Alright so my car stereo decided it would be the next thing to crap out on me. Over a year ago I removed the BOSE head unit and installed a Kenwood MP3 player. I've enjoyed it very much and it has sounded OK with the stock BOSE speakers, or at least that WAS the case. About a month ago my driver's side front BOSE speaker started crapping out on me, sounds like the amp is trying to die. I've decided that I'll just replace all the speakers with aftermarket stuff whenever I can.

Well yesterday I turned the radio to listen to it at least until the amp warmed up and started acting dumb. When turned the radio off my power antenna didn't lower itself. Now it's never really worked well. It never went all the way up and it wouldn't always go all the way down. But this time it didn't even try. No motor activity at all! I guess I'll just replace the whole unit now! I just need some ***** to come along and snap it off now too, that'll be lovely. Maybe just maybe they can then use the sharp edge to scratch the paint, wouldn't that be cool?

On to the good news. I've never liked that fact that due to the infinite wisdom of BOSE you must use the antenna to listen to a CD. That's just plain retarded. BUT, since I'm replacing my speakers here's the plan. Since I'm removing the BOSE speakers I can get rid of the under dash radio tuner completely and also run the antenna properly. I'll have the antenna wired to come on when listening to the radio and only the radio! Since I'll have to run all new speaker wires as well I believe I'm going to install a small amp in place of the radio tuner under the dash to run all the speakers from. Depending on the amp I might elect to get 1 easily removable 10 inch sub for the added bass note.

I've never been a fan of the car rattling stereo setup, but I do need it loud enough to hear it without distortion. I've got the pioneer 6x9's out of my old car that sounded VERY good. I never had need for a sub with these speakers. If they sound as good in the vette as they did in the cutlass I won't really want the sub.

 

thats a neato idea... but one minor problem...

the antenna control is based on the TUNER... not the bose...

Alpine, for example, will lower the antenna whenever the CD is playing. they started that about 8 years ago.

My pioneer head keeps the antenna up no matter what. thats why I want an alpine headunit!!!!!!!

if your looking for a good value in aftermarket stereo, without going broke, check out Polk Audio GRX series. I have installed a couple of sets of these in the last few weeks. they sound very nice, and don't require a ton of power. a head unit will run them just great!!!!!!!!

 

Ah, but you're only partially correct there. Normally I would agree with you and in fact I did agree with you until Dr. Bose made me look like an butt.

You see my Kenwood deck has two remote wires. One is labeled REMOTE and can be used to turn on something like an amp, or anything you would want on while the stereo is on. It has another one labeled antenna, this will operate something only while the antenna would be needed, so it doesn't turn that line on when you're listening to a CD.

When I wired up this deck I instinctively wired the ANTENNA wire to the ANTENNA wire on the wiring harness and hooked it all up. I turned on the stereo and it worked fine, the antenna went up and I could listen to the radio. I put in a CD, the antenna went down, and away went the sound. The CD still played, but I couldn't hear it. WTF I found myself asking. It turns out that the BOSE amps are somehow tied through the power antenna. Unless the antenna is up, the speakers are dead. I connected the REMOTE line on the deck to the ANTENNA line on the wiring harness. This makes the antenna come up any time the deck is on, CD or radio, or anything else. It works just fine, but it wears on my antenna an awful lot, and it was already injured.

If I replace all the speakers with non BOSE and they are connected directly to the deck or an AMP they will work with the deck, nothing else. Then if I connect the antenna to the antenna lead it will work when called for and not affect anything else. It's the single most retarded thing I've ever seen in car audio. You're right, some decks only have one output or the other and you are forced to wire it one way. Mine has both and thanks to BOSE I still had to do it wrong.

:smash:

 

ok, thats a nice trick... but it still does not preclude my answer.

just because dr bose did something to integrate the antenna into the bose speakers just makes matter worse!!!!! once all the bose is gone, then the problem will go away. my guess, the amp power is controlled by the power antenna's relay. icky. how sneaky.

you are correct about the antenna lead and the remote lead. the remote lead it a single switching event, and the antenna is a more complex switching event. the 2 connections became popular a few years back... as I mentioned.

when removing the bose, there is a module behind the glove box that is the actual reciever. you will have to run new wire to all 4 corners.

the bose hardware needs to come out. the enclosures can be reused, that is not a problem.

 

I am replacing ALL my stereo stuff too. What I wanted to pass on is this; I paid 169.00 a pair for MB quart speakers (speaker, tweeter, crossover)that regularly sell for 379.00 and 309.00 for a Nacamichi deck that goes for 479.00 Plus no shipping or tax. And no it's not ebay. email me if you want to know where to go.

 

First things first. If you had no motor activity at all, you might just need a relay for the back wiring harness in the hatch. $12 from GM parts store.