1stand3rd

All of you guys that are audio-philes, please
help me out if you can and please provide some
recommendations.

The Bose system in my FD is beginning to show it's
age and I'm looking for a drop-in replacement.
The receiver works fine, but the CD player
refuses to hold or play a disk without immediately
spitting it out.

Also, the driver's side door speaker has a mind
of it's own and will simply stop working.
Am I better off getting a stock replacement,
or is there an easy aftermarket replacement for
this speaker? What is causing the speaker to act
like this?

Thanks,
Pat

85 GSL
93 VR Touring

vaughnc

Pat,

Well the speaker could have a loose wire, the head unit's internal "microchip amp circuit" could be going, etc..

Are you wanting a stereo shop to do this or would you like to save money and do it yourself?

I swear by crutchfield ( www.crutchfield.com - 1800-955-3000) as they know which speakers fit your car, provide install guides with pictures, provide adapters so you don't have to cut the wiring harnesses, and should know any special considerations (such as my 1991 FC having an external OEM amp), etc...

You'd probably want to replace both passengers & drivers side speakers so they sound the same. I'm assuming the FDs have 6 speakers like my FC correct? (ie rear, door, under dash) If so ask them if you can use the OEM external amp or do you have to replace it. The reason being most radio's only have 4 speaker outputs and your car has 6 speakers, so getting those last 2 speakers to work requires using the OEM external amp or putting in an aftermarket one.

Since the receiver is double-din (ie twice as tall as most), you have some great opertunities here. You can get a receiver that fits perfectly, get a 1/2 height one and use the 2nd din slot for gagues (boost, air/fuel, etc..), put in both a pop-out DVD screen and receiver, etc.. Crutchfield has adapter kits that let you fit a 1/2 height receiver into your 2-din hole.

Any more questions?

1stand3rd

vaughnc - thanks for the response. Yes, I already
call Crutchfield.

The head unit doesn't appear to be a problem
(although there are no cassette/CD/receiver
available). All of their CD/receiver head
units fit with an adapter.

If I decide to replace the front door speakers,
it requires another type of adapter and also
some minor modification to the bracket within
the door. (Or, at least that was what the
representative over at Crutchfield told me.

You came up with some great options, but I guess
I'm just looking to stay as close to stock as
possible and keep the bose system.

rxrx7

Make sure you get an Ohm converter!!! The Bose is deifferent from everyone elses. I've been told it makes the sound quality worse but I've also heard otherwise....good luck, I've gutted my Bose system (hate it!!!!!) and have a custom install with 2 10"

maxpesce

The Bose Head units are not Double Din but a single Din Reciever and SEPERATE single din CD Player, All 5 Speakers (2 Door, Center & 2 "Wave" Subs) are Individually Amped w the door amps mounted in the doors and the center amp mounted under the dash. The head units have no amps built-in. The head units are actually made by Clarion with std line level outputs to 2 front channels and the rear Sub. the center amp is connected to both front outputs. The Door speakers are 2 ohm and the ctr is 4 ohm. a properly working center amp makes a HUGH difference in sound quality and imaging. I Know I just replaced my center amp after a year doing without.