Ok..so it has been established that the Bose (at least during my year of 2005) is a fairly lousy system.

I am trying to figure out if I can simply change the HU to a better quality one and see significant changes or not.

So far, all I can find are total contradictions ranging from:
1. The sound will actually get worse because Bose does not "play well" with others...aka not very compatible for some reason? Wires...converters...etc etc...meh..huh?

to

2. Yes, there will be a noticeable gain in sound quality and clarity by simply upgrading the HU. Aka..just put a new HU in and things sound much better!

So...which one is it? I am really hoping to just swap out the HU with a better unit. In nearly every car I have ever owned, I did just this and found it to be an excellent investment. YET, there seems to be some speedbumps with the Blose system and SIMPLY changing out the HU.

Or maybe not??

NOTE: I am not an audiophile....just looking for an affordable quick/easy upgrade that is not a complete waste of money..

 

Mine is definitely more than tolerable with a Pioneer double-DIN setup. I spent a good thirty minutes messing with the graphic EQ, but ended up with a surprising overall sound. In short, yeah do it!

 

BOSE always uses unique equalisation in their music systems. Its built in. Whether this equalisation is suitable with swapped components is questionable.

 

If upgrading the speakers/amps but retaining the stock HU, you should run one of these:

http://www.crutchfield.com/s_136441D...p.html?tp=6870

I wouldn't recommend upgrading only the HU on a bose system... because the bose speakers/amps are specifically mated with the HU's funky equalization.

 

Swapped out the stock Bose with a mediocre Alpine unit for a friend and sounded better with the Alpine IMO.

 

Still...seems to be some contradictions.

Anyone find an alternative HU that they swapped out w/Bose HU and found a great improvement...?

Anyone have any links to anyone who has?

Oh and...thanks for the input so far!

 

You have 3 options here.

Install HU using conversion harness, and don't re-wire anything. This probably won't sound as good as other options.

Install HU and PAC ROEM-NIS2. The PAC ROEM-NIS2 module will let you adjust your new HU to match the BOSE system

Install HU and re-wire all speakers. I would suggest this option for 3 reasons. 1, you're doing away with all that BOSE stuff. It's junk anyway imo. Also, you'll have all new wiring for signal to the speakers and because of this, sound quality will be increased assuming you use quality wire. Lastly, running new wire now means if/when you upgrade the speakers to components and/or add amp(s), you won't have to run new wire then.

Which leads me to my next point... If you're trying to get the best possible sound, pick up an amp eventually. Every car I've ever added a 4 ch. amp to has seen a dramatic improvement in sound quality

 

^ great advice Mike. I've been researching in A/V for a while now and it looks like i'm leaning towards option 2. when i'm ready to swap out the rest of my Bose system i'll rewire everything like you said and invest in amps and components.

 

Thanks...thinking about option 2.

Question: If I do option 2, what happens if I later want to upgrade to better speakers?? Do I essentially start all over with wiring and new speakers AND remove the PAC ROEM?

Question 2: Do I manipulate the settings ON the PAC ROEM itself or do I use the HU to manipulate the speaker settings AFTER installing PAC ROEM?

 

It'd be the best just to buy all new speakers and the head unit. It will be your best bet and that's what I suggest.

 

currently, i have a JVC HU, professonally installed, but I dont know if they used that PAC.

I've replaced the front component spears to Alpine SPS-610C,
replaced Bose CD400 amplifier with CE400 amplifier.

so before amplifier replacement i had pretty bad sound, with the stock bose speakers and Alpines,
after the amp install i got better sound, but still not the best.

the Alpine tweeters are hooked to the 6.5in woofers with a built in cross over. i'm thinking of directly plugging the tweeters to the amplifier connected line. not sure if that will make a difference...

so thats my setup right now, and its probaby not the best, but i dont want to mess around with the internal wires, too much work

 

Geez. Sounds like we would all be better off with no stereo during purchase of Z for perhaps $800 off sticker price?

A blank canvas would have been nice. Seems like they really messed up with the Bose system vs. one the is more easily upgradeable..

 

You are correct. The Z’s CES begs for replacement whether it is the Clarion or the Bose “upgrade.” Nissan could just as well have left the sound system out, but it’s difficult to sell a new/modern car that way. And… if you buy for the track, you don’t care about a sound system.

The Bose “upgrade” only makes the replacement exercise more difficult and expensive.

--Spike

 

That's pretty much the best option imo.

As long as you're using the Bose amp, you'll want to use the PAC module. If you upgrade to aftermatket amps, or choose to bypass the Bose, you can ditch the PAC.

You'd set a "baseline" with the ROEM module and then fine-tune with the HU. The ROEM module is just designed to get your aftermarket HU to to interface with the Bose amp the same way the OEM HU does.

That still does nothing to solve the fact that he's got a Bose amp.

DO NOT bypass that crossover! You'll kill the tweeter. Quickly. Who did the amp install? If they used the factory wiring, shame on them.

The Bose system isn't that hard to deal with. Maybe since I was heavily into mobile electronics and have bypassed countless OEM amps, but to me it's not an issue. But a blank canvas would be nice...

Not only does it make it more expensive, but it means you're stuck with a Bose system until you upgrade! I personally HATE Bose systems. It's all mid range... No highs, no lows, must be Bose!