Bose Speaker upgrade
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
Bose Speaker upgrade
I dont' know much about electronics beyond tracing a circuit so I might be way off here. Is it possible to transform bose amplifiers from 1 ohm output to 4ohm?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,315
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Bose Speaker upgrade (1986coupe)
Welcome to the forum !! I'm not sure but you might find or ask for info from this site. http://installdoctor.com/ Good luck !! :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Re: Bose Speaker upgrade (1986coupe)
Definitely possible, using a transformer between the amp and the speaker. Don't know where you would get one though, the only one I know of is about a 6" cube and way over what you would need.
The Bose will drive directly into 4R, but you will get a reduced output, but probably not a great deal quieter - try it as is! If your new speakers are more efficient, it may be louder than before.
The Bose will drive directly into 4R, but you will get a reduced output, but probably not a great deal quieter - try it as is! If your new speakers are more efficient, it may be louder than before.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Canton GA
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St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'10-'11-'12
Re: Bose Speaker upgrade (1986coupe)
Not in the manner I believe you are attempting. I'm assuming you want to drive a 4 ohm speaker with the Bose amp, correct? If so, the reason Bose went with a low impedence speaker (2 ohms DC) is to extract as much current from the amplifier as possible. Since they don't use a switching power supply like most amplifiers do now, the output voltage is around 10 volts, so the currrent has to be about 5 amps to deliver the power.
Using the formula P=E^2/R, in the factory system, E would be 10 volts and R would be 2 ohms making P=50 watts. If R would to double, P would be cut in half. Now, what would happen if you used two speakers per amp wired in parallel? I don't know, try it and let us know how it sounds.
One other thing I should mention: There is an EQ in the Bose system to shape the sound to the speakers and car. I don't know how it's contour looks but I would think the lows and highs are "boosted" to compensate (like the Bose 901 home speakers). This EQ contour may make normal two or three way speakers sound tinney and boomy instead of flat. Unfortunately, the EQ is in the driver chip of the amp. It can't be bypassed as far as I can tell.
Using the formula P=E^2/R, in the factory system, E would be 10 volts and R would be 2 ohms making P=50 watts. If R would to double, P would be cut in half. Now, what would happen if you used two speakers per amp wired in parallel? I don't know, try it and let us know how it sounds.
One other thing I should mention: There is an EQ in the Bose system to shape the sound to the speakers and car. I don't know how it's contour looks but I would think the lows and highs are "boosted" to compensate (like the Bose 901 home speakers). This EQ contour may make normal two or three way speakers sound tinney and boomy instead of flat. Unfortunately, the EQ is in the driver chip of the amp. It can't be bypassed as far as I can tell.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Re: Bose Speaker upgrade (ShawnZR-1)
P would not typically be cut in half, it would more likely be of the order of 70% depending on amplifier design, but taking into account that our ears are logarithmic, this would result in a minor reduction in volume, and since we dont have data for the efficiency of the drive units it may possibly result in an increase in volume, although I accept this is unlikely.
(do you think we have confused the poor guy enough ShawnZR1?)
2 drive units in parallel is good (if you can physically mount 'em)
The EQ contour will more likely make normal speakers sound lush and sweet, but a bit indistinct. Midrange sounds tinny
(yes we have )
Just try it, if you are going up in ohms you wont cause any damage. At worst it will sound crap.
:)
[Modified by britvette, 1:36 AM 7/1/2003]
(do you think we have confused the poor guy enough ShawnZR1?)
2 drive units in parallel is good (if you can physically mount 'em)
The EQ contour will more likely make normal speakers sound lush and sweet, but a bit indistinct. Midrange sounds tinny
(yes we have )
Just try it, if you are going up in ohms you wont cause any damage. At worst it will sound crap.
:)
[Modified by britvette, 1:36 AM 7/1/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,613
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From: Orlando FL
Re: Bose Speaker upgrade (1985 coupe)
i'll be interested to see what everyone has to say about this "bose" system. i just bought my 85 coupe...and withthe top off on the highway, ya might as well not listen to the stereo...i've hear 2 opinons on the subject.
1) rip out EVERYTHING. do a total rewire and put in your own aftermarket stuff.
2) have a shop "check" your stereo...they may be able to replace parts...of course there is a small service fee
1) rip out EVERYTHING. do a total rewire and put in your own aftermarket stuff.
2) have a shop "check" your stereo...they may be able to replace parts...of course there is a small service fee
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,493
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From: The Clem MI
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Bose Speaker upgrade (Orlando85UCFvette)
My Bose system is EXCELLENT. LOUD. CLEAR. DEEP HARD BASS. I like my music loud, and I have yet been able to crank it all the way up, it's just TOO loud. I like it, and would not change it. :seeya
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Verdad Gallardo
Waka, Waka, Waka!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,435
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From: Richmond Virginia
CI 4-6-8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Bose Speaker upgrade (Orlando85UCFvette)
Well, I like to say that the best advice is what somebody does with their own money. I sold everything on eBay and started fresh. I even found non-BOSE dash pads and added 4x6's in the dash.
The top-down problem is one I have only been ably to solve by adding an EQ and making it accessable while driving. I don't think that you can have a setting that works "windows-up" in your neighborhood AND "top off" on the open raod. I bought a mounting bracket from crutchfield that allows you to mount a 1/2 DIN EQ and a 1DIN head unit into the 1.5 DIN space in the dash. That has probably been the best $15.00 I have ever spent. Not only does it do the trick, but I think it looks great.
The top-down problem is one I have only been ably to solve by adding an EQ and making it accessable while driving. I don't think that you can have a setting that works "windows-up" in your neighborhood AND "top off" on the open raod. I bought a mounting bracket from crutchfield that allows you to mount a 1/2 DIN EQ and a 1DIN head unit into the 1.5 DIN space in the dash. That has probably been the best $15.00 I have ever spent. Not only does it do the trick, but I think it looks great.