Nissan 370Z Forum - AUDIO : Bose w/o Nav Upgrades Discussions

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AUDIO : Bose w/o Nav Upgrades Discussions

Ok here is the deal. To all 370z Owners that have the Bose system without nav. (6CD). I’d like to start a thread on possible audio upgrades and how to get there without changing the head unit.

Topic no.1: IPod:
In my 350z, I have used an adaptor to connect my iPod through the CD changer input. I could get minimal control of my IPod through it like changing songs and shuffle. I used the USA Spec PA11 NIS to do this. The 370Z Bose headunit does not have the CD changer input but does have SAT audio input. Maybe the adaptor could work here to through the SAT option? I will open the dash and access the back of the head unit and try some options and let you know as soon as I can. I really want to plug, charge, and control my Ipod without using the front aux in.

Topic no.2: Amplifier:
From my experience, a good amp can definitely improve sound quality. Maybe we could gain some by simply changing the amp but not the OEM speakers. Another benefit is more sound without busting the original speaker, as long as the signal is clean. Remember, it’s not power that tends to destroys speakers, it’s most likely distortion.

I would appreciate if some of you push in that direction to post what is needed to achieve this. Maybe wire color information, a special adaptor or anything else. I also believe that this cannot be done without adding crossovers. And I am not even sure about how to get the signal from the head unit.

Topic no.3: Speakers:
Changing speakers and keeping the original Bose amp… does it really help? If someone tries this, can you please provide the information you have? I guess we need special impedence speakers or something.

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2005 350Z 35th - SilverStone
2009 370Z Touring/Sport - Platinum Grey

Topic no.2: Amplifier

I've actually been looking all day for the whole specs on the boss system for the 370, but on the 350Z Bose System you couldn't replace only the AMP and keep the OEM speakers because they had a weird impedance (Somewhere on the 13.8ohms and modding the impendace of the speaker will reduce considerably the efficiency of the amp), there is none aftermarket amp that support those impedance.

I am looking into getting my 370Z with Boss & NAv system and I would like to disconnect the Boss subwoofers and replacing it with an aftermarket amp/sub, but i want to know if the OEM bose stereo have some pre-amp outputs or some aux output I could use? or I need to somehow modded to get the signal from somewhere else.

I remember some one posting a thread that had the Bose w navi and had upgraded their system to take over where the Bose system leaves off. They said it made a huge difference and they still might have used the bose sub as well. Im gona have to look through the threads but they listed all the components they used.

Topic no.1: IPod

Topic no.1: IPod:

Hello guys,
As promissed, I opened the dash and accessed the back of the head unit (Bose w/o Nav) to see what it looks like. The USA Spec PA11 NIS for the 350z does not fit. The harnesses are different.

I still haven't found a way to control my ipod from the head unit yet. So if you have any ideas...

Cheers!

Topic no.1: IPod:

Topic no.1: IPod:

Ok, after tons and tons of hours searching, I finaly found this product that migth be a solution for us!!! Has anyone tried this?

PXAMG
Peripheral Electronics
http://www.peripheralelectronics.com/?ProductId=276

Additionaly, we would need the PGHNI2 harnesses. (Although it is not mentioned specifically for the 370z, I believe it's the same as other recent Nissan radios. They also look the same on the pictures I have taken from the back of the head unit)

After what I have read, I believe that this setup should give us control, charge and even see the iPod songs on the BOSE head unit!!

More pics at
http://www.pac-audio.com

Basically how I see it is that you will have to replace the head unit and use new speakers, but if you are going to sue the factory head unit you will need something like that, Your link is from what I have gathered just to add an aux input to your 370z.

Topic no.1: IPod:

OK, still searching for a solution, I ordered the SAT adaptor and it arrived today!

I will try to install the whole kit this w.e. and let you guys know if I finaly found a good working solution to topic no. 1. ;)

Cant wait to find out if its a working solution! if it works, I Know what I'm doing on Mid Tour Leave from Afghanistan, though the wait until then will be all the more painful... Major withdrawls from my Z

Stay in there solider your doing us proud.

Topic no.1: IPod:

Hi guys,

I have installed the adaptor and the good news is that IT WORKS!!
Now the bad news is that it a bit complicated to figure out how to control and navigate. The manufacturer has not written a manual specific to the 370Z and I am one of the first to reallly try it out.

So what I can tell you so far:

Pros:
- Easy install
- Charges the iPod and stops/resume where it was when radio is turned off or when leaving the car.
- Good sound quality
- Radio and Steering wheel get some decent control of the iPod
- You can see the artist/song on the Radio! (but with no scrolling on long names)
- There is an “aux mode” that will let you control the iPod from the iPod instead of the radio… but with this alternative, you will loose the text display feature and any control from the radio.
- You can add an additional item (SAT + iPod + Something else) in the AUX2 chanel.

Cons
- Very difficult navigate and will need some time to get use to it.
- No fast forward/reverse function
- Volume is lower than by the direct HU aux input in front, meaning that I am often at the MAX volume and wish it would go a little bit more. At level 30 (MAX) it's equivalent to CD level 20.
- A bit expensive

I have played with it the whole weekend and I still haven’t figured out the best setup yet. Some testing/configuration needs to be done so I will post the result of my findings and a little guide when I have investigated all options thoroughly.

Well, at least now we have a much better solution than connecting through the front aux and that makes me happy already!

Cheers!

Topic no.1: IPod:

Hello again,

Now I have installed the adaptor, I though about posting a little “how to” since I find it very tricky to manipulate or to set-up because there is no manual for the 370z and the radio settings seems a little different from the other Nissan.

On the adaptor unit, there are some "dipswitches" that you can play with. Not sure about what they all do so I kept them all in the original upper position.
Once every thing is plugged in, see my guide below to save yourself some frustrations (trust me!:icon14:). Also see my attached picture for reference:

First press 1, for display options. Set it to “Channel name”

To swith between modes:
Press 4-5-12 (in sequence) to switch between (SAT, AUX1, AUX2 and IPOD)
- SAT : Satelite Radio (if equipped)
- AUX1 : iPod (or else) with no text display. Control of the iPod is done on the iPod itself.
- AUX2 : To plug in another source if wanted
- IPOD: To control your iPod from the HU

In “IPOD” mode:
- Use 3 to bring up the menu
- Use 2 or 3 to move up or down the menu (PL list, Artist, Genre, etc)
- Use 3 to confirm (at the last level of the menu)
- Use 13 and 12 to go up to the next song or down to the last.
- Use 7 in IPOD mode to switch between RDM modes or not.

Other:
- If you would like to invert button 12 and 13 (TUNE), press 4-5-12-7 in sequence! It’s supposed to invert the “Track” or “Tune” button order (down vs up)… but so far, I haven’t been able to invert the Track button this way. It did manage to invert the Tune button but after fooling around with it for a while, I simply kept the default setting as it was ok for me. The reason why it's not obvious is that the display does not always show you what’s happening (a bit weird frankly).

- If you can’t understand where exactly you are in the menu, or you think the unit has stopped responding, press the display (1) button again. Sometimes it’s just a display glitch and it’s all it takes to bring it back to normal (took me a while to figure that out! Ha ha ha!)

Conclusion:
- I get decent control of my Ipod now, although I can’t fast forward in the songs.
- The steering wheel will keep the same settings as button 2 and 3 (MENU and not NEXT/PREV TRACK). I didn’t manage to make it work differently, so if you do please let me know.
- The volume is to low (even at MAX) so if you find something to do, please let me know as well. (That brings us back to Topic no.2: Amplifier)
- See my other post above for features/limitations

I hope this whole post will be handful to some Z owners.:driving:

Regards

Awesome, I cant wait to come home and install it. Thanks for Pioneering that solution!

How Difficult is it to actually remove the HU without damaging it? any special tools needed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Foxwolf (Post 130031)

Awesome, I cant wait to come home and install it. Thanks for Pioneering that solution!

How Difficult is it to actually remove the HU without damaging it? any special tools needed?

Removing the HU and accessing the back of the unit is simple as 1-2-3! I kept my PXAMG under the radio, next to the shifter. So if I need to access the other AUX inputs or the "dipswitches" it very simple and I don't need to remove the HU.

You just need a regular screwdriver and it took me only 30-45min to install.
Just check: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ket-radio.html

Cheers!

Wire color information

Does anybody have a wire color information chart for the harnesses in the back of the HU? I am looking for a way to increase the gain of the iPod connexion which is, like mentioned above, to low and needs some boosting to get some decent volume.

Cheers!

I have 2010 AE Bose non-NAV and like a lot others am integrating a Nexus 7 tablet. From the photos posted of the Bose HU, it looks like there is no rear Aux input. I've seen I can buy the ISNI572 from Amazon for $68, but is there any reason I can't patch in a rear connector and rewire from the front? I realize I can't parallel w/o providing a means to switch from front to rear; but just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Finally, is it safe to assume that the front Aux-In will still work if I connect the iSimple gateway?