Factory Bose vs Aftermarket?

Discussion in 'Car Audio Head Units' started by Caddydude, Jan 7, 2008.

  1. Caddydude

    Caddydude Full Member

    I have a 1989 Nissan Maxima with the factory Bose system and the HU won't turn on at all. Supposedly this is a common problem with 89-90 maxima Bose HUs. It is $275 to fix all known problems with the factory unit and the repair comes with a 1 year warranty. If I go aftermarket the whole system must be replaced because Bose components are incompatible blah, blah,blah,. So the question is would a factory Bose system sound better than a $275 aftermarket system. I have never heard a functioning Bose system but for $275 I won't get a very kick a** aftermarket system either. What do you think?
     
  2. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    you also have to consider the speakers.i mean their 19 years old,and most likely have rotted away to nothing.

    my supervisor at work has a 93 caddy and most of his speakers are gone.(rotted).

    he wants a new system but has to do a whole rewire cause he doesnt want to mess with bose.

    275 wont get you much,but it's not hopeless if you do it in stages
     
  3. aznboi3644

    aznboi3644 Full Member

  4. Caddydude

    Caddydude Full Member

    Yeah, now that looks to be an excellent system in my price range, Thanks! I can't believe the price on that amp, $69 for a $200 amp:eek:
    Are the prices on that website all that good and have you bought from them before?
     
  5. aznboi3644

    aznboi3644 Full Member

    I've bought from them before...They are good in my book

    For now I wouldn't worry about rear speakers....a nice front stage is what matters.

    If you can install this yourself it would save a lot of money also...The speakers will only sound as good as the install.
     
  6. Caddydude

    Caddydude Full Member

    I can install the parts and wire the system but if you mean designing and fabricating some sort of acoustic enclosure, that is a little beyond my knowledge. I would love to hear your thoughts, recommendations, please .
     
  7. aznboi3644

    aznboi3644 Full Member

    not really an acoustic enclosure...but making sure the baffle that the speaker is attached to is sturdy and non resonant as possible...meaning sound dampening material

    I dampened my doors and the sound is much fuller, louder, more dynamic, and tighter bass.

    If door skin is flimsy and flexes than that is just wasted acoustic energy and sound
     
  8. Caddydude

    Caddydude Full Member

    Ok, I get what you are saying. I'll do a search since I'm sure dampening has been discussed here before. With that HU you suggested will I need crossovers for the speakers? If so, then I was thinking of these since they come with crossovers.
    Cerwin Vega V-MAX 5 Component Speakers
    I know they are more pricey but if I have to get crossovers too, the difference isn't too much and I have always liked CV home speakers.
     
  9. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    the pg's come with crossovers.for that price you can get 2 sets and run the rears off of the radio power and the fronts of the amp
     
  10. Caddydude

    Caddydude Full Member

    If they come with crossovers then I'm set. I'll buy 2 sets and modify the back deck to fit them. Now, lets see what we can find out about sound dampening car doors! :detective:
     
  11. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

  12. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    hmmm crutchfield says the largest speaker that can fit in your doors is a 4in or 4x6.
     
  13. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    you could do a kick panel install,but it might not be in your budget right now.

    i have the infinity4x6 plates and they sound very nice.they are getting 50 watts each and have had zero probs with them.
     
  14. aznboi3644

    aznboi3644 Full Member

    get some of this

    Elemental Designs

    best bang for the buck...i wouldn't use the cheaper edead stuff...the adhesive on is isn't as good
     
  15. Caddydude

    Caddydude Full Member

    Damn, you guys are super helpful! I can tell I'm going to learn a lot from this forum. I guess I should have checked what size my factory speakers were before getting all excited but at least I haven't bought anything yet. I did find that head unit on my local craigslist for $100 new in the box so I'm going to check that out. I'm also guessing that plate speakers don't need crossovers? It seems they are also much cheaper than components so I'll be able to buy a few feet of sound dampener and some 6X9s for the rear and still be around $300 for the whole works. I'm psyched to hear how it sounds when done. Hopefully much better than the factory Bose stuff which never worked in the first place.
     
  16. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    unless you cut the deck.6x9's wont fit.6 3/4's is what crutchfield said would fit.

    you may need some sort of filter on the 4x6 plate.but if you get an amp it will most likely have a built in crossover.