Early C4 Stereo/CD Options
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,159
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Early C4 Stereo/CD Options
Ok, is there a way to put what all I need in a nutshell here? I want to replace the stock Bose head unit with a modern CD player. Pioneer has some decent looking DIN X 1.5 units such as the DEH-P47DH model. Now, will a line converter be all I need for this type unit or do I need a harness kit sort of thing plus the converter or will it work at all? The application chart says that this unit will work on my 1987 and fit perfectly. I'm not an audiophile so the stock speakers work well enough for me. What all do I need?
Thanks all!
Randy
Thanks all!
Randy
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 28,742
Likes: 41
From: Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do, because they're fassst…and they DART, THAT'S crazy!
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Early C4 Stereo/CD Options (KF9WM's 87 coupe)
The converters you are thinking of will (in theory) allow you to play the stock Blose speakers with an aftermarket HU. The OEM converters will cost you about $80 to $90 each and you will need two of them for stereo separation. However, they don’t work very well for a number of reasons of which I won’t get into on this post. Suffice it to say you will not get even as good of sound from the stock speakers as you do now with the stock HU and you run the risk of damaging your new HU, not to mention frying your Blose amps. For the price, or a tab bit more, of the OEM converters, you could replace the speakers all together with decent aftermarket speakers and simply run them off a GOOD HU like an Alpine. 6x9 speakers will fit right in the stock rear locations with no modifications needed. You could also fit up to a 5.25” speaker in the stock door locations with next to no fuss as well. This can all be done for a few hundred bucks (about the cost of purchasing converters) and sound light years better than what you have in the car now. Simply stash the stock Blose stuff in your closet in case you decide to someday sell the car, at which time it can be reinstalled. This new stereo equipment can go with you to your next car if that is the case.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Perry Ga
Re: Early C4 Stereo/CD Options (KF9WM's 87 coupe)
I replaced my Bose system in my 1988. I was told by a local Audio Shop that I would have to replace the speakers and wiring for it to work. Took me a Saturday to do this. It was well worth it. I also went with a Pioneer cd player and pioneer speakers front and rear. Sounds good. Bought everthing at Walmart.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Columbia Maryland
Re: Early C4 Stereo/CD Options (92TripleBlack)
Agree with TripleB and Nomad. I have the Pioneer p77 and like the way it looks and sounds, though opinions differ. FYI, the din and a half fits, but it is too tight to allow you to pull off the removable face. If not a concern and you prefer the look, go with it. Otherwise, get a one din unit (bonus-they are cheaper) and a $20 Metra dash kit. Forget the converter and the bose speakers. Running the wiring for new speakers is a bit of a pain the A, but not bad. Well worth it over the converter route. The best reason to not use the converter IMO is that it commits you to the Bose speakers/amps for life. If one of them cooks, you'll have to pay to repair it, then another will go and so on. The stuff is 15 years old. Make the switch now and then you can replace/upgrade at your own pace.
