Simple Yes or No answer about Aftermarket Head unit and bose speakers!!

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Apr 9, 2003 | 07:45 PM

SerpenTTine

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Simple Yes or No answer about Aftermarket Head unit and bose speakers!!

I want a new head unit. I plan on purchasing the Sony CDX-M850MP. I know that in normal car stereo's without amps, an aftermarket head unit might impprove sound quality. My question is that since my Bose system uses an amp and a sub, can i simply replace the head unit and still take full advantage of these components or will I lose them?? It is very hard to find a definitive answer when doing searches, because posts quickly change to Ohms and other Audiophile jargon. I can care less about the CD changer one disc with 100 MP3's is enough for me. Also whether you answer yes or know, please let me know how you know. Thanks. Also, are the speakers connected to the amp as well as the sub on the bose setup or just the sub?? Thanks again.

Apr 9, 2003 | 08:03 PM

VenTTed

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I'll give you part of the answer you are loooking for...

you CANNOT change out the HU in a Bose car without losing the OEM amplifier and speakers. Doing so will cause all sorts of amp/ohm issues. In order to do a new HU, you will need to replace the amp and speakers and at that point you will be into your car stereo a healthy chunk of money. You may want to consider a Phat box or Rio type setup that will run thru your existing system and leave it at that. DO a search for "Jeff Bipes Auxiliary unit" and see if you can find a link to the stuff he sells to help make these connections.
Good luck!

Apr 9, 2003 | 08:07 PM

SerpenTTine

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That sux, there is no way to just connect the amp to the pre-amp of the HU?? THANKS!!!!

Apr 10, 2003 | 04:56 AM

JustJeff

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Yes there is, line-level inputs are line level inputs....

The OEM H/U, "Bose" amp will work with line-level inputs.

You can swap these components at will.

An after-market H/U still has the same line-level outs.

If you keep your "Bose" speakers with the "Bose" amp there is no reason why you cannot swap H/U's

Use this oft-published diagram to connect your new H/U up to the existing wiring.

<img src="http://home.attbi.com/~ttbipes/jpgs/headunitwiring.jpg">

Apr 10, 2003 | 04:59 AM

VenTTed

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You can connect a NEW amp to the existing HU using a special...

adapter that Crutchfield of Jeff will sell you, but the connections from the HU back need to be changed out. In your case, you are wanting to chnage the HU and our systems won't work with aftermarket HU's. Period. Take a look at my Coupe install pics link at the bottom of this post.

It's a pretty big job doing the new amp, new speaker thing... what are you looking for anyway? More bass, crisper sound, Mp3 capability? If you want all of this... you might as well start from scratch. :-(<ul><li><a href="http://www.public.fotki.com/ventted/audi_tt/mods_and_tweaks/stereo/">my install...</a></li></ul>

Apr 10, 2003 | 05:02 AM

VenTTed

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Oh Sh*t... Jeff's here... listen to him! :-)

He is the electrical genius. The problem is that he is smarter than 99.9% of all installers and many of them will not be able to duplicate the great stuff he talks about! BTW, I am serious... send this guy some cookies and money and be his best frined and he can set you up! :-)