Bose Speaker Replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
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Bose Speaker Replacement
Hello, I'm planning on replacing my four bose speakers. I have an 1989 corvette with a kenwood head unit. I would like to upgrade the speakers, but I know there can be a problem with the factory installed amp (I think) Can I simply purchase new speakers from another manufacturer like pioneer and plug them into the factory setup, or will I need to do any major modifications? Also what size are the factory bose speakers? Any help would be greatly appreciated in that I have removed the speakers and have no sound although the sound of my 383 is nice! Thanks,
Ben
Ben
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,676
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From: Charlotte NC
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (bwagman)
I always loved the Bose system. I've had some troubles, and maybe there are better systems out there. BUt if you remove the factory amps, you should be able to put in speakers of an aftermarket kind with little difficulty I would imagine. I've always been a stock interior person myself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 992
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (bwagman)
You can replace the rear with 6x9's and the dash is 4x6. I have a set of Pioneers 4x6 and a set of 6x9's that are a month old. I took back out to do a total custom system. If you are interested in them I would sell them for 100.00 shipped to you. They also have the plugs on all of them for a plug in install. E-mail me if you want to talk about them. They sounded great....Much better than the Bose.
Pete
Pete
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
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Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (Smash)
if I just removed the speakers, and put new ones in would I have to worry about the factory amp? Also the 6X9's you have in the rear, were there any modifications, because I know the rears are much smaller stock.
Thanks for the input
Ben
Thanks for the input
Ben
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 199
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Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (apollo30346)
I don't have speakers in the dash, was that an option. I have 1 speaker in each door and 2 speakers in the rear. Are the doors also 4X6? Thanks for your input, I have speakers waiting to be installed they are 6X9's, but thanks for the offer, it's a real great deal
Ben
Ben
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
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From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (bwagman)
I'm a bit confused...nothin'new.. you have Bose speakers and a Kenwood head unit ???... everyone here says you cannot mix and match with Bose...whats up....
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (golfboy1)
I'm a bit confused...nothin'new.. you have Bose speakers and a Kenwood head unit ???... everyone here says you cannot mix and match with Bose...whats up....
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,982
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From: Portage Mi
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (bwagman)
With the bose system, each speaker is housed inside its own amp. The speakers are all
3.5 inch(I think), but the amps themselves occupy most of the space. So if you remove
the speakers from a bose system, there is no factory amp remaining, and you will have to
find or make mounting plates for your new speakers. You will also need to purchase one or
more aftermarket amps to power them, unless your kenwood unit has built-in amplification--
but even if it does, even a cheap amp will probably sound better. Are you sure your speakers
are the factory originals?
3.5 inch(I think), but the amps themselves occupy most of the space. So if you remove
the speakers from a bose system, there is no factory amp remaining, and you will have to
find or make mounting plates for your new speakers. You will also need to purchase one or
more aftermarket amps to power them, unless your kenwood unit has built-in amplification--
but even if it does, even a cheap amp will probably sound better. Are you sure your speakers
are the factory originals?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 199
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Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (Black 'n Blue)
I purchased the adapter (and yes it was at walmart for $20) The radio works fine, however, with no volume I still here some static. As far as the amps are concerned, I tried disconnecting them, plugged the speaker in and got no sound. So what I guess you're telling me is I have to purchase an amp to power the speakers? Can the amp be an after market? Also can I keep the front bose with the factory amp and use after market rears with an aftermarket amp. I don't have the time to change the fronts completely with amp. thanks for all who responded ASAP, that's why I love this forum....VERY HELPFUL!!!!
thanks again,
Ben
thanks again,
Ben
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: FootHill Ranch Ca
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (bwagman)
I dumped my complete Bose System. Kenwoos headunit, Eclispe EQ, amp mounted in the right side storage bin, eclipse speakers in the stock location, JL sub mounted over the ABS in the left side storage bin. :cool:
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (bwagman)
thats not true....as far as i can remember.....there is a problem with the power antenna switch that is not turning on your amps.....my deck does the same thing.....so guess what...BOSE is history!
there was an extra wire i had to put to always power on to get mine to work hence the whining noise even when the deck is turned off.....i wish i could remember what color it was....just turn the key on and probe the wires with a meter and do the same with the key off.....you will then find this mystery wire!
there was an extra wire i had to put to always power on to get mine to work hence the whining noise even when the deck is turned off.....i wish i could remember what color it was....just turn the key on and probe the wires with a meter and do the same with the key off.....you will then find this mystery wire!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 0
From: Portage Mi
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (bwagman)
I purchased the adapter (and yes it was at walmart for $20) The radio works fine, however, with no volume I still here some static. As far as the amps are concerned, I tried disconnecting them, plugged the speaker in and got no sound. So what I guess you're telling me is I have to purchase an amp to power the speakers? Can the amp be an after market? Also can I keep the front bose with the factory amp and use after market rears with an aftermarket amp. I don't have the time to change the fronts completely with amp. thanks for all who responded ASAP, that's why I love this forum....VERY HELPFUL!!!!
thanks again,
Ben
thanks again,
Ben
speakers as they are. You will probably have to play around with the balance a little to get
it to sound right, and you may end up running new wires from the head unit to your rear
amp.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement (Black 'n Blue)
The rear is built to take a 6x9. Ifr you dont have the bose, thats what is there. You must remove the bose amps, then build a mounting plate. you do have to cut your door panel to put 6.5's in though. it was worth it, much better than the crappy 4x6's i had up there first
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Re: Bose Speaker Replacement
I've been this route on an 84 I had for a while. The Bose receiver only has a pre-amp. The speakers have built-in amps, like 100watt each. I put a Kenwood head unit. There is a converter from Crutchfield that will let you use the factory speakers. We tried it, it sucked. I then went and replaced the speakers with some Boston Acoustics. Much better. On the early C4s the back speakers are 6x9s and easy to replace. The BA speakers ligned right up with the original plate so I just screwed them in and used the Bose covers. The doors were a bi$%& as most people noted. But we used the factory covers again.
On the later C4s, like my92, the back are 6" round and easy. The floor has 2 speakers. I beleive a 4 or 6" round and tweeter. Haven't ever taken them apart. On my92 I've kept the Bose and replaced the rear amps. If you replace amps do them in pairs. It makes a difference...
On the later C4s, like my92, the back are 6" round and easy. The floor has 2 speakers. I beleive a 4 or 6" round and tweeter. Haven't ever taken them apart. On my92 I've kept the Bose and replaced the rear amps. If you replace amps do them in pairs. It makes a difference...
