Keep head unit replace bose speakers?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 2
Keep head unit replace bose speakers?
Okay after much research, some people are saying I can run my factory bose radio and replace the bose speakers with a set of 2 ohm JBL speakers. Is this true? I would like to keep the stock look. If not I'll change everything. Or is there something I can plug into the stereo that will make it accept aftermarket speakers? For my 88.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge GA
From my research, the Bose uses self amplified units in each speaker. If I am not mistaken, there are companies that will rebuild/refurbish the factory units.
In college I sold home theatre units. Bose was my favorite. I know that you could not mix and match the Bose stand alones with other speakers, even ones that were rated at the same ohms.
I am all for the factory look. But be careful. So far mine still works, well excpect for the CD player. But I am thinking when it is time to consider what to do for sound, that I am going to pull the Bose out and change it all. 6x9's will fit in the factory incloseurs on my 90. Not sure about the 88.
In college I sold home theatre units. Bose was my favorite. I know that you could not mix and match the Bose stand alones with other speakers, even ones that were rated at the same ohms.
I am all for the factory look. But be careful. So far mine still works, well excpect for the CD player. But I am thinking when it is time to consider what to do for sound, that I am going to pull the Bose out and change it all. 6x9's will fit in the factory incloseurs on my 90. Not sure about the 88.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 2
On my last Vette I had a nice pioneer head unit, infinity 6X9's in the back 5" speakers in the doors and had 3 or 5" speakers installed in the dash. I think the guy that installed that is still cursing me. ha ha. I also had them install keyless entry at that time. It was a sweet set up, but I did miss the look of the factory system.
Ecklers now sells a unit that will hook up to your factory system or any system for that matter and run your Ipod direct through the unit, without the use of the FM Modulators. Which I think are junk for the most part.
Still I may have to go with the aftermarket stuff again, because I hate listening to the radio when driving the Vette and all my music is played through the Ipod.
Any thoughts, post away.
Ecklers now sells a unit that will hook up to your factory system or any system for that matter and run your Ipod direct through the unit, without the use of the FM Modulators. Which I think are junk for the most part.
Still I may have to go with the aftermarket stuff again, because I hate listening to the radio when driving the Vette and all my music is played through the Ipod.
Any thoughts, post away.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Why don't you just repair your OEM Bose speakers or purchase new ones from these guys:
http://carstereohelp.com/corvette.htm
I am sure they can also help you with proper iPod connectivity issues. They do a great job and I think you will be well pleased with the results.
FYI
http://carstereohelp.com/corvette.htm
I am sure they can also help you with proper iPod connectivity issues. They do a great job and I think you will be well pleased with the results.
FYI
Last edited by pmihaltian; May 26, 2010 at 01:12 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Broadway Virginia
You didn't mention whether there was anything wrong with the Bose Speakers. Assuming they are crackling and popping, you should be made aware that when these speakers were made the manufacturer unknowingly bought a huge lot of defective capacitors which were installed in the amplifier circuits of these speakers. When the capacitors ultimately fail it causes problems. This however is NO REASON to remove and throw the speakers away. They CAN be fixed by someone knowledgeable. If you look at the circuit board of the amplifier, there are green colored capacitors. They sort of look like miniature beer cans.
I think there are five per circuit board if my memory is correct. Each capacitor has a specific capacitance value and they are not interchangeable with other sizes. The defective greens ones can be unsoldered and removed, then replaced with correct replacements.
Don't give up and throw them away. I had mine fixed and have not had a minutes trouble with them since.
Last edited by walter schweigert; May 26, 2010 at 02:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 2
Why don't you just repair your OEM Bose speakers or purchase new ones from these guys:
http://carstereohelp.com/corvette.htm
I am sure they can also help you with proper iPod connectivity issues. They do a great job and I think you will be well pleased with the results.
FYI
http://carstereohelp.com/corvette.htm
I am sure they can also help you with proper iPod connectivity issues. They do a great job and I think you will be well pleased with the results.
FYI
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: rowlett tx
I believe the bose speakers are actually 1 ohm, and if you replace them you would have to find some kind of 1 ohm amp to go with it. I spent a lot of time trying to make different things work, but i wanted a cd player and some speakers that i could hear over the wind with the top off and couldnt find any combination that worked with the stock set up.
So...i put in an alpine head, pdx5 amp, kicker sub and polk components and have never looked back. Everything is flush and hidden so you cant tell i have anything aftermarket in there.
So...i put in an alpine head, pdx5 amp, kicker sub and polk components and have never looked back. Everything is flush and hidden so you cant tell i have anything aftermarket in there.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: wilmington De
am in the same situation as you bro, also want to keep the same stock appearance with newer speakers. i installed a 98 chevy blazer cd player on the vette last night looks as it was factory and works well.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
FWIW, there is a difference between early and late Bose units. Early (including 88) had 25w amps. Later units doubled in power I think.
Also, there might be a difference in speaker ohms. I think the early systems are 1 to 1.5 ohms. Later might also be double that.
Either way, I think you can still order the raw drivers to replace a damaged/worn-out Bose speaker. I think they're about $35ea. It's easy to separate a speaker from it's attached amplifier.
BTW, You might also (still) be able to upgrade your amps in power -- to the later level.
Also, there might be a difference in speaker ohms. I think the early systems are 1 to 1.5 ohms. Later might also be double that.
Either way, I think you can still order the raw drivers to replace a damaged/worn-out Bose speaker. I think they're about $35ea. It's easy to separate a speaker from it's attached amplifier.
BTW, You might also (still) be able to upgrade your amps in power -- to the later level.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 50
From: Westmont Il.
Okay after much research, some people are saying I can run my factory bose radio and replace the bose speakers with a set of 2 ohm JBL speakers. Is this true? I would like to keep the stock look. If not I'll change everything. Or is there something I can plug into the stereo that will make it accept aftermarket speakers? For my 88.
I have read that 2 ohm will work but not play as loud.
I have been looking for replacement tweeters for the fronts in my '91.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
You didn't mention whether there was anything wrong with the Bose Speakers. Assuming they are crackling and popping, you should be made aware that when these speakers were made the manufacturer unknowingly bought a huge lot of defective capacitors which were installed in the amplifier circuits of these speakers. When the capacitors ultimately fail it causes problems. This however is NO REASON to remove and throw the speakers away. They CAN be fixed by someone knowledgeable. If you look at the circuit board of the amplifier, there are green colored capacitors. They sort of look like miniature beer cans.
I think there are five per circuit board if my memory is correct. Each capacitor has a specific capacitance value and they are not interchangeable with other sizes. The defective greens ones can be unsoldered and removed, then replaced with correct replacements.
Don't give up and throw them away. I had mine fixed and have not had a minutes trouble with them since.
I replaced quite a few caps. But in one forward speaker the integreated circuit was gone. So I did build a linear amp. Quite a difficult job because the low level signal requires a perfect balancing in order to prevent noise to enter the amp. The connection is made by a balanced double line. So only other speakers or a simple linear amp does not work. You need the originals and it pays off to repair.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
You didn't mention whether there was anything wrong with the Bose Speakers. Assuming they are crackling and popping, you should be made aware that when these speakers were made the manufacturer unknowingly bought a huge lot of defective capacitors which were installed in the amplifier circuits of these speakers. When the capacitors ultimately fail it causes problems. This however is NO REASON to remove and throw the speakers away. They CAN be fixed by someone knowledgeable. If you look at the circuit board of the amplifier, there are green colored capacitors. They sort of look like miniature beer cans.
I think there are five per circuit board if my memory is correct. Each capacitor has a specific capacitance value and they are not interchangeable with other sizes. The defective greens ones can be unsoldered and removed, then replaced with correct replacements.
Don't give up and throw them away. I had mine fixed and have not had a minutes trouble with them since.
I replaced quite a few caps. But in one forward speaker the integreated circuit was gone. So I did build a linear amp. Quite a difficult job because the low level signal requires a perfect balancing in order to prevent noise to enter the amp. The connection is made by a balanced double line. So only other speakers or a simple linear amp does not work. You need the originals and it pays off to repair.
