Any one tried Bongiovi Acoustics DPS??

[digitalrain]

CrankyOldMan, Thanks very much for taking the time to get your Bongiovi set up and also for sharing the experience of how your liked the sound coming out of it. I just got my new Yaris a couple weeks ago and after reading your comments I'm thinking of holding off on making the addition of the Bongiovi hardware. I'm looking into other options, like the SRS iWOW etc.

Any recent changes in your opinion of the system?

TIA

Originally Posted by CrankyOldMan

No offense taken. =) I hadn't really considered using that as a test, I just popped in some discs of what I like to listen to and tried to pick which EQ was the most pleasing. Perhaps I should pull out something less synthetic? I'm thinking perhaps Abbey Road or Sgt. Pepper would be a nice start.

I've seen Clapton in concert, but the acoustics from the nosebleed section of the sports venue were crap. Most of what I listen to is electronica/sampled/difficult to reproduce 1:1 live, so there isn't much point in comparing against live recordings.

[CrankyOldMan]

Originally Posted by digitalrain

Any recent changes in your opinion of the system?

I still haven't gotten around to disconnecting the DPS box, but there is one overall thing that keeps bugging me: flexibility. As much as I want to recommend this gadget, I can't help but thinking that a $50 head unit with 4-5 preset EQ settings--or even a $100 10-band EQ box--would be a more flexible alternative.
The overall sound quality does seem to be good (when stationary) but the road noise of the Yaris really kills the details that you would otherwise hear when parked.

So for now, my recommendation is as follows:

- If you want the ability to tweak the EQ to suit different recordings, or don't have $400+ to spend on it, buy an aftermarket head unit or EQ.

- If you want to keep the OEM look for aesthetics/security purposes and don't mind the lack of flexibility (or you only listen to one radio station or album) and have the money to spend, then by all means, go for it.

Oh, and then there's speakers. I haven't done anything with mine yet, but may swap them out in the next few weeks. That could be another huge game changer since the OE ones are craptastic.

[digitalrain]

I noticed the road noise as well. Coming from a 2005 Echo, the wind noise in front of the windshield was really apparent.
It's telling when you listen to the CD on the highway at 70mph and then come to a stop, the sound level seems pretty high at rest.

I really like the way you go about looking at different solutions, you are not set that one way is going to be the end all, be all for everyone.

It would be great if they had a factory unit with built in EQ for even a little more control of the levels.

With the speakers placed right beside the left foot or right foot if some one is in the passenger side. I don't know if we could ever get great sound. I have a clutch so my leg will always cover the drivers side speaker... If I had an auto I could keep my leg more vertical to stay away from directly blocking the speaker.

Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts !

Originally Posted by CrankyOldMan

I still haven't gotten around to disconnecting the DPS box, but there is one overall thing that keeps bugging me: flexibility. As much as I want to recommend this gadget, I can't help but thinking that a $50 head unit with 4-5 preset EQ settings--or even a $100 10-band EQ box--would be a more flexible alternative.
The overall sound quality does seem to be good (when stationary) but the road noise of the Yaris really kills the details that you would otherwise hear when parked.

So for now, my recommendation is as follows:

- If you want the ability to tweak the EQ to suit different recordings, or don't have $400+ to spend on it, buy an aftermarket head unit or EQ.

- If you want to keep the OEM look for aesthetics/security purposes and don't mind the lack of flexibility (or you only listen to one radio station or album) and have the money to spend, then by all means, go for it.

Oh, and then there's speakers. I haven't done anything with mine yet, but may swap them out in the next few weeks. That could be another huge game changer since the OE ones are craptastic.