bypassing the Bose - Problem, need wiring help
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Germany
MB E420T
bypassing the Bose - Problem, need wiring help
hi guys,
got rid of my stock system, a cassette deck and cd changer, with the bose amp.
tried to keep the bose, but got distortion that not even car-hifi profis could not fix (i think it had to do with the 2-4ohm level problem, but anyway).
so, got a 6channel amp, put some more RCA cables to the back, and hooked em up to the amp. then, i disconnected the bose amp and cut the speaker wires leading to it.
from a wiring diagram i found in other forum topics, i hooked up the correct wires to the amp also. problem is: no sound. just had my sub working.
then all of a sudden, the amp turned off (went into protective mode). and, on top, the display of my radio went out. however, it is still under power.
so, few questions for audio-experts among you, or whoever went through similar problems:
1) are the speaker wires connected to the bose amp actually the output wires to the speakers?? what went wrong with the amp?
2) why did the display go out? hooked up another radio, and there cd'S would go in and out (hence, it got power), but also there the display never worked.
so, a cable must have gone out perhaps? what could be the cause?
i checked fuses etc on radio, amp, car fuse box, all is fine....
so what ghost is in my system setup?
who can help me fix this...should be straightforward now: got radio with front, rear, and sub RCA outputs, hooked up to 6channel amp also connected correctly.
why do i not get sound?? how do i get my radio display to function again?
thanks for your assistance, i am really in a bind here.... don't feel like paying 100$ an hour to some "professional" who takes 1hour to connect 2 wires or so....
happy posting
got rid of my stock system, a cassette deck and cd changer, with the bose amp.
tried to keep the bose, but got distortion that not even car-hifi profis could not fix (i think it had to do with the 2-4ohm level problem, but anyway).
so, got a 6channel amp, put some more RCA cables to the back, and hooked em up to the amp. then, i disconnected the bose amp and cut the speaker wires leading to it.
from a wiring diagram i found in other forum topics, i hooked up the correct wires to the amp also. problem is: no sound. just had my sub working.
then all of a sudden, the amp turned off (went into protective mode). and, on top, the display of my radio went out. however, it is still under power.
so, few questions for audio-experts among you, or whoever went through similar problems:
1) are the speaker wires connected to the bose amp actually the output wires to the speakers?? what went wrong with the amp?
2) why did the display go out? hooked up another radio, and there cd'S would go in and out (hence, it got power), but also there the display never worked.
so, a cable must have gone out perhaps? what could be the cause?
i checked fuses etc on radio, amp, car fuse box, all is fine....
so what ghost is in my system setup?
who can help me fix this...should be straightforward now: got radio with front, rear, and sub RCA outputs, hooked up to 6channel amp also connected correctly.
why do i not get sound?? how do i get my radio display to function again?
thanks for your assistance, i am really in a bind here.... don't feel like paying 100$ an hour to some "professional" who takes 1hour to connect 2 wires or so....
happy posting
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12
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From: So Cal
Infiniti
hi guys,
got rid of my stock system, a cassette deck and cd changer, with the bose amp.
tried to keep the bose, but got distortion that not even car-hifi profis could not fix (i think it had to do with the 2-4ohm level problem, but anyway).
so, got a 6channel amp, put some more RCA cables to the back, and hooked em up to the amp. then, i disconnected the bose amp and cut the speaker wires leading to it.
from a wiring diagram i found in other forum topics, i hooked up the correct wires to the amp also. problem is: no sound. just had my sub working.
then all of a sudden, the amp turned off (went into protective mode). and, on top, the display of my radio went out. however, it is still under power.
so, few questions for audio-experts among you, or whoever went through similar problems:
1) are the speaker wires connected to the bose amp actually the output wires to the speakers?? what went wrong with the amp?
2) why did the display go out? hooked up another radio, and there cd'S would go in and out (hence, it got power), but also there the display never worked.
so, a cable must have gone out perhaps? what could be the cause?
i checked fuses etc on radio, amp, car fuse box, all is fine....
so what ghost is in my system setup?
who can help me fix this...should be straightforward now: got radio with front, rear, and sub RCA outputs, hooked up to 6channel amp also connected correctly.
why do i not get sound?? how do i get my radio display to function again?
thanks for your assistance, i am really in a bind here.... don't feel like paying 100$ an hour to some "professional" who takes 1hour to connect 2 wires or so....
happy posting
got rid of my stock system, a cassette deck and cd changer, with the bose amp.
tried to keep the bose, but got distortion that not even car-hifi profis could not fix (i think it had to do with the 2-4ohm level problem, but anyway).
so, got a 6channel amp, put some more RCA cables to the back, and hooked em up to the amp. then, i disconnected the bose amp and cut the speaker wires leading to it.
from a wiring diagram i found in other forum topics, i hooked up the correct wires to the amp also. problem is: no sound. just had my sub working.
then all of a sudden, the amp turned off (went into protective mode). and, on top, the display of my radio went out. however, it is still under power.
so, few questions for audio-experts among you, or whoever went through similar problems:
1) are the speaker wires connected to the bose amp actually the output wires to the speakers?? what went wrong with the amp?
2) why did the display go out? hooked up another radio, and there cd'S would go in and out (hence, it got power), but also there the display never worked.
so, a cable must have gone out perhaps? what could be the cause?
i checked fuses etc on radio, amp, car fuse box, all is fine....
so what ghost is in my system setup?
who can help me fix this...should be straightforward now: got radio with front, rear, and sub RCA outputs, hooked up to 6channel amp also connected correctly.
why do i not get sound?? how do i get my radio display to function again?
thanks for your assistance, i am really in a bind here.... don't feel like paying 100$ an hour to some "professional" who takes 1hour to connect 2 wires or so....
happy posting
The output wires from the bose should be twisted pairs, tone generate them if you have a 9V battery. Make sure you have the right wires! Are you running the stock speakers? Are you sure your new amp is good? As far as the radio display, not sure. Do you have the radio hooked up to switched power? Have you tried to push the reset on the front of the face?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 47
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From: Germany
MB E420T
thx Car audio king for the feedback 
i figured it out by now: simply stated: bose messes it all up.
you can get an activ system adapter (should be converting 2 to 4 Ohm), but this is not always successful (still distortion/noise at low volume -no, not coming from mass or smthng). then, the power coming from it is low.
why pay so much for Bose anyhow (i didn't, thank god)??? there are no special tweeters (top dash inserts are EMPTY, and not sure how you wanna call what is in the mirror inserts), the woofer can easily be confused for a little phone output speaker, etc etc. Sry, just don't see the added value/quality.
hence: out bose, in comes all new! ordered new sets of Hifonics door speakers (incl tweeters), and will hook it all up to the 6 channel amp (with Cap) that also powers my Rockford F. sub. reasonable budget (i shop smart), doing it all by yourself (sorry in case u own a audio install shop), and will be good powerful sound, easy to upgrade further or interchange.
oh, and the display issue was a blown fuse under the hood (fuses in 3 locations, takes a while to check all..hehe).
any more tips or experience sharing is welcome.
best regards
i figured it out by now: simply stated: bose messes it all up.
you can get an activ system adapter (should be converting 2 to 4 Ohm), but this is not always successful (still distortion/noise at low volume -no, not coming from mass or smthng). then, the power coming from it is low.
why pay so much for Bose anyhow (i didn't, thank god)??? there are no special tweeters (top dash inserts are EMPTY, and not sure how you wanna call what is in the mirror inserts), the woofer can easily be confused for a little phone output speaker, etc etc. Sry, just don't see the added value/quality.
hence: out bose, in comes all new! ordered new sets of Hifonics door speakers (incl tweeters), and will hook it all up to the 6 channel amp (with Cap) that also powers my Rockford F. sub. reasonable budget (i shop smart), doing it all by yourself (sorry in case u own a audio install shop), and will be good powerful sound, easy to upgrade further or interchange.
oh, and the display issue was a blown fuse under the hood (fuses in 3 locations, takes a while to check all..hehe).
any more tips or experience sharing is welcome.
best regards
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From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 12
From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
I will just come right out and say, when has anything rf or hifonics been SQ related in the past few years? now if you are looking to make a horrid sound louder than that is what they will do. why spend the money to upgrade for mediocre sound?
all they are doing now is providing the cheapest of cheapest components, and making it affordable with the impression you are getting a lot for your money
all they are doing now is providing the cheapest of cheapest components, and making it affordable with the impression you are getting a lot for your money
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Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Central NJ
'87 300E
I will just come right out and say, when has anything rf or hifonics been SQ related in the past few years? now if you are looking to make a horrid sound louder than that is what they will do. why spend the money to upgrade for mediocre sound?
all they are doing now is providing the cheapest of cheapest components, and making it affordable with the impression you are getting a lot for your money
all they are doing now is providing the cheapest of cheapest components, and making it affordable with the impression you are getting a lot for your money
.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
It may be clear that the newer version RF subwoofers are not as wonderful as their old school counterparts, however that does not make them anywhere near mediocre. The top two for SQ are Jl audio and Rockford fosgate, just as Pioneer/premier clashes with Alpine as to which makes the best head units .
.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Germany
MB E420T
jbondox.... i really don't care. More money always buys more, ok? and taste, like, preference is personal.
so, if i need a laptop to figure out the difference between subs & speaker outputs, then it is out of my league, that simple.
I don't do competition with it or anything, just want to sit in my car, drive hard, and enjoy the music at some acceptable loudness & quality.
so i guess the real challenge is not how to do better with more money, but how to do better with the same money or less.
On the latter, i feel pretty confident. On the fact that the end result will beat the stock Bose, too.
cheers
so, if i need a laptop to figure out the difference between subs & speaker outputs, then it is out of my league, that simple.
I don't do competition with it or anything, just want to sit in my car, drive hard, and enjoy the music at some acceptable loudness & quality.
so i guess the real challenge is not how to do better with more money, but how to do better with the same money or less.
On the latter, i feel pretty confident. On the fact that the end result will beat the stock Bose, too.
cheers
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From: Central NJ
'87 300E
Care to name some "real" names that promote good SQ?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,430
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From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
Alphabetically?
Alpine F#1 Status, Audison, DynaAudio, Focal, Hertz, Morel... which are the one's i am hands on familiar with... I can name some more but without having hands on, I would be quoting someone else's opinion
JL, RF, both of which I have dealings with are just commodities.
Alpine F#1 Status, Audison, DynaAudio, Focal, Hertz, Morel... which are the one's i am hands on familiar with... I can name some more but without having hands on, I would be quoting someone else's opinion
JL, RF, both of which I have dealings with are just commodities.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: STL
95 e320...sold the rest
Alphabetically?
Alpine F#1 Status, Audison, DynaAudio, Focal, Hertz, Morel... which are the one's i am hands on familiar with... I can name some more but without having hands on, I would be quoting someone else's opinion
JL, RF, both of which I have dealings with are just commodities.
Alpine F#1 Status, Audison, DynaAudio, Focal, Hertz, Morel... which are the one's i am hands on familiar with... I can name some more but without having hands on, I would be quoting someone else's opinion
JL, RF, both of which I have dealings with are just commodities.
Some people just go for SPL for competitions, or even bragging rights. But then again, some go for the SQ (which isnt bad) but if you want to spend money on a nice system, buy audio components that are world known.
I have 2 12" Kicker L7's powered by a Hifonics Brutus 1606d (1600watt) class-d mono amp. And all wired down to 1 ohm using 1awg power-wire and ground.
And Dan-Audio, PIONEER FTMFW!!!!!!!!
.
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From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
you telling me you never heard of these brands and call yourself a pro? then throw in world renown when they are made in Europe?
You have some cheap Chineese Kicker and Hifonics products... then go on about SPL numbers... Lame, well I guess if I was 16 and it was my first car maybe I would be all over it... but most people, especially here, are looking for something more along the lines of ACCURATELY playing music...
without boogering up their vehicles, especially from, as you state "PRO installers" ... I can go on all day with this
You have some cheap Chineese Kicker and Hifonics products... then go on about SPL numbers... Lame, well I guess if I was 16 and it was my first car maybe I would be all over it... but most people, especially here, are looking for something more along the lines of ACCURATELY playing music...
without boogering up their vehicles, especially from, as you state "PRO installers" ... I can go on all day with this
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,321
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From: STL
95 e320...sold the rest
"Here?"
HAHAHA do you mean Ohio? Well that's not very far from St. Louis, and no, I haven't heard of them! Oh well...not my loss apparently. And you would like to know what makes me a "Professional Installer?"
Hmmm...How about the fact that I've been working at the best car audio shop in STL since I was 14...and the most recent install i've done was for the rapper, Chingy. So you can go on with you "accurate" music listening habits and whatnot.. I personally do not care. Nor will I.
And Kicker and Hifonics may be Chinese made, you're right. But they're one of the most solid and punishable product available on the market today! You live in the US for christ's sake...what isn't made in China or Taiwan these days?
Anyways...who the hell are you anyways? Your profile is a joke!
Do you even drive a Mercedes?.....
HAHAHA do you mean Ohio? Well that's not very far from St. Louis, and no, I haven't heard of them! Oh well...not my loss apparently. And you would like to know what makes me a "Professional Installer?"
Hmmm...How about the fact that I've been working at the best car audio shop in STL since I was 14...and the most recent install i've done was for the rapper, Chingy. So you can go on with you "accurate" music listening habits and whatnot.. I personally do not care. Nor will I.
And Kicker and Hifonics may be Chinese made, you're right. But they're one of the most solid and punishable product available on the market today! You live in the US for christ's sake...what isn't made in China or Taiwan these days?
Anyways...who the hell are you anyways? Your profile is a joke!
Do you even drive a Mercedes?.....
Last edited by STLe320; Mar 13, 2008 at 03:38 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 81
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From: Central NJ
'87 300E
Though I am not the biggest fan of JL Audio, I believe most, if not all, of JL products are made in china as well. I do not think that you can win someone over that JL Audio is not top quality SQL-oriented stuff 
.
jbondox- how do you put down RF if they are american made?
.jbondox- how do you put down RF if they are american made?
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From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
Rf is far from American made anymore, maybe American assembled or boxed. It was hard for me to see them go that route, but in less than 2 years the speakers, subs then amps went by the orient. Brands I support are the Euro brands or USA made brands, in fact those type of brands are what people look into for quality, just like MB over a Honda or a Domestic. RF, PG, MTX, JL, all tried to make a cheaper product and compete with other manufacturers to make the cheapest product, and you have todays crap equipment. Which are using the name recognition from when they used to make real gear, a long time ago.
Ya really should get out a bit more and hear some real vehicles, MERA Knowledgefest is this weekend...
Please post some pics of your installs I would love to se them. and please only post pics of stuff that you actually did, which would include design, integration, etc. I hate when people post other peoples work, or they show a piece of painted fiberglass that they just laid up and a body shop sanded, filled, sanded, primed, painted, buffed...
or a website will help
I drive an MB, at least twice a day...
Ya really should get out a bit more and hear some real vehicles, MERA Knowledgefest is this weekend...
Please post some pics of your installs I would love to se them. and please only post pics of stuff that you actually did, which would include design, integration, etc. I hate when people post other peoples work, or they show a piece of painted fiberglass that they just laid up and a body shop sanded, filled, sanded, primed, painted, buffed...
or a website will helpI drive an MB, at least twice a day...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,430
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From: Cleveland Ohio
beater with a heater
How about the fact that I've been working at the best car audio shop in STL since I was 14.
now STL is pretty big area... you have Joshua Landau at JML Audio...
http://www.jmlaudio.com/
