Stock Bose speakers, aftermarket HU - how's it sound?
06-11-2008, 10:15 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Stock Bose speakers, aftermarket HU - how's it sound?
Anybody with this setup? I'm looking at getting a new head unit put in, since I'm sick of not having MP3 CD's and/or my iPod, but I'm wondering what kinda detriment it's going to have on the SQ, losing the stock sub/amp. Anybody have any experience?
Also, I got a quote from Tweeter (Yeah, I know, don't rub it in) and it was something like $350 for a wiring kit, mounting bracket and the entire install (just the iPod connectivity, no BT or XM/Sat radio)... I've been out of the car audio game for so long, so tell me - do you think that's reasonable? The big portion of it was like, $170, for them to bypass the stock amp.
Also, I got a quote from Tweeter (Yeah, I know, don't rub it in) and it was something like $350 for a wiring kit, mounting bracket and the entire install (just the iPod connectivity, no BT or XM/Sat radio)... I've been out of the car audio game for so long, so tell me - do you think that's reasonable? The big portion of it was like, $170, for them to bypass the stock amp.
06-11-2008, 10:28 PM
#2
Anybody with this setup? I'm looking at getting a new head unit put in, since I'm sick of not having MP3 CD's and/or my iPod, but I'm wondering what kinda detriment it's going to have on the SQ, losing the stock sub/amp. Anybody have any experience?
Also, I got a quote from Tweeter (Yeah, I know, don't rub it in) and it was something like $350 for a wiring kit, mounting bracket and the entire install (just the iPod connectivity, no BT or XM/Sat radio)... I've been out of the car audio game for so long, so tell me - do you think that's reasonable? The big portion of it was like, $170, for them to bypass the stock amp.
Also, I got a quote from Tweeter (Yeah, I know, don't rub it in) and it was something like $350 for a wiring kit, mounting bracket and the entire install (just the iPod connectivity, no BT or XM/Sat radio)... I've been out of the car audio game for so long, so tell me - do you think that's reasonable? The big portion of it was like, $170, for them to bypass the stock amp.
06-11-2008, 10:29 PM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Snellville, GA
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'03 C32, '08 ML63
Well, I just went through this whole mess myself. The problem with the bose speakers is that they are 2 ohm. Most aftermarket headunits are going to be stressed driving a 2 ohm load and you'll run the risk of frying the onboard amp.
Here's where it gets even better. So my next thought was to replace the headunit and to throw in a decent set of speakers. The problem with that is that, at least on some head units, you have a bose amp sitting in the trunk which gets it's signal by a proprietary fiber optic connector. Meaning you can't even just replace the headunit and speakers. You have to put an amp in place, or, run the speaker wires from the speakers up to the head unit.
It's not an easy decision... I ended up just getting the whole deal. Head unit, amp, speakers, and then spent the whole weekend wiring everything in.
Here's where it gets even better. So my next thought was to replace the headunit and to throw in a decent set of speakers. The problem with that is that, at least on some head units, you have a bose amp sitting in the trunk which gets it's signal by a proprietary fiber optic connector. Meaning you can't even just replace the headunit and speakers. You have to put an amp in place, or, run the speaker wires from the speakers up to the head unit.
It's not an easy decision... I ended up just getting the whole deal. Head unit, amp, speakers, and then spent the whole weekend wiring everything in.
06-12-2008, 01:08 AM
#4
Well, I just went through this whole mess myself. The problem with the bose speakers is that they are 2 ohm. Most aftermarket headunits are going to be stressed driving a 2 ohm load and you'll run the risk of frying the onboard amp.
Here's where it gets even better. So my next thought was to replace the headunit and to throw in a decent set of speakers. The problem with that is that, at least on some head units, you have a bose amp sitting in the trunk which gets it's signal by a proprietary fiber optic connector. Meaning you can't even just replace the headunit and speakers. You have to put an amp in place, or, run the speaker wires from the speakers up to the head unit.
It's not an easy decision... I ended up just getting the whole deal. Head unit, amp, speakers, and then spent the whole weekend wiring everything in.
Here's where it gets even better. So my next thought was to replace the headunit and to throw in a decent set of speakers. The problem with that is that, at least on some head units, you have a bose amp sitting in the trunk which gets it's signal by a proprietary fiber optic connector. Meaning you can't even just replace the headunit and speakers. You have to put an amp in place, or, run the speaker wires from the speakers up to the head unit.
It's not an easy decision... I ended up just getting the whole deal. Head unit, amp, speakers, and then spent the whole weekend wiring everything in.
In this thread it talks about everything I bought to bypass the Bose amp in trunk and all that is needed is
1. headunit
2. install kit for HU
3. 2/3 sets of RCA cables
4. 2 amps....one 4 channel for door Bose speakers and a single mono amp for the Bose Sub or get a 5 channel amp to handle all. Make sure AMP can handle 2 ohms
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/233993-kenwood-mobile-entertainment-installed-my-c32.html
After hearing another members car with speakers upgraded I decided mine didn't sound so good so I upgraded to eventually. Remember the fronts and rears are 6.5" and you only need spacers for rear not front based of experience. I upgraded the Sub prior to upgrading the door speakers so I ran Bose door speakers for like 2-3 months without an issue. Notice that my amps can handle 2 ohms steady also.
