i wish i had the bose or some more speakers in the car, it's got decent sound in it, but just needs a few more speakers or something. the old aurora we had didn't have the bose system, but it had speakers in all the doors unlike the gp and i think that made a big difference in sound.

I think they are the best "factory" speakers I've ever had in a car.

When I got my HU installed, the guys at the installation shop were very impressed as well. They said the speakers in the doors were mounted at the perfect angles, and the sound from the speakers was excellent. They said it's amazing how far auto companies have come with their audio systems in the past ten years. They are rivaling after market systems for sound quality in some cases.

That's why I'm in no hurry to change mine out.

I dont have the bose speakers in my car but the ones I have sound pretty damn good. I think their better than the 4 inch and 6x9 clarion speakers that I had in my cavalier.

These stock ones are nice, but I can never resist some good ol fashioned Alpine speakers

you're better off w/o the BOSE if you ever plan to change your speakers, etc out

You can change the speakers out fine, it's the HU you'll have problems with, actually it's the BOSE wiring harness that will be giving you the problems.

I have the BOSE, and as an audiophile it was not enough, so I upgraded the HU and bypased the BOSE amp, the difference was night and day, I kept the BOSE speakers because they sound very well and they are not overwhelmed by the RF subs, the radio was by far the best upgrade I have ever done on my car, the wiring was a little challenging but if you have the schematic is relatively easy, the reward is great sound that doesn`t break the bank!

You're forgetting about the two tweeters on the doors, which makes it 8 speakers...

Did the '97's have the tweeters in the doors?

Yes the BOSE speakers are excellent and the clarity of the sound is great. But my system's BASS is not to my liking, I guess that's the AMP's fault. Plus not being able to put an AUX input into it is really a minus. I bought an XM Skyfi radio and the only thing I could do is use an FM Modulator, which is terrible. I think the Monsoon is a MUCH better system by far. More volume, more BASS and can definitely use an AUX input.

BTW, how do you count the number of speakers? I'm not a stereo person, but I have two large Subs I guess in the rear, each seeming to have 2 speakers in each. Two tweeters in the front doors and two real little ones on the corner of the front door windows. I guess those are speakers? So that is 6, unless you count the tiny ones 8?

Yes, the bass is poor, but with a HU upgrade and some subs, it's really a great system.

FYI I found this link by Edmonds. Granted, a lot of the sound depends on the shape of the car cabin, and the actual speakers used, but they ranked the Audi A4 BOSE system ahead of the Monsoon system in the VW Passat

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/100987/article.html

2 6x9's in the rear deck
2 4" also in the rear deck
2 mid range in the doors
2 tweeters also in the door
8 total number of speakers in the car for a BOSE system.

I just bought some Eclipse 5 1/4" speakers today to replace the stockers up front, and I'll be buying some kenwoods for the back pretty soon.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the list is in no particular order