I just bought a '94 Maxima. I bought the car with the intention of installing an aftermarket cd player (ie. Sony, Aiwa). However, after learning the basics about bose car audio systems, I realized that installing it would be a little more difficult with the bose system than with other stock systems.

Before I go on, is it correct that I can't replace the bose tape player with an aftermarket cd player while keeping the bose speakers?

If not, I am not too sure what steps to take to upgrade my bose system. First Ill List the existing problems and then talk about possible solutions.

The Problems that exist with the audio system include:
1.Tape Player Does Not Read Tapes (AM/FM works well though)
2. Unit Display does not work (I can not see what frequency/station the radio is on. I have just programed some familar stations into presets for the time being.)


To get rid of these problems, which of the following would I be able to:

1. Replace the Bose Tape player with a Bose cd player? If so, would I be able to use a newer year bose cd player with my older speakers?
2. Fix the display?
3. Fix the Tape Player?


Another option that I have is buying an FM modulated Cd Changer. This way, I would set one of my presets to the frequency required by the cd changer and then just use the cd changer's controller.


Thanks for taking the time to read this.


Scott

 

First, you can buy an aftermarket adapter that will allow you to use an aftermarket cd player with your Bose speakers. I didn't install it myself, so I am not sure how hard it is, but Magnolia Hi-Fi did all of the work and charged a minimal amount extra (maybe it was $25).

One bad thing is that mine blew the rear two speakers. I believe this is because of the 4V pre-outs on the CD player, but it might be because Bose does everything different and they aren't very compatible with any other manufacturer. It did work fine for over two years.

You can find the Maxima Bose head units on ebay (right now there is a double din CD/tape deck that has an opening bid of $75 -- item number 2417117824) I would probably go this route, since it seems like your head unit is near the end of its rope. I don't know exactly what newer ones work, but I would have to guess all 90-94s are basically the same.

I am going to be installing totally new equipment soon and I talked to a local shop that will take out all of the Bose and I am going to have them install non-Bose speakers and amps. If you want to expand beyond four speakers, I suggest you do that eventually.

good luck

 

when i first installed my stereo, i put a pioneer headunit with the bose speakers, you don't actually HAVE to have the adapter, just realise that the volume will get loud real quick (ie: at 10 rather than 30) i went to my local car audio shop, which sold me a loom plug that with the included wiring diagram, allowed me to wire up my head unit to it, and then just plug it straight in to the existing harness!

The main things to remember with the bose are:
1) DON'T bypass the bose amps and connect straight to the headunit
2) Make sure the power for the amps remain connected when using the bose speakers
3) If the speakers start to cut out or make screeching noises, look in the FAQ's at the top of the 3rd gen page, for instructions on how to fix them.
4) If running aftermarket speakers, do NOT connect them to the bose amps, ie run new cable to the speakers from HU.

Hope this helps

- Scott

 

Do you think typical audio installation guys working at Bestbuy or Circuit City would be familar with the "loom plug"? Just in case they are not, are there any other names for the Loom plug?

Also, what is the adapter called that I may or may not need? Would this adaptor allow my sound to increase at normal increments, instead of getting louder quickly?

Last of all, do you think a guy like myself, one who has no experience with car audio, could accomplish this head unit installation? While I surely want to get my hands dirty with my own car, I do not want to do too much damage.

 

heh, sorry, i can't remember the proper name for the connector, its just a plug that connects to the standard head unit plug and has wires coming off the other side to connect to the aftermarket head unit.

Yes, the adapter that you can use will keep sound at normal levels.

Doing the install is reasonably straight forward enough, just a matter of removing the cover around the head unit (there's instructions for that on craig brace's site in the FAQ's) and undoing the screws that hold the head unit in. once its unbolted, you'll unplug the connector, this is where the replacement plug goes. Then wire up the head unit and install it to the brackets that the old one sat on, and put back together. (the other plug in the rear is for the antenna - don't forget to re-connect)
If this sounds a bit complicated, best get someone who knows what they're doing to install it, as they're expensive enough without breaking them!
You might be able to find someone who will let you watch the install, which will give you a good idea of how things are done!

Sorry if my explinations aren't helpful.. i'm better at doing than explaining!

Best of luck!

 

one word: crutchfield. i ordered a pioneer cd player from crutchfield and the interface they supplied me with is money. it's perfect. it has separate impedance adjustors for all four speakers, you just have to configure them once you install it and it takes five minutes. you don't have to do anything but connect the adapter inline, no need to even think about rewiring anything with the amps.

yes, it does get loud faster than normal. but nothing you can't deal with if you have an interface. the loudest i've ever had the headunit's volume is 18. i usually play it around 10 for cd's. you won't believe how good your bose speakers/amps sound once they get a good feed into them (i.e. a cd as opposed to a tape or fm).

oh and be warned that since you have to tie the antenna and amp power signal leads together on an aftermarket deck, your antenna will go up whenever the unit is on, regardless of what you're listening to. unless you figure out a way to choose whether the antenna goes up, like i did.

one more thing: don't pay someone to install your deck for you. do it yourself. it's not that hard and it is good to "get your hands dirty." note: there is no dirt involved tho.

 

Does Anyone have a recommendation on what cd/mp3 player I should buy? I want to spend less than $225 and I am planning on buying it from Crutchfield.

Thanks for reading.

 

i don't recommend Panasonic, skips a LOT compared with my old pioneer, and the mp3 playback is average, must be something with the decoding.. get a lot of noise in the songs (although some of it is due to mp3 encoding)

 

I have a 1st Gen Rockford Fosgate MP3 player in my Pathfinder(RFX9000). It never skips and I've had it for nearly two years without a problem. The new ones are essentially the same unit. I paid $250 installed and I think it's a good value. Mine could use a few extra features (especially a sub-x-over, which the new ones have), but it's easy to go through the files, find tracks and the sound quality is good. I think it's a good value and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

There are two at www.crutchfield.com that are $229 and one that's $299.

I am looking at getting a new Eclipse deck (not available at crutchfield) that has two ***** -- one for volume and one for going through the tracks. It also has a built in sub x-over and it is $250.

Also, it's nice to do the work yourself, but many quality places install for free.

I've installed plenty of stuff myself, but if it doesn't cost any more, I'm not going to waste a Sunday afternoon in the garage underneath my dash. Just my two cents. Either way, I don't fault anyone who's willing to work on their own cars, or work hard, in general.