I just got a 5th gen max and i am considering keeping the OEM non-bose HU and installing speakers/amps/subs... Too many of my friends have been having their cars robbed and i'd like to keep a low profile..

Can I do this?

Does anyone know if the OEM headunit have outputs for amps?
Will the sound quality suffer greatly?

i also like the way the oem deck looks in the center console. fits in there well and keeps it low key.

what do you guys think? let me know if you think this can be done..

 

an aftermarket head unit has innumerable advantages in every way, other than being very low profile. There are still a few good models that are pretty stealthy though.

There are also a couple of ways that different stock radios can be hooked up to external amplifiers. But not all amps can be connected, only certain models.

 

thanks


someone told me that it can be done but i'll need an equalizer and a hi-lo converter?

what do these things do and what do they cost? maybe it's not worth the $ doing this..



thanks

 

This is not true, any amp in the world can be connected to a stock radio. When done properly there is no particular models that can/cant be used.

--Don

 

There would be no need for an EQ. A line level, yes, but thats about it. But as posted earlier, there are tons of advantages to having an aftermarket HU rather than stock. But in either event to answer your original questions....

Yes it can be done

There are no preouts on the stock HU

SQ will suffer

--Don

BTW...ya shoulda told Val to put something in there before ya bought the car.

 

A good HU is the heart and soul of a decent stereo system. If you dont have bose then start with the HU. You will thank yourself later. Just make sure it is a good HU.

 

sorry , I was forgetting about hi-low converters. Back when I was dealing with stock HU to amp, those werent around.

 

Your a real old timer then huh? I remeber using them back in the
mid-80s.

--Don

 

Believe it or not, headunit matters (so does speakers)
Until Don helped me swap out my Pioneer 740mp (had another Pioneer before that) for the Eclipse 8443, I had NO IDEA how much cleaner the output was. Some people don't care for that, but I'm sure as he11 glad I made the switch.

AnGe

 

Big deal, VERY VERY Big deal. Your head unit is your brain. Which brain would you perfer Forest Gump or Albert Einstein.

 

lol I'm not that old, but 5 years ago the shops I was around never had heard of them, because all of the amplifiers had high-level input.

 

I was seriously consdering putting in a new HU that had MP3 capabilities so I could get better sound quality and also the added MP3 niceties, BUT, I don't want to lose my Steering Wheel Controls. I basically only use them and never touch the HU. I know there are hacks that can be done, but they don't seem very graceful. Am I wrong about this???

I almost got an Alpine 40x4 Amp that had Speaker Level Inputs so I could boost the volume on the OEM system and get rid of some of the distortion that I heard when I turned it up, but decided that I didn't really "need" that extra volume and the system doesn't sound TOO bad.

Ideally I'd love to have a new HU, but I'm contemplating getting an iPod with the FM transmitter and just using that for a massive music selection and a great interface to boot!!!

 

I've heard that they have adapters for steering wheel control, rather than hacking something together. Or you could just get a new Hu that has a remote control, just as easy and you can even use it outside the car.(If you ever have the need.)

Also, not sure if an external emp would work, added to the bose system. From what I understand the bose speakers are 1 ohm, so you would have to replace your speakers also.

 

get an aftermarket hu it's well worth it. give you more power than the stock and higher quality sound. I suggest you go with an alpine hu I would if i had the choice all over again

 

I don't have a Bose system in my car, so the my speaker ohm should be normal....

I know a remote would be "nice", but it's even better, in my opinion, that I can drive my car with two hands and still change stations/tracks/volume with ease. I don't want to lose that capability...

 

I guess thats why I like the remotes so much, I always have one hand free. The only time I use two hands, is when turning.

 

Haven't heard anyone complain about their PAC SWI-X

 

good music ---> crap HU ---> system ---> crap
- or -
good music ---> good HU ---> system ---> good sounding music

 

alright guys- i'm convinced


Don,
I'm keeping the Viper alarm. Val should have definitely thrown a stereo in there, or at least something..
any idea where i can get a dashkit for cheap to install the Eclipse deck i got from you?

also, i wanted to possibly get a remote for the HU, if you have any available..

 

I usually have both in stock, just gimme a call....

--Don

 

Steve, we'll compare sounds systems and then you tell me if it makes a difference