The Bose add an amp nightmare

[iamdub]

I don’t believe there is a line out signal to the Bose amp, at least not one that can be used without some sort of converter since Bose uses proprietary systems that don’t always work well with others, like aftermarket stuff does. Thus why most people swap out the head unit. Not only do you get cleaner and more bass, but you gain a lot of adjustability with a dedicated sub out signal. It just sounds so much better.

Aftermarket HU 100%.

IIRC, there are two styles of Bose HU/amp systems. With one style, the HU sends a full-range analog signal to the Bose amp. You can intercept the channels of the full-range signal before it goes into the amp to connect that to your aftermarket amp. My original plan before I wised up and got the aftermarket HU was to tap some female RCA pigtails to these wires.

The other style of Bose amp ("Lux"?) has a digital signal sent to the amp and it processes everything, including the volume level. So you can't just tap into some wires.

 

[Rocket Man]

Aftermarket HU 100%.

IIRC, there are two styles of Bose HU/amp systems. With one style, the HU sends a full-range analog signal to the Bose amp. You can intercept the channels of the full-range signal before it goes into the amp to connect that to your aftermarket amp. My original plan before I wised up and got the aftermarket HU was to tap some female RCA pigtails to these wires.

The other style of Bose amp ("Lux"?) has a digital signal sent to the amp and it processes everything, including the volume level. So you can't just tap into some wires.

Oh yeah I forgot there’s a lower level Bose system too. I have the Lux system in my 02 but I went with a Pioneer HU and left the Bose Lux amp running all the speakers ( I replaced those with aftermarket) except the sub which has its own amp running off the sub out on the head unit. I call it a hybrid system where I utilized the best of both systems and I didn’t have to rewire the whole truck.
Edit: I don’t know about the lower level Bose amps but in my experience the amps are fine, the weak point is the head units and once you replace them with a good aftermarket HU it sounds so much better and then if you add in a sub off that head unit you have a good system without too much work.

 

[iamdub]

Oh yeah I forgot there’s a lower level Bose system too. I have the Lux system in my 02 but I went with a Pioneer HU and left the Bose Lux amp running all the speakers ( I replaced those with aftermarket) except the sub which has its own amp running off the sub out on the head unit. I call it a hybrid system where I utilized the best of both systems and I didn’t have to rewire the whole truck.

This is pretty much what I'm aiming for with mine. I like my Bose system. There's a lot of R&D there that I have no reason to reinvent. I do want to replace the speakers and will use aftermarket of the same/similar impedance, or as reasonably close as possible. I wanna keep the Bose sub as it's very efficient and great for long-throw midbass fill. For hard-hitting lows, I don't mind having a large sub box in the cargo area. At least, not now. I'll be cursing myself when I need to remove it.

Edit: I don’t know about the lower level Bose amps but in my experience the amps are fine, the weak point is the head units and once you replace them with a good aftermarket HU it sounds so much better and then if you add in a sub off that head unit you have a good system without too much work.

Word. Just changing the HU, alone, made a world of improvement in mine, and I already thought it was pretty good. Never mind having all the extra features that comes along with the aftermarket HUs.

 

[the 18th letter]

If I replace my Bose system I wouldn’t replace it with a Jensen product unless it was one of their upper tier lines, maybe.

 

[Macks2DrTahoe]

I like my tunes so I always upgrade to an audio system that I like.

2019 and older car and truck audio systems usually suck. I don't have anything newer than a 2015 so I upgrade.

I like the 'no moving parts' and price of android HUs. Lots of features. And I can afford them.

I'm old school so I still add mixer/EQ then an amp for the speakers and an amp for the sub.

I used to chase electrons but was never satisfied with the amount of work put in for the sound quality achieved. So I upgrade.

Most of the budget goes into speakers. I build my own sub box and use efficient amps and a good mixer/EQ.

Great sound at a price I can afford.

 

[89Suburban]

OK Big2014Baby here is the solution to your audio issue.

https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Thin-32GB-Compatible-Chevrolet-Inch-Q80SE/dp/B08FD45BBM

You sound like a person who can follow the instructions and be up and running in about 2-4 hours.

This beats chasing electrons and has RCA outputs to connect to your sub amp.

I put the 2020 version (8 inch screen) in my 2010 Acadia and the 2022 version (10 inch screen) in my 2015 Silverado. No issues with either so far.

The Acadia had the Bose system so I just ran speaker wires from the HU to the speakers. RCA to a powered sub (Acadia was the wife's ride). Took me about 2 hours. Back Up Camera took about another hour.

The Silverado was basically plug and play. Took out the radio and replaced it with the android HU.

Good luck! Take and post pics. Let us know hows it going/goes.

Lots of great info and interesting folks on this forum.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I like the looks of that and the price. Reviews aren’t too hot though. Going by your word looking at this. And no volume knob is a bummer. Can you post a video review or more detailed experiences with pros and cons? I do like the look of it.

 

[Rocket Man]

I like the looks of that and the price. Reviews aren’t too hot though. Going by your word looking at this. And no volume knob is a bummer. Can you post a video review or more detailed experiences with pros and cons? I do like the look of it.

I have yet to see an android unit get great reviews, it seems it’s always “ it’s close but needs improvement “. I only see cheap Chinese no-name companies making them too. It seems if android was a good way to go for car stereo the major players like Pioneer and the others would embrace it and offer their versions. You can get “slim” HU’s that don’t have disc players from them though, similar to the android units just not with that OS.

 

[Macks2DrTahoe]

89Suburban I'm not big on rite in reviews on stuff but I'll see what I can do.​

Rocket Man you are right, Android HUs are close but needs improvement. But they are a pretty go place to start. (In my case, end, since I start my audio systems with the speakers and what will power them (amps). Then all I need is a decent signal from a HU to a good processor (mixer or EQ) to feed the amps.

Remember great audio is what sounds great to you.

Android HUs are like computers (car puters) and have a crap load of features. And a good processor and lots of reliable processing space (RAM and storage) makes a great car audio system at a reasonable price.

With 8 cars and trucks I need a great price.

I'll get off my android soap box and start working on doing some kind of a review

 

[89Suburban]

89Suburban I'm not big on rite in reviews on stuff but I'll see what I can do.​

Rocket Man you are right, Android HUs are close but needs improvement. But they are a pretty go place to start. (In my case, end, since I start my audio systems with the speakers and what will power them (amps). Then all I need is a decent signal from a HU to a good processor (mixer or EQ) to feed the amps.

Remember great audio is what sounds great to you.

Android HUs are like computers (car puters) and have a crap load of features. And a good processor and lots of reliable processing space (RAM and storage) makes a great car audio system at a reasonable price.

With 8 cars and trucks I need a great price.

I'll get off my android soap box and start working on doing some kind of a review

Thanks dawg.