Ok, had a post a week or so back about looking for a aftermarket hu since i have given up on the p.o.s. bose factory hu cutouts.

I think i found a unit i like...

http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP7700MP ($215)
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1UE6cSK...p&I=130DEHP770 ($269)
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pione...oductDetail.do ($250-online,$260 store)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6981359&type=product&productCate goryId=pcmcat52600050007&id=1099388424834($242)

1st Q, how can car domain be so much cheaper? I have never bought or heard about anything dealing with car domain (sound domain) Is there something im missing here?

1a, How do wiring harnesses work? Crutch Field is 35$, cardoamin is free, cc and bb are like 10 bucks? Are these all the same thing? Why is crutchfields harness so much?

2. Just stopped in at cc since it right by my apt. The sales guy told me I need to do a "all or nothing" Install. He said since its a bose system and the speakers are set for 4 ohm (i think), and that aftermarket hu's are set at 2 ohm that I should replace the speakers aswell.. (Something sounds fishy here) Anyone know what he is talking about?

3. The cc sales guy went on to tell me that they would have to do a rewire since my factory stuff is set up to goto a factory amp? (Im clueless on this aswell) Anything make sense here? He said something about adding a 60$ amp could save me from replacing my speakers.

I am now more confused about car audio than I was when I went to cc today.

I basically want to spend $300 (approx) or maybe a little to include for the pac steering wheel controls, get a nice hu that plays mp3s (since im losing the 6 disc) and have it installed (or install it myself if possible)

Can anyone shead some light on this for me? *confused*

I was trying to find a car audio store but they are all closed on sundays here, Should I stop in tomorrow and see what they have to say?

Thanks all, any help or advice is appreciated.

Also, I picked the hu, that basicaly looks good to me, if anyone has a reason why i shouldnt get that unit or if you would recommend something else, please share.

'02 gle, bose WITHOUT nav

Thanks again

 

I used to work circuit city car audio. But yea the bose system is set up for 2 ohm and most if not all aftermarket radios are 4 ohm. So yea you would have to do a whole rewire to use after market radio. That includes speakers and a new amp to get the same sound. But i wouldnt do that i know there is a part on crutchfeild that has the connection so you can conver the bose to aftermarket. But circuit doesnt sell that, that is why they say whole car has to be rewired. Just look on crutchfeild for the part.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-n7Mfw4v...sp?i=142C4NN03 that is the part there srry i couldnt get the hyperlink to work so all you would have to do is click it. Otherwise all the parts that circuit city is charging you for, crutchfeild is giving you for free.

 

I recommend that you do that.. Replace all speakers and your head unit.

Seriously, the money you spend on those crappy convertor to BOSE, your better off using that money on a good set of speakers.

The recommendation at CC is correct. You cannot run your aftermarket deck to BOSE speakers, and you need the convertor to connect directly in to the BOSE amp int he rear.

However, you do NOT need to run new wires to the doors. You can take the input side of the BOSE amp and match it to the output side of the bose amp and BYPASS the bose amp completely.. Then run new speakers using the EXISTING BOSE WIRES.

 

I now despise Nissan, Clarion, bose and anyone ever having anything to do with these companies..

Let me get this right... TO remedy the KNOWN hu problem I have to

1. lose my 6 disc in dash changer, which I love
2. Pay 150-$250 for a hu
3. lose my factory amp
4. lose my factory speakers
5. pay whatever for replacement speakers.
6. decide if I want a amp or not, and pay for it if i do
7. pay $60 for the harness to continue to use my steering wheel controls
8. pay some azzclown to install it all

did i miss anything?

all to replace a system that i am 100% satisfied with when it work. I have zero complanits about it or the quality of sound or how the system fuctions...

F*** ME!

sorry for the rant

 

Sorry i didnt read your post correctly.

You are 100% satisfied with the OEM unit?

Then you need to find a 6disk indash replacement dated AUGUST 2002 and newer.

I had one out of my 2k3, that i sold for $150. No cut out issues here.

I was under the assumption that you dislike BOSE. I had a 2k2 w/bose and ripped it out in about 1 month after ownership. I now have a 2k3, and about 5 days after buying it BRAND NEW, ripped out everything that had anything to do with BOSE

 

Thanks Mini..

Yes, as you can probably tell, Im no audio guy. I am fine with the factory sounds and functionality. And to be honest, wasnt looking forward to worring about theft (the head lights are bad enough)

Do you know the best method to find a factory hu.

Ebay? Stealership? this forum's classifieds?

Thanks again.

 

My Dad has a Honda Odyssey with the most God-Awful sound system ever, so I'm very happy with this BOSE setup.

A question though (sorry to ***** the thread out) but can someone tell me whats so bad about the Bose system?

 

Desigle.

any bose hu that is dated prior to 8-02 can suffer from a well known problem of losing speaker volume while playing a cd. Most common is to lose your driver side speakers while playing a cd. There are many threads of people under warrenty going through 2-3 or even 4 or 5 hu's before getting one that doesnt cut out.

People like me, who are out of warrenty, are basically f'ed. (as I am finding out)

 

I sold mine on this forums classified for $150US.. Mind you the unit was only 3 days old..

I honestly couldnt stand the BOSE system in both my 2k2 (crashed), and 2k3 maxima. My moms 99 Max SE BOSE hits harder and overally sounds stronger than the 2k2/2k3.

I am somewhat of an audio guy and prefer replacing everything.

I recommend you check the forums. However, seriously, the install isnt all that bad, and an MP3' deck is FAR more practical than the 6 disc indash.. Trust me on that.

Plus, the sound really brightens up after replacing the speakers. You should consider installing the stereo yoruself, and save the money.

 

the differences between a lot of harness is having to crimp any wires. Some directly match up b/w "Car Manufacturer" and "Audio Manufacturer" without needing to crimp any wires. Those are more expensive. The cheaper versions require you to match the head units colors with the harnesses colors. Those are the only two versions I've ever seen. The reason why some sites are more than others is because they know you need it and that way you think you're getting a better deal on the head unit. It sounds like you're going to just get a replacement Bose, but I thought I'd answer your question.

 

Mini, can you ballpark me a number for a complete upgrade?

Assuming 2-250$ for a hu. I would def want the steering wheel controls so thats another $60.

Would I need a amp? if so, how much$$

I dont have a clue about speakers either. What is a good set to look at? How much?

THis is basically a financial decision... Also, I have to think about how long I will have the max.....

 

Oh my.. thats gonna be tough.

If you were satisfied with the BOSE ssytem, then you do not need an amp as most aftermarket headunits are sufficient to match or exceed the BOSE amp.

As for speakers, thats going to be tough because they can range anywhere from $40/pair to $1000/pair.

In all honesty, i thinkn about $100/pair should be a range that will be best.

Probably about $500 all inclusive for a full BOSE workover... Plus $100 if you wan tthe GXE dash..

Basically you will be spending about $3-400 over your regular replacement in-dash CD changer.

 

If you are satisfied with the radio, but hate the reliability, I would just replace the radio unit with a post august 02 unit.

I would highly suggest an amp, because if you are running your radio speakers directly from the radio, you wont see much of an improvement in sound.

Dont forget, if you dump the bose, you also lose the bose sub. You will need a subwoofer and amp too. You wouldn't be getting a complete sound replacing the hu and speakers without adding a sub in the mix as well.

Also dont forget about dash kits, aftermarket ones look like crap and cost $20-$30. The nissan gxe kit with a pocket will run you just under $100.

my conclusion: if you aren't looking for audiophile sound, stick with the bose. With installation, things will add up quickly and spending as little as possible will only result in a marginal improvement which may not even be worth it in the end.

 

Ok so here we go...

First of all, you want cheap? Go to Ebay for all of your stereo equipment. I bought a stereo that was $250 on Crutchfield for $150 shipped, plus the sat unit to go with it. Everything was new in the boxes, and I saved $150 just on those 2 things. You can also buy speakers there and anything else you might need. Try it. The GXE dash kit, that I should have bought, is the best idea, and it's certainly not $100. Talk to DaveB, he can get you one cheap. I'd guess that if you buy a stereo, speakers, dash kit, harness, you're gonna spend around $350-400. The expensive part will be the install, which is likely to run you anywhere from $150-$250.

 

By the way unrealli a few points...

He is not going to NEED a sub if he loses the bose sub. It does not act or sound like any aftermarket sub, and provides only a small amount of bass kick. No need to confuse him.

Also, I didn't have the Bose in my car, just the regular stereo. Just adding the aftermarket Kenwood stereo made a vast improvement in sound quality, and thats with the factory speakers, so making small changes can have a big difference.

 

1) The gxe kit with a pocket will run you around $100 from daveb.

2) Upping the quality of sound will only magnify the lack of bass in the car. I know because I ended up having to install a sub after replacing just the car speakers on my old car. I even told my friend who did replaced the hu and speakers. He ended up installing a sub and amp 3 months later and got an "I told you so".

 

Bottom line...

If I go with the crutchfield harness to put a aftermarket hu into mu current bose speakers and amp, will "I" notice a fall off in sound?

Like I said before, if it isnt noticably worse than factory, i am fine with that...

Has anyone used the harness?

 

Trust me.. scrap the BOSE audio completely if you are going aftermarket deck..

I heard peopel waste money on stupid harnesses only to add speakers later.

 

You'll get the best sound if you replace everything, but my car is living proof that you CAN use the stock amp and speakers with an aftermarket HU. I bought all of my parts from Crutchfield. The total cost (including HU) was less than $250.

You need an adapter for the antenna and an OEM amp adapter. If you want the steering wheel audio controls to work, you'll need the PAC SWI-X adapter. I have all three adapters, and they work flawlessly. The sound is better than stock, but it would not satisfy a hardcore audiophile. If you are a hardcore audiophile with a picky ear or if you want to make your neighbor's house fall apart with your bass, you need a more serious system upgrade.

 

Depends.. i have no doubt that the head unit alone will improve the sound but you wont get the best out of the aftermarket headunit uniless you replace the speakers.

 

Did you even read my post? Or do you just like agreeing with me in a roundabout way?

 

Buy a radio w/front and rear RCA inputs. Buy a set of generic RCA plugs. Cut the plugs off leaving yourself about 3" before the plug. Strip the RCA wires to expose the wires. Get a aftermarket radio harness for your car. Wire the 4 speakers from the harness you bought into the RCA cables you prepared. The speaker wires from the radio go nowhere. Wire up the power/ground/antenna/amp turn on from your radio to the harness. Ground the radio to the car or the brackets that hold the radio. The black wire on the harness you bought is not a ground. Plug your RCA's into your new radio. Put the radio back in and you are done. No BOSE adapter needed.

You won't get much improvement. It may sound a bit brighter but if I recall correctly you will lose a lot of low end.

 

Im not sure what the return policy is there but why not buy it, try it, dont like it return it.

 

ugg.... Figured I would get a split here.

Thank you all for the input!

A couple of things to keep in mind.

1. I am in no way shape or form a "audiophile". I actually thought are factory sound was great, and wouldnt know otherwise if it was for posts on these boards.

2. THe main reason im doing the upgrade is to fix the damn headunit cutting out on cds. Not doing it to impress anyone, or have a cool neon color in my car =)

3. Car will be paid off in less than a year and while I plan to keep it for a while, who knows what will happen.

4. IN the end this decision will be based totally on $$$$$

so, I dont know if this changes any reccomendations, but I would still appreciate your thoughts.

If I go with the Hu I hrefd above, Im looking at 200-250 for the hu, 60 for the pac, 40 for the bose harness, maybe 10 for the radio harness,

thats 300-350 and probably already more than I wanted to spend =)

I dont even know what adding a amp, sub, and speakers would be, and not to mention, that I could probably figure out how to do the above install myself, but speakers, amp and sub I would def have to pay someone to do it.

the other option is trying to find a factory replacement for $200 or so.

thoughts

 

I saw a Bose Head Unit for sale on ebay a little whileback when i bought my clear markers (Week ago)

I checked Ebay for you but cant find any...just keep your eyes peeled or get quoted from your dealer for how much to replace but they'll probably just rape on the price

 

Post a wanted: post Aug 02 bose head-unit needed; with as many people complaining about Bose, someone will bite in a few days, and you can replace the faulty head-unit pretty cheaply, and you'll be just as happy as you've ever been with your stereo. That is definitely the way to go in your case. You could call the dealership, but I bet the stereo is over $300 new. eBay is also a good place to look, as many have said.

dh

 

Here you go. I dono if they are post Aug 02 tho. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...spagenameZWDVW

 

lol Here I am driving thinking it wont happen to me and this effin thing stops playing my cd's then it kept hunting around and I knew I had a faulty unit.

My warranty's still on it (bought it august 18th 5 year all inclusive warranty)

Time to take the Maxima in again (I just got it back after getting my oxygen sensor replaced)

 

hey...ask em what exactly goes wrong that makes the Bose HU just stop playing...wether it be radio or cd. mine does this and im getting really tired of it

 

Bose Blows

I have the left speaker cut out and an intermittent problem where is sounds like the CD is skipping. I take the CD out, and play it in my Yukon, no problem.

I just ordered A Kenwood head unit and got a 4 channel amp for about 300 from crutchfield. I'm currently running the factory head unit, a punch amp, and an MTX 12" sub. I also switched the tweeters out prior to the sub install and I would recommend that as your first audio upgrade.

Now I'm ready to rock, that is once the new head unit is installed.

I would recommend crutchfield as they give the free installation kit and the install for dummies handbook, you just can't go wrong.

 

No, circuit city does not know what they are talking about... Went their last week inquiring about a alarm system and asked them if they screwed something up what would happen, they told me that Circuit City has an agreement with all the car manufacturers that any problems due to the install of the alarm would still be cover by the manufacturer. Took everything I had not to laugh, RAN out of there double time.

 

just a quick note...you can replace a bose head unit and still keep the bose speakers and wiring...its rather simple. you purchase a line-level controller. they sell for like $30 most places...it can adjust the signal output to the speakers/amps so match the strength and impedence of the original head unit. we do it all the time, and it actually sounds quite good.

 

I do n ot recommend this approach... Stick with BOSE interfaces as they differ from REGULAR LINE-LEVEL Convertors..

And believe me i used a line-level convertor before, and it sounds horrible..

 

I have an aftermarket head unit.

I have the stock BOSE amp and speakers.

It works.

It sounds better than stock.

It doesn't sound as good as it would if I replaced the entire audio system with aftermarket components.

It's much cheaper to do it my way than to replace everything, so if you are NOT A HARDCORE AUDIOPHILE and you just want to replace a broken crappy Bose/Clarion head unit, you can do what I did.

You will need this adapter to make the aftermarket head unit work with your stock amp and speakers:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Rvyp9G9...sp?I=142C4NN03

You will need this adapter to make the steering wheel audio controls work with your new head unit:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Rvyp9G9....asp?I=127SWIX

I got my new hu, both of the adapters listed above, plus the antenna adpater and the dash kit (which some people hate, but it worked out fine for me) all for under $200 from Crutchfield. I did the installation myself, and I have NO previous car audio installation experience (but I am comfortable with electronics).

 

Just a thought, ebay as plenty of 6.5 and 5 1/4" speakers that are quite cheap (ie. 20 bucks a pair), and they are for sure better than the paper bull$hit used int eh BOSE System.

And the internal amp of an aftermarket headunit is alot more powerful than the bose amplifier, and is wasted on line level convertors.

This is not an issue of cost, as like i said four speakers can be had for CHEAP... but anyhow, to each their own.

But my opinion, if you spend money on an aftermarket headunit dont waste it on BOSE components..

 

I would still need to replace the sub aswell, correct?

A little of an update, I am waiting for my mouting kit to come into cc to install the pioneer 7700 I bought. I think I will see how it works with the bose converter and if its really that bad, look for ebay deals to replace items, I can always ebay the bose converter to get 60-80% of its value if I need to in the future.

 

Actually no you do not need to replace that sub.

Its really a POS sub to be honest. My moms 99 Max SE BOSE outputs more bass with the 6.5" speakers than my 2k2 or 2k3 bose. Thats how deficient the bose system is in the 2k3. An aftermarket set of 6.5" that are decent will more than compensate for the lack of the crappy underpowered 8" sub.

But again.. some people are even satisfied wiht just a single mono speaker on an AM radio. As i said to each their own.

i think my current setup is WAY too much bass for me, and i am thinking of downgrading LOL.

 

I dont know what just made this light click on in my head...

I bought the pioneer cdrb-100 to plug a ipod in when I bought the pioneer 7700.

I was planning on returning it to cc when I went in for my install. ding ding. I suppos I could use that 120 on speakers? and guess that cc would probably install them for me if I bought them there?

1. With 120 or so to spend, can you audiophiles tell me what speakers to get at CC?
2. From what I have read WITHOUT a amp and WITHOUT a sub I will experience music just as good or better than I did from the stock bose?
3. Make that 150$ or so since I wouldnt need the bose convertor any more correct?
4. Keep in mind I am trying to be as reasonable as possible with prices. I will need to get a cdrb-10 and a belkin down the road to aux in my ipod, so If I can save some of that $150 it would be good

thanks all!