Bose Help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 222
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From: Yukon OK
Bose Help
1990 orig. bose head unit and speaker/amps. I was out crusin listening to the radio, and then the god awful screech tornado warning sound seamed to be coming fron the right rear speaker. Does this sound like the amp has gone bad.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Those problems are usually caused by bad electrolytic capacitors in the amps. You can send the amps in for repair ($70-80) of which I have 2 reliable Bose shops. Or if you can solder properly and do some routine printed circuit board work you can repair it yourself. For usually under $10 you can buy the parts and I can supply you with documentation, schematics and links if you want to go that route.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Elgin IL
I have had this issue twice. Both times it was a different speaker. I was able to take the speaker and amp apart and blow everything out with compressed air and then put everything back together. Problem solved. I know this is just temporary but I am playing with the idea of replacing the whole system. This fix lasted all summer and is still working.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I have had this issue twice. Both times it was a different speaker. I was able to take the speaker and amp apart and blow everything out with compressed air and then put everything back together. Problem solved. I know this is just temporary but I am playing with the idea of replacing the whole system. This fix lasted all summer and is still working.
I dread it when a customer want me to rip out the factory system and put in something aftermarket. I prefer NOT to do that....and repairing may aftermarket systems that were installed due to it was installed very poorly. I have seen my fair share of butchered Corvettes when someone who gets in there does not either CARE...or know what they are doing.
SO...if you plan on changing it out...I hope you can do it yourself.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
I have had this issue twice. Both times it was a different speaker. I was able to take the speaker and amp apart and blow everything out with compressed air and then put everything back together. Problem solved. I know this is just temporary but I am playing with the idea of replacing the whole system. This fix lasted all summer and is still working.
I guess your compressed air seemed to do the trick. Can't argue with success.
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Elgin IL
I hope it keeps working out for you. The factory system is very good.
I dread it when a customer want me to rip out the factory system and put in something aftermarket. I prefer NOT to do that....and repairing may aftermarket systems that were installed due to it was installed very poorly. I have seen my fair share of butchered Corvettes when someone who gets in there does not either CARE...or know what they are doing.
SO...if you plan on changing it out...I hope you can do it yourself.
DUB
I dread it when a customer want me to rip out the factory system and put in something aftermarket. I prefer NOT to do that....and repairing may aftermarket systems that were installed due to it was installed very poorly. I have seen my fair share of butchered Corvettes when someone who gets in there does not either CARE...or know what they are doing.
SO...if you plan on changing it out...I hope you can do it yourself.
DUB
Right now I am mostly using one of those old tape to headphone things so I can stream Pandora and listen to music on my phone.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
Just be aware...that I myself...if I had to...would try to keep the factory Bose speaker boxes and get the new speakers to fit...which in many cases will require the amps to be removed if any serious cutting is needed....and also the depth of the speaker can come into play when you go to put the speaker grille cover back on.
Hope you come to a decision that is to your liking. I myself.,..the older I get...do not put a lot of importance on the sound quality of the stereo in what I drive...mainly because I am focusing on driving....in my younger days...it was something entirely different....and the sound quality in my house is where I am picky....when I am relaxing. But that is just me.
DUB
Hope you come to a decision that is to your liking. I myself.,..the older I get...do not put a lot of importance on the sound quality of the stereo in what I drive...mainly because I am focusing on driving....in my younger days...it was something entirely different....and the sound quality in my house is where I am picky....when I am relaxing. But that is just me.
DUB
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Elgin IL
Just be aware...that I myself...if I had to...would try to keep the factory Bose speaker boxes and get the new speakers to fit...which in many cases will require the amps to be removed if any serious cutting is needed....and also the depth of the speaker can come into play when you go to put the speaker grille cover back on.
Hope you come to a decision that is to your liking. I myself.,..the older I get...do not put a lot of importance on the sound quality of the stereo in what I drive...mainly because I am focusing on driving....in my younger days...it was something entirely different....and the sound quality in my house is where I am picky....when I am relaxing. But that is just me.
DUB
Hope you come to a decision that is to your liking. I myself.,..the older I get...do not put a lot of importance on the sound quality of the stereo in what I drive...mainly because I am focusing on driving....in my younger days...it was something entirely different....and the sound quality in my house is where I am picky....when I am relaxing. But that is just me.
DUB
But as I said the stock system is working fine so I will probably just leave it for now.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Engineers specialize in building speaker enclosures and matching speakers to it to get the best sound from the two units. Frequency response and flatness across the audio range is what it is designed for.
Not trying to slow down creativity, just wanted to make you aware of a little technical information.
My Bose system really works great. It is so clean, I love to listen to it especially when I'm by myself. I think it's better that my home stereo. I don’t have 500 watts but plenty of sound power inside the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Elgin IL
Speakers enclosures are as important as the speakers in producing sound quality. It is a tuned device and not just a box that holds the speaker. Sure, any box will work but you will not be getting the quality of sound that the speaker can produce.
Engineers specialize in building speaker enclosures and matching speakers to it to get the best sound from the two units. Frequency response and flatness across the audio range is what it is designed for.
Not trying to slow down creativity, just wanted to make you aware of a little technical information.
My Bose system really works great. It is so clean, I love to listen to it especially when I'm by myself. I think it's better that my home stereo. I don’t have 500 watts but plenty of sound power inside the car.
Engineers specialize in building speaker enclosures and matching speakers to it to get the best sound from the two units. Frequency response and flatness across the audio range is what it is designed for.
Not trying to slow down creativity, just wanted to make you aware of a little technical information.
My Bose system really works great. It is so clean, I love to listen to it especially when I'm by myself. I think it's better that my home stereo. I don’t have 500 watts but plenty of sound power inside the car.
I can pretty much make anything I want out of wood. I used to make custom furniture with my dad. It would not take a long time and could probably make the boxes out of scrap I have laying around.
I have never done anything with fiberglass but I am thinking of giving it a try. I am thinking of doing a custom sub box for my DD that will sit in the corner of my trunk.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
I hate Bose, despite loving it when the car was new. My '84 was one of the first cars with an attempt by the manufacturer to install a decent audio system.
Replacing it was no small chore, in my case, but has been well worth the effort. Double-DIN will not fit in my1.5 DIN opening, and my 4x100wpc mbQuart amp warms the passenger's buns, driving all Infinity speakers, in custom boxes (big PITA), stock locations. Front's are 6.5" coax; rears are 8" subs. Now I can hear it with the t-top off at illegal speeds.
Oops.
Replacing it was no small chore, in my case, but has been well worth the effort. Double-DIN will not fit in my1.5 DIN opening, and my 4x100wpc mbQuart amp warms the passenger's buns, driving all Infinity speakers, in custom boxes (big PITA), stock locations. Front's are 6.5" coax; rears are 8" subs. Now I can hear it with the t-top off at illegal speeds.
Oops.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I hate Bose, despite loving it when the car was new. My '84 was one of the first cars with an attempt by the manufacturer to install a decent audio system.
Replacing it was no small chore, in my case, but has been well worth the effort. Double-DIN will not fit in my1.5 DIN opening, and my 4x100wpc mbQuart amp warms the passenger's buns, driving all Infinity speakers, in custom boxes (big PITA), stock locations. Front's are 6.5" coax; rears are 8" subs. Now I can hear it with the t-top off at illegal speeds.
Oops.
Replacing it was no small chore, in my case, but has been well worth the effort. Double-DIN will not fit in my1.5 DIN opening, and my 4x100wpc mbQuart amp warms the passenger's buns, driving all Infinity speakers, in custom boxes (big PITA), stock locations. Front's are 6.5" coax; rears are 8" subs. Now I can hear it with the t-top off at illegal speeds.
Oops.
I never wrote that the Bose system is the BEST( not writing that you are implying that I did). I know the sound system can be improved on...but the amount of $$$ and TIME....is entirely up to the owner. If the end result is worth the money and time...than all is good.
This job is NO PICNIC...even for an experienced person. And with you doing all the work...imagine the amount of $$ you saved for all of the headaches and aggravation.
DUB