mrmcrice

hey guys i just bought my 03 GLE and i love it. it comes with the bose system...im not really fond of it tbh, the bass/treble settings dont do much. from what i understand the bose is a clarion headunit, a crappy sub, and four decent speakers that are individually amped, so heres my question

i plan on replacing the headunit/6 disc with an alpine unit and disconnecting the sub and replacing it with a box of my own, are the door speakers worth keeping? i mean if i installed a different amp and replaced the sub would it sound any better? i can't really tell if its the head unit or door speakers that are crappy, im on a budget so i'd like to keep costs down as much as i can, or is it worth just taking out the extra cost and replacing the door speakers as well?

EuroDriver

iTrader: (21)

Not worth it - besides being 2 ohm, they're old. To use different speakers though, you will have to remove the Bose amp. There's a lot of info on this in other threads.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

The speakers are amped by one amp in the trunk.

Keep em for now. Replace the head unit. If installed properly it will make your speakers (and OEM sub) sound better.

mrmcrice

yea i read the other threads about the bose systems i just wanted opinions from individuals on their experience with the speakers themselves if theyre somewhat decent. i guess ill try to replace the HU first and see hwo that sounds and then go from there

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Smart move.

- It's easier to replace the head unit than replace all 4 speakers and rewire the entire car.
- It's smarter to start improving the front end of a system than the rear.

02whitemaximase

iTrader: (38)

I have a new prioneer double din HU with a JL 10w6v2 and a JL 500/5 amp. All of my door speakers are still stock bose. It sounds okay for now but I do hate the fact that the treble is almost nonexistent. My sub is turned down basically to the lowest setting and I still have a hard time hearing vocals. I end up having the turn up the cd player volume close to its max. I can't wait to replace my door speakers with components. I have the other four channels of my JL amp to use for those.

Mr. Brett

iTrader: (7)

Definitely a new head unit.

When I had my Trans Am, I replaced all the speakers, and put a system in that car on the stock head-unit. It sounded like trash. It wasn't until I put an aftermarket head unit in that the whole system really came together.

I'd love to put an upgraded head unit in my G, but all of the available dash units look...tacky on the interior.

SemiFast

Very true, and yes for sur like the others already mentioned, the quality will improve, however you might want to change your speakers also in the near future.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

^^In my experience, it's a crap shoot to be honest.

Some are happy with the improved sound, some aren't. It's completely personal preference....and budget.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Really? That's surprising. I've seen a bunch that match perfectly and fit fairly well.

laststop

Something I've been thinking about is putting a new head unit and an amp to power new speakers, using the wires from the Bose amp output for wiring on the aftermarket amp instead. Basically it avoids a whole car re-wire.

mrmcrice

i had a trans am and i actually kept the stock speakers and replaced the headunit and i was content haha but from what i hear people are complaining about the fact that the bose speakers don't really produce good highs, i listen to a lot of rock so highs are important to me.

i guess the only thing i can do is do it little by little, definitely on a budget for bnow but might end up replacing the speakers in the future.

and i always thought amping the speakers was impossible because they are individuall amped? i have an alpipne power pack that connects directly to the head unit/harness and i always imagined it wouldnt work because the speakers have their own amps

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Yea...but if you're putting a new amp and new speakers, you really want to use that teensy 18-20awg that's in there? I'd upgrade to 16awg. FYI you need 50 feet to redo the car. And it takes a good 2-3 hours to do it right.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

In the 4th gen, there is a small amp in each door, integrated with the speaker.

In the 5th gen, the Bose speaker amp for all interior speakers is underneath the rear deck in the truck. The subwoofer amp is mounted on the subwoofer itself.

The Bose speakers/amps are linked and have to be replaced at the same time because of the impedance which they run at - 4ohm, which is not aftermarket standard.

mrmcrice

alright, ill start w the headunit and see how the speakers hold up since some say its not btoo bad with an aftermarket HU, then go from there, thanks for the opinions guys

laststop

Don't forget the pac roem-nis to convert to the right level for the Bose amp. If you preamps have enough power you might be able to use the standard wiring harness from Metra.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

It doesn't have to be the PAC. A standard Line Output Converter will do.

Preout voltage of the HU determines if Metra 70-7551 is sufficient, or if a LOC is needed in addition.

Voltage below 3v, LOC is recommended.

laststop

Any cheaper alternatives to the PAC you would recommend?

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

I think there's a $20 or $25 one on Crutchfield.

Mr. Brett

iTrader: (7)

I've only looked at single-DIN, not double. Some of the doubles don't look too bad.

Also, you have to replace your A/C controls when you put an aftermarket head unit in. That's a fail in my book...

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

You're not going to get it OEM looking. Just clean with no gaps. I believe the single DIN kits use the aftermarket mounting cage and trim ring that comes with the HU. Can't get better than that!

02whitemaximase

iTrader: (38)

Why the change the a/c controls? Maybe if he had the stock navigation.

Mr. Brett

iTrader: (7)

Metra makes a decent-looking kit. But it's a little on the steep side. I suppose that's the price you pay for something as close to OEM as you can get, though.

The next best option is to get the JDM Double-DIN kit that Nissan actually makes for the G. Problem is...it runs about $400.

02whitemaximase

iTrader: (38)

nevermind, talking about a G I see.

mrmcrice

wait, whats this about having to change my ac controls? lol id idnt read anything about that on the forums here

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

^^ See the post above you. AC controls have to be replaced in a G35 sedan, not the maxima.

For the G owner, you can also do as I do and solder the LED and resistor yourself...

1992maximase30

I don't understand. I mean the bose in my 99 and 01 sounds good. The treble sounds better in the 01 I think due to them moving the tweeters

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Everyone has their own preference and opinion about sound quality.

To some, it sounds fantastic. To others with a more discerning ear, it doesn't.

mrmcrice

exactly, and im not entirely sure if the difference in quality is worth the 4-500 dollars in replacing all the speakers and the sub, so ill give it an alpine HU first and see how that works

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Good idea.

mrmcrice

thanks for the opinions guys! helps alot, so happy to have a maxima now, idk how i owned a sentra spec v for so long lol

Xpcgamer

iTrader: (5)

Yeah. Listen to this dude. I replaced my HU with a Pioneer. Even using Line level inputs the sound is AMAZING! Very happy.

1992maximase30

Im pretty picky when it comes to my sounds. I can understand why some would talk bad about the bose. When we first got the 01 the bass sucked and so did the treble. Come to find out there was a slight wiring issue in the back where the sub amp is..

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Yea pretty common for the sub amp to cut out.

cmd26

iTrader: (6)

Yo op does your bose radio work well? My gf has the same year/model max hers crapped but she wants another bose radio. If so I would buy it from you for $50 pm me.

mrmcrice

yea it works fine, nothing wrong with it so far from what i see, if youre interested ill sell it to you i was gonna put it on ebay but this makes it easier just send me a pm or email me timothy.cenabre@gmail.com

and i forgot to ask, is it really going to matter what head unit im going to get in terms of quality? since the sound is going to be coming from the stock amp and such, im not that knowledgeable about systems so does it really matter which head unit i get if the features are there? in terms of sound quality

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Sound quality won't vary much across many of the current aftermarket brands. Go with the head unit that works for your requirements and budget. Just don't get Sony.

Maxima02man

My 02 gle stock Bose speakers, amp and sub are still kicking strong and loud with no shortage of bass. Keep em til they blow which won't be for a long time unless you kill them yourself

Chris Gregg

iTrader: (59)

After 8 years, the Bose speakers - Bose paper speakers - are past their prime. Replace head unit and all four door speakers. Just get a quality and well amped head unit then run the doors off the unit. Later, replace the Bose sub.

I replaced everything at once. Never had a Sony deck, but the one I got had lots of power; punches my doors without breaking a sweat. Replaced doors with two way Infinity speakers. Couldn't be happier.
Replaced rear sub and it sounded horrible free air. Built a custom sealed enclosure beneath it, and it sounds fantastic!
With the Bose, you really need to just yank everything at this point. Otherwise do deck and doors with sub later.