| Curtsan |
Hi Everyone,
Its been a while since there has been any new posts to some old threads on this, so I thought I would ask the question to get an update...
Has anyone had the chance yet to hook up aftermarket amplifiers to the Factory Bose head unit (through a line level input or signal converter like the Audio Link) ?
If so, how does it sound? What about clarity?, What about sub lows and higher highs? Bottom line, would you recommend this, or simply change the head unit also?
Always appreciative of comments from those who "have been there already" thanks. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
Curtsan,
Yes, I recently did a stereo makeover for my MDX. I kept the Bose head unit, installed Boston Acoustic speakers front and rear, flush mounted a custom subwoofer enclosure in the third row seat area ( including two Boston Acoustic subs), and powered up everything with two Rockford Fosgate amps. The amps are fed low level signals out of the head unit and everything works fine. I wanted an OEM look on my MDX, so everything was "stealth" installed. I also retained full cargo capacity with this set up. I recommend it. Good luck.:7: |
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| sstclairs |
How MUCH do you recommend it?!
What did you spend? Did you do it yourself - if yes, was it easy, but also what do you think it would cost to have someone else do it? Would you do anything differently?
Personally, I expect to be ordering '03 MDX in 3 weeks (after seeing Volvo XC90 and satisfying myself the MDX is the best choice). With the MDX, I expect to want the best value stereo upgrade - I will not want to do it myself, so it becomes a matter of what offers the most bang for the buck.
I suspect it will be speakers only, but I am open to suggestions. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
sstclairs,
I HIGHLY recommend it. Cost? That would be classified, but then again...it's only money right? I had my local car audio shop do the installation. They do high-end installations and are professional in every respect. The installer has won national awards for car audio installations and innovative designs. The MDX is an SUV worthy of a good stereo. The Bose system will get you by until you can decide what you want and how much you want to invest. Spearkers would be the biggest bang for the buck upgrade. I like Boston Acoustic, but YMMV. My system accomplished all my design goals in retaining an OEM look and full cargo capacity. The sound, well....hearing is believing!!! Knock yourself out:20: |
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| Curtsan |
Would you be willing to share a few details???
Like, where did you install your amps, and any other non-oem equiptment? I would love to see a picture of your custom subwoofer....Did you use an audio link converter to get the signal from the head unit to the aftermarket amps? Any hiss or whine in the system? |
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| EXCALIBUR |
Curtsan,
Hmmmm...The RF subwoofer amp went under the driver's seat. The RF 4 channel amp went under the front passenger's seat. The subwoofer box is custom made and is located in the third row seat area. It is carpeted and flush with the cargo floor. Sorry, no pictures. The Bose amps were bypassed and low level signals are used from the Bose head unit. A low voltage trigger is used to fire up the amps. There is no hiss or whine in the system. Again, everything looks stock in my MDX. That was the underlying design goal. Good luck with your system.:5: |
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| Curtsan |
thanks alot for the insight.
When you say it is flush with the floor (sub box) does that mean you have removed the Third row seats or positioned it in between the third and second row seats...I don't mean to be "snoopy", I'm just interested in looking at all options before I proceed. That's great to hear about the cleanliness of the sound, very encouraging...I also want to go for as much of a stealth look as possible. thanks again for sharing... |
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| EXCALIBUR |
Curtsan,
Bingo! I removed the third row seats. I could never picture myself carrying seven passengers. I can still tranport five passengers and gear in comfort, plus have great music to listen to on the ride. The custom subwoofer box is located in that space. Flush mounted means that the box is carpeted and is level with the rear cargo area. Hint: The subs fire downward, so I can even use my cargo tray and haul cargo. |
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| Curtsan |
| A W E SO M E ! Thanks again.... |
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| Briese |
EXCALIBUR
Please let me know who your installer is and their phone number. I have a MDX Sage Brush/Tour/Nav on order in Calabasas, CA. I intend to replace the sound system, but for the time being wish to keep the head unit. Need to know if the Bose system provides 3 RCA Preouts (r/f/sub) and if a line driver was required to boast the signal. I have been told all the Bose units in Acura, Bmw etc. use din connectors on the preouts thus requiring a converter between din to RCA. This has a estimated 30% negative impact on the signal significantly effecting the quality of the sound, so much so that replacing the head unit is recommended.
Appreciate your reply and I would love to see pics of your sub set up in the read. my email is alan.briese@adelphia.net
Thanks, Alan |
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| R Stevens |
quote:
Originally posted by Briese
EXCALIBUR
Need to know if the Bose system provides 3 RCA Preouts (r/f/sub) and if a line driver was required to boast the signal. I have been told all the Bose units in Acura, Bmw etc. use din connectors on the preouts thus requiring a converter between din to RCA. This has a estimated 30% negative impact on the signal significantly effecting the quality of the sound, so much so that replacing the head unit is recommended.
Briese,
I can verify for you that the Bose headunit does NOT have any RCA Preouts. I went with a new headunit (Alpine CD-7998) for a number of reasons including the argument that a high voltage (4 volt) preout gave a cleaner signal. There are 6 4v preouts on the 7998. I also wanted XM radio fully integrated for ease of use while driving. Good aftermarket headunits typically have more features that might have apeal to you. The 7998 has time correction for each channel that has a dramatic effect on stereo imaging and a subwoofer volume control that I have found be necessary with the wide range of music styles I listen to.
Good Luck! |
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| R Stevens |
quote:
Originally posted by Curtsan
Would you be willing to share a few details???
Like, where did you install your amps, and any other non-oem equiptment? I would love to see a picture of your custom subwoofer....Did you use an audio link converter to get the signal from the head unit to the aftermarket amps? Any hiss or whine in the system?
Curtsan,
I had the same objective as EXCALIBUR - great sound and stealth. The good news is that there are plenty of spaces to hide A/V equipment in the MDX. You will have lots of options. I wasn't willing to remove the third row seats so we used the headrest storage area for three Alpine amps (one 2 channel for the front door door speakers, one 2 channel for the rear door speakers and one mono sub amp and a capacitor for the sub amp. These are Alpine's biggest amps. Speakers are all 6" Bostons. The 10" Boston Pro sub fit in the factory location in a fiberglass box with no modification needed for the factory grill. The area below the carpeting to each side of the headrest storage storage compartment is all open so that is where they placed the 4 speaker crossovers. The XM tuner is hidden in the rear quarter panel near the tire jack and the brain for a video screen is hidden under the dash/console front. The only thing visually different from OEM is the DVD player and headunit in the dash and the headunit face plate fully retracts into the dash when powered down.
The sound - incredible! My installer has already removed the three custom installed 10" JL subs from his car to replace them with Boston, because he finds the Boston sound in my MDX much better. |
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| Curtsan |
That sounds great, figuratively of course...
Thanks for the ideas...I also plan to use a pair of nice Alpine two channel amps, and a mono amp for sub. I would love to see a few shots of your set up....(mainly the subwoofer box if you took any prior to installation, and the head unit face plate...) These to me will be the two most difficult aspects. I will be using Alpine SPX's and they should be a straight drop in...I think I've been convinced that an aftermarket head unit is the way to go, and since I already have an Alpine CVA 1005 and G320 EQ, (works like a dbl din) I think it will be a slam dunk! Especially since the 2003 Canadain Stereo is unchanged from the 02. For a while there, I was thinking of keeping the factory head unit, and get the rear ent. controls, but it is not offered in Canada, so aftermarket, here I come...
Again, I would love to see pics or any other tips you can add. Your help thus far,( as has been everyones') has been tremendous! Thanks Guys! |
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| TheyCallMeBruce |
quote:
Originally posted by Briese
EXCALIBUR
Please let me know who your installer is and their phone number. I have a MDX Sage Brush/Tour/Nav on order in Calabasas, CA. I intend to replace the sound system, but for the time being wish to keep the head unit. Need to know if the Bose system provides 3 RCA Preouts (r/f/sub) and if a line driver was required to boast the signal. I have been told all the Bose units in Acura, Bmw etc. use din connectors on the preouts thus requiring a converter between din to RCA. This has a estimated 30% negative impact on the signal significantly effecting the quality of the sound, so much so that replacing the head unit is recommended.
Appreciate your reply and I would love to see pics of your sub set up in the read. my email is alan.briese@adelphia.net
Thanks, Alan
The harness connecting to the Bose amp has a quick release retainer, as with most harness connections these days, and I simply released the preamp signal wires from the connector at the amp and reconnected them to a stripped RCA line (one end conventional RCA plugs, the other end stripped and tinned bare wires), which then feeds into the aftermarket amps. So yes, the Bose has 3 pairs of preouts, but they are in automotive wire form and need to be adapted. There is no signal degradation involved, no electronics or devices as the signal is not converted, only the wiring is adapted. |
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| TheyCallMeBruce |
quote:
Originally posted by Curtsan
That sounds great, figuratively of course...
Thanks for the ideas...I also plan to use a pair of nice Alpine two channel amps, and a mono amp for sub. I would love to see a few shots of your set up....(mainly the subwoofer box if you took any prior to installation, and the head unit face plate...) These to me will be the two most difficult aspects. I will be using Alpine SPX's and they should be a straight drop in...I think I've been convinced that an aftermarket head unit is the way to go, and since I already have an Alpine CVA 1005 and G320 EQ, (works like a dbl din) I think it will be a slam dunk! Especially since the 2003 Canadain Stereo is unchanged from the 02. For a while there, I was thinking of keeping the factory head unit, and get the rear ent. controls, but it is not offered in Canada, so aftermarket, here I come...
Again, I would love to see pics or any other tips you can add. Your help thus far,( as has been everyones') has been tremendous! Thanks Guys!
Curtsan,
Do you really need a pair of 2 channels for the main speakers? Do you adjust the fader alot? If not, you can just use a single higher-powered 2 channel and double-up the speaker outputs on the left, and likewise on the right. That is, left channel feeds both front and rear left speakers, and the right channel feeds both the front and rear right speakers. All current Alpine amps will be able to handle this mild 2 ohm stereo load (I recommend 100-135 watt/ch, regardless of the speaker). This would save you money, space, amperage, and heat production. If you keep your fader at a certain position permanently, this can be accommodated through a simple resistor between the amp and the dampened set of speakers.
Just something to consider. Good Luck.
B - |
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| Curtsan |
YEs, those are great points. Since I already have the three amps from my Accord install (which I've since just sold the car) I may as well use them. The amps are Alpines V12 line Expert series,...lot of jam and great sound, also have parametic EQ right on the amp, so great for SQ adjustment.
I just might add an additional pair of speakers in the rear hatch area )possibly built right into the trunk lid, then I would run the entire 4 speakers in 2 ohm load. (2 in rear doors, 2 in endgate).
What I would really like to see is a few pics of a custome subwoofer box , say for a 12" ....I need to get some ideas.... |
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