Volume too low on factory HU?

[Crimson]

Hi guys,

I have 2007 GT Sedan that came with a 6CD changer and today I replaced it with a factory 6CD MP3 changer and everything works fine but the volume is extremely low. Normally with my other changer I wouldn't go over volume 20, but with this unit I have to go up to 40+ just to hear it well.

Now, my car doesn't have BOSE audio but this new 6CD MP3 changer that I put it has it because it says "BOSE" when you start the car as opposed to "HELLO".

The model number of the new HU i put in is:

BAS4-66-ARX - Audio Unit with CD Changer, MP3, Trip Computer, BOSE Audio

Is there something I have to do in order to normalize the audio? I tested an mp3 cd and also an original audio cd and for both I have to jack the volume up to the 40's to hear them well.

Any thoughts?

- Darius

[Wild Weasel]

I know just about nothing about audio stuff, but I do know that the Bose system uses an external amp and would be willing to bet this is your issue. The old one would have been internally amplified while the new one is only putting out a line signal to be amplified later.

[Crimson]

That's what someone else told me on the Mazda3Forums website. The bose stereo uses an external amp. He also said that all I would need to do is buy an amp and get it hooked up and it will work properly.

I'm HOPING that's all I need to do but I have a feeling it won't be that easy.

- crimson

[McGuyver_3]

You may be able to get off even cheaper then that. you may be able to switch the player compenents. What i mean by that is break down both radios and remove only the cd player part and switch them over. Try that before you pay big bucks for an amp

[McGuyver_3]

follow steps 8-10 (http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/8.php)

follow those steps and you should be fine. yes the instructions are for an rx8 but the modules are the same

[Crimson]

Sweet, thanks man.

I just seperated the cd player module from the rest. It's actually a little more complicated then the RX-8 head unit.

I'll do the switch tomorrow morning...so you think it'll work if i switch the player modules? It makes sense but would the mp3 capability be part of anything other than the player module? Like would the circuit boards be different somehow?

[McGuyver_3]

i think that the circuits may be different because the bose may have just a regular circuit where as the non bose one possibly has an amp built in so the volume will be louder. switching out the modules will allow you to play mp3s on your stock unit. The lense distinguishes if it plays mp3's or not atleast i think haha.

[Crimson]

LOL ok well it's worth a try. It didn't take me long to separate the module. If I can avoid having to go buy an amp and get it installed I'll gladly give this a try.

[ICEBOX]

this thread is going to be bookmarked, I was wondering the same thing.

[Crimson]

Ya I'll post up here my results tomorrow morning-ish. If this works it'll save me a few bucks from going out and buying a crappy amp just to get this working (because I'm not ready yet to do a full upgrade).

[Crimson]

Alright well, I attempted to switch the player module this morning and it was a no go. The units are different inside. The dimensions of the units are different along with screw holes and other stuff.

My head unit from my 2007 GT is dated December 2006 and the new unit is dated January 2008 and I believe it's from a late 2007 model Mazda3.

Also, my old head unit is a Clarion while the new unit is a Sanyo.

So that sucks...I suppose I'll have to buy a new amp now. Do you guys know if Mazda sells the factory Bose amp or should I go and look for a better aftermarket one?

[McGuyver_3]

Alright well, I attempted to switch the player module this morning and it was a no go. The units are different inside. The dimensions of the units are different along with screw holes and other stuff.

My head unit from my 2007 GT is dated December 2006 and the new unit is dated January 2008 and I believe it's from a late 2007 model Mazda3.

Also, my old head unit is a Clarion while the new unit is a Sanyo.

So that sucks...I suppose I'll have to buy a new amp now. Do you guys know if Mazda sells the factory Bose amp or should I go and look for a better aftermarket one?


just go aftermarket because mazda does not sell pigtail wiring and good luck finding wiring for that amp and secondly the amp itself would be around 1200-1500$ i would assume. the factory stuff is always overpriced like that. it would deffinatly be cheaper to go aftermarket

[x_o_k_x]

yeah go aftermarket..
so you tried other cds as well, how about retail cds you buy from stores? Same thing? because could be low quality burned cds.. or maybe Radio? Do you have same problem with sound cutting out as 08.5s do? Since you upgraded your stock radio. Have you talked to the dealer that sold you?

[Crimson]

just go aftermarket because mazda does not sell pigtail wiring and good luck finding wiring for that amp and secondly the amp itself would be around 1200-1500$ i would assume. the factory stuff is always overpriced like that. it would deffinatly be cheaper to go aftermarket

Ok so I can still get it to work properly if I buy just a regular aftermarket amp? I'm looking at a 4-channel alpine at the moment...would that be suffice?


yeah go aftermarket..
so you tried other cds as well, how about retail cds you buy from stores? Same thing? because could be low quality burned cds.. or maybe Radio? Do you have same problem with sound cutting out as 08.5s do? Since you upgraded your stock radio. Have you talked to the dealer that sold you?


Yes I tried a brand new copy of Viva La Vida, I tried aux with my iphone, and radio and they all were too low.

All the mp3 discs I've burnt are always coded in 192 or above so it's not the quality issue.

But I've confirmed with a few people so far that it's because the stock Bose head unit requires an amp to work properly so I think that's it.

[McGuyver_3]

Yes you can get it to work properly. you will need a
4 channel loc (line out converter) (http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-DB-LINK-DUAL-HI-LO-CONVERTER-RCA-PRE-AMP-LINE-OUT_W0QQitemZ350095887125QQihZ022QQcategoryZ50549Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
all the amp wiring kit parts (http://cgi.ebay.ca/94K-4-GAUGE-1500W-AMP-WIRING-KIT-20-SPEAKER-WIRE_W0QQitemZ360087108050QQihZ023QQcategoryZ71529 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
If you are looking at alpine you may want to try the
alpine f550 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-swvh6MQUZDu/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=500mrpf550&search=alpine+f550)
Or if you do not plan on upgrading the speakers i would jump on this asap
alpine f440 @ 75$ (http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=122682.0)

Personally i have the alpine f550 but i regret not saving some extra cash and going to the higer model above mine but w/e it happens haha. But what you do is up to you. I woulkd suggest you jump on the amp from the us board because tha is an amazing price for it. Seing how you are not to enthusiastic about changing out the system anyway.

[Crimson]

Damn thanks for the links!

In terms of gear, I was planning on picking up the following from Best Buy/Futureshop:

Alpine MRP-F600 (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10098205&catid=20104)
Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.1 (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10072099&catid=19711) or Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.2 (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10072100&catid=19711) (The latter is quite pricey but If I can get a good deal on it I'll get it)

And these will come after:

Alpine SPR-17S (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10098217&catid=20114) Speakers
Alpine SWR-1222D (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10098218&catid=20119&logon=&langid=EN) Sub (Might get 2 of these)

Do you think these items would work well? As for all the wiring/sound dampening gear, would it be better to just have the installer get these because I'm not planning on installing these myself.

Unless, you're willing to install them for me :)

[selective sound]

You do not need a Rockford 360 or any line output converter. The deck already puts out a low level line output, all you need is a 4 channel amp. If you need an installer to this for you let me know.

[Crimson]

You do not need a Rockford 360 or any line output converter. The deck already puts out a low level line output, all you need is a 4 channel amp. If you need an installer to this for you let me know.

Cool thanks for the tip! If I go buy the amp on my own, I can just drop by and you guys can get it installed for me? Do you need me to buy all the wiring for it?

Is it possible to PM me pricing details for it too?

I'm a little out of your way...I'm in Aurora so it'll be quite the trip for me but for a good price I'll come out :)

[McGuyver_3]

You do not need a Rockford 360 or any line output converter. The deck already puts out a low level line output, all you need is a 4 channel amp. If you need an installer to this for you let me know.


He is using a stock deck wont he need a LOC? or is it because it is a bose deck? When i did my very old setup with my stock deck (non bose) i just hooked up rcas to the speaker wires and i was told that i could blow up my deck.

[McGuyver_3]

Damn thanks for the links!

In terms of gear, I was planning on picking up the following from Best Buy/Futureshop:

Alpine MRP-F600 (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10098205&catid=20104)
Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.1 (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10072099&catid=19711) or Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.2 (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10072100&catid=19711) (The latter is quite pricey but If I can get a good deal on it I'll get it)

And these will come after:

Alpine SPR-17S (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10098217&catid=20114) Speakers
Alpine SWR-1222D (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10098218&catid=20119&logon=&langid=EN) Sub (Might get 2 of these)

Do you think these items would work well? As for all the wiring/sound dampening gear, would it be better to just have the installer get these because I'm not planning on installing these myself.

Unless, you're willing to install them for me :)

The 600 is a beautiful amp and i regret not saving up some money to get it. OO well haha I have the 550. I beleive i have the spr-17s's in the front and i love them very crisp audio.
The dampening stuff i have it in my car and personal stand point it was a waste of money. And a ton of extra weight. As for the instal i would like to help you but i would like to know more about this deck because i have never heard that you can just run lows off of the deck.

[selective sound]

Because it is a bose deck the outputs are a low level output so there is no need for any loc.

[selective sound]

Cool thanks for the tip! If I go buy the amp on my own, I can just drop by and you guys can get it installed for me? Do you need me to buy all the wiring for it?

Is it possible to PM me pricing details for it too?

I'm a little out of your way...I'm in Aurora so it'll be quite the trip for me but for a good price I'll come out :)
You can get the amp and we will install it for you, we also have the wiring if you need it.

[Flagrum_3]

Here's my 2 cents; He may not need a LOC but most likely could use the 3Sixty1. as undoubtably the frequencies being produced by the Bose pre-amp are all over the place, as most all other oem units!...but, especially Bose as they like to tweek things their way!!...So basically there will be no flat response signal coming out...I could be wrong but doubt it..

Secondly the subs you have choosen seem a little too much for the amp they are power hungry running @ 500w RMS and the amp literature does not state the rms when bridged, which is odd.(but I would guess 300w). Running 3&4 channels will give you 300w for two subs and that is just not enough power to run those subs properly, which could lead to your amp clipping!.

I would suggest you get more info on the amp (bridged power to ohm) or maybe go down a step on the subs. (the 12' swe1243 seems more compatable to that amp, imo)

Just some things to ponder :)


_3

[Crimson]

Here's my 2 cents; He may not need a LOC but most likely could use the 3Sixty1. as undoubtably the frequencies being produced by the Bose pre-amp are all over the place, as most all other oem units!...but, especially Bose as they like to tweek things their way!!...So basically there will be no flat response signal coming out...I could be wrong but doubt it..

Secondly the subs you have choosen seem a little too much for the amp they are power hungry running @ 500w RMS and the amp literature does not state the rms when bridged, which is odd.(but I would guess 300w). Running 3&4 channels will give you 300w for two subs and that is just not enough power to run those subs properly, which could lead to your amp clipping!.

I would suggest you get more info on the amp (bridged power to ohm) or maybe go down a step on the subs. (the 12' swe1243 seems more compatable to that amp, imo)

Just some things to ponder :)


_3

Cool thanks for the insight. I wasn't too sure about the subs myself so thanks for the clearing that up...my first intention was to not even get a sub(s) at this point but to just get the stock mp3 deck working properly but i would like to make sure that everything is running good so if I can get the 3sixty.1 for a decent price I will just to make sure everything runs smooth.

Then later if I get subs and upgrade the speakers, I can look into another amp that'll suit them better. I picked that sub I listed above only because there was a link to them on Best Buy's website when I was looking at the speakers. But I see that there is a 10" available and I wouldn't mind that either....I've never been a huge fan of big ass bass...but I am a fan of crisp/clear audio.

[selective sound]

Here's my 2 cents; He may not need a LOC but most likely could use the 3Sixty1. as undoubtably the frequencies being produced by the Bose pre-amp are all over the place, as most all other oem units!...but, especially Bose as they like to tweek things their way!!...So basically there will be no flat response signal coming out...I could be wrong but doubt it..

Secondly the subs you have choosen seem a little too much for the amp they are power hungry running @ 500w RMS and the amp literature does not state the rms when bridged, which is odd.(but I would guess 300w). Running 3&4 channels will give you 300w for two subs and that is just not enough power to run those subs properly, which could lead to your amp clipping!.

I would suggest you get more info on the amp (bridged power to ohm) or maybe go down a step on the subs. (the 12' swe1243 seems more compatable to that amp, imo)

Just some things to ponder :)


_3You are wrong, the deck produces a flat response out to the amp, the amp then crossesover the output signal to the factory amp. The 3 sixty is designed to be used after the factory amps output and sums the output to be a clean output.


I've done this many times so I know it can be done this way.

[Flagrum_3]

You are wrong, the deck produces a flat response out to the amp, the amp then crossesover the output signal to the factory amp. The 3 sixty is designed to be used after the factory amps output and sums the output to be a clean output.


I've done this many times so I know it can be done this way.


Like I said I could be wrong about the HU, but I would have to personally experience a flat response out of the Bose to believe it! Most of these OEM Head unit's 'frequency outputs' are adjusted by the manufaturer on a vehicle to vehicle basis, basically tailored to them!...that's a fact, jack! And again I believe the 3Sixty1 or 2 are to be connected directly to the Hu before the amps in most cases!....an amp will not in any way flatten a curved signal...which is the main purpose of the 3Sixty1 or 2 or the Jl Cleansweep.But seeing as the Bose does not have an internal amp you may be right!


_3

[Crimson]

Ok well either way, I guess it saves me some money if I don't have to get the 3sixty but if I do require it I can always get it later.

I guess we'll find out how well it works once I get an amp and hook it up!

crimson