Hello, guys

I plan on upgrading my Enthusiast. Now, I want to keep my car looking stock (and with a CD changer), but of course there is the good old Bose issue to deal with.

I plan on buying speakers, amps and the sub... But I'm not really too crazy with any of the HU's out there, except for the Sony WX-7700MDX... but you need a frequency converter for that.

Anyway, I got a Bose off Ebay and even after I've done my research on the forums one thing is not 100% clear.

Most all threads out there from people upgrading the Bose have had Touring models that come with them... But I'm not sure about the radio harness. I know it's it's different in Touring models than the rest... but if you're changing everything does this matter? Can the Bose be pluged in to it?

I know you need the LOC for the system to work, but if you're buying everything else would the harness matter?

I'm taking it to a shop, I'm not doing it myself... would this install be a complete pain for a professional to do?

If not, I guess I'll sell the Bose back on Ebay. I payed for the complete system way less than a good single CD unit.

Thanks and sorry to be redundant about this question, but would like to know before I blow more money on the car.

 

I think your stereo shop will be able to find a harness to plug into the BOSE headunit, and then solder the pigtails from that bought adapter and run all new wires to your amps and speakers.

 

The Bose system really sucks, I dont know what Nissan was thinking...

 

Anybody else?

Thanks for both of your inputs.

 

sorry to stray from the topic, but does anyone know if you can use the bose speakers in a different car? i am going to replace everything in the Z, but would love to use the bose speakers in my accord which has a very bad stereo.

 

dont replace a very bad stereo with another very bad stereo, save time and money

 

I agree about not replacing bad speakers with another set of bad speakers....

BUT... can you use a Bose system on a 350z as long as you change everything... even if you don't have a Touring model?

 

While the stereo shop was building my sub box, I heard the factory headunit, my new Eclipse Amp, and the factory Bose speakers. The system sounded a lot better. I think the biggest problem with the Touring BOSE system is the weak amps they used.

Can you run the 6 CD Changer to new amps and speakers? Yes, in fact that was my plan B with them if I couldn't swing the whole install.
Can you run the 6 CD changer to new amps and the BOSE speakers? Yes, that was plan C
Can you put the Bose system in a non touring and get it to work? Yes, why not, it's just another car stereo.

What else do you need?

 

HouZton,

Thanks for your reply. My other question if anything would be if this would be a pain for the shop to install? I mean, with the whole LOC, wiring and everything?

Thanks again. I sincerely appreciate your help.

 

Also, do you need 1 amp or 2 amps with this, since the original Bose has 2 amps (one for the sub and one for the speakes)

Thanks.

 

To run the Bose stereo with new amps you need 4 channels. You want 4 channels for the door and rear speakers and 1 channels for the sub.

You can get 5 channel amps, or use two amps.

You can also use a 4 channel amp and a powered subwoofer (like Basslink).

I am running the Bose HU through new amps and speakers and it sounds good (IMO). The problem seems to have been the CHEAP speakers and PUNY subwoofer and CRAPPY Bose amps. The HU seems ok.

 

Andy B is right on with his follow-up. It was not a pain for the stereo shop that did my install to find a harness adapter and wire in new amps.

IMO, the biggest problem with the system are the amps. Second would be the speakers. But better amps make the rest of the system sound pretty decent.

 

Thanks, guys.

I feel better about my purchase knowinig that it won't be that difficult to have it installed.

What about the LOC? You still need that right?

Thanks for all your help.

 

I don't know you mean by LOC, the stereo shop never mentioned it.

Greg

 

HouZton,

LOC=Line Output Converter

That's what I've read in some forums... but given that you and AndyB did not mention it, I was wondering if you still needed it after getting the amps and speakers.

Thanks for you help.

 

The short answer is, it depends . . . some aftermarket external amps can receive line level inputs (speaker inputs), most can receive pre-amp inputs from RCA cables, and some can receive both/either. In general, the RCA inputs are a higher quality signal, thus resulting in the best quality signal to the drivers (speakers). Further, different head units will produce differing signal strengths along the RCA signal (higher voltage signals are generally a higher quality signal). Minimum 800mV - 1V. High quality headunits will produce on the order of 4 - 5V preamp signals.

My recommendation depends on your budget and your goals. If the main goal is to preserve the factory appearance of the stereo, to deter theives, then I recommend disconnecting (cutting) all speaker outputs from the stock stereo (Bose or otherwise), keeping the power and ground signals to preserve the clock function and lighting. Then, purchase an aftermarket stereo, install it in a hidden location (under the false floor in the glove compartment, where the stock Bose sub goes, in one of the cubbys between the rear speakers, etc) and use it to provide your external amps with a signal. Plus, your options for CD changers and media signals (MP3, DVD, etc) go up dramatically with an aftermarket stereo.

If cost is more of a concern . . . then you can save yourself the cost of an aftermarket stereo, by using the signal from the factory stereo (Bose or not). If I were going to keep any part of the factory stereo system, it would be the headunit. Definitely replace the speakers and amps.

A third option is to do what Nizl did . . . use an aftermarket preamp, and CD changer.

See this link for Nizl's install: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=13692

Here's what I did: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=27231

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=44355