Aftermarket stereo question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Aftermarket stereo question
Hey all! Looking for input on aftermarket stereo installation. I'm installing a Pioneer unit and keeping the stock Bose Gold speakers for now. I have the Metra harness for interfacing with the factory speakers. Doing a dry fit today, it all sounded great except for a thump when I changed sources, and even when tuning a station. Any thoughts other than dumping the Bose altogether? I came across a solution one day but can't find it again. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 98
From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Thats your amps, any time you change source power would have to be interrupted to keep them from making that noise, I believe that any time you hook any amp to the RCA jacks on your radio you will have the same problem. I am not sure but I think you would have to hook up some type of relay to solve the problem. you could try asking over on the audio section.
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Cruising
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Lemoore CA
It has to do with the amps being on as the radio comes on or shuts off. When I initially installed my new head unit I installed a toggle switch in the remote/antenna wire so I could turn off the amps before shutting off the radio. Another solution is to wire in a delay circuit accomplishing the same thing. I only had the problem when the radio was turning off, I didn't notice it switching between sources. The only real solution is to replace the speakers and amps. I just went ahead and bought some aftermarket speakers and a small amplifier, I am in the process of installing it now. It wasn't too expensive, I found some good deals on Rockford Fosgate 5.25" and 6.75" components and a small Precision Power amp, it just takes a little time to run the speaker wire and install the speakers. Finding solid info on C4 audio is a real pain, especially spspeaker sizes. If you listen to what most people say then 5.25" will fit in the front, this isn't true without a lot of modification. I am playing around modifying mine now but may end up building an enclosure. The rears will accept 6.75" speakers perfectly.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Are you driving the Bose amps with your Pioneer head unit? If so, are you sure they are compatible? (I had to ask to be sure.) Or are you driving the Bose speakers directly from your Pioneer output amp? The Bose speakers in my car were 2 ohm impedance. My Pioneer amp would drive the Bose speakers, and sounded good, but the 2 ohm loads made the amp overheat! Not good. I found some Kenwood 4 ohm speakers that fit good in the Bose acoustic housings, sound good, and my amp is much happier!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Hey Jeff, by your handle, I'm presuming you know electronics. First question: What year 'vette?
Are you driving the Bose amps with your Pioneer head unit? If so, are you sure they are compatible? (I had to ask to be sure.) Or are you driving the Bose speakers directly from your Pioneer output amp? The Bose speakers in my car were 2 ohm impedance. My Pioneer amp would drive the Bose speakers, and sounded good, but the 2 ohm loads made the amp overheat! Not good. I found some Kenwood 4 ohm speakers that fit good in the Bose acoustic housings, sound good, and my amp is much happier!
Are you driving the Bose amps with your Pioneer head unit? If so, are you sure they are compatible? (I had to ask to be sure.) Or are you driving the Bose speakers directly from your Pioneer output amp? The Bose speakers in my car were 2 ohm impedance. My Pioneer amp would drive the Bose speakers, and sounded good, but the 2 ohm loads made the amp overheat! Not good. I found some Kenwood 4 ohm speakers that fit good in the Bose acoustic housings, sound good, and my amp is much happier!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Good guess! Yes, I know some. My plan was to use the pre-amp outputs to drive the amp/speakers. This is the recommended plan I've found using the Metra harness. An installer suggested using the speaker outs instead. He said he has done that successfully. Seemed counter-intuitive to me.
Mine is a '94. Sorry, forgot to add that!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 7
From: MichAgain
I'm not familiar with the Metra harness. Is it just a connection block or does it have some adjusting capability?
When I put my aftermarket unit in I used a Scoche (IIRC) bypass harness that goes between the aftermarket unit and the Bose speakers. This has some adjustable controls to protect the Bose speakers from the non-Bose system. But... Mine's a 91 so there may be some differences between the components in your ride. (I know they relocated some components to behind the seat instead of under the dash.)
It's been quite a few years now since I've done it, but IIRC I got a lot of info from the Crutchfield website as well as the audio forum on this site.
When I put my aftermarket unit in I used a Scoche (IIRC) bypass harness that goes between the aftermarket unit and the Bose speakers. This has some adjustable controls to protect the Bose speakers from the non-Bose system. But... Mine's a 91 so there may be some differences between the components in your ride. (I know they relocated some components to behind the seat instead of under the dash.)
It's been quite a few years now since I've done it, but IIRC I got a lot of info from the Crutchfield website as well as the audio forum on this site.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 135
Likes: 10
From: Simpsonville, SC
I just rehauled my entire 1995 bose system by replacing everything. I originally had done the head unit and kept the bose speakers just like you did, but I heard the same pop in just about everything I did with my head unit. I also used the same Metra harness you did.
I ended up getting really annoyed with it and decided to pull all the original bose and run new wires to new speakers. I put 4" pioneer speakers in the front and 6.5" rockford fosgates in the back. The fronts required me to build a special bracket to fit the stock enclosure, but the back speakers fit in the stock enclosures perfectly. I did a little write up on my installation that is under my profile that goes into a little more detail. I'm very happy with the sound now, but am considering adding a powered subwoofer to fill out the lows.
I ended up getting really annoyed with it and decided to pull all the original bose and run new wires to new speakers. I put 4" pioneer speakers in the front and 6.5" rockford fosgates in the back. The fronts required me to build a special bracket to fit the stock enclosure, but the back speakers fit in the stock enclosures perfectly. I did a little write up on my installation that is under my profile that goes into a little more detail. I'm very happy with the sound now, but am considering adding a powered subwoofer to fill out the lows.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,220
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
I just rehauled my entire 1995 bose system by replacing everything. I originally had done the head unit and kept the bose speakers just like you did, but I heard the same pop in just about everything I did with my head unit. I also used the same Metra harness you did.
I ended up getting really annoyed with it and decided to pull all the original bose and run new wires to new speakers. I put 4" pioneer speakers in the front and 6.5" rockford fosgates in the back. The fronts required me to build a special bracket to fit the stock enclosure, but the back speakers fit in the stock enclosures perfectly. I did a little write up on my installation that is under my profile that goes into a little more detail. I'm very happy with the sound now, but am considering adding a powered subwoofer to fill out the lows.
I ended up getting really annoyed with it and decided to pull all the original bose and run new wires to new speakers. I put 4" pioneer speakers in the front and 6.5" rockford fosgates in the back. The fronts required me to build a special bracket to fit the stock enclosure, but the back speakers fit in the stock enclosures perfectly. I did a little write up on my installation that is under my profile that goes into a little more detail. I'm very happy with the sound now, but am considering adding a powered subwoofer to fill out the lows.
If you cut the rear Bose speaker mount carefully and use 1/2" Oak wood you can mount 6X9's in the Bose location.(they are rated 1000 watts and the magnets just fit). I foamed the bass tube under the rear speaker and the new speakers sound better. I painted the wood black as that is the color of my interior and it hides any wood that shows. I originally put the rear speakers in the bose holders but they did not sound as good as they should have.
The setup is a little over kill esp with the woofers but I had the units and said "it will fit" You need to vent the well doors, the subs move a lot of air and thus keep the amps cool.
Yes the mirrors are useless at a 4 setting , but it sounds great at 2 which is my normal setting.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I'm not familiar with the Metra harness. Is it just a connection block or does it have some adjusting capability?
When I put my aftermarket unit in I used a Scoche (IIRC) bypass harness that goes between the aftermarket unit and the Bose speakers. This has some adjustable controls to protect the Bose speakers from the non-Bose system. But... Mine's a 91 so there may be some differences between the components in your ride. (I know they relocated some components to behind the seat instead of under the dash.)
It's been quite a few years now since I've done it, but IIRC I got a lot of info from the Crutchfield website as well as the audio forum on this site.
When I put my aftermarket unit in I used a Scoche (IIRC) bypass harness that goes between the aftermarket unit and the Bose speakers. This has some adjustable controls to protect the Bose speakers from the non-Bose system. But... Mine's a 91 so there may be some differences between the components in your ride. (I know they relocated some components to behind the seat instead of under the dash.)
It's been quite a few years now since I've done it, but IIRC I got a lot of info from the Crutchfield website as well as the audio forum on this site.