Has anyone upgraded the Bose head unit in any way that has made a significant improvement?

What I mean is changing or adding amplifiers, speakers, tweeter etc. but keeping the original head unit.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

I tried this...do a search for my posts.

Trust me, that head unit is a piece of junk...it sounds horrible compared to anything offered in the aftermarket realm. I replaced my head with a Pioneer Premier, and added a bunch of other goodies, and it sounds amazing. However, before changing out the head unit, the sound was terrible even with new speakers, and 2 nice amps.

I think if you are going to dump some cash into a nice stereo upgrade, you should plan on repalcing the head unit as well...or you WILL be very disappointed.

Here are a couple threads worth looking at...
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=18330

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=18696

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=17820

See my comprehensive list of componenst below...

 

I have a question along the same lines... Could I expect better sound if I use the stock speakers / sub / amp, but just replace the head unit?

On a scale of 1 to 10...
at delivery -> 2
after amp swap -> 4
just head unit swap -> ???
everything but head unit swap -> ???
swap it all -> 9-10

 

IN my opinion...using all top grade equipment, my ratings are as follows:

On a scale of 1 to 10...
at delivery -> 2
after amp swap -> 4
just head unit swap -> 5-6
everything but head unit swap -> 5-6
swap it all -> 9-10

I have heard alot of reports of people being very happy after a head unit swap only, but I can't see how anyone could be happy with that crummy Bose subwoofer. I wouldn't be...besides the rest of the Bose speakers are very cheap too, much like the sub.

The same goes for keeping the head unit. If you upgrade everything and keep the head unit, your weakest link will remain the head unit, and the dynamic range is still poor, so your high end amp and speaker purchases will not provide much benefit to you. By doing this, you will eliminate any audio pilot issues, but the Z is a noisy car, and I think alot of people will be disappointed with the noises they will introduce into their audio system by trying to interface to that crappy head unit.

There are alot of considerations to take into account here, but the bottom line is if you are going to put in a couple nice amps, new speakers, and a quality subwoofer--MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE THE HEAD UNIT TOO ! A good head unit will only cost $300, and it will be worth every penny if you are going to spend $1000+ on other upgrades.

That is just my $.02, but it doesn't take a genius to realize that your system will only be as good as your weakest component.

 

Onecoolee

I don’t doubt you on the head unit, however I leave in New York and park the car in a parking lot next to the train station all day. Changing the head unit would last in my car about one day before someone will break the glass and still it. I need to make sure everything looks original.

 

I don't doubt that...mine could get stolen too, for that matter (knock on wood). The only other suggestion I could make is one of the new alpines that hides the face (all black), when the ignition is turned off. There are a few pics in htese forums somewhere as I remember checking them out before I decided on my Pioneer...

Take care.