BOSE confusion
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
BOSE confusion
A friend of mine is about to take delivery of a 2000 CLK. My knowledge is not that geared towards new-fangled cars, where everything is electronic and little is user-serviceable. 
The car allegedly comes with BOSE speakers, but has a (broken) Pioneer satnav head unit. I would imagine the BOSE system is some kind of proprietary thing, with a hidden amp and maybe integration with a specific head unit? Am I way off target?
What's the easiest way to tell if this system is/was fitted?
Sorry for my lack of knowledge, and any links to the nitty-gritty of these cars are most welcome.
The car allegedly comes with BOSE speakers, but has a (broken) Pioneer satnav head unit. I would imagine the BOSE system is some kind of proprietary thing, with a hidden amp and maybe integration with a specific head unit? Am I way off target?
What's the easiest way to tell if this system is/was fitted?
Sorry for my lack of knowledge, and any links to the nitty-gritty of these cars are most welcome.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 592
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
CLK/ML
You're way on target. Most likely it had the Bose system as I cannot think of a reason why anyone would purposely install Bose speakers on their own accord. If you remove the rear driver side panel in the trunk, the Bose amp is located there. It is fiber optic and does not work well with mixed systems so my guess is the owner installed the Pioneer and realized that it would not drive the speakers. There are others here far more qualified than myself in the audio department but that's basically the deal.
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 4
02CLK320
Originally Posted by ThrillKill
You're way on target. Most likely it had the Bose system as I cannot think of a reason why anyone would purposely install Bose speakers on their own accord. If you remove the rear driver side panel in the trunk, the Bose amp is located there. It is fiber optic and does not work well with mixed systems so my guess is the owner installed the Pioneer and realized that it would not drive the speakers. There are others here far more qualified than myself in the audio department but that's basically the deal.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 592
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
CLK/ML
Originally Posted by bnz.
The only fiber optic connection in CLK audio system is between a stock headunit and CD changer in a trunk. There are no fiber optic wires go to or out Bose amplifier. That means any headunit can work with a stock Bose amp.
