Bose Stero Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Here's a list capacitors and their symptoms.
C4 Bose Amps
Capacitor C172 affect volume and sound quality
Capacitor C7 & C8 worling and squealing
Capacitor C31 poping sound
Capacitor C203 Base disortion
Capacitor C16 Poping & squealing
Capacitor C19 & C 25 Generally don't go bad
The rest will make the squeaks and squeals
C4 Bose Amps
Capacitor C172 affect volume and sound quality
Capacitor C7 & C8 worling and squealing
Capacitor C31 poping sound
Capacitor C203 Base disortion
Capacitor C16 Poping & squealing
Capacitor C19 & C 25 Generally don't go bad
The rest will make the squeaks and squeals
Where can these be purchased?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I found them at digi-Key. About 35 bucks for 4 coupe amplifiers. Purchased a de-soldering iron from radio shack for 14 bucks and some rosin core 0.032" 60/40 soldering wire. I am using a steel pick that I heat up with a torch to separate and remove the clear soft potting compound. I am no stranger to building PCBs so I am not anticipating any problems. I have 3 C4s, just replaced the rear amps in my 92 with "new" boards at 175.00 each and a month later one is starting to pop already and my 95 left rear is starting to pop. I will be an expert at rebuilding these when I am done. This and those stinking cheap a$$ plastic gears they use to lift the head lights. That is my next project. It seams when one car starts to have issues with something they all get the same issue.....like a car virus or something....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I plugged the rebuilt amp card into my 95 rear speaker and it worked like a champ. I did notice that the amp for the 95 is configured differently than the 92 board. I am removing the caps now. I will post a PDF of the amp showing the cap locations and designations. Once I rebuild the 95 board, I will install that one back into the car.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
The Kenwood I put in my 1989 only cost me around $150 off Amazon, and you can get a decent pair of 3-way 6x9's like the Sound Storm Labs SSL GS-369 for the back for around $30 and a pair of Sound Storm Labs SSL GS-246 2-way 4x6s for the dash for around $25... Less than $300 all told and great sound plus a lot more modern features than a 20+ year old factory system.
And even if you want to keep the Bose for some reason... definitely way cheaper to rebuild them yourself than to buy one. Pretty much all that usually goes bad in them is the caps which are easy to find and replace.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
As previously mentioned... Digi-Key... www.digikey.com
also
Mouser www.mouser.com
Jameco www.jameco.com/ElectronicComponents
or if you have one local you can probably buy them retail at Frys's.
also
Mouser www.mouser.com
Jameco www.jameco.com/ElectronicComponents
or if you have one local you can probably buy them retail at Frys's.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
Usually when people replace the Bose head unit they replace the speakers with conventional 6x9 3-way in the back and 4x6 2-way in the front.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 620
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From: Denver CO
I may do that. The newer generation Bose in our Mazdaspeed-6 sounds a lot better than this system. Hell, even the work I did on my Echo sounds a lot better and all the stuff was from Wallmart!
Everyone keeps mentioning 4 speakers, when there appears to be two more openings in the upper dash (?)
Everyone keeps mentioning 4 speakers, when there appears to be two more openings in the upper dash (?)
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
I may do that. The newer generation Bose in our Mazdaspeed-6 sounds a lot better than this system. Hell, even the work I did on my Echo sounds a lot better and all the stuff was from Wallmart!
Everyone keeps mentioning 4 speakers, when there appears to be two more openings in the upper dash (?)
Everyone keeps mentioning 4 speakers, when there appears to be two more openings in the upper dash (?)
The dash speakers are 4x6". Door speakers if you have them are 6.5". Rear speakers are 6x9".
Hope that makes sense.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
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There should be speakers under there. If they aren't making any sound, it probably means the amps are blown out or maybe they weren't connected up to your aftermarket stereo or something.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
Mea Culpa... I've been told I may be wrong about this and that there are at least some Bose systems that do not have dash speakers, only door and rear...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I may do that. The newer generation Bose in our Mazdaspeed-6 sounds a lot better than this system. Hell, even the work I did on my Echo sounds a lot better and all the stuff was from Wallmart!
Everyone keeps mentioning 4 speakers, when there appears to be two more openings in the upper dash (?)
Everyone keeps mentioning 4 speakers, when there appears to be two more openings in the upper dash (?)
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
Come on guys, the Bose system does not sound all that bad. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a modern system but if your running the right exhaust system, high fidelity shouldn't be that big of a deal unless you are one of those people who enjoys insanely loud music.
For me though, I can't live without some of the modern features... MP3, Bluetooth, HD Radio, USB, AUX in, SiriusXM... That's why I end up putting in a new stereo...
You are spot on about exhaust noise and that some people seem to need to have so much bass that it must be slowly liquidating their grey matter from all the vibration. I like it loud, but I like it balanced, not so much bass I can't hear the guitars, the vocals or the cymbals...
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 620
Likes: 117
From: Denver CO
Come on guys, the Bose system does not sound all that bad. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a modern system but if your running the right exhaust system, high fidelity shouldn't be that big of a deal unless you are one of those people who enjoys insanely loud music.
You'd like my Echo..
Being a commuter car, you spend a lot of time in it, and want it to be "nice". I expect the same of this one.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
This one sounds so-so. No base and the balance is not so good either. They are all functioning, but the quality is not there. Part of that is the power imbalance from the aftermarket head unit. Doesn't have to be "loud" to be good. I've got work to do, and I guess a few pictures to take.
You'd like my Echo.. Being a commuter car, you spend a lot of time in it, and want it to be "nice". I expect the same of this one.
You'd like my Echo..
Being a commuter car, you spend a lot of time in it, and want it to be "nice". I expect the same of this one.