What to know about Bose
 

Well it is that time again boys and girls. Time for more information.
This time around I want to inform you about your choices when you buy your car and upgrade it as well. We will cover:

Should I get the Bose system?
Should I get the OEM Nav system?
What are my options for upgrading from bose?
What obstacles do I have to overcome when upgrading the bose system?
Why is bose bad?

Should I get the Bose system?

The very first thing you need to ask yourself is this. Am I going to upgrade? Simply put many of you go and drive the Z and do not either bother listening to the stereo or at low volumes. You need to listen to the system how you really would!! Bring cd's, ipods or other media to test your music on the system. Sit in the car and really listen, even if you're not an audiophile, you will know wether or not you will be happy with the system after a few songs. If you are read no more the bose maybe for you. If you think you will be upgrading or even adding a sub read on.

Should I get the OEM Nav system?
if you feel like replacing the system because you want more features it would be easier if you simply got a non Bose system. However it is replaceable see here.
http://www.the370z.com/audio-video/1...y-removed.html

What are my options for upgrading from bose?
This is where it can get interesting. You can add new audio to your bose system but you have to do some things in order to do so.
If you have the regular non nav bose system you can upgrade the head unit and use this dash kit and adapter to run it with the rest of the bose system still in tack.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1207075...s.html?tp=2977

http://www.metraonline.com/part/Niss...h_kit_99-7607B

To keep your steering wheel controls
http://www.amazon.com/Axxess-ASWC-1-.../dp/B00B4PJC9K

Base speaker brackets or make them yourself:
http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_6601.jpg


If you want to do a complete overhaul you can just as long as you have the regular bose system and not with the nav. And make sure to run new speaker wires

Speakers
If you want to upgrade your speakers it is not as simple as plugging in new speakers and your set. The bose system has odd ohms levels for it's speakers and on top of this they have build in crossovers on the bose amp. You will first have to use a LOC such as the mtx-req5, Alpine imprint, JBL MS8, and so on. These devices connect to the bose system wires, before or after the factory amp and allow you to connect new amps to power your new speakers. Yes you will need not only a LOC but a new amp to install new speakers. Also you will want to run new speaker wires as well.

You can put a 6X9 in the door however 6.5 is recommended with a spacer ring. Component set is also recommended

LOC
As mentioned this device allows you to install a new sub and/or speaker amp to power your new sub or speakers. The high end ones are the JBL MS8 and Audison Bitone right now. There are other such as the MTX re-q5 and so on. The only one I do not recommend is the JL cleansweep this one will make you use a small volume knob it comes with to control the volume and you will not longer be able to use your factory volume knob.

The bad about these are ground loops. Bose system are notorious for having already present alternator winning in the system that when you upgrade you may bring out. The higher end LOC's are not as sensitive to this as the lower end ones. I personally encountered this problem doing a install in california. This can sometimes be fixed by using a ground loop isolator.

Why is bose bad?
Simply put the bose system is nothing more than upgraded paper woofers just like the base system below are some pictures of some base speakers and some bose speakers. Other than the size the only differences are ohms and the bose had the brand name on them. take a look. More information about the bose system can be found under Car Audio 101

Speakers Bose
http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_6600.jpg

Base
http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_0198.jpg

Base tweeter
http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_0227.jpg

Bose tweeter

http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/r...jN0Yfg60_3.jpg

Sticky this!

:iagree: Thanks Matt.:tup:

Nice... This Cleared a Couple Things Up But Im Still Stuck... :(

I Want Navi But I Dont Want Bose So i Guess When i Do Add Speakerz, Subs, Ampz, ETC. (Im A Audiophile) Ill Just Use The JBL MS8..

Also, What Is The BEST LOC (Price Is Not A Problem) You Can Get That Will Make The Bose Sound Like A AfterMarket?

Nice Avatar.. I use to ride too.:tup:

Awesome!

:tup:
:happydance:

IMO the best to just add a sub would be the Audio Control LC2i. I know some people push the ReQ, but as i worked for the company that designed it and owns it, i would still not use it. It has now been disco'd the failure rate was just to high.
The best no holds barred would be IMO would be the Rockford 3sixty, it does everything, not to mention it was just awarded the patent for this type of thing. The Bit one, MS-8, etc are currently infringing on a patented piece…

repped :tup:

As long as you have the bose system and not the nav you can pull the whole thing out. There is still hope!!

The req is good but as I mentioned in the write up there are muh better and higher end options out there. I have used the MS8 in two installs and they word very well. the new alpine imprint should be out soon and that looks promising as well.

Nice write-up Matt

I'll sticky it so its easy for other members with questions to find.

Thanks Mod.:tup:

My Factory Nav/Bose System Install
 

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to add my :twocents: to Matt's write up so it's part of this thread for people that may be thinking about upgrading the factory bose setup with navigation. I had a slightly bumpy road, but ultimately was able to upgrade successfully - and want to share how I got there.

I was part of Matt's "California Builds" recently - and wanted better quality audio all around, while retaining my factory nav/head unit. I quickly found out that I didn't have any options w/ swapping the head unit for reasons noted above.

So I opted for an MTX LOC which was reasonably priced (MTX RE-Q5) as the interface between my Bose head unit and new amplifier (Alpine PDX-5). We bypassed the factory amp and went straight to the RE-Q5 and then to the Alpine. We DID encounter problems w/ the MTX unit (faulty harness) - so I had to get another one mid-install. Definitely not fun scrambling to find one locally, but I was able to. The alpine amp was powering Image Dynamics components (door speakers/tweeters), and an Image Dynamics Sub.

This is where the problems began - alternator/engine whine. If you've never had to deal w/ this - it's a gnarly constant whine that persists whether the stereo is on or off...and amplifies as you accelerate. It can quickly drive you up the wall!

Matt double checked all grounds, but that was not the problem. Upon research, we found that many MTX RE-Q5 users experienced the same thing. Whether a higher end unit (JBL MS-8; Rockford Fosgate Three-60) would have avoided the whine - I can't say for sure. I would, however, recommend one of those higher end units as they would be MUCH easier to tune the system...but more on that later.

So finally, I had to use trial and error to find/resolve the source of the engine whine. I initially tried an inline power noise filter at the battery terminal (the MTX was fed directly from the battery). That didn't work. Next, I tried an inline power noise filter near the MTX; along with a ground loop isolator. I also separated any power and audio cabling w/ simple ducting. VOILA - engine whine gone!

I was happy at that point, but still a little unsettled w/ the overall tuning of the system (didn't feel the bump in the sub and front speakers were too loud relatively). I increased gains at the amp, played with the crossover frequencies and gains on the RE-Q5, and fine tuned w/ the factory audio controls - and FINALLY, I felt very happy w/ the result. As mentioned earlier, a higher-end LOC would have probably made the final audio adjustments easier (MTX has simple/cheap knobs you adjust w/ a screwdriver). That said, I have a hunch I would have still had to deal w/ eliminating engine noise which stems from having to amplify the factory Bose levels, which as Matt mentioned, are output at odd levels.

Matt and I ventured into this knowing we were entering uncharted waters...but I'm thrilled to finally have an upgraded system w/ the factory nav/Bose system. Significantly better clarity, imaging and bump :tup:. Hope this helps anyone looking to upgrade...

-Lohit

I have also upgraded my factory nav with bose. I did not have near the problems you did thank goodness. I just used a simple LOC and it works great. I used the wires that were going into the factory sub and hooked the LOC there and then ran my RCA from there to my amp. It has worked great for around a year now.

Currently I have a JL 12w3 in a Zenclosure box :)



By the way congrats on the new audio build.