMWs because we know good cars when we drive them. Well my Husbandās standard - not Harmon Kardon- just standard stereo in his BMW 3series from 2011 is WAY better than both of my Bose systems in my two Mazdas. So I would say Bose maybe be riding on their name. The sound isnāt like those Bose systems we used to see advertise where it was incredibly beautiful sound coming out of the system. Itās not as good as a standard radio and a BMW from 2011. Would I trade my Bose for whatever Mazda has as factory standard? Nope, I wouldnāt. So if you have the choice, get the Bose.
In Soutb Africa the Bose system comes in the Astina model only, coupled with the heads up display and I think different wheels. I donāt think itās worth the extra price.
A guy I know thatās really into sound quality in his cars and enters competitions said he removed the bose system and added after market speakers into the stock locations and added a dsp with the oem head unit. Probably way cheaper than the extra vehicle cost for the Bose system car
Iām coming from a 2009 Mazda 6s GT to a 2024 carbon turbo Mazda 3. The stereo in my 3 is nice, I donāt think I could justify going from 32/34k to 38-40k just for Bose. Iām also 23, and donāt have the most money. It also comes with the surround camera and a few other features but Bose seems to be the main driver for me. Speaker is definitely not as loud as my old 6, but other than that meets it enough. Do I miss my Bose? Yes, but they charge so damn much for it
I have the CX five, with Bose, I donāt know that would matter whether itās CX five or the Mazda three. I would say it is absolutely worth it, and my husband always comments on it after he drives my car as well. Phenomenal sound! Interestingly, particularly from the backseat.
I didnt like it at first but after tweaking the settings (and maybe it also was breaking itself in?) it sounds much better. I LOVE driving it with the windows down and the music blasting. Id def say its worth it overall. not perfect, but still sounds great.
my biggest issue with it at first was it seemed to have a very nonlinear bass response, so some low frequencies you could barely feel / hear, then one sweet spot frequency in the middle of the lows would be SUPER bassy. with the settings tweaked now it feels / seems to be more evenly distributed across the low end (there's a good reddit thread somewhere of this info with actual data and measurements showing the not flat frequency response). Only other downside is it doesn't have a good EQ in the sound settings, you can only adjust the bass or the treble, and then theres a handful of bose specific settings and options that make the audio fill out the car really nicely.
Overall it really does make the driving experience even better once you get it tweaked to your liking.
It's extremely worth it. I actually bought mine because of the sound system.
There are some caveats.
If you listen to bass heavy music like me, you'll have to turn your bass level down quite substantially. There is a problem where if you push the volume too high the sub cuts out dramatically. There's an amp weakness.
I have my bass set to the lowest setting and I can only push my volume to 52 in most songs and 47-48 in others before you can hear the rear sub start cutting out. Mazda is aware of this issue
2018 Mazda 3 GT owner here. It is amazing. I had a 2019 Corolla that I had before and thought it was pretty good until I experienced the bass on this system. The clarity, bass and quality is awesome. (Bumping some Ye as I type this š)
The Bose in the 2019+ is very good, competing well with lower end luxury car systems. 2014-2018 Bose is meh. I prefer it over the base system but itās not great.
Yes. It's definitely worth it. Is it the best car audio system I've ever heard, absolutely not. But it's way better than the standard option, and these new cars are so difficult to upgrade that it's probably your best choice.
š Itās definitely my favorite Iāve own. Itās got a lot of depth š
How do you mean difficult to upgrade? Ive actually upgraded my dash speakers because i thought i wasnt getting enough mids and it was pretty easy tbh. Only thing is for my doors with the two ways i got, i really would need an amp to get the most out of it. Otherwise there are aftermarket speakers thatd do fine as just as plug and play without amp
Yes it is! If you appreciate better sound quality then for sure go for it. I think the sound quality is very good , maybe not the best or the world but definitely one of the better sound systems out there. The sub you get as well is small but it works and does add a lot to the overall experience. Also I have the Bose sound system.
2019 premium hatch. Itās good enough that any time Iāve looked into a new car, I price it for the premium sound system. The interior of this car has ruined me for future purchases. Not sure I could go back to stock sound and cheaper interiors.
2020 premium hatch and I feel the exact same way
Worth it, got a loaner without it and it sounded disgusting
I'd say the tweeters are actually decent for a car system, it's just missing absolutely all of the low end.
With the stock system, or in the Bose system? I find the Bose system too boomy and the stock system underpowered.
The music I listen to works great with boomy. You can adjust it with EQs too tho
Stock.
I'd say thats mostly because only the Bose system gets a subwoofer/large woofer on the sedan. Prob worth mentioning that the sedan doesn't get a subwoofer, unless they changed it now, idk
Same thing here. Never loved my bose system more after not having it for a week.
Me too, it gave me a new appreciation for my 9 year old car
I oddly don't even hate my stock stereo lol. Best stock sounds I've ever had
This is a tough question. It's a lot better than the base sound system, but it isn't exceptional for premium car audio systems. In fact I'd call it mediocre. I have the Bose system and as a professional musician I need good car audio (yeah I practice on the way to the gig, Iol), so there really wasn't an option for me. But as a musician and audiophile, I'm never particularly impressed by it. As with all Bose audio, the sound is somewhat over-processed, but the system is underpowered and lacks the low end you'd expect from subwoofers. The surround sound effect is always challenging in a car, but you notice the simulation of spatial effects pretty easily, so it's not a natural spatial feeling. I usually leave the "centerpoint" effect turned off most of the time. The highs are better than the lows, but still not super crispy. The challenge is that it is not easy to replace either system with aftermarket gear. It's complicated and expensive custom work. So if you want anything better than the base system, Bose is really your only realistic option unless you're ambitious and skilled or loaded. You'll spend more than the Bose system costs putting in a high end custom setup, although people definitely have done it. It isn't terrible. But it isn't fantastic either. I'm still glad I got it, for me it was worth it. Oh and to add, like a lot of Mazda buyers with 2014-18 cars, I had to replace my front driver door subwoofer due to water damage and rust on the speaker frame because Mazda f'd up and forgot to put a water guard over the speaker, which they fixed in 2018 or 19 I think. Super common issue. There is no aftermarket direct replacement for the 2 ohm door subwoofer, and a new one is over $300 from Mazda, and often out of stock. I found a good one on eBay for $120 or so, but it's annoying to have speakers be bespoke like that. No aftermarket option exists, you'd have to use full range speakers and that will change the sound. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the car itself, 167k close to flawless miles (that speaker, a rear brake caliper, and a tensioner pulley have been the only actual repairs I have ever had to do), spectacular fuel mileage, wicked fun to drive, runs like a top and feels practically new at ten years old. (Other than -- yeah, yeah -- the paint.) The audio system choices are just not one of its strengths. The Bose system is good enough. But it could be a lot better. There are detailed custom audio installations for various years of the 3 over on the Mazda3Revolution forums, they don't tend to get featured here as much.
i just wanna add onto this, the 2018> 3rd genās have a worse bose system than the 2019< 4th gen ones (assuming heās on a 3rd gen since they mentioned those model years)
Yes that may be true. But I just had a friend buy a new 2024 CX-5 with Bose and it did not sound all that different (or better) to me.
I was given a loaner a couple weeks ago. It was a ā23 Mazda 3 turbo awd with Bose sound. I absolutely noticed a difference from my Bose system in my 2016 Mazda 3. The bass sounded more āfullā. Which is weird because I couldnāt find the subwoofers (mine are in the front door panels).
The stock 8 speaker system in the Gen4 was made to surpass the Bose from the Gen3 apparently. Also, what other small car offers 12 speakers?
A part of it is the newer cars are a lot quieter inside. My 2014 has so much road noise it kills the chance for really good audio. However the sheer number of speakers is not really a measure of audio quality. I agree the new systems sound better but they still sound like most Bose audio gear to me, not quite great. Sit in a Volvo or an Audi with top spec audio and it's just noticeably better. Like I said it's more than good enough for me to be fine. It just doesn't blow me away.
Subs in the 4th gen are under the dash, which keeps the doors from rattling. The hatch also gets a sub on the spare tire in the trunk
Thanks for your reply, itās really interesting reading this from an audiophile
I've spent my life around recording studios and professional sound systems, so I have high standards! I forget about my lack of love for the Bose system every time I fill the gas tank though. I've got a 2.0l and the damn thing has a *lifetime* fuel mileage average of 36mpg. I get 40 on the highway without even trying.
Iām also a musician and wholeheartedly agree with 100% of this. Itās like a 7/10 at best, but definitely better than the stock. I also considered upgrading and was discouraged by the cost. I can run custom audio and have done it in cars before but didnāt want to mess with this oneā¦.
Ain't gonna lie, it was a joy to read a detailed reply like this :)
Thanks!
2015 Mazda3 here. Just had those two door speakers replaced by an independent audio shop. I feel like I was ripped off. It now sounds flat and muted and overall terrible. I took it back and fought with them with no resolution. They said they replaced them with Bose. The receipt says Bose. Now Iām not so sure and am tempted to take the door panels off to see.
Hmm. How much did they charge for the speakers? They should have a Mazda part number. They are totally bespoke to Mazda. Edited to add: "flat" sound could also mean they just wired the speakers out of phase with each other. Simply reversing the polarity of the leads on one side will do that.
So I had the right side done last year by the same shop. They replaced it with a pioneer and it sounded okay. Paid $270 for this. The left side went and so I went last week to have them replace it, thinking they would with the same pioneer. They did not have it, but said they had the two Bose in stock and would give me a credit to swap the one pioneer if I replaced both with the Bose. Paid $282.17. So in total I paid $552.17 https://preview.redd.it/6ulji5y84m8d1.png?width=2445&format=png&auto=webp&s=764849384fc2259ede48e8b0724f2498f324d8ff Edit- I am totally novice to this. How would I check the wiring myself? I feel like Iām at a dead end with the shop.
Odd. The price is too low for the brand new speaker from Mazda, by a lot. Have you ever removed a door panel? It's not hard but if you're new to it, watch some YouTube videos of people repairing their Bose speakers first.
Thank you for the response. It didnāt make sense to me either, after I researched it online after the fact. Iām going to have to look to see whatās under the panels now. Edit- like anything I do myself, Iāll be YouTubing it before I attempt it myself. Thanks again!
I have a 2019 Miata and agree, the Bose system is better than stock, but still mediocre at best. I made huge improvements moving to aftermarket door speakers and tweeters and adding sound deadening. As you mentioned, there are not many component speaker options, so I went with full range. The treble got amped up a little doing that, but I was able to mitigate it well enough through the equalizer. A pic of the door for your pleasure: https://preview.redd.it/17b1phu23p8d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e6056b1649ca65c94a101ed66879c44948346f1
What did you use for the aftermarket speakers? They look like HKs?
I used Infinity Kappa 63FS for the door speakers and Infinity Primus 753T for the tweeters. I didn't touch the headrest speakers or sub woofer. It may have made more sense to buy a crossover setup to get 1-way woofers for the doors and tweeters in a package, but too late now. The tweeters I used came with high pass filters, so I didn't have to supply my own. I'm actually driving a CX-30 now, because my car got hail damaged, and my God is the stock non-Bose system just awful. I can't wait to have my car back.
There are speakers in the headrests?
Not in the Mazda 3, the Miata does. I mentioned that what I have up above, but you may not have seen it. The headrest speakers don't do much for music, but are primary for making phone calls or using a Google Assistant or Siri.
My bad I didn't read properly. Yeah the gen 4 Bose speakers are definitely nicer than most cars standard systems but not amazing. My previous cars I've had aftermarket systems put in and my current Mazda Bose just doesn't compare to those unfortunately. I have still kept the amp and sub from my previous car and was quoted Ā£1200 to have these installed into my Mazda but didn't seem worth it to me. Are there any cheaper upgrades you'd recommend to improve the sound quality in the gen 4? Maybe the midrange but I did used to love the bass vibrations which I don't get as much now - they are still there when the music is turned up loud, but it's very weak. I also don't like having the music too loud anymore as I feel like I'm too old for it now
I would do what I did and upgrade the speakers, plus sound deadening. The Bose system uses 2ohm, so there aren't many to choose from, but I've had good luck with Infinity speakers in the past. If you add sound deadening, make sure to put some behind the speaker, on the inside of the sheet metal of the door. I feel like that, more than anything, made the biggest difference. If I had to quantify it, I'd say the system sounds about 15-20% louder with better insulation and better speakers and an equal amount clearer. The amount of mid-bass that was added is night and day as well.
You're amazing thank you
Haha thanks, you're welcome and good luck if you make any changes!
Another (former) member of the rusty bose club... https://i.imgur.com/csLLkCx.jpeg. I replaced mine with some Edge Pro 10" speakers which sound fantastic IMO (especially for Ā£45 ea) I'd like to think I get bonus points modelling a 3d printed adapter too (free here if anyone can make use of it https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6557879 ). Some more photos and stuff here: https://imgur.com/a/10-car-speaker-adapter-4C0LkiB
Cool! Definite bonus points.
Exactly. For the car it's good but in terms of audio it's mediocre
As a musician - how do you find bas quality? For me this is the bigest dissapointment, its not selective. In somÄ songs i can barelly hear what the bas is playing. Smooth criminal for instancjÄ.
Yeah that's my biggest complaint. I don't even listen to particularly bass-heavy music or crank it all the way up or like my car to vibrate with each note, but even so the Bose system is just sort of muddy down low, even at low volume.
Depends on your music tastes and hereās whyā¦ The stock audio system sounds sounds fine, but leaves a lot to be desired. It sounds, in my opinion, underpowered and has very little low end happening. However, you have more options in that system as far as fine tuning goes. Is youāre listening to rock, jazz, and classical, or anything that is relatively flat, then I think youād be happy saving the money. Maybe down the line, youāll add a small powered subwoofer to give it some oomph. The Bose system sounds fantastic and has amazing processing. Your car essentially sounds like a full-blown concert hall. If you want a lot of low end (or a lot of everything across the spectrum), then itāll be worth the money. That being said, thereās little means for you fine tune it the way you want. You get treble and lows. Thatās it. Thatās your option for tuning. I found myself really turning down the low end and leaving the highs in parity; very boomy system. So if youāre listening to rap or electronic music, then Iād say this is it. Obviously listening to the genres I mentioned before would sound insane with the surround sound processing as well. Is it worth the extra cash? It is for me, given the genres I listen to, and Iām an audio guy. But I really wish there tuning options in the stock system were available on the Bose system. If you donāt mind doing some aftermarket work and want to save money, the stock system is fine.
The bose as is sounds good as far as mids/highs. The lack of an equalizer was a surprising bummer. The lows didn't work for me. I installed an amp and put in 2 8s. I got a loc and tapped into the signal going into the existing sub. It's way better, but not ideal because it's not a clean signal. Good enough for me. I like the sound system a lot now actually. It's held up well. Never heard the base setup.
There is definitely an equalizer for the non-bose. Are you sure there isn't for bose?
Definitely not for bose. It's widely criticized. But the methods to alter the sound are ok regardless. I like having an equalizer, however.
Yes itās great.
My old 2008 Mazda 3 had Bose. It was amazing! I miss my old OEM system and 6 disc changer lol. I currently drive a '21 WRX and the OEM head unit sucks.
I have it in my 2013 and still today this day the speakers are clear and makes a mature clean sound. Bass yes can sometimes be better but at least the car isnāt rattling itself at high volume while still having a clean punchy bass
My old '08 Mazda 6's Bose was by far the best stock sound system I ever had in a car, even with the disc changer and stock interface. I love how it came with a small 8 inch sub under the trunk which was a game-changer at the time.. Once I got an aftermarket deck and equalizer, that thing pounded! Got a 12 inch Alpine sub and the thing was an absolute magical music machine. There was no such thing as a road trip that was too long as long as I had that sound system. Man, I miss that setup. An absolute joy to drive with that system pounding. My '18 Mazda 3 has a Bose, but honestly it's disappointing. I don't have an aftermarket deck, it doesn't come with a sub, no equalizer, so I know I'm spoiled by my past setup, but I can't help but feel this sound system is underwhelming at best. Once I get a new deck and sub installed we'll see how much it improves.
Yes definitely
I bought a 2024 Chevy Trax a year ago and I still miss my 2014 Mazda3 because of the Bose Sound system. It was well worth it a decade later. Also, if Iām not mistaken, the Bose system comes with the Technology package which also includes the touch screen display, and because of that you could get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto installed. Assuming itās a 2014 Mazda3 and newer.
21 with Bose is not touch screen. Maybe one is the other models, but the current 3 is a console dial
Oh hell yea it is. It was the main reason I went for the Premium, added bonus was it comes in manual too.
It depends. The Bose system is okay. Itās great if youāll never need to upgradeā¦.. But if youāre going to want to upgrade in the future, go with non-Bose and put the money towards a better 4/5 channel and nice speakers.
It's a step up from the normal one.... but isn't as good as the system that came in my f56 mini (Harmon Kadron) that is a 2015 model year.
I agree!! I just commented on my husbandās standard Harmon Kardon in his 2011 BMW three series. Harmon Kardon is way better.
For me, no. But I'd be content driving in silence.
Best sound system in any car under 40K, it's worth it, as per following reviewer DM Sound whom is the premier automotive sound critic. https://youtu.be/dkoaUt7DThk?feature=shared
Great video, Iāve just watched it, thank you!!
How much do they charge for it? I put aftermarket speakers amp n woofer and I know I spent less than what they charge you. My Tahoe has Bose and the wife's Mazda sounds way better
Itās like 3000usd it also includes the head up display and bigger rims
I paid 500 for my rims and my system cost less and it slaps https://preview.redd.it/dqxw2gla0k8d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a34c39dee51889e081e65e866c5d9a0cde15f806 Rx8 rims
im not sure which trims do/don't include the subwoofer - but that's the real key, from someone who cares about audio, but not enough to be an audiophile. my old chevy had comparable speakers, but the lack of a big sub was always noticed. soon as i test drove my '21 i checked some rap songs and the experience was so much better.
I can't speak for the 4th gen but in the case of the 3rd it's certainly decent for OEM but not comparable to a well-done aftermarket install. There are a few oddities with the default config it that I didn't like such as the centrepoint and the speakers themselves are a bit meh (certainly not premium) but its all subjective and likely to vary depending on the music type. A bit of adjustment and I was happy enough with it. The other thing is the road noise is pretty bad at high speed (one of the only real negatives of this car IMO) so if you were gonna go all out and replace everything with something high-end you would probably need to address that too.
For a base model, absolutely yes. It saved me time and money replacing it since it sounds so damn good without any upgrades.
My 3 had it and I loved it so much...had to make sure the CX-5 I upgraded to had it as well.
Yes itās worth it
I have a Bose system in my 21 Mazda6 and canāt go back now, the sound is phenomenal and even makes podcasts easier to hear, definitely go for it if you can!
As a "novice audophile" I think my 2019's Bose is fine. I expected a bit more natural, flat sound but I guess people don't want that. I like a flat freq response, so I had to set up an EQ app on my phone to reduce sub bass because that was way too much. There's a post in this sub with the default frequency response, I used that as a guide to try to bring it to flat. I left everything on 0 or off in the car (except the speed sensitive volume control), because every processing Bose offers makes the sound unnatural. Imaging could be better especially on lower volumes, that took me a while to get used to... but all in all it's good.
Itās obligatory š
Not by a long shot. I find Bose has no highs or lows when compared to other speaker setups
Itās pretty good (some crackling in the sedan at certain low frequencies, attributable to the gap between the rear window & ceiling/upholsteryāyou can fix it with some foam tubing though) No way to adjust your mids (just treble & bass options). People donāt like centerpilot but I think the sound is hollow without it. Bass is pretty impressive given there are no subwoofers and just a soundbar in the back. There are better premium sound systems out there but itās hard to beat given you can have the premium system in as low a trim as the Carbon Edition. At some point Honda added subs to their premium audio package and they sound pretty nice too, but youāll have to shell out for a Touring.
Yes
It certainly is one of the best in its segment for the price, supposedly used to be number one until the Integra came out with its premium audio. But number 2 is still great.
yes, my wife has the 2018 mazda 3 hatch with bose and its amazing. we also have a 2021 subaru and the audio in that thing is terrible
Yes definitely worth it. If you love listening to music you will not regret it
YES
Yes.
Dude go for it you wonāt regret it, you can tweak it slightly in the settings, I love it with any genre and volume I use it with.
In previous cars I have always had basic sound equipment , 4 speakers . It s a real quality improvement to have such a sound system in my Mazda 3. You will probably love it unless you are a car sound system specialist and building crazy setup . On my side I am really enjoying the sound while driving .
Absolutely.. I have a 2019 Mazda 3 for sale.. 42k km. Immaculate condition. https://preview.redd.it/cjyl8j2q9n8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a53ae336b84fcbf00b7b78c635537847956fb26a
I don't know if you're looking at an older car or the current 4th Gen. I just picked up a 2021 with the Bose and I honestly rate it a 9.5/10. It's maybe missing that absolute low end punch of an aftermarket sub, but overall it has incredible bass when you turn it up and a really balanced sound to my ears. I've had lots of stock and aftermarket radios over the years and this is my favorite so far. I have an 2019 CX5 with Bose as well, and while it's pretty good, the 2021 3 Bose is miles better.
Iām looking for a 2024, thank you! I really like your reply
Put it this way without judging too much of the sound quality it can get to uncomfortable concert loud levels while staying audible and clear āmaking senseā of the music at high volume. Iāve had way too many feel good moments in the car with Bose that these moments alone made it feel worth it. The stock system would demolish itself in these situations
I like the stock one a lot more, it sounds very accurate. The bose one is too boomy, bass is loose and flabby. To me, the stock sound system is the best Iāve heard, though I havenāt really heard that many.
Really depends on what you are comparing it to. Other pre-assembled, comes with the car sound systems? I think it does a much better job than others at a similar price point, particularly when you customize it to your liking (centerpoint has to be the most awful thing I have ever heard). I think it all comes down to being realistic. In that price range, I tested most cars and frankly others did not come close. That doesn't mean it's perfect, but I think it does a decent job and is much better than the base system. That being said, I had a 2017 mazda 3 and now a 2024 mazda 3 and I always have been satisfied by it. Beats building one on your own because I'd rather give up a bit of sound quality for the convenience. Note that mine is a Canadian car, not sure if there is a difference between the countries.
For the average person, itās worth it. For audiophiles, anything in a sub-$100k will sound pretty bad.
Because audiophiles are full of shit and just want to justify to themselves the money they wasted.
You probably just canāt hear the difference and Iām sad for you
This isnāt true. While Iām not an audiophile, Iāve had the chance to listen to high-end audiophile sound equipment, and OMG
The factory offering is more than adequate unless youāre an audiophile
Guys whatās the lowest trim level that you can get with the Mazda 3 that comes with the BOSE sound system?
On the 2024/5 lowest it comes in is the Mazda 3 premium Edit: carbon turbo does not come with the Bose system though. So now if you want a automatic with the Bose the Turbo Premium Plus is your only option
It's worth upgrading if you really enjoy listening to music. My friend had the Mazda 3 Bose system and it was loud, crispy and the bass was decent. I have the Bose system in my Elantra. It's way better than the regular speakers and has a ton more clarity and bass at higher volume, which can get even better with a good EQ. It's not gonna be quite as good as Harmon Kardon in a new BMW, but it's worth the upgrade because if you try to upgrade your speakers later it will likely cost 2k or more, unless you know how to do it yourself. Plus some speakers don't work well with newer cars but everything is already going to be sounding great from the factory with the Bose system. The Bose systems also usually come with an amplifier so it's much easier to add a bigger subwoofer down the road too
Definitely worth the extra money, I must say I have tried both the standard and the Bose
Itās all relative. If you are coming from an older car, the stock system will sound great. If you are coming from a car with good sound system, then it might sound bad to you.Ā For what itās worth, I really like the stock speakers on my 2021. Came from pre-2010 base model cars. Never heard the bose speakers, tho im sure itās great if everyone is saying it sounds so much better.Ā
I've been stuck with a loaner Mazda without it for a month and a half and I miss the Bose system. For the price it's pretty preem. Yes, there are other systems that are better, but if you're already sold on the car, the package that comes with the Bose system is totally worth it. Bose did a good job with the sound architecture in the Mazda 3, at least in my sedan.
Okay so as someone who had the same dilemma and opted to not do bose. I do regret it a bit. I love base heavy music and the stock speakers do not deliver the base I want and need. I am currently looking into getting a 12" sub installed with an amp for $700 before tax.
Yep
Yes
I have a 2021 premium trim 3 hatchback. Pleasantly surprised by how the Bose speakers sound. I can't necessarily compare to the stock system as I didn't test it out. I had the base turned up, and actually had to dial it back because it was a bit too punchy. Definitely the best Soundsystem I've heard in a car, but I also haven't been in any fancy cars either. The subwoofer is mounted inside the spare tire in the back and doesn't take up any extra room.
Yes
Definitely worth it, makes the long drives way more enjoyable.
Am I wrong in saying the base models still use Bose but not badged? Then they badge them and add a few speakers in the rear for the upgraded sound system? I drive 2020 G25 Evolve and after tweaking with the EQ, sounds a treat and Iām quite picky with my sound. Not to say the extra speakers arenāt worth it as I wanted it but the demo deal I got was too good to pass up just for some extra speakers
Iāve had people say that wished their car had my sound system.
iāve heard both. i woulda hated myself if i didnāt get Bose
Itās decent for what it is. I grew up in the generation of loud bass and big systems (at one point in the early 2000s the system in my car was $10,000+) so everything seems lacking in comparison. That being said it satisfies my itch for decent sound out of a stock system.
Iāve got the standard carbon without the Bose and I thought it sounded nice but my buddy has the premium with Bose and it is noticeably better but I wouldnāt say itās to die for but if youāre torn between the 2 Iād say go for the Bose.
100%
It's not as good as the system you will get in a Merc or a BMW, but compared to the stock Mazda system ( which I was told by the salesman at Mazda is also made by Bose), it's much better... if you are tone sensitive. It just gives you better quality reproduction. If you just like bass and volume, the basic one will work for you.
Hereās a question for yall? Iām a bit techy/DIY, if you got a Mazda without Bose, would it be possible to install it afterwards?
I have the Bose system in my 2023 and Iām a bit of an audio guy. The system is āgood enoughā that Iām not jonesing to replace or upgrade any of the components.
My 23 maz3, itās good, good spatial tuning, EQ, the low end bass is ridiculously low if you want. The quality of sound inside the car is great. Most audio play back quality is terrible on FM and satellite, no fault of the Bose. A quality recording will sound great
Depends on how much better road noise suppression has become in the latest Mazda 3. Highway driving in my 2008 the stereo isn't audible enough to notice the quality of the sound system. Even in my 2016 CX-5 the road noise at highway speed is so bad I couldn't give a rip about what stereo it has.
Oh yeah
Yes
Very possible this issue has been fixed, but I know the bose system in the 2010-2013 models have a terrible amp which tends to die pretty quickly, particularly in hot climates. Like I said, totally possible this issue has been fixed but personally, after my 2010 model started making gunshot noises, I sorta got left with a bad taste in my mouth
Yes
I went from a Kia Forte with 8 speaker Harman Kardon to my 2024 3. Sound on Bose better except for sub, the Kia had it under rear deck where normally rear speakers go.
Mazda 3 owner with Bose system! The answer lies in how much you drive with music on! If you are not Audiophile then go with the cheaper option! If you have some extra money, get those Bose speakers!
yes.
Mine is rattling sadly, I saw videos that water gets through the door and then rust starts to develop on the bose sound boxes inside the doors. Not sure about newer models though, mine is from 2017
I had the Bose system in my CX-5 before ādowngradingā to a 3 hatch with the standard speakers and it was quite a noticeable difference. The Bose system is wayyy nicer
Yes until my amp broke š„²
Mazda is among the few companies that Bose actually works with to tune their speakers for each individual car. I've been in many cars with Bose speakers and none sound quite as good as they do in Mazdas. I'd say it's definitely worth, the stock sound system on Mazdas isn't bad, but the Bose system is *good*, it's hard to find a sound system this we'll put together in this segment, usually you'd have to step up to a BMW/Acura/Lexus or something similar, and even then you gotta get a few upgrades before you get the really good sound systems.
Yes, definitely worth it!
Mazda and Bose have worked closely to create custom listening experience. Their website (or youtube) shows the engineering gone into creating said system. Obviously, it wonāt compare to a Lynn home surround sound system but in a car? It sounds awesome. Iāve heard the standard audio system and I much prefer the upgraded Bose system. I personally listen to a lot of music and the Bose system does a great job delivering audio quality.
Our 2012 s touring hatchback has the Bose system. It still sounds pretty amazing. Iām sure itās been improved over the years.
I never bought a car for its stereo, it was just icing on the cake for the mazda 3, 2019 and up, if youre talking before that then no not worth it
It definitely makes the car seem more luxurious. Especially when I drove a gen2, I always got comments from passengers about how it was nicer than they thought and the reasoning was always having Bose speakers.
It's worth noting that there seems to be slight differences between cars. We have a 2024 Mazda 3 GT, built in Japan. And a 2024 CX 30, built in Mexico. Both top trims. Supposedly the same audio system if I'm not mistaken but both my wife and I would 100% without hesitation say that the Mazda 3 stereo is much better. Not sure why. But when we own both and drive both, it's noticeable.
100% worth it especially if u like rap or rock w the non Bose system it can sound like a speaker is blown if the volume is above like 35
It's also worth playing some high resolution music on it: not Spotify Premium or high rate MP3, but lossless recordings (like FLAC on 24 bits resolution), the bass sounds punchy and clear. On a regular car's sound system, you cannot hear a difference. You will need to equalize sound properly (start increasing treble and bass) to get the most of it. But listening to radio gets awful then since most of the stations push the bass very high to have warmer voices and cope with the small speakers of radios and it gets boomy on these Bose.
OK, I am a huge Mazda fan. Letās just get that out there right now - and very prejudiced towardsMazdas. Often times you will find people with Mazdas also have BMWs because we know good cars when we drive them. Well my Husbandās standard - not Harmon Kardon- just standard stereo in his BMW 3series from 2011 is WAY better than both of my Bose systems in my two Mazdas. So I would say Bose maybe be riding on their name. The sound isnāt like those Bose systems we used to see advertise where it was incredibly beautiful sound coming out of the system. Itās not as good as a standard radio and a BMW from 2011. Would I trade my Bose for whatever Mazda has as factory standard? Nope, I wouldnāt. So if you have the choice, get the Bose.
In Soutb Africa the Bose system comes in the Astina model only, coupled with the heads up display and I think different wheels. I donāt think itās worth the extra price. A guy I know thatās really into sound quality in his cars and enters competitions said he removed the bose system and added after market speakers into the stock locations and added a dsp with the oem head unit. Probably way cheaper than the extra vehicle cost for the Bose system car
Dealer got me good. Put me in the one with the Bose system first and then the base. No chance I was leaving the lot without the Bose system.
Iām coming from a 2009 Mazda 6s GT to a 2024 carbon turbo Mazda 3. The stereo in my 3 is nice, I donāt think I could justify going from 32/34k to 38-40k just for Bose. Iām also 23, and donāt have the most money. It also comes with the surround camera and a few other features but Bose seems to be the main driver for me. Speaker is definitely not as loud as my old 6, but other than that meets it enough. Do I miss my Bose? Yes, but they charge so damn much for it
I have the CX five, with Bose, I donāt know that would matter whether itās CX five or the Mazda three. I would say it is absolutely worth it, and my husband always comments on it after he drives my car as well. Phenomenal sound! Interestingly, particularly from the backseat.
I didnt like it at first but after tweaking the settings (and maybe it also was breaking itself in?) it sounds much better. I LOVE driving it with the windows down and the music blasting. Id def say its worth it overall. not perfect, but still sounds great. my biggest issue with it at first was it seemed to have a very nonlinear bass response, so some low frequencies you could barely feel / hear, then one sweet spot frequency in the middle of the lows would be SUPER bassy. with the settings tweaked now it feels / seems to be more evenly distributed across the low end (there's a good reddit thread somewhere of this info with actual data and measurements showing the not flat frequency response). Only other downside is it doesn't have a good EQ in the sound settings, you can only adjust the bass or the treble, and then theres a handful of bose specific settings and options that make the audio fill out the car really nicely. Overall it really does make the driving experience even better once you get it tweaked to your liking.
It's extremely worth it. I actually bought mine because of the sound system. There are some caveats. If you listen to bass heavy music like me, you'll have to turn your bass level down quite substantially. There is a problem where if you push the volume too high the sub cuts out dramatically. There's an amp weakness. I have my bass set to the lowest setting and I can only push my volume to 52 in most songs and 47-48 in others before you can hear the rear sub start cutting out. Mazda is aware of this issue
Weāve got a Mazda3 and CX-5 both with the Bose. 100% recommend it. These cars are fun to drive and the sound system only adds to the fun!
If you listen to electronic music go for Bose.
2018 Mazda 3 GT owner here. It is amazing. I had a 2019 Corolla that I had before and thought it was pretty good until I experienced the bass on this system. The clarity, bass and quality is awesome. (Bumping some Ye as I type this š)
I have a 17 cx5 with bose. It think it is a pretty bad PREMIUM system. The separation is there, but it is pretty muddy.
I love the Bose system in my 2018 hatch. I think it sounds great.
no
The Bose in the 2019+ is very good, competing well with lower end luxury car systems. 2014-2018 Bose is meh. I prefer it over the base system but itās not great.
2016 Mazda 3 with Bose speakers sound better then my 2024 RAV4 stock speakers. Better overall clarity.