Audio Systems: car speakers, professional audio engineer, gm models

Question
Are bose car speakers better than after market speakers. I have a 2008 tahoe with a bose sytem, but need more sound. Plan on installing a EQ and amp to inside speakers.

Answer
Speaker sound quality is purely subjective.
However, in the case of technical standards, Bose is a non-conformist.  They do not maintain the same voltage levels and impedance requirements for input/output characteristics.  There systems are, therefore, non - compatible with everyone else.

So, as a general rule you cannot mix other products with Bose systems.  Most consumers find they must gut out a Bose system right down the bare wires and replace everything to upgrade.

The exception to this rule a one who is technically equipped with know-how on how to manage the different interface requirements and make technical adjustments - by adding voltage droppers or boosters, etc. - in order to make things go together.

If you are adding an EQ to an existing Bose system better make certain it will be compatible with a Bose system.  Most Bose systems us an interface voltage of around 2.5 volts ac whereas the conforming systems use 1.0 volt or less.  In many of GM models the power amplifier to each speaker is built right in the frame of the speaker basket and a relatively high audio voltage goes out to feed it.  But, I don't know for sure how the 08 Tahoe is configured.

Now, are Bose better?  Obviously, some people think so - like the product engineers at the car makers who use Bose systems.  My own experience is they are OK.  For home systems they are very inferior to others.  But, that is my personal opinion - as a professional audio engineer who has conducted objective as well as listening tests on Bose systems compared with others.

If you don't like what you hear then you have every right to upgrade.  This is America!  But, in the case of Bose, be prepared to find it somewhat more difficult to do so then with other makers.  See this discussion where the correspondents are claiming weak sound:

http://www.chevroletforum.com/m_34779/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm

Final comment:  Bose designs there systems close to the performance edge. If you are adding the EQ for more bass, for example, don't expect to get much more help out of it.  If you want more sound, better bass response, etc., you might be better off to gut the Bose stuff out and get into better high end audio.   Go to www.crutchfield.com and plow through their "outfitmycar" to find out what fits your Tahoe.  Doing so will give you speaker sizing and head unit slot size, etc.  Bose systems often use 1 or 2 ohm speakers, too.

Wish I had a more simple answer for you.

C