[V8] Bose specs

[Jeremy Ward]

I don't think it would be impossible to kludge something together using
an aftermarket head unit with the stock Bose speakers/amps, but I think
you will be much happier with the results using aftermarket
replacements.  Keep in mind that the amplifiers available built into
aftermarket head units have more power, cleaner sound, and don't start
fires like the stock setup does.

You can pick up a head unit for about the price of having your Bose
amplifiers refurbished ($175 according to Bob).  You get to trade your
tape player for a CD/MP3 player to boot.  If $$ is a concern, you could
replace just the head unit for now, and upgrade the speakers later.

You will need to adapt the Audi antenna to fit the replacement radio.
You can buy an adapter from the car stereo shop, or make your own using
a solder/crimp connector found at Radioshack (?).  You can probably buy
a male plug at the car stereo shop that would connect to your factory
radio wiring harness so you don't have to chop it up to connect your new
radio.  The wires from this new connector can be connect to your wiring
harness from the new radio on your work bench and then quickly connected
into the car.  As an added benefit going this route, you could pretty
quickly / easily slap the old radio back in when you go to sell it, or
do that frame up restoration 20 years from now... :-)

As Steve mentioned, you will need to do a 'home run' from the
aftermarket head unit to all 4 speaker locations.  I am running a 50Wx4
head unit with 6x9 replacements in the back (they bolt up very easy, no
modification required) and the stock Bose speakers in the doors (sans
Bose amplifiers).

The stock Bose are not 4ohm impedance, I think they are 6 or 8ohm...
Using the stock fronts connected to a high-power head unit (along with
the correct impedance rears) is a little less than desirable, but
doable.  I have it faded to the rear a bit to help balance my setup out.
I am unable to turn it up past a certain point however, without the
front speakers starting to sound like a dog at the end of it's owner's
leash, but this is up around the point that I probably shouldn't go too
much louder for my hearing's sake anyway.

Eventually, I would like to replace the door speakers with 4" drivers
and separate tweeters under the dash pad speaker grills, but $$ (not to
mention taking the time to fit standard size speakers in a non-standard
acoustic baffle) are preventing this...

Loosing the stock look is a big deterrent for some people as well as a
'hey look at what I got' to thieves...

HTH,

- Jeremy


-----Original Message-----
From: v8-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf
Of DieMarthaDie at aol.com
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 7:58 AM
To: v8 at audifans.com; quattro at audifans.com
Subject: [V8] Bose specs

Anyone have the specs for the Bose speaker amps?  what input they
require and the min-max range?  I was looking at a replacement head unit
and thinking that Blaupunkts Orlando looks reasonable (all the right
features) and wondering if the preamp outs (4v) would drive the Bose
amps or not...  I suppose I should consider swapping out the whole
thing, but that's $ and time I don't have.  Anyone got a BTDT on just
the head unit swap?

Thanks,
John
90 V8Q 
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