Bose Car audio vs USB Audio Player Pro app

[Earwax]

I tested my 2023 Mazda 3 hatchback AWD Turbo Bose sound system with all sound modes turned off ,USB with USB drive flac files on it against my Galaxy A52 with flac files AND the USB Audio Player Pro app installed.

Plugged my A52 into the USB port and the android auto allowed me to select the app, the improvement in clarity was noticeable guessing around 15% or higher.

Using And Justice For All song by Metallica I could easily hear some of the Guitar sections had more charge/ Clarity and others had more separation in the finer details of the upper highs.

Honestly I was a bit surprised a cell phone app could beat Bose programming you would think they would do a firmware update to offer both analog and digital options for music play back.

I`m guessing that is the difference as the Bose using a USB drive only had a more smoothed out sound with deeper bass.

I enjoy DETAILS what's up with BOSE muffling our music experience ????

 

[Chrispy]

Your other thread was fine. As I asked there, how do you define "clarity" let alone measure it? I'm still betting on level difference (unless you do not have them setup the same for output)

 

[Earwax]

Your other thread was fine. As I asked there, how do you define "clarity" let alone measure it? I'm still betting on level difference (unless you do not have them setup the same for output)

I`m measuring with my ears it`s easy :]

 

[Earwax]

Also I`m not familiar about what a Level difference is referring to ?

Can you break that down for me ?

 

[Chrispy]

Not all sources output the same level nor does all gear have the same input sensitivity, so you need to level match when comparing. Your ears can be fooled by minute differences in level.

 

[nerdstrike]

I agree on loudness likely being a factor. My car's DAB radio mode is very loud compared with playback from a USB stick, and I have no control at all over it. USB audio player pro lets you adjust volume digitally before it goes to the DAC.

Bose also implies some sort of upmixing can occur to make use of all the speakers (specifically a sub if you have one). There might be differences between source configurations.

 

[Earwax]

Not all sources output the same level nor does all gear have the same input sensitivity, so you need to level match when comparing. Your ears can be fooled by minute differences in level.

Would a simple dB meter on my cellphone using a quality grade mic be enough?

 

[Chrispy]

Would a simple dB meter on my cellphone using a quality grade mic be enough?

Maybe, better to check electrically which could be difficult in a car system, but you might get closer at least.

 

[DVDdoug]

Would a simple dB meter on my cellphone using a quality grade mic be enough?

Yes. Use a test-tone. It doesn't have to be accurate it just has to be repeatable. If it's 6dB off, so what?

But be aware that the placebo effect can be strong, even with experienced listeners. The placebo effect can be eliminated with a blind ABX test. You can't be biased if you don't know what you're listening to. I'm not saying you HAVE to do a blind listening test... You'd need someone helping you and it also has to be reliably repeatable so it takes some time.

But you can't trust your ears in sighted tests. Even Amir has fooled himself.

And when you say "clarity" we don't know what that is. Maybe you just can't describe what you're hearing, or it could be your imagination. With electronics there are actually only 3 sound quality characteristics - Noise, frequency response, and distortion. With speakers in a room (or in a car) it gets a bit more complicated. (See Audiophoolery.) You didn't say "no bass" or anything related to frequency response, and if you were hearing noise (hum or hiss, etc.) you would have said that too. So it could be distortion but that's also unlikely.

 

[Earwax]

Thank you for the replies they are all very helpful and educational...

I'm a bit confused about digital sound systems with there own signature sound...

I stand by my Polk at Bose though I very much enjoy there signature sound for as mainstream and wealthy as they are how about some freedom give us the dam pure analog option in the sound settings dam seriously stupid easy for them simple firmware update done. ???

A pure analog mode unadulterated would give us the option to hear the music closer to what the artist intended.

I want pure lossless music, thank you.

The audience of audiophile's, if you builds it they will buy.

 

[Chrispy]

Thank you for the replies they are all very helpful and educational...

I'm a bit confused about digital sound systems with there own signature sound...

I stand by my Polk at Bose though I very much enjoy there signature sound for as mainstream and wealthy as they are how about some freedom give us the dam pure analog option in the sound settings dam seriously stupid easy for them simple firmware update done. ???

A pure analog mode unadulterated would give us the option to hear the music closer to what the artist intended.

I want pure lossless music, thank you.

The audience of audiophile's, if you builds it they will buy.

What signature sound for digital systems?

Pure analog in recordings these days is relatively rare in any case, most are using digital recording. Lossless digital files are easy enough, tho. Some audiophiles buy into the silliest of gear, tho.

 

[Earwax]

If anyone is looking for fun research watch a few of these.

I`m sure Bose reps snoop all over the net searching for subjects to attack so just keep in mind no sense to reply to some posts.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bose+exposed

 

[Chrispy]

If anyone is looking for fun research watch a few of these.

I`m sure Bose reps snoop all over the net searching for subjects to attack so just keep in mind no sense to reply to some posts.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bose+exposed

Watching videos from various questionable sources isn't particularly my idea of fun What is the general gist besides the usual no highs no lows, it's bose kinda thing?