I have a 96' GXE and the stock radio LCD display just went bad. I like the sound of the factory Bose system and am wondering how much trouble is it to transplant the whole system in my Maxima. I am fairly handy and would have no problem installing pre-wired harnesses etc.

Is the conversion worth doing in terms of time and money? Any idea how much I can expect to pay for a good used system? How does this MOD compare with a similar cost after market system?

Appreciate the help

 

Hello

do a quick search for this, because i remember a similar question was asked. The answer i keep remembering is something like it's not worth it cause the bose system isn't that good to begin with. But don't take my word for it... it could be for more complex reasons.

 

I need your help guys. If I am happy with the sound part, how difficult would it be to put in a complete Bose system, including HU, amps, and speakers in my GXE. I have the opportunity to buy a complete sys. minus the wiring. Thats the part I need help with. The wiring from HU to the speakers, I don't mind running the wiring, but the concerned about all the connectors.

Any help out there?

Thanks.

 

Could someone please chime-in who has installed a complete Bose system in a 96' GXE? (single DIN with pocket underneath) Or someone who is familiar with the technical difficulty level? I have to make a decision today on the purchase of a complete used system.

(Please don't comment on issues like sound quality etc. I've heard the factory Bose systems, and think they sound great. This ofcourse is entirely a matter of personal taste.)

I tried searching on this topic, but couldn't find any directly relevant material. If you have info. on this topic, I would appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Serv

 

To start you'd need the amplified wiring harness for the Bose system, and run speaker wire to the amp on the back of each speaker. With the time and involved I personally don't think it's worth it. Bose speakers are still made out of paper they just have a small amp on the back of them. Why not upgrade, and amplify higher quality components. If your pleased with the way the Bose system sounds then by all means go for it

BTW I'm sure there is more involved, but many of the members here don't usually upgrade to Bose. This may be why there's not that much info

 

why in the world would you want a crappy bose system when you could get something SOOOO much better for the same price?

 

i dont think the Bose sounds crappy really. my display died, and i replaced just the deck, then did the whole system. although this is the opposite of what you want, after seeing the STRANGE wiring that Bose/Nissan do, i think you would be better off with decent speakers, and even a basic name brand CD player, since even the Bose has few if any options like remote, pre-outs, or other common features. goodluck, but i think the wiring would be a nightmare trying to convert to bose.

Hall

 

i have no idea what you just said, but i think you are agreeing with my suggestion

 

Great, now i have reading rainbow stuck in my head. Thank you very much.



Bose is crap. your better off getting a stealthbox, i did and it rules. My friends think i have a big big in the trunk and then i flip it open and then they ask where is it .my trunk space also rules.

 

its not that bose isnt good..its just that the time/money you spend is just better to get a aftermarket system

 

For starters, the BOSE ain't bad. It was a $900 option in the 98 maxima. So, take $900 and fill your car with aftermarket. Will it sound better??? Not likely. Most guiys on this board have systems ranging from $1100 and up.

Anyways, the bose seems complicated, but I sat one day and looked at my FSM, the section on wiring for Bose. It's not that bad. Normally, we are used to seeing 2 wires go to each speaker. On the Bose, there are 4. 2 wires for the actual audio signal, and the other 2 for power, for each amp that sits right next to each speaker. On the front speakers there are 6 wires because the extra pair are for the tweeters. The other part to the Bose system is a relay which tells all the Bose AMPS to power up when you turn the key.

DW

 

Dude, put your own system together. I did and mine sound better than any Bose system I've ever heard.

 

$900 will get you a decent HU and 4 speakers installed, plus extra $$ maybe for a small 4channel to power the highs.

Ant

 

if you install it yourself, you can get a really nice $300 HU (maybe like the alpine cda-7894 since it has a decent internal amp for a HU), some killer front components $300 (image dynamics chameleon 6.5"), leave out the rear fill unless you REALLY like the sound, it pulls the image backwards tho, misc install stuff $200, then sound dampening for the doors. $900 and you could have a really nice setup. easy to add a sub later or main amps too.

 

Guy, I think some of you are comparing the cost of a new Bose system with aftermarket, thats not the case here. I am not spending $900.00 for the Bose system. For a complete used system, I am spending less than $200.00.

My reasons for considering Bose is retaining the factory look (more theft proof) and ofcourse cost.

dwapenyi, did the FSM show power (for the amps) going to each speaker out of the HU, or from an external source? Is the FSM available anywhere online for reference or you have to buy it?

Appreciate the help,
Serv

 

for $200 it MAY be worth it. if you have to spend anything else, i wouldnt do it, things like wiring etc.

gl

 

Power goes from the BATT to a relay, then to all the amps. A signal from the HU goes to the same relay to tell the AMPS to power up when you power up the HU.

Just like a normal system, the Bose HU sends just the audio signal to the AMPS. Being Bose, though, the audio signal is not a standard line-out RCA, it's Bosefied somehow, extra bass emphasis and auto-loudness, I think. EricDWong has a better understanding of it.

HTH

DW