OK I think my factory radio (speakers) are giving up on me. :(
I am getting poping out of the back speakers. :cry My left front went a while ago. :(

Now the question is this.

Is it easier and more cost affective to replace the existing system? I would like to keep the factory radio but I know the speakers have the amps in them so that may not be possible.

If I have to replace the full system how is the best way to do that? Can I use the factory wiring and just add new speakers and a new head unit?
How do I get the old unit out?

What are my optipions? Are there any after mkt speakers for replacements that I can get that will work with my factory radio. etc etc.

If I have to replace the head unit I will do so with an MP3 unit. Any sugestions? Any problems with doing that? (form factor wiring etc. )

What are some good reasonable places to get parts from ?

Thanx for the info.

CJ
:chevy :flag


[Modified by CJ454, 8:50 AM 7/10/2002]

 

You will get lots of responses that start off with:
Replace it all!

Its up to you with what and how much you spend. To refurb your system its like 50 - 60 per speaker assembly, and around $100 for the radio. To replace everything you can spend from $500 and up. If you refurb, you will still have an "old" tech radio and not so good sounding speakers.
Find a head unit you like, for MP3 players plan on spending over $250.
Find speakers you like, several of the guys have done major work with finding speakers that work well (I put in "flea market" level speakers in mine). Then you will probably need an amp or two depending on your application.

To do the job listen to the guys that have done it before. You have a newer interior than mine so I can't give you any good hints.

Good luck!

 

You should try the audio section. Lots of people have the same problem you do. Most have replaced as the bose stinks and did the day it was new.
It will cost you almost as much to replace the bose as it will to fix it. Why through good money at a bad situation. The only reason I can think of to keep the bose is to be fully stock for a stock class show judging.

The problem with combining aftermarket equipment is that it runs on different ohm ratings or resistance ratings. Higher resistance ratings provide higher quality sound. However, they also need more power to make the same amount of sound.
The ohm rating of home speakers is 8 ohms. This is high resistance but since the home has stronger AC power available and plenty of room to build larger amps in sterio receivers(miniturizing for cars costs $$$) they can use 8 ohm to get good sound quality.
The ohm rating of car audio speakers is 4 ohms. This is the industry standard and is what almost every car system for at least the past 25 years has run on.
The C4 bose system runs on 1 ohm, which is almost no resistance. This means that the bose amps don't need to make much power to make alot of noise but they sacrifice sound quality to get it.
The only aftermarket speakers and amps that run on 1 ohm are subwoofers and bridged amps. They can get away with this as they are making slow wave (low frequency) bass notes and the sound quality suffering is kept to a minimum. Its also a cheap way to generate the large amounts of power subs crave.
If you are running the aftermarket speakes through the bose amps and not directly from the deck, this is a huge problem. Their high resistance will probably overload them and fry them. Picture a honda civic trying to tow a cement mixer.
Conversely, if you send 4 ohm power to the amps to play the speakers, this can also fry them as it is total overload on the input side.
This is why you need to remove the entire bose system and none of the compnents will work, at least not for long, without the converter which costs $50 and doesn't work very well.
You need to replace the deck and speakers at a minimum, and then run speaker wires to the speaker locations from the deck. You will need a kit for the dash and a wire harness to easily get power for the radio. The kit, harness and wire should cost about $40 total. Removing the radio is easy. We can talk you through it when you are ready. Takes about 20 minutes with a screw driver and 1/4" metric socket set.

No.

No problems with MP3. I would look at the Pioneer 7400. You can find it cheap at alot of places. http://www.pricegrabber.com is a good place to start.
You will probably be able to find one for $250 or less. It is also very upgradable with outputs for amps, subwoofers, changers ,etc. It is the base model with MP3. For $100 less you can get it without the MP3. This is model #4400.
You will then also want to replace the speakers. The best fits are 5 1/4 front and 6x9 rear. They will both take minor work to install but will sound much better than bose. I often recommend Boston Acoustics RX series. They sound great with and without an amp. They can be found for around $125 a set at http://www.tms-electronics.com and you will want the RX57 and RX97 speakers.
You can also go cheaper and get a set of infinty reference speakers for $75 a pair. They are ok but the bostons are worth the extra cash. http://www.mmxpress.com has the infinities and carries pioneer also.
I would install it yourself. If you are slightly handy, you should be fine. Hope this helps
:cheers: