nastyiroc

iTrader: (9)

What do I need to upgrade the factory cd to an aftermarket cd? It has the stock bose system. I see posts on monsoon just not bose. Thanks

nastyiroc

iTrader: (9)

Do I need one of these? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142C4GM...r.html?tp=3486

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

Yes, if you're installing an aftermarket head unit but keeping the factory speakers, you should use one of those adapters. It will keep you from blowing the Bose amps when you crank up the volume.

nastyiroc

iTrader: (9)

Any other suggestions?

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

What? You don't believe me? Gonna keep asking until you get the answer you want?

There are similar adapters from other manufacturers for connecting aftermarket head units to Bose speaker/amps but they all do basically the same thing.

Flaring Afro

lol wow. you tell him white bird.

pentavolvo

u can get away without it or by splicing rca's in but it is the easiest way to do it

nastyiroc

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for all your help I was just seeing if anyone has done in install like this recently.

blindxeyed

iTrader: (8)

I'm not trying to say you're wrong on this. But I installed a Sony Xplod head unit in my Firebird with the factory 10 speaker Bose system, and I've never had a problem. Installed it back in 2005, and I still have the factory speakers and everything, has held up great. Am I just an exception somehow, or is it just that my specific head unit isn't powerful to cause any damage?

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

That's interesting...considering that the Firebird never came with a Bose system and the Bose system never had 10 speakers.

The 10-speaker system in a Firebird is either a Monsoon (97-02) or the earlier unnamed "premium" system. Both of these systems use speaker level input to an external amp so they are compatible with almost any aftermarket head unit.

The Bose system was available only in Camaros from 93-96. It came in 3-speaker and 5-speaker configurations. They use a special head unit which outputs low level, high impedance (similar to headphone output) signal to Bose specific speakers that have individual amps attached. The HU output is why a signal adapter is recommended.

pentavolvo

i have seen a few cars specifically 93-95 bose camaros with out the adapter and it will work but u can get noise and an overly sensitive volume

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

Yes, that's true. The reason the volume control is so sensitive is because aftermarket head units provide higher voltage output than the Bose HU. A 10% volume increase on the 1 volt Bose HU results in an increase of 0.1 volt at the Bose amps. The same 10% volume increase on the speaker level output of an aftermarket head unit could result in 0.9 volts or more at the Bose amps. So every small increase in the volume control results in a much bigger increase at the amp input. In this example, the volume would increase almost twice as fast with the aftermarket HU.

The problem is that the increase can quickly exceed the input capacity of the Bose amps if you like to run at high volume a lot.

pentavolvo

well aware of that just stating it will work the wrong way

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

Oh, I knew you were. I was just explaining it for the OP who didn't seem to like the original answer.

blindxeyed

iTrader: (8)

Wow, thanks for clearing that up for me! I was always under the assumption that I had the Bose system because my front speakers also have individual amps, and I also have an amp where the Bose amp is found next to the rear passenger side seat. Never really investigated into it any further. Just went and looked at my rear amp, and it all it says is Delco Electronics on it.