I have been running an aftermarket receiver with an attenuator to the stock Bose speakers on my '85 for a few years, but now it isn't working most of the time. I put the receiver in another car and it's okay, so the problem is between the receiver and the speakers somewhere. I tried a different attenuator and it didn't fix the problem. Anyway, I'm tired of fooling with it and ready to install new speakers.

My question is this: Can I use the existing speaker wires, and just bypass the amps? In other words, where the wires currently plug into the amps, can I unhook those and plug them into the new speakers.

What I'd like to do is remove the attenuator, remove the connection for the Bose amp relay (since the amps don't have to turn on anymore), and drop new speakers in the old locations. I would unhook the wires from the amps and plug them into the new speakers. But it seems like the posts here all talk about running new wires. Is there a problem with the current wires? Will they not work because they aren't direct from the plug to the speaker locations, or are they just too small of a gauge or something?

Also, regarding the speakers, the mounts in the back look like 6X9 speakers would drop right in. Is that correct? I thought I'd get some good 6X9s for the rear, and then some component 5 1/4" speakers for the front that allow you to mount the tweeter away from the main cone.

Thanks a bunch.

-Alan


[Modified by Alan LaRue, 11:05 AM 5/8/2002]

 

yes, you can use the factory wire, but i wouldn't suggest it for anything much more than head unit power.

you can put 6x9's back there, but they will take the sound away from the front of the car, and you will hear the rear speakers the most. When it sounds like the vocalist is sitting behind you, it kind of ruins it. MHO

For good sound, you really need an amplifier.. at least 40x4 or 80x2 if you want to just run a front set...

 

You should run 14 gauge wire. Much better than the stock 16 gauge low strand stuff. If you want seperates for the front, you will need some power beyond the deck. Get a 4 way amp 50x4 -100x4 for power. The stock radio says probably something like 45x4. This is rated in max power, not continuous which translates to this being a 12x4 power output, far to little for seperates. The extra power will do the 6x9s well also. I like the RX series 6x9s from Boston acoustics. Seperates are individual preference. Look at Boston acoustics pros, A/D/S 345, Image Dynamics, Focal polykevlar and utopias, and MB quart QSD and QM series. Hope this helps.

 

i agree with triple black use the fat wire, less resistance, just my 2 cents :chevy

 

Great; thanks for the info, guys. I'll let you know what I end up with.

-Alan