Stereo sounds like crap!! Help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
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From: God's Country The Old Dominion
Stereo sounds like crap!! Help
I have the Delco Bose Gold and it doesn't sound too good. The sound is tinny and the quality is the pits. How do I tell what is wrong? I've read about speakers, amps and all kinds of things that I don't know how to check. I know it's a pretty broad question but any guidance would be a great help. Thanks as always. :crazy: :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Too Slow '90)
You could be experiencing any number of problems...
the head unit is connected to a reciever hidden in the dash... the speakers are encased in modules that include the amps. the amps are known to fail... as are the speakers themselves.
the modules are not the best made units. Bose makes nice sounding equipment, but the problem is quality. I have never seen a speaker maker get so much sound out of such nasty looking drivers.
the best way to test these things is to make sure each corner is working... thats best by turning the unit on and simply listening...
your problem could be as simple as bad rear speakers. thats where the bass comes from... these units don't have balance, so that ain't the problem...
run some basic tests and see what you find!! check back and there will be more info, I am sure! I would like to know what you learn, too!!!
the head unit is connected to a reciever hidden in the dash... the speakers are encased in modules that include the amps. the amps are known to fail... as are the speakers themselves.
the modules are not the best made units. Bose makes nice sounding equipment, but the problem is quality. I have never seen a speaker maker get so much sound out of such nasty looking drivers.
the best way to test these things is to make sure each corner is working... thats best by turning the unit on and simply listening...
your problem could be as simple as bad rear speakers. thats where the bass comes from... these units don't have balance, so that ain't the problem...
run some basic tests and see what you find!! check back and there will be more info, I am sure! I would like to know what you learn, too!!!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Lake Stevens WA
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (bogus)
When I had problems I replaced the rears and had the head refurbed. United Radio turns 'em quickly and seem competitively priced. When I actually pulled the rears both were quite rusted and one could not be refurbed. So you might just give 'em a look to see if you've got the same problem.
Have fun.
- Glenn
Have fun.
- Glenn
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Rockford, MI.
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Too Slow '90)
My 90 is doing the same thing except mine will start screeching and whining to boot. I asked the dealer and he said its the capacitors in the speaker amps and just replace them with any good speaker and it'll be fine. Anyone know if just replacing the speakers will fix this mess or do you need to replace the radio/cd player also?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Jupiter Florida
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Too Slow '90)
Mine sounds like crap too. Tinny, EQ useless, etc. I troubleshot it fairly extensively and discovered the problem to be the Bose emblem on the front.
Bose is known for breaking all the fundamental rules of audio to squeeze the most sound out of the least equipment. As owner of a recording studio, I can tell you that there is no Bose gear in our control room.
Although some of their stuff sounds pretty good, this car stereo does not. My opinion, natch...
Bose is known for breaking all the fundamental rules of audio to squeeze the most sound out of the least equipment. As owner of a recording studio, I can tell you that there is no Bose gear in our control room.
Although some of their stuff sounds pretty good, this car stereo does not. My opinion, natch...
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Rockford, MI.
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (rocketfinger)
Mine actually used to sound great but now it is useless. Gotta find out if I can just change speakers. The squeal will drive you out of the car. Gotta leave it off or it starts to whine and squeal. I hope someone knows if just speakers are the answer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Jupiter Florida
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Bruce A)
I'd have to hear it to be sure, but the whine may be electrical noise originating elsewhere in the car and being direct-injected into the amplifier or tuner. Have you changed anything electrically?
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Rockford, MI.
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (rocketfinger)
No equipment changes. First the bass went, sounds like a tin can. Then there was crackling, now it will play sometimes for a bit but then starts a loud whining, if I turn it off sometimes it will play for a bit again when turned on but then goes to whine. Other times it will whine even when just turned on. Sometimes it will pop when turned on or off. Basically it is useless in the car now. I think the front speakers have stopped working part time also. Geeezzzzzzzzzz what a system.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Jupiter Florida
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Bruce A)
Bruce,
Based on what you just described, I'd say the amplifier is lunched. Nothing Bose-specific, sometimes one channel fries and that has a cascade effect where eventually all channels fail. Look at it as a perfect excuse to upgrade! :)
Based on what you just described, I'd say the amplifier is lunched. Nothing Bose-specific, sometimes one channel fries and that has a cascade effect where eventually all channels fail. Look at it as a perfect excuse to upgrade! :)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
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Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Too Slow '90)
You really should just upgrade with aftermarket, go to the audio section and check some posts. I recently replaced my Bose and I can't believe how much better this new system is compared to the Bose. Bottom line is don't waste your time trying to fix the Bose. Bose= :U
Burning Brakes
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Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Bruce A)
So replace the entire system? Radio/cd player and all speakers? :smash:
Melting Slicks
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Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (rocketfinger)
Bruce, I agree, your amp is toast. Mine did the same thing so I ripped it out. The stereo works now without the annoying EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH noise. I plan on replacing the entire system sooner or later.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Winter Park Fl
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Rick86)
If its got no highs, and its got no lows....it must be BOSE!!!!!!!
Save yourself alot of headaches chasing Bose gremlins the rest or your life, replace the entire system with a quality aftermarket system.
Good Luck,
C44EVER
Save yourself alot of headaches chasing Bose gremlins the rest or your life, replace the entire system with a quality aftermarket system.
Good Luck,
C44EVER
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Rick86)
So replace the entire system? Radio/cd player and all speakers? :smash:
Yes, but first go to some mid-high FI (Circuit City would be mid-FI) stereo shops in your area and listen to the equipment,
Yes, but first go to some mid-high FI (Circuit City would be mid-FI) stereo shops in your area and listen to the equipment,
The advantage to the hi-fi shops is the quality of the speakers and amps... thats where the sound comes from... really... a nice head helps a lot, but a great amp and good speakers will cover for a cheap head unit!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (Too Slow '90)
Rick is correct. What you describe is normal Bose performance. Its possible yours has some problems but even when it works its crap. I still remember the advertisement they had in 1983 and 1984 where they had made a big deal about how they redesigned the system after the carpet layout was changed so the sound would not degrade. This sounded pretty convincing at the time but now I think they meant that the speakers wouldn't fit after the carpet change. Sad to see an MIT prof put out such poopie.
[Modified by AquaMetallic94LT1, 2:45 PM 1/25/2002]
[Modified by AquaMetallic94LT1, 2:45 PM 1/25/2002]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
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From: God's Country The Old Dominion
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (bogus)
I just pulled the rear speakers. The driver's side was not working at all and the passenger side was audible but had a constant buzzing.(even with the volume turned down all of the way) I switched the speakers and had the same results. Seems like the speakers are Okay. How do I check the amps? If an aftermarket system is the best deal, who makes one that sounds good and looks like it should be there? Oh yeah, don't want to go broke either!!! :crazy: :chevy
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From: Pascagoula Ms
Re: Stereo sounds like crap!! Help (LT5FIRE)
You can chase this to death but unless you just have to stay orginal change it out. I tried to piece mill mine and it cost time and money. Not pushing one brand or another but I let the audio shop do it. Their labor is not that much and they are used to it. Go with a good head unit, I placed a good amp behind the passenger seat, replaced all four speakers with mid priced speakers, and added a mini woofer with box in rear compartment. The base will shake the whole car if I want it too. The extra power amp gives you better sound even at lower volume and gives you the power when you have the top off at highway speed. I saved the orginal unit in case I ever sell. Also there is a tech tip (do a search) where you have to add two resistors when you go aftermarket to keep the system light from blinking. This will save you from going back into the installation. (Simular to low battery alarm). I am well pleased with the change. Went 100% alpine myself. Unless this is a show car and everything orginal suggest you change it out and move on---you will not be disapointed. The mini woofer and amp is a must for great sound.. good luck terry