I've now replaced both the front and rear speakers. Fronts were 4 ohms and the rears were 3 ohms.

 

I just replaced mine. Installed the MB Quart RSC216 on the doors, all the rest of the BOSE system intact.

Result :

Good : much more clear audio up front.

Bad : now I can tell even more how underpowered the system is/feels.

I am happy I installed them, but not "overwhelmed" with the results. Of course the sound shop agrees : it all has to go!

 

MBQUARTS are powerhungry, get at least 100rms per side and you'll be set.

 

Intrepid, Did you replace the stock wire? I'm planing on doing the exact same thing. \

 

I think most people are using the factory wires for the front doors.
The reason is the connection through the car body isn't simply a rubber gromett, it's an actual plug with one side in the car and one side outside of the car.

As suggested you can drill thru the plug or thru the body. Either case was too "much" for me.
And, I found there was plenty of room between the door and the door panel for installing a crossover for the tweeter.

 

I am thinking about replacing my front and rear speakers and adding an amp but keeping the stock (non-bose) head unit. My question is, will this sound like crap? I am not considering adding a sub because I don't need it to hit that hard.

I just want something I can jam to fairly loudly down the highway that sounds good.

 

The speakers will sound fine off the factory HU if ur not a audiophile. But your gonna lack the fine tunings that you can benefit from the HU like crossovers, HPF, time correctoin (alpine only), and a better S/N ratio compared to the stock. Add the amp and if you like how it sounds then keep it that way.

 

Did you cut a bigger opening (tweeter location)... I heard some people saying that the stock tweeters opening is actually blocking the sound. I am interested in know whether or not it is...

 

I think I know the answer already but here is what a local stereo shop in Phoenix quoted me. I asked for a decent sounding system and I did not want to replace the HU or put in a sub.

If this is not a good deal, how would you go about it? I do not have the skills to do an install myself.


JL Audio 300/4 Amp $499.99
MB Quart DSD 216 $329.99
MB Quart RKC 116 $299.99
AMP Wire kit $50.00
oem premium sys interface $80.00
Labor install interface $35.00
Labor amp install w/rack $125.00
Labor comps install $80.00
Labor coax install $40.00

Materials total: $1259.97
Labor total $ 280.00


I've checked and it seems like I could find the amp and speakers on eBay brand new for MUCH less, but then I don't have an idea how to do the install.

Any thoughts would be welcome!

 

That sounds like a lot. I know you can get the amp and mb dsd216 much cheaper on the internet. The dsd go for 159 and the jl goes for 379 at onlinecarstereo.com. kustom kar in phoenix sells JL stuff cheaper than that and wont charge for the install on whatever you buy at their store.

 

fosterspecial,

Thanks, I was able to get this set up on eBay for hundreds less. IU even upgraded the speakers and added some Dynomat to the doors and it sounds great.