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If anyone out there thinks could contribute any amount of information that may help I would appreciate - Here is my situation:

- I have just purchased this car, from my old car came Pioneer deh-6500/XM Skyfi/Rockford Fosgate 5100 2 channel/2 12" P2 Rockford Fosgate subs in sealed box/ - I did spend a considerable amount of money for these items so naturally I would like to integrete into my new car - Well here's the deal I am sure many people have come across the delema of upgrading your factory Bose to an aftermarket - Seems this is not at all an easy/reasonable thing to do, I have gone to my high end car audio store - where I got one story that included many parts and a HUGE estimate - then I travelled to Best Buy where I received a completely different story - I don't think I would let BB touch this car - I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer -

- Does my I30 have a Bose factory amplifier running this system? The rear speakers are fairly large, I was not able to find the amp -
- Would anyone out there recommend upgrading my factory audio? Take into consideration is does not at all even sound decent - One rear speaker sounds like it may be damaged - I love XM and would like to forget the skyfi and upgrade to XM direct - run right through my Pioneer deck -
- Are there any recommened guides for upgrading factory Bose to an aftermarket system?

To make a long story short, you will have to manually run all new wiring if you want to upgrade from a Bose system. Thos Bose systems are a total joke and sound terrible. You will need to run new speaker wire from the HU throughout the car. It's unfortunate, but tose Bose systems are a pain in the ass.

Just like any amplified factory system, a pain in the but.

Ditto what Justin said.

Just unhook the garbage and run all new stuff. Running speaker wire isnt that hard, it just takes time.

To make a long story short, you will have to manually run all new wiring if you want to upgrade from a Bose system.
- what about the wiring from the Bose deck to the front/rear factory speakers - can I use this existing wiring and switch out the bose speakers. I know the Bose impedance values will ruin my aftermarket deck - so why not just swap out the speakers? Is the problem w/the actual wiring? Or maybe I have no way of plugging into the existing wiring @ the dash due to the fact it runs to the Bose amp?

You can run Bose speakers off a new Head unit, but you can't run new speakers off the Bose head unit. You can't use old wiring if you are using new speakers, you have to run new wiring.

Justin from Detroit wrote:You can run Bose speakers off a new Head unit, but you can't run new speakers off the Bose head unit. You can't use old wiring if you are using new speakers, you have to run new wiring.

When I was @ a local highend car audio shop they explained to me that since my Bose speakers are running @ 1 or 2 Ohms they will damage an aftermarket headunit - Is this true? - What is the reasoning behind having to run new wiring for new speakers Justin?

glowstickgorilla wrote:When I was @ a local highend car audio shop they explained to me that since my Bose speakers are running @ 1 or 2 Ohms they will damage an aftermarket headunit - Is this true? - What is the reasoning behind having to run new wiring for new speakers Justin?

That is absolutely true if they are indeed running lower than 4 ohms. Almost all aftermarket head units (and even stock ones) are designed to take down to a 4 ohm load. Going lower will cause the amplifier in the head unit to overheat = possible fire = bad = not good (lol). I'm not sure how true that fact is though, need to look into that (the speakers @ 1 or 2 ohms).

The reason he suggests running new wire is the fact that most factory wire is small and aftermarket head units usually put out a bit more power than stock ones. The larger gauge wire from will prevent any fires, but typically, the stock wiring is usually just fine, just make sure you have a factory harness adaptor so you need not cut the wires off the plug.

actually my dad has a 03 infiniti G35 and i think the bose system sounds good. a lot better than people make it out to sound. its actually pretty good imaging, 8inch sub, 4 6.5"s, and a lot of tweeters that are placed pretty nicely.

although i must say, i have read some awful things about them and i will never buy their products. and I will admit i did think, from what i'd heard, bose was "unbeatable" and the nicest.

shame shame

The reason you need to run new wire is to avoid that BOSE amp.

The factory system uses an amplifier. These amplifiers are NOT compatable with anything besides what is on it. Furthermore the musical quality of said stock amps are no good.

There is no other acceptable alternative. Either run new speaker wire to the selected 4 locations or deal with the BOSE system.

Ryan from Ohio wrote:The reason you need to run new wire is to avoid that BOSE amp.

The factory system uses an amplifier. These amplifiers are NOT compatable with anything besides what is on it. Furthermore the musical quality of said stock amps are no good.

There is no other acceptable alternative. Either run new speaker wire to the selected 4 locations or deal with the BOSE system.

Oh yea, I knew there was something I was forgetting lol. D'Oh!