2024 Mazda 3 Sedan - Bose 12-speaker Sound System Review

[@glorifiedbusdriver7036]

For those who feel like the bass is not deep enough, setting it on "all seats" and the Bose Centerpoint on 1 does make it a tad deeper. Personally I think this system is best as it is. Stock EQ. Like Charlie said, it's so good I didn't wanna get out of the car 😂

[@jakedrake99]

I just turn centerpoint off and the bass comes through exactly as intended :)

[@glorifiedbusdriver7036]

@@jakedrake99 Exactly how I like it!

[@karolbelt8353]

I turned the bose centerpoint to "0". I noticed one thing. In the CX-60 with the bose system i have always the centerpoint on "1" and the deep effect and bass was really good.But in Mazda 3 the centerpoint very often cut the bass

[@Cynersi]

@@karolbelt8353 pretty sure the sedan does not have the rear woofer in the spare tire area

[@OwenDavis-q9o]

@@Cynersi correct, the woofer in the sedan is mounted to the top of the trunk

[@adrianblancas98]

I’ve owned a 2022 Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus HB for about 2 years now. The 12 speaker Bose system sounds awesome!

[@alejandrobeiro9178]

In my opinion, the best sound system, price/quality/ and n° of speakers … Great one!!

[@Anonymous-bs8it]

Amazing. Might be the best Bose I've ever heard.

[@L0vac]

Wow, now THIS is how you demo a sound system, was in front of 2 monitors and could hear all the differences crystal clear. Also, such a shame you can't alter the mids... Sometimes I like it balanced, but sometimes, I like to have fun and drop mids while increasing lows and highs (to get that more pronounced V sound).

[@CC-bu1uj]

I'm bought my CX30 not only because of the build quality, the premium finishing, the tech and the performance, but also that awesome Bose sound system would have to be the best I've heard on any vehicles under 80K!

[@dwdrum11]

The thing that I love is finally manufacturers are listening to expert audio guys. Mid bass drivers in doors are awful, end of. Whoever thinks sticking a nice speaker into a flimsy metal panel that allows the rear wave to come through and cancel the front wave is not into audio, regardless of how much you try to soundproof it, you can put a £1000 midbass in the door and I bet it won’t perform as well as the bose bass driver in the Mazda, it’s all about physics not cost. If you take a bass driver and Stick them upfront in the strongest part of the car in a sealed cabinet the results are outstanding. No door resonance or annoying vibration. Mercedes are doing it well. Some of the Audi b&o use a sealed cabinet in the door which gets a good result but this setup is the ultimate. A friend of mine put a pair of small bookshelf hifi speakers in his car footwells on his drive to see what the sound was like and it blew him away compared to the audison speakers he had mounted in the doors! Don’t believe me then try it! Great video as always Charlie

[@scottlowell493]

Thats correct. Back when I test drove some GM products, the stock bose system worked better than some costly aftermarket stuff. It was correctly eq'd and optimized for the interior of the vehicle. The Mazda CX-5 turbo system sounds great! Far beyond most factory systems and some aftermarket.

[@OwenDavis-q9o]

i have a 2019 preferred (non turbo) and got it with 30k miles for $25,000. it's got this 12 speaker bose system. what a steal bro, it sounds great and i'm glad you agree

[@kyron2092]

My favorite thing about Mazda Bose is firewall mid bass drivers. The mid bass is cleaner than the Bowers and Wilkins in the S90 I was considering. Bravo Mazda!

[@danielberning1240]

I drive a Bolt EV with the Bose. I work at a Mazda and Volvo store. I have a lot of wheel time with the Bose in my car, the Mazda's with Bose and Volvo's with B & W. I'm sorry, but there's no Bose that can match the Volvo's B & W other than the now discontinued Bose Panaray in the Cadillac CT6. When it comes to the Bose in Mazda's, I feel like the CX5 has the best sound. As for all the different settings on the Mazda's now, I'm not very impressed with them since it's way to difficult to find that best sound. I know many on here won't agree, but I feel like the Bose in my Bolt EV sounds every bit as good as any of the Mazda's.

[@kyron2092]

@danielberning1240 the Mazda 3 has cleaner mid bass than the Bowers and Wilkins in the S90. Sorry not sorry. I'm not a fan of Bose systems because I haven't heard one with a soundstage im pleased with. The mid bass drivers in the Mazda are in the firewall, while the Volvo's woofer in the less rigid door. Stock for stock, the bass in the 3 is cleaner.

[@danielberning1240]

@@kyron2092 You must like your music cranked up quite loud with a ton of bass if you need a more rigid mounting place. Me personally, I don't like tons of bass nor do I like music too loud. My preference is more for warms tones and crisp notes. Where you feel the music, not from the buzzing or thumping, but from the simple settings that allow the music to be more true to what it's supposed to be. And that's where the Mazda's soundstages and the multitude of setting becomes a drag. Finding a good balance and sound is just too difficult. Much easier in my Bolt.

[@kyron2092]

@danielberning1240 every car audiophile knows that the door isn't ideal for midbass. Just go do some research. Whether you like it or not the Mazda 3 with Bose has CLEANER albeit less midbass than the Volvo. I'd take the Volvo Bowers and Wilkins over any Bose system but science is science.

[@degou3438]

@@kyron2092 I've heard of the B&W system on Volvo. The midbass is so satisfying and punchy (without being bloated) that it's hard to believe it's mounted in the port. You're falling to that point where you think the Mazda has cleaner midbass because it has less and the system is much weaker in terms of raw power. It's the same thing as increasing the treble too much, making the system bright, hissing, unbalanced and saying “wow, it's a very clear sound”, it simply isn't, it's just an exaggerated amount of treble.

[@Theak47forall]

I have a SkyactivX186 3 Sedan with the same system, its freaking amazing. 2 years already blasting so clean and nice.

[@victormaldonado5954]

I have the 21 M3 Premium Plus. I find the best settings to be Bass +2, Treble +2, listening - drivers seat, and center point off. This gives the clearest sound from the drivers seat without piercing your ears.

[@ludosys4903]

Great video! I have this same Bose setup in my CX-30 and also the Bose soundsystem in my Miata ND. It has 2 speakers in each headrest and that works great in conjunction with CarPlay. Drivers side gets instructions for the navi and speed warnings etc (music mutes), while the passenger can continue to Enjoy the music. Fantastic in a roadster. Its my 5th car with Bose 1x Alfa Romeo 159, 4x Mazda, simply love their sound signature…. Use the QCs from Bose with ANC for years and years in a noisy office environment. On the go, I prefer the AirPods Pro though 😉

[@lionelb8227]

Still enjoy the Bose setup on mine more than 2 years later. I did want a good audio system, but I didn't think it'll be this good. I turned Centerpoint off though as it can make some bass heavy music sound too boomy/rumbly

[@Korruptor711]

you could add bass blockers to the center channel and that should fix it. A 150Hz cut-off should work

[@ТеодорФилипов-ж3д]

Love this car ❤

[@WayApp]

Makes me feel like royalty.

[@susie4045]

Just curious, is this the same 12 speaker Bose system that is in the 2023 Honda Pilot? I love mine, but this may be even better!

[@raknoknak]

Wow! My laptop speakers are so awesome!

[@jmannUSMC]

Currently drive a 2010 Mazda 3 that I've gotten over 300k miles out of. I love it and I've upgraded the sound system over the years to my liking, but this Bose system sounds amazing! Do you think any add ons could make it S tier?

[@anthonyrotella3128]

Great review! Very informative. I do have a question, though. What are the formats and resolutions the usb can support?

[@DailyMotorSound]

Thanks! Unfortunately I don't have that information

[@royal2878]

System sounds good. Any chance you can test the Nissan Ariya Platinum trim Bose system?

[@detailsmove]

Daily Motors is the channel that put me onto the Mazda 3 and now I have an important question to ask: what's the best sound system in a car around the $30k? And since the lower trims don't have it, how would you rate the 6 and 8-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics? I'm currently leaning on a Mazda 3 Carbon Edition

[@kalashnikovbob355]

you can get a 1 year old, low mileage mazda 3 in this trim for that price and still have all the features .

[@lmcg0710]

go for the bose. if it’s important that your car has a good sound system you’d be disappointed that you didn’t.

[@bandguymichael]

I remember in the Integra ELS video, you said something along the lines of it would have likely squeezed into S-tier if it had less road noise. Is the Mazda speaker system even better than that one?

[@DailyMotorSound]

I would say the ELS would appeal more to an audiophile and the Bose would appeal more to the average listener. Think of a fancy sushi roll vs a good steak. Both can be preferred in the right setting

[@MooseJamalo]

Sounds like two winners. I know you're more a sound guy but which of these two is the better handling car?

[@stedye]

@@MooseJamalohad the same question on handling of these two cars .

[@DailyMotorSound]

@@MooseJamalo Integra has better steering, but both chassis are quite good. Integra is overall more playful. Mazda has a more mature feel.

[@cypher7031]

@@DailyMotorSound are you guys planning on covering the crown JBL?

[@aussie8114]

In my CX5 I have treble at maximum and centre point on 2. Sounds good enough for me.

[@nadhifasuwandy7544]

Hi could i ask if this bose system same as bose system in honda civic ?

[@kailu7890]

one question, why same bose system from mazda cx30 sound worse compared to this mazda 3 sedan? Is there a different setting? To me, just from the video the gap is huge

[@particularspam]

Feed it with proper lossless audio, no Spotify.

[@kevindavies5332]

Thanks for this, How would you know what systems support true 5.1, Would the BMW 3 series for instance support it. Thanks

[@Kyzug]

Just test drove a 2025 Mazda CX50 turbo premium plus with the "same" 12 speaker Bose system and was extremely dissappinted. Muddy, distorted bass. I played with all settings and centerpoint levels with little improvement. Any idea if they made major changes for 2025?

[@DailyMotorSound]

The CX50 system isn't the same as the 3. I should have a review of that somewhere as well. However I do still remember it being decent. What input were you using? High fidelity?

[@Razvan_.]

Hey man! I really appreciate your content, and I was wondering if you can test a Volkswagen Touareg Facelift from 2024 with the 16 speakers Dynaudio system. Thanks!

[@DailyMotorSound]

Thanks! Unfortunately we don't get those here in the states, but if I'm ever overseas I will consider!

[@RJ-xj3ct]

genuine question, why do you alawys talk about mirror shackage as gauge for bass output. I've had toyotas with the stock system that would shake the mirrors if u listned loud with the bass turned up but, my Audi Q7 with B&O clearly has much more bass output and has almost no shake which I'm assuming is just the build and construction of the vehicle.

[@DailyMotorSound]

It's mostly just a joke, as people who put big subwoofers in their car love watching everything shake.

[@mattmcgriff5952]

Just bought a 2023 3 Carbon sedan and the Bose sounds great, except for the headliner buzzing with any tone at about 45 hertz. There is a TSB out on it and I need to take it in and have them fix it, but otherwise sounds great, although I spend most of the time listening to sports talk radio. Also don’t understand why they only add Sirius XM on premium trims. Makes no sense in 2023/2024.

[@Armand-v5c]

I noticed you merged to the 55 south from the 405 😆

[@geot4647]

Lack of EQ with Bose vs. base stereo is surely to prevent users from messing up the special tuning.

[@점-u9z]

I have 2020 mazda 3 sedan and it has bose audio system. Overall, i like the sound, but when i listen the strong base music, i can hear rattling noises from back side of rear seat😕

[@joshuas3897]

Same, I did some research online and I think it's the cargo area/trunk cover rattling

[@m4nc1n1]

Have you heard the 11-speaker JBL in the 2024 Crown Platinum Max? If so, what are your thoughts?

[@DailyMotorSound]

Actually just had it this week, review is going live on Saturday! Bit of a disappointment

[@danielberning1240]

I work at a dealership with Volvo and Mazda. Obviously, the B & W in the Volvo's is great. Maybe not $3,200 great, but very impressive. However, when it comes to the Mazda Bose systems now, I'm just not overly impressed. For me, it's now just too difficult to get a sound setting that works overall and way too many of the settings sound artificial to me. I don't want to sound arguementative with you Charlie, but I just can't agree with your assesment of the Bose in the Mazda 3. I actually think the older Mazda Bose sounded much better. I'm just not into all these settings they stick on them now.

[@KuyaArbee]

yea idk why he likes it so much... I've heard the current BOSE systems in the CX30, 50, and 3.... and damn its a letdown.... the audio sounds very muddled and no sonic clarity... like the speakers are not as clear as Harmon Kardon, and of course the fantastic systems you will get int the TESLA premium audio systems

[@TheDiplo]

does anyone get less bass, a more "flat sound" when listening to music through android auto compared to the regular blootooth connection?

[@evaristocorripio5434]

Yes I do, it has a little less bass in Android Auto, but still sounds really good with deep bass

[@xavierownss]

There's no tests on the base system

[@badboy95ca]

why are the speaker a lot smaller then previous years, sure its a 12 speaker system, but i would prefer bigger speaker then have more of them, i am disappointed as i don't feel the fullness of the sound as it could have been, Mazda really messed up on this one.

[@adrianlolli531]

Hey my subwoofer sounds like its popping when i got music with nice bass at round 50 volume can really hear and sounds terrible anyone els hear that or is mine just messed up . New 2024 mazda 3 Gt

[@DailyMotorSound]

Sounds messed up, might need to head to the daeler.

[@kirbei7092]

at a volume of 50 that is very excessive and most oem speaker systems don't have that much power to support that. its going to sound distorted regardless

[@cypher7031]

Vs cx30? Better or worse?

[@danielberning1240]

I'm not a professional audio guy, but I work with Mazda at a dealership. Of all the Mazda's with Bose, the worst is the Miata IMO. A very close second would be the CX30. The CX90 isn't bad nor is the CX50. The CX5 seems to be the best of the lineup. Again, just my opinion. It used to be the Mazda 6 as my favorite, but thats gone now.

[@cypher7031]

@@danielberning1240 cheers

[@jerryhilario9787]

@@danielberning1240but doesn’t the CX-30 have the same 12 speaker Bose setup as the 3?? I’ve heard the cx30 and it’s pretty damn good

[@danielberning1240]

@@jerryhilario9787 It probably does, but that doesn't mean that it sounds the same. The biggest thing with Bose has always been that they design the sound systems around the interior acoustics. But I"m just going by my ears. My experience spending hours in them all as I delvier cars all over the southern California area. I have extensive wheel time in Volvo's and Mazda's and enjoy connecting my phone on these cars and listening to my favorite music. Of course, to me the Volvo Bowers and Wilkins sounds the best, but just not $3,200 better. Bottom line is that the Mazda Bose (and base systems) all sound better than many older car systems.

[@Savethemanuals94]

So you’re going to choose between them based on which has the better sounding Bose? He just said the sedan may have better sound system based on how sedans differ with hatchbacks because the trunk space is isolated on sedans.

[@Savethemanuals94]

$37k and no independent rear suspension. But sure they make the interiors feel premium.

[@whatiswrongwithus]

Yeah but have you driven one? just picked a 2020 Premium trim for $23K with 12K miles, trust me, most people will never know the difference in most daily driving situations.

[@muhamadprades9413]

I do like this particular Mazda 3, but I prefer light interior not dark one

[@wrinkleneckbass]

You're doing great work Charlie, I always look forward to your reviews.

[@zb3485]

HOW ABOUT SOME RAP DOG!?!

[@jimmerritt1171]

Too bad it only comes with the top $$ premium Turbo package unless optioned in a lesser trim somehow.

[@DailyMotorSound]

I know, unfortunate. I did discover that you can get the Bose with a non turbo but only with the hatch.

[@OwenDavis-q9o]

if youre going new then yeah, but i have a 2019 sedan preferred (non turbo). cost $25,000 with 30k miles and im incredibly happy with it

[@ismaelestribi1505]

Lo bueno: el sonido Lo malo: el diseño 😐

[@filetofish7688]

It’s too bad the best affordable sound system is on a gas guzzling, albeit nice looking, car.

[@sierrachief117]

Maybe don't floor it every time and it will not be a guzzler

[@filetofish7688]

@@sierrachief117 Lol ok

[@basr758]

The fuel efficiency of this car is significantly above average in this class here in Europe. 2.0 liter NA engine 150 hp is far more efficient than BMW's 1.5 liter 3 cylinder or PSa's 1.2 liter turbo.

[@chicagomike9778]

​@@basr758the Bose sound system is only available in the 2.5 AWD turbo in the USA.

[@OwenDavis-q9o]

i get about 28mi/gal 300 miles on a full tank. about $30 to fill up from a quarter tank bcs its normal gas. by no means is this car expensive on gas. yes, its not crazy efficient like a hybrid, but its definitely not a hummer. Or did you mean that it's not electric? I also have a 2019 preferred non turbo if that makes a difference, still has the 12 speaker system.

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

Absolutely no one but a small child can fit in the back seats of these Mazda 3s

[@DailyMotorSound]

Sedan is much better than hatch. 5'10" and I fit fine in the back of the sedan.

[@Sydebern]

I'm 6ft 2 and I've testdriven the Mazda 3 hatchback. I could sit in the back but not really comfortably. But I did fit! But I will always only sit in the front anyway.

[@OwenDavis-q9o]

my friends fit in the back, havent heard a complaint yet but maybe theyre just being nice. the lack of a rear air vent is off-putting however