Bose Gold system
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Williamstown, wv
Bose Gold system
Does anyone know "for sure" where the amp is located in a 1994 and is it just one amp or does each speaker have it's own? I am putting in a new stereo and all I have read says individual amps but the paper work that comes with the harness states that it is one amp.
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Does anyone know "for sure" where the amp is located in a 1994 and is it just one amp or does each speaker have it's own? I am putting in a new stereo and all I have read says individual amps but the paper work that comes with the harness states that it is one amp.
Thanks
Thanks
The "receiver" is under the dash behind the glove box. Be prepared for a fun time on your back.
The "head unit" is the piece you see in the center console.
The "amps" are located within the speaker boxes for each individual speaker.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,776
Likes: 182
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
There are multiple pieces to the Bose system...
The "receiver" is under the dash behind the glove box. Be prepared for a fun time on your back.
The "head unit" is the piece you see in the center console.
The "amps" are located within the speaker boxes for each individual speaker.
The "receiver" is under the dash behind the glove box. Be prepared for a fun time on your back.
The "head unit" is the piece you see in the center console.
The "amps" are located within the speaker boxes for each individual speaker.
For his '94, I believe the receiver is located in the storage compartment behind the passenger seat.
The other two statements are correct.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Nothing like being on your back in a confined footwell trying to reach behind the dash (through the 10 wire connectors) and pulling that gem out.
I'd have given a lot to have it in the storage well behind the seat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
There are multiple pieces to the Bose system...
The "receiver" is under the dash behind the glove box. Be prepared for a fun time on your back. This in on the 93 and earlier.
The "head unit" is the piece you see in the center console.
The "amps" are located within the speaker boxes for each individual speaker.
The "receiver" is under the dash behind the glove box. Be prepared for a fun time on your back. This in on the 93 and earlier.
The "head unit" is the piece you see in the center console.
The "amps" are located within the speaker boxes for each individual speaker.
Do you plan on using the speaker enclosers with the built in amps?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Williamstown, wv
Yes, thats why I asked the question, the installer told me sometimes the install works with the Bose amps and sometimes only the power from the new stereo gets through and he is not sure why.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
The installer should know about the equipment he is installing and what the power inputs requirements are and what the output or speaker requirements are. Most receivers (unlike the Bose) drive a standalone speaker per channel (with possible crossover) and does not use a amp in the speaker box like the Bose uses. Many car audio speakers are the 4 ohm type load but can vary depending on the requirements of the radio manufacture.
It would be unlikely you would use the original Bose speaker enclosures for the new radio. Their speaker load is 1 ohm, not the norm.
This is basic information (not even any hi-tech electronics knowledge) that the installer should know hands down. What is he doing installing this equipment if it is unclear what speakers to use. The plan and the outcome of the installation should established and clear before ever starting the work. This should not be a trial and error event.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Williamstown, wv
What the heck does that mean…sometimes.
The installer should know about the equipment he is installing and what the power inputs requirements are and what the output or speaker requirements are. Most receivers (unlike the Bose) drive a standalone speaker per channel (with possible crossover) and does not use a amp in the speaker box like the Bose uses. Many car audio speakers are the 4 ohm type load but can vary depending on the requirements of the radio manufacture.
It would be unlikely you would use the original Bose speaker enclosures for the new radio. Their speaker load is 1 ohm, not the norm.
This is basic information (not even any hi-tech electronics knowledge) that the installer should know hands down. What is he doing installing this equipment if it is unclear what speakers to use. The plan and the outcome of the installation should established and clear before ever starting the work. This should not be a trial and error event.
The installer should know about the equipment he is installing and what the power inputs requirements are and what the output or speaker requirements are. Most receivers (unlike the Bose) drive a standalone speaker per channel (with possible crossover) and does not use a amp in the speaker box like the Bose uses. Many car audio speakers are the 4 ohm type load but can vary depending on the requirements of the radio manufacture.
It would be unlikely you would use the original Bose speaker enclosures for the new radio. Their speaker load is 1 ohm, not the norm.
This is basic information (not even any hi-tech electronics knowledge) that the installer should know hands down. What is he doing installing this equipment if it is unclear what speakers to use. The plan and the outcome of the installation should established and clear before ever starting the work. This should not be a trial and error event.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
Bad wording on my part, to be more clear he basically said that sometimes the Bose amps would work with the after market Pioneer stereo and sometimes they wouldnt--he didnt know why. I believe I have figured it out, it has to do with the harness and how it connects to the Bose. I talked to the people at Crutchfield who do these installs and they explained how to do it and the harness I need--it will power the Bose Amps
But from all I have read about the people who have changed out their radio seem to replace the speakers also. It doesn’t seem like it would make sense to replace the radio and not the speakers. This is because the Bose enclosures could be the limiting factor to better sound from the replacement radio. And isn't that why the radio usually gets replaced is for better sound quality.
I would listen to anyone who has done a change out and has real time experience in the usage of the system as to what they replaced and why.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
I would be worried that the bose speakers would be dried out with age....
also, make sure that you use the capacitors to the lcd and led wires if you need them or you might end up with the sys error message. I had that problem and had to pull it all back out to install the resistors, and crutchfield knew nothing about the issue...
also, make sure that you use the capacitors to the lcd and led wires if you need them or you might end up with the sys error message. I had that problem and had to pull it all back out to install the resistors, and crutchfield knew nothing about the issue...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,776
Likes: 182
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Bad wording on my part, to be more clear he basically said that sometimes the Bose amps would work with the after market Pioneer stereo and sometimes they wouldnt--he didnt know why. I believe I have figured it out, it has to do with the harness and how it connects to the Bose. I talked to the people at Crutchfield who do these installs and they explained how to do it and the harness I need--it will power the Bose Amps
But the sound quality still might suffer.
I have an aftermarket system in my '96, still using the factory Bose speakers.
It sounds ok (good enough for me), but is no where near the quality of a good total system (aftermarket head unit, amp, and speakers).
