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I read a review of Bose Acoustimass loudspeakers (their compact subwoofer/satellite system that has been their bread-and-butter for years) by a reputable magazine, and here's what they found: The response was +/- 14 db from 50hz to 11khz. This is as miserable of a response as can be! The human ear hears from 20hz to ~20khz, and a normal loudspeaker system covers most of that within +/- 3db tolerances. Higher end speakers (in Bose's price range) are even better. 10db is the equivelant to doubling the volume.
What this means is that Bose speakers are not playing music as it is meant to be heard. Instead it emphisizes certain "spikes" of frequencies of bass or treble, without naturally reproducing the recording. This may sound good on its own, but if you compared the Bose speakers directly to a nother pair, you'd realize, "Oh, that's what this recording is supposed to sound like." You'll also notice that Bose speakers typically don't extend nearly as high or low in the audio spectrum, so some sounds aren't even reproduced.
Bose owners swear by them though, and that's why Bose is known for "Better Sound Through Marketing". Check out hometheaterforum.com for more; this is off topic and that's a great forum for this stuff, and there is already a wealth of information over there.
To my ear, what Bose does do well is keep distortion down by using clean amplifiers. They also use active equilization in their amps to compensate for their own inept speakers, which makes their car systems sound a little better. Still, Bose sucks, especially for the outrageous prices they charge :-)
The side notes on the Civic were a laugh (it ranked 4th, after the Corolla, Elantra and Protoge). "A first for Honda, a loser!" LOL!
Mazda6 wagon is so much better looking!
and we will see this Euro-style suspension carry over unchanged in the U.S Mazda6's!!! thank you Mazda!
I'm looking forward to checking out the Mazda 6 at the lot. I've been anticipating this for a little while. Like to see firm dates on the '6' Hatch's US debut.
Does any know where or why mazda is hiding the 6.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to read the review.
“Everyone” wants soft, squishy suspensions made to soak up bumps; rides and interiors that isolate drivers from the world around them, particularly those nasty pavement undulations coming through the steering wheel and the seat of the pants that some of us refer to as “road feel”; and heavy, torque-sapping automatic transmissions that muffle shifts so completely you don’t even know anything’s happening down there under the transmission hump.
“A lot of people won’t like this,” said Kelvin Hiraishi, director of research and development engineering. “That’s fine with us; this car isn’t for everyone.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's good to hear
Can you say Zoom-Zoom-Zoom?
Dinu
maybe they can 'techno-fy' the "Zoom Zoom Zoom" song to make it more aggressive???
and yeah, they should get rid of that 'zoom zoom' kid before he grows up and get beat up as a teenager in middle school
Ya, if it was for everyone, it wouldn't be for me.
Some days, a plush ride and no input is a welcome non-existance...but on the average day, I want a response when I press the gas, input when I grip the wheel, and an idea of where my car is on the road as I toss it into a turn.
That is what I instantly loved when I first drove a BMW...feedback, feedback, feedback...something too many Americanized cars lacked, and one of the reasons why the Elantra GT is selling so well (a good selling hatch in America?) because it retained the taught suspension of its Euro-siblings...
I am anxious to actually drive one of these cars. Still among a short list of top choices.
Currently...my list is widely ranging, depending on a few factors (promotion, book deal, etc):
Hyundai Elantra GT Hatch (leather, options, low price...lame automatic saps power, suspicious safety record with Highway Loss Data Institute.)
Honda Civic HX CVT (lacking 2 essential doors and about 40 hp, but adds in a smooth tranny and super gas mileage in a fairly reliable and not completely undesired ride)
Mazda 6i (4-cyl?) Sedan (good looks, perhaps the mix of BMW spunk at Accord prices.)
Mini Cooper S (lacking 2 essential doors and an automatic tranny option. Instant appeal as a boutique car with go cart handling, niche and up-market appeal...might be too small...worried about crash worthiness in an SUV world)
Mazda 6s (V6) Hatch or Wagon (worth the wait? Will have some insight to engine performance, nice possible mix of utilitarianism and road manners...price issues?)
Subaru Impreza Wagon TS (165 hp, AWD, so so mpg, compact, but usable space...unusual look...70% of WRX performance at 75% the price.)
VW Jetta GL 1.8T Wagon (decent power, upscale interior, built in Mexico - major bummer)
VW Passat GL 1.8T Wagon or Sedan (decent power, more room, built in Germany, getting pricey)
Anything beyond $25k is a toss up. Too many cars come into the market at that price point.
Dealers must be hurting. The Mazda dealers in my area are out of mid-sized cars to sell now. All the 626 and Millenias have disappeared from their inventory.
We've waited this long.....
My car buying factors run in circles.
I am single, no children, don't need to tow, haul, and don't off-road. (No SUV on my shopping list)
I value, in no particular order, performance, comfort, handling, convenience, style. (They have an order, but it changes from week to week)
I want my next car to be a permanent addition, as opposed to a 2-year turn around, and it should have good reliability, good mileage, and hold up.
I can drive a manual, but prefer a smooth auto at this point because of long city commutes and bad knees and back. (My current car, a 318ti is a great vehicle...but the manual is driving me nuts after about 15 minutes in traffic.)
I prefer a little utility (hatch/wagon) and 4-doors over 2...but can still be convinced to consider a 2-door if the right intangibles are being satisfied (Hence the Honda HX and Mini Cooper.)
In other words...I still need to drive a few cars, narrow it down. Luckily, my current car is doing just fine, in no need of immediate replacement...I have more time than money, so I can test the 6 sedan...and maybe hold out for the hatch or wagon...but I do find myself getting very tired of driving my stick at 5-10 mph for 80 minutes a day.
Most days I try to bike commute or bus it...
I am now the happy owner of a VERY reliable P5 - great car! Looking forward to the 6!!
VWs seem to run hot and cold for people. I have owned a VW, as have some friends. I definately think the Mexico/South America models are ones to avoid (was mighty unhappy to hear that they moved the Golf production to the Americas) and if it wasn't for some minor worries about turbo abusers, I would consider a slightly used Passat.
I am in no hurry (other than getting restless in traffic) to jump into a car. So, I am willing to wait it out...but I did almost pull the trigger on a Mini. Just didn't have the job security to make it all go ATM. Hence the Hyundai Elantra GT.
I am excited to test the 6. Need to retest an Impreza (been a few years) and then drive a Passat. These are the three main players in the under $24k range. Problem is, I want to stay south of $20k if I can...and the Subie - 6 face-off may be the way to go...reliability for both seem to be historically good. Although Mazda resale has me a bit concerned...
Way I see it, VW has the appeal on resale that makes up for the nickling defects and repairs. Mazda gives you a more trouble-free ride, but you pay it out at the end of the ownership experience in lost residuals...
Maybe the 6 will carry better?
maintainance for 2 years: $800
repair: $650 (clutch)
Gas mileage: a disappointing 23-26 mpg
residual lost: $2800 according to the Black Book.
That is how the cookie crumbles...nickle here, $600 dollars there...a little depreciation...and at the end...a car you either have enjoyed owning or have hated the whole time. I have enjoyed my 318, but am ready to go back to the slush box.
Take a look at the Honduh and Toyopet dealers and you'll see lots of them too! Even Subaru, Kia, VW, BMW...
We have 3.5+ million people in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) if not more and we are scaterred from Oshawa to Hamilton and north to Barrie, so lots of dealers are needed.
Dinu
Toronto 4,682,897.
This is for the Greater Toronto Area, but more and more people commute from outside this area, from the Golden Horsehoe (area b/w Oshawa and Hamilton/Niagara), so more people should be included IMO.
I do know we have one of the busiest stretches of highway in NA on the 401 in Toronto...
Dinu
In 2001 census , Toronto was 5.1 million, was 4.6 in 1996 (Smaller than Mexico City, LA, Chicago, NY). I don't understand why these "greater areas"/bedroom lookalike towns that are way out of the way are counted as any part of these cities nowadays though. Its not like they have anything in common with the real city/A burb is a burb.
Highway 401 in Toronto is the second most travelled highway in North America at 900,000 trips daily (Santa Monica freeway in CA is first).
Links to relevant photos on other sites are welcome, as long as the host site does not mind.
I'm sorry, but I had to remove the recent posting of a photo, but I hope we will see a repost with a link to the photo instead.
Thanks.
Pat
Sedans Host
Speaking of which, I stopped at my local Mazda dealers (Morries for the those of you among the 3.5 million here from the Twin Cities)and was looking at used 2001 Pro5's. These were low mileage, late model previously owned cars (and no the Common Man did not tell me to drop on by)that were in pretty good shape.
Except for the plastainium, which was strached and realy rough looking. My suspision is that scratches show up more on the platianium because it allows the black to show through. This would be similar to what CAR reported on their long-term Civic Si Type-R interior. If the same stuff is used (in greater quanties)in the Mazda6, I'd expect similar results. Maybe I'll have to get that wood stuff they sell on the JDM web page?
Has anyone noticed that on the back cover of the latest booklet from mazda6insider that the tire size in the photo is 215/45R17. The 6 info I've seen only lists 205/60R16 and 215/50R17.
was Kimberly working........
Pro5, go new....
I looked at Millenias today whilst asking salesman at Moterwerks in Blmgtn when the 6 would come in and of course he was pushing the Millenias......
I just don't like the Millenia, too female of a car.....
The 6 cannot come soon enough...took a Maxima 6 speed out for a drive...love the power but the rest of the car is merely ok......bring on the 6 so i can compare.....
http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=831716
Some Mazdaspeed Proteges (thanks for correcting me Mazda6s) and some Mazda 6s.