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Non-Bose audio

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#2 · (Edited)
Bose doesn't do business in the US anymore. There are a number of decent brands in HUs, speakers and sound conditioning. A critical ear is rarely happy with car audio.
 
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#3 ·
slimm1469 said:
Bose doesn't do business in the US anymore. There are a number of decent brands in HUs, speakers and sound conditioning. A critical ear is rarely happy with car audio.
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Not sure what you mean in bold, Honda is doing business with them (several Touring models in their lineup have the Bose sound system), as well as several other brands in U.S.... the rest could be true, but Honda was about one of the worst mainstream manufacturers when it comes to audio quality for their higher trim cars before Bose (I'm not counting their Acuras, of course, which could sound amazing (and cost more $$$) if they had the ELS systems).

The Bose system in 11G that I listened to on my test drive was impressive as CajunTouring mentioned. I do want to say though, for whatever reasons, the audio system in the other Accord models in recent years, including and especially the 10G Accord Touring, have been subpar in my opinion. For instance, the EX-L I had in 9G, in my memory, sounded better. Hell, even the sound system in the 7G LX I had sounded halfway decent and was pretty good for what it was. With that said, Honda could have tuned the audio in the rest of the lineup for the better in 11th G, but I highly doubt it.
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
CajunTouring said:
You might be thinking of the 10 speaker system in the 10th gen EX-L and Touring. It was the standard 8 speaker setup from the other trims but added a front center channel and rear sub. It wasn't very good though. I have to imagine the only stereo that will sound good in the 2023 is the Bose system found in the Touring trim which is a shame b/c I'm sure others would have paid a premium to get it in their lower trims.
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Yes I was looking at the EX-L which is what I'm planning to buy. I had a 02 Accord bought in 01. I remember the first thing I did was to replace the four speakers it came with. It was quite simple on that car but I'm assuming it won't be that simple on the 23.
 
#8 ·
griffinthedog said:
How does the audio sound on the non-bose systems ? Does it sound good enough for a discerning listener ?
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Tried both the Bose system and the 8 speaker version. The Bose takes the prize and is one of the best sounding stock Honda systems I've ever listened too. It's IMHO better than the non ELS system on the lower end TLX. (The TLX ELS smokes the Accord Bose of course) The 8 speaker version is pretty basic sounding, but it's clearer sounding and the bass is close to the subwoofer equipped 9th gen V6 Touring that I have which IMHO isn't that great.
 
#9 ·
I listened to the audio in a 2023 Accord Hybrid Sport and thought the audio was much improved over the 10th generation. I have a touring in the 10th gen and the audio in it and my 16 Pilot suck. My 7th gen accord has a stock unit I think made by Clarion with stock speakers that still sounds better than these prior gen Accord stereos. They definitely changed the head units since 10th gen. I did not get a chance to see or listen to a 11th Gen Touring unit but can imagine it sounds even better. I think you will be happy with the audio sound in the 11th Gen. Just remember they dropped the Xm radio in this Gen model.
 
#10 ·
I tend to believe the Bose audio appearing in Hondas is due to the recent GM/Honda partnership as GM has been utilizing Bose systems for decades. It is very decent for what it is.

I think items such as premium audio should be available as a separate option on any trim. Other makes do this.
 
#11 ·
Liv4snow said:
I listened to the audio in a 2023 Accord Hybrid Sport and thought the audio was much improved over the 10th generation. I have a touring in the 10th gen and the audio in it and my 16 Pilot suck. My 7th gen accord has a stock unit I think made by Clarion with stock speakers that still sounds better than these prior gen Accord stereos. They definitely changed the head units since 10th gen. I did not get a chance to see or listen to a 11th Gen Touring unit but can imagine it sounds even better. I think you will be happy with the audio sound in the 11th Gen. Just remember they dropped the Xm radio in this Gen model.
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I have the 23 Touring and was a little concerned about them dropping XM but you can still stream xm if you buy the 9.99/mo package for streaming only or stream if you have a family subscription on another vehicle in your household. Its not as great as having it built in but its an option. I havent had very many issues streaming it except in a few spots where it buffered for a few sec when losing my Tmobile cell signal. The Bose system is much better than the other one in the other trim levels as i listened to both but its still not great. It hardly has any base. Now i did come from a 19 speaker HK system with amp and sub setup in my Durango so i knew i was taking a step back. I might look into aftermarket speaker/amp/sub at some point but for now it will be fine.
 
#12 ·
Kryder said:
I have the 23 Touring and was a little concerned about them dropping XM but you can still stream xm if you buy the 9.99/mo package for streaming only or stream if you have a family subscription on another vehicle in your household. Its not as great as having it built in but its an option. I havent had very many issues streaming it except in a few spots where it buffered for a few sec when losing my Tmobile cell signal. The Bose system is much better than the other one in the other trim levels as i listened to both but its still not great. It hardly has any base. Now i did come from a 19 speaker HK system with amp and sub setup in my Durango so i knew i was taking a step back. I might look into aftermarket speaker/amp/sub at some point but for now it will be fine.
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A sub will help the Bose system immensely. I just had a 10 inch JL Audio sub added and now I think the Bose system is enjoyable.
 
#14 ·
With the Touring did you
Splashman24 said:
A sub will help the Bose system immensely. I just had a 10 inch JL Audio sub added and now I think the Bose system is enjoyable.
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With the Touring did you replace the subwoofer or add to it? I'm looking at adding a subwoofer to my 8-speaker (no subwoofer) system to get me the bass that it is seriously lacking.

JL Audio HO110-W6v3 is what I'm looking to install.
Image
 
#15 ·
Splashman24 said:
A sub will help the Bose system immensely. I just had a 10 inch JL Audio sub added and now I think the Bose system is enjoyable.
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Added on top of the sub that supposedly came with the car or removed oem sib and replaced? I read that others replaced sub and were still disappointed cause factory amp wasnt enough to allow it really make a difference.
 
#16 ·
Kryder said:
Added on top of the sub that supposedly came with the car or removed oem sib and replaced? I read that others replaced sub and were still disappointed cause factory amp wasnt enough to allow it really make a difference.
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I added a sub and amp. Left the original sub. Also had the shop add material to deaden vibrations from the rear shelf.
 
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