I haven't recieved my fd yet, but from knowing that it has a aftermarket stereo/speakers, being a touring model with BOSE stereo system stock. Why do people upgrade? Or downgrade from stock? Is BOSE not the same quality company you hear today?

 

I think they are overconcerned with the amount if space that the wave system requires.

 

Bose is the same company. But the FD's sound system is 20 year old technology. It's like comparing a Nintendo game boy vs a Nintendo DS. Also, the original replacement parts were pricey compared to unversal parts.

 

as long as the speakers aren't blown it should sound really nice. As you said, Bose is high quality stuff. 20 years old or not it was top of the line. I wouldn't waste money on changing the audio if it's in working order.

 

Not an audiophile, but as I understand it the wave system and the room it takes up in the hatch is one factor. The other factor is that all the speakers were individually amp'd. Being 20+ years old now, issues arise and I'm not sure there's much support or parts available. If you go to the Interior / Exterior / Audio - RX7Club.com section and search you might find more information. But it sounds like it's a PITA to fix.
The Base and R models came with a more traditional system, with a 5 speaker set-up, including speakers directly behind the driver and passenger which are much easier to upgrade with modern components....and it doesn't take up 2/3 of the hatch area. The down-side is that you'll have to source the speaker brackets and grilles that fit in the inside of the 'B' pillars behind the seats.

 

I upgraded mine because the speakers were made out of 20+ year old paper cones and the amps...they were pretty much toast as well.
I put an Alpine amp in the back to power everything, including the 6.5" sub that replaced the stock speaker in the snake, then swapped the door speakers out for something nice (all Focal, including the sub). It still looks near stock, but sounds much better. The dash speaker is now a Flypod.

I actually kinda like the snake.

 

I got the Bose wavy system but can't compare cause my FD came with an aftermarket sound system already.

 

Here's a picture of my 20 year old OEM speaker. Not even Bose could make this thing sound good.

 

Hey! How'd you get a pic of my old speaker?

Well, at least it matches the rest of the FD interior's theme. BRITTLE







.

 

As many others have said, between the degradation of the speaker materials and the older technology, your best to go with some new stuff. my rear speakers were very rotten...

 

Ok, now I see. I was thinking it was made out of the newer stuff. But seeing those pictures I can see that there was not such a difference in a Bose speaker and anything else you found in that era. So now I know im not missing out in anything from having aftermaket components.