Why I hate Bose
Pro
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From: vero beach florida
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Phila., PA burbs
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
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I'm calm now. All the work is done, and my car looks and sounds great. When I bought this one, the radio "no work". I thought folks would like to enjoy my struggle and eventual triumph over a POS. I know I did. I especially liked the comment "tic tic tic" from another Bose veteran.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Orlando FL
Actually, Bose used a 1 ohm speaker impedance to increase the power in a small amplifier size.
The 90-96 Bose amplifier is 50 watts but, at a speaker impedance of 4 ohms, it would only put out about 1/4 of the power. Using a 1 ohm speaker impedance increases the amps power to 50 watts.
Basically, the Bose amp puts out 50 watts of power in a very small size which saves space (a very ingenious design for the times).
The 90-96 Bose amplifier is 50 watts but, at a speaker impedance of 4 ohms, it would only put out about 1/4 of the power. Using a 1 ohm speaker impedance increases the amps power to 50 watts.
Basically, the Bose amp puts out 50 watts of power in a very small size which saves space (a very ingenious design for the times).
With all the work I have done on the amplifiers a few years ago, I thought they were 4 ohm speakers. I don’t think I ever measured the resistance of the speakers just fixed the amps. I did tonight out of curiosity and it is 1 ohm.
Not many solid state amplifiers are designed to drive 2 or less ohms. But this is an efficient way of getting max power on 12 volt DC systems. You just need lower gauge wire to handle the current.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: rowlett tx
Actually, Bose used a 1 ohm speaker impedance to increase the power in a small amplifier size.
The 90-96 Bose amplifier is 50 watts but, at a speaker impedance of 4 ohms, it would only put out about 1/4 of the power. Using a 1 ohm speaker impedance increases the amps power to 50 watts.
Basically, the Bose amp puts out 50 watts of power in a very small size which saves space (a very ingenious design for the times).
The 90-96 Bose amplifier is 50 watts but, at a speaker impedance of 4 ohms, it would only put out about 1/4 of the power. Using a 1 ohm speaker impedance increases the amps power to 50 watts.
Basically, the Bose amp puts out 50 watts of power in a very small size which saves space (a very ingenious design for the times).
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,682
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From: Coatesville PA
Pretty sure my bose system is just about the best factory system ive ever heard, and anyone thats gotten in my car so far, of any age, agrees. 16 years old now and 124,xxx miles day in day out. No problems.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
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From: Fort Knox
not true! Most monoblock class d amplifiers can do 1 ohm or less easily. I run my Atomic 5kw at .25 ohms daily.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
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Really interesting discussion. I understood Bose being clever and getting more power out of less amps, less heat, etc. But I started with a bad head unit, a bad remotely mounted other half, and a blown speaker. More money to fix a 20yr old system or less money to replace? No brainer. Once the patient was in surgery and entirely opened up, I did it all. Now hopefully I can forget about it forever. New head unit, new wiring, new speakers, done.
Might put the Bose stuff on eBay. Good call. Thanks.
Might put the Bose stuff on eBay. Good call. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
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From: Orlando FL
OK,
thought that comment might get me into trouble. I was talking in generalities across the board in regard to all classes of amplifies. Switching amplifiers do definitely have their place, high efficiency, high power, drives low impedance loads and low profile parts. There is still plenty of stuff out there that drives the higher impedance loads.Really interesting discussion. I understood Bose being clever and getting more power out of less amps, less heat, etc. But I started with a bad head unit, a bad remotely mounted other half, and a blown speaker. More money to fix a 20yr old system or less money to replace? No brainer. Once the patient was in surgery and entirely opened up, I did it all. Now hopefully I can forget about it forever. New head unit, new wiring, new speakers, done.
Might put the Bose stuff on eBay. Good call. Thanks.
Might put the Bose stuff on eBay. Good call. Thanks.
