Bose Audio: Brief Review & Solution for Boomy Bass
Forget the sound processing, it is terrible as it alters the tonal balance, and makes mid range hollow.
High/mid is a little rough but totally acceptable consider the modest cost of this system. The bass is boomy and is much improved by lowering rear seats' backs. Whether because of space or esthetic issues, the bass reflex ports come out right behind the rear seats' backs!! This creates a nice boomy chamber that degrades definition & tightness of the mid bass. All in my very humble opinions of course.
I have not had time to really play with the system, but for my ears, neutral setting with the rear seats' backs down is best. The bass is still a little generous but I love it because I tend to listen to UB40 when I drive.
I prefer the soundfield (voice/instruments) to be a little more towards the front (meaning voice appearing to come from more towards the front windshield area) than is the default speakers setup and setting of this Bose system. I played with the fader but was not happy with the result, and therefore have left fader setting at default (middle). It appears (correct me if I am wrong) that the bass comes out more from the back speakers and if you adjust fader , you actually do not just bring the soundstage to front but alters the tonal balance as well. (Again, someone corrects me if I am wrong.)
I am very happy with this option and highly recommend it. Don't expect the high resolution, pristine mid/high of an ultra expensive aftermarket mod or high end home audio system, then you will be happy too. For the record, I have not listened to the base system.