Bose for Macan
Racer
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 347
Likes: 183
I'm strongly leaning into the idea of a factory order on a 2026 Macan S. So, today was my work to have a short drive (which was great) and to figure out if the BOSE would work for me.
As a TLDR Summary: much like the OP of this thread, I was impressed (kind of blown away) by the BOSE. Now I am strongly leaning to NOT hearing the Macan Burmester--and instead enjoy putting an extra $4K in my pocket.
Details: I drove to the dealership in my 2020 MB S560 with the standard Burmester. It's a very clear system--even at or near the top of the volume range. It has an equally poor user EQ--which I have set with +1 or +2 Bass, the rest flat, and the Surround OFF.
My first impression of the BOSE was it had MORE power than my MB Burmester. (I also set the Macan EQ flat with Surround OFF.) The clarity was excellent--and on par with my MB.
I have BOSE in my 2025 Cayman GTS and also a 2022 Spyder--being kind, it ain't great in those cars--at best, it's tolerable.
The top 2 car systems I've ever had:
I'll plan on one more Macan S drive before I would order. If I end up hearing the Burmester and/or otherwise changing my BOSE opinion, I'll post up on it here. For now, Porsche is still going to 'win', because I'll spend $3K of my savings to add PSE...which at times, is the most important soundtrack.
As a TLDR Summary: much like the OP of this thread, I was impressed (kind of blown away) by the BOSE. Now I am strongly leaning to NOT hearing the Macan Burmester--and instead enjoy putting an extra $4K in my pocket.
Details: I drove to the dealership in my 2020 MB S560 with the standard Burmester. It's a very clear system--even at or near the top of the volume range. It has an equally poor user EQ--which I have set with +1 or +2 Bass, the rest flat, and the Surround OFF.
My first impression of the BOSE was it had MORE power than my MB Burmester. (I also set the Macan EQ flat with Surround OFF.) The clarity was excellent--and on par with my MB.
I have BOSE in my 2025 Cayman GTS and also a 2022 Spyder--being kind, it ain't great in those cars--at best, it's tolerable.
The top 2 car systems I've ever had:
- 2018 Volvo V90 with B&W--exceptional overall, but had a too-frequently-occurring low-frequency hell rattle which the techs could NEVER remedy.
- 2013 BMW 550i with B&O--and a pop-up center dash tweeter. It had a very infrequent buzz / rattle in that tweeter...but was never present if the volume was 75% or lower.
I'll plan on one more Macan S drive before I would order. If I end up hearing the Burmester and/or otherwise changing my BOSE opinion, I'll post up on it here. For now, Porsche is still going to 'win', because I'll spend $3K of my savings to add PSE...which at times, is the most important soundtrack.
If you're tempted by the Burmeister system, save the $5k difference and spend it on aftermarket speaker and amp upgrades. The money will go a LOT farther.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 104
Likes: 92
From: Bay Area, CA
The only issue with the Macan Bose system, which can be set relatively neutral using the controls in the PCM menu, is headroom and the ability to play clean at levels over 103dB. Outside of that, I've found it to be a nice sounding system... certainly one of the better ones installed in a car.
If you're tempted by the Burmeister system, save the $5k difference and spend it on aftermarket speaker and amp upgrades. The money will go a LOT farther.
If you're tempted by the Burmeister system, save the $5k difference and spend it on aftermarket speaker and amp upgrades. The money will go a LOT farther.
I have always questioned how much of a difference higher fidelity in the high and middle frequency ranges makes when listening to music streamed on Spotify while driving on the highway with the HVAC on.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 29
From: Kansas
I personally think the Bose is fine in my Macan. I had to tweak the Bose specific sound settings (namely turn off the "audiophile" setting that disabled the EQ) before I was happy with it. I'm running +1 on the bass and it sounds pretty good to my ears.
