Bose Stereo Upgrade?

[x_o_k_x]

Does anyone have done that before? How do you do it and where do you get speakers and wires I assume?

[Hives]

Ahhh.... Go with Alpine. You wouldnt look back, plus I think it would be cheaper to go that route, depends on where u get it from though.

[TheProfessor]

xokx, 'Bose' and 'upgrade' should not be used in the same sentence! You will get far better sounding components for the same if not less money as Hives has suggested.

[FLIPDADY]

Will the Bose speakers work by just plug and play? Just asking b/c I have a set from a customer that didn't like them so he hooked me up with 4. The plug on the Bose speakers are the same as the stock speakers.

[TheProfessor]

Joe, when I had my Mazda6 the Bose speakers were 2ohms. While they may physically connect to the non Bose stereo, you'd have to make sure the impedence matches otherwise you'll be putting stress on the stock amp.

[FLIPDADY]

Joe, when I had my Mazda6 the Bose speakers were 2ohms. While they may physically connect to the non Bose stereo, you'd have to make sure the impedence matches otherwise you'll be putting stress on the stock amp.
Thanks Karim I'll check it out.

[x_o_k_x]

xokx, 'Bose' and 'upgrade' should not be used in the same sentence! You will get far better sounding components for the same if not less money as Hives has suggested.

Yeah true, less stress and work I guess. So if Alpines.. just replace stock speakers with Alpines thats it?

[TheProfessor]

Yup, most aftermarket speakers are 4ohm which will be fine for the factory non Bose stereo.

[FLIPDADY]

Yup, most aftermarket speakers are 4ohm which will be fine for the factory non Bose stereo.
The speakers I got are from a MX-5. You think they are the same ohm as the one's from a 6? Different part numbers.

[Flagrum_3]

The speakers I got are from a MX-5. You think they are the same ohm as the one's from a 6? Different part numbers.

Are they Bose?...Don't quote me on this but I think Bose is 2 ohm in all their car systems.


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[x_o_k_x]

Apperantly all good speakers are 2 ohms:bang What is the difference between 2 and 4 ohms in terms of damage that could accure if you know what i mean?

[FLIPDADY]

Apperantly all good speakers are 2 ohms:bang What is the difference between 2 and 4 ohms in terms of damage that could accure if you know what i mean?
+1

[TheProfessor]

Apperantly all good speakers are 2 ohms:bang

Apparently you heard wrong. Bose is one of only a handful of companies using 2 ohm speakers. If you look at most high end companies like Focal, Morel, MB Quart, JL, etc. they all produce 4 ohm speakers.

As for the difference between ohms, an amplifier is designed to make it's power (watts) at a certain 'load'. Most aftermarket amps will indicate if they are stable at anything under 4 ohm (which is the norm).

I highly doubt that any non-Bose factory amp will be stable at 2 ohms, meaning you're putting a greater load on the amplifier and can cause premature failure. Basically it's not going to be happy!

Just do a google search and you can really get into the nitty gritty of ohms and loads.

[x_o_k_x]

Apparently you heard wrong. Bose is one of only a handful of companies using 2 ohm speakers. If you look at most high end companies like Focal, Morel, MB Quart, JL, etc. they all produce 4 ohm speakers.

As for the difference between ohms, an amplifier is designed to make it's power (watts) at a certain 'load'. Most aftermarket amps will indicate if they are stable at anything under 4 ohm (which is the norm).

I highly doubt that any non-Bose factory amp will be stable at 2 ohms, meaning you're putting a greater load on the amplifier and can cause premature failure. Basically it's not going to be happy!

Just do a google search and you can really get into the nitty gritty of ohms and loads.

OK

[Flagrum_3]

Who said all good speakers are 2 ohm? Most all speakers are 4 ohm, only subs are or can be driven at 2 ohm.Damage wise as the Professor stated earlier; if you use a 2 ohm speaker (Bose) and your HU amp is designed for a 4ohm load you'll cook your amp in a very short time.Now if your HU or amp is good down to a 2 ohm load, which I don't think anyone makes except for Mono amps and your speakers are 4 ohm it would make no difference to the amp but your 2 ohm speakers would realize their potential.

Please ignore, the Professor beat me to it. :-P


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[x_o_k_x]

"most" there is still some like alpine, jbl, infinity that are 2 ohms, but thanks for the input. Any good stores that sell them?

[TheProfessor]

"most" there is still some like alpine, jbl, infinity that are 2 ohms, but thanks for the input. Any good stores that sell them?


Can you post a link to one? I wasn't aware that any of those companies were making 2 ohm full range speakers.

[x_o_k_x]

Can you post a link to one? I wasn't aware that any of those companies were making 2 ohm full range speakers.

Heres a few links that i first opened and saw..
1. JBL - http://www.jbl.com/car/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=GTO8627&Language=ENG&Country=US&Region=USA&cat=MEL&ser=GTS

2. Infinity - take a look at futureshop.ca as they carry wide selection of Infinity speakers there

Feel free to browse for more on the same site, as JBLs are all 2ohms I think (for Mazda anyways).

Anyways I want to clarify, now that I know for Mazda3 you need 1) 4ohms speakers and 2) 5x7 or 6x8 speakers??? Is that correct?

[CoreySprung]

The only reason jbl created 2 ohm speakers over there 4 ohm's was when you have a 4 ohm speaker and add the speaker wire, and termanations. Your head unit/amp will actually see a load close to 5 ohms. now in the same car with the 2 ohm speaker the headunit/amp will see a load of 3.5 to 4 ohms. This is the same reason by bose speakers always have lower impedance.

[TheProfessor]

From Future Shops website:

Impedance Rating - A measurement of all electrical resistance to the current flow of the signal between various components and components and speakers. Though theoretically, less impedance could mean a purer sound, components (especially amps) can be damaged if they are made to deliver less impeded current. 4 Ohms is the standard impedance for car audio. Be sure to choose an impedance rating that matches your amplifier, so your equipment can operate at its best.

Also, you do not have to stick to a 5x7 or 6x8 speaker. Most people who install aftermarket speakers will buy a 5.25, 6, or 6.5 inch speaker and mount them using an adapter. Typically 5x7 and 6x8 speakers are far more expensive than a comparable round speaker.

[JashiK]

From Future Shops website:

Also, you do not have to stick to a 5x7 or 6x8 speaker. Most people who install aftermarket speakers will buy a 5.25, 6, or 6.5 inch speaker and mount them using an adapter. Typically 5x7 and 6x8 speakers are far more expensive than a comparable round speaker.

Aside from price, is it better to upgrade with a 6x8 or 6 1/2. Is round better than oval?

[TheProfessor]

Generally they use the same tweeters for both, so from a high frequency perspective they'd be about the same. The woofer is obviously larger on the 6x8 and as such should be capable of playing a bit lower.

Having said that, I would recommend going with the round speakers mainly because you can use them in your future vehicles and would be much easier to sell should you decide to at a later date. Add to that the fact that they're cheaper to buy in the first place, and I think the decision is clear.