Bose rear speakers - no sound
 

Hi
My 93 touring fd came with the original bose sound system, but the rear speakers don't seem to be working. I've been debating whether I should get a new head unit or not but I really don't want to deal with adapters, install kits, amp wiring...So before I end up spending lots of money on a system that might only sound a little better, I'd like to get this system fully working. So I've got a couple questions: Where should I start? I don't even know where the amp for the rear wave speaker is!? Oh, and the rest of my system isn't in very good shape either.. center speaker pops a little (on and off) when I switch on the radio, and other times simply doesn't work..and the CD player spits out any CD I feed it instantly.

*Moved post to here from interior/exterior/audio...The description says its for mods, and this isn't one.

I replaced my headunit with an alpine. Sound WAYYYYYY better than the bose unit. The door speakers even sound better. About the acoustic bass system in the back, the amp is in the middle section of the tubing. I suggest getting one off the forum. Once in a while they pop up. When the speakers are working correctly, the bose system is hard to beat.

What do I need to do the head-unit swap? I plan on getting a double-din radio so it looks close to the stock look. Can I keep the factory amps and the bose wave speakers?

Yeah you can keep all your factory stuff. I got mine professionally installed, so I wouldn't know how to do the wiring. I brought my car to tweeters. Not sure if they have that here in Nor Cal. I got in done when I was stationed in San Diego. Dual din units will look nice. There are some threads here on the forum from folks who have done that. Very clean installs, and makes the interior look a little more updated.

Ha, I have almost all of the same problems, except mine always works.

Are there any other alternatives to an aftermarket head unit? I highly value the stock appearance, but would like marginally better sound quality.

JL has this thing here, but not sure if it would work for utilizing the stock speaker amps.

Here:
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?page_id=79

When your Bose unit starts spitting CDs it's time for either a replacement stock headunit, or just go after market. For MADDSLOW's case, he might be able to benefit from that JL unit. I'm not entire sure about that.

MADDSLOW, there are aftermarket units that look pretty close to stock also.

Hmm, that JL unit looks like something I may have to experiment with...

I'm contemplating using the 99 spec head unit, but I can't remember if it is functional with the BOSE speakers... I just recently read a thread about this, too...

Isn't it green in color though?

The middle section is just a hollow wave. I havn't taken it all out yet, but it seems like the amp should be on the left side, maybe under the plastic covers that snap off?

The 99 spec head-unit? Not that I know of, I always see pictures black ones... what the hell would they be green for?!

I know the unit is black! I'm talking about the backlighting. This guy...HAHA!

Hmm.. damn, I thought it was there. Yeah, just take out your tubing and find it. Shouldn't be too hard.

OHHH!!! ROFL I was like "WTF is he talking about?!"

I took apart the whole wave speaker and I'm holding the amps in my hand...theres TWO of them, which I didn't know...what are the chances of both of them being bad??

**Theres two connectors coming out of the section of tubing that has the speakers and two amps on it: A 6 pin connector and a 2 pin one...the 2 pin one isn't connected and I don't see where it would be connected to on the car. Whats up with that?!

Yes, you can keep all of your equipment and it's incredibly easy to install.

What you'll need is a amp-bypass unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-3YBlmXH...cosche&tp=3486

I would suggest shopping around, since you could probably find a better price elsewhere. Anyways, you just wire up your aftermarket deck's harness to that unit to that on one end, and another harness to interface with your stock Mazda plugs. It literally takes under 10 mins and some butt plug connectors to wire it all up.

Now, you said your center speaker is cracking. Well, the center speaker is put under some harsh conditions, if you think about it. It had to deal with 15+ years of baking under the hot sun. Couple that with the fact that Bose speakers are made of paper and you will kinda give some sympathy to how awful the center speakers have it. It's very doubtful that it's your center amp (which is a bit of work to get out), but if it is your center amp, I have a replacement I could sell to you for very cheap.

I bought my center speaker from www.CarStereoHelp.com, but I'm sure you could probably get a better deal from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda. It's very easy to replace in that all you need is a flathead screw driver to pry the old screen off. After that, you can figure it out on your own.

As far as the rear section goes, it could either be the amp or the speaker. If you want to recondition your system to a "like-new" condition, that link to CarStereoHelp will do it for you, but they charge a decent amount of money. That's the route I went, since they offer a lifetime warranty. But, you could go on the cheaper route and get a used unit from the forums.

I think that about covers all you'll need to rebuild your Bose system. And let me tell you, it sounds great! Granted, the bass isn't NEARLY as heavy as it could be, but overall, it's a great system that is hard to beat for the price.

If you need any help, message me on AIM!:icon_tup:

WaLien:
Thanks for the writeup. I am a little picky about how I setup my sound system though...and using a speaker level to line level adapter is something I'd like to stay away from :)

Have you or anyone successfully connected an after market head-unit using the pre-amp outputs? (and keeping all the original amps) ....oh and what do I do with the center speaker?

Bose amps
 

Bose sells new replacement amps for the rear wave guide, $70 each + tax and shipping. They are supposed to be upgraded units. I replaced mine (same problem, no sound from rear speakers) and it fixed it. All you need is a phillips screwdriver and something to spring the plastic connectors. You can also buy the whole speaker/amp center section. I think that was $160.

I was having the same problem so I had the rear wave amplifiers repaired by www.CarStereoHelp.com. The rear wave sounds great now. If I would have known about the Bose replacements I would have taken that option. This was after I replaced the headunit and door speakers with aftermarket stuff so it's all good now.:icon_tup:

Let me mention this one more time: The wave guide speaker has a 6 pin connector coming out of it AND a mysterious 2 pin connector that WAS NOT CONNECTED?! and I don't see where it would even connect to.

Then your next step is to find out where that thing goes, and maybe you won't have to replace shit.

im trying! but i need help, i don't see any connectors in the trunk, and that bose wiring diagram thats listed as a sticky doesn't even mention it.

it doesnt go anywhere... my car has the same thing, and tons of other people ive asked said thiers works fine and its not connected, and never has been

True, it doesn't go anywhere. I know from experience, I took apart my whole cargo area to find this out. :wallbash:

Is the Bose system supposed to have rear speakers? All I have is the little storage cubbies (sp?) where the rear speakers would go.