95 Maxima Bose Head Unit question
95 Maxima Bose Head Unit question
I know I asked this before a few months ago, but I lost the info that I printed up. A few years ago, my dad's friend gave him a Bose head unit out of his Maxima for free. My dad took it to some stupid shop in the Bronx and they installed it along with a cheap amp under the seat. Now only the rear speakers work, but the power is not what it should be. Would installing a more powerful amp get all 4 speakers to work or would I have to replace the head unit? Please I need help Ill be driving it once it gets registered(within a month) and I need that stereo working. I gotta have my tunes.
Yes its my dad's 95 Max GXE. Im not too sure on what the original radio was, but I know it wasnt Bose and it didnt have a CD player. Speakers are the factory 6.5s, but it might be 6.25s. I dont know about the amp, but he said that only the two rear speakers worked since the time of the Bose head unit installation.
I hope this helps and if ya got any more questions, just let me know.
I hope this helps and if ya got any more questions, just let me know.
Well, if the original HU was Bose the amp wouldn't/shouldn't be necessary. So, the amp was needed as the Bose unit only "ouputs" a low level (RCA type) signal. The speakers need a high level (speaker type), thus the amp.
So, what does all this mean??? you've got 2 different systems combined. Make sure the amp is "working", as it's what's turning the signal into sound. The fronts may have been hooked up to the Bose HU and you may have gotten very little sound from them. If so, this may have contributed to the other possible cause, the HU is dead. If the HU was hooked up to both an amp (okay, with some type of adapter) and the front speakers (low level, trying to drive a speaker, in need of high leve) it could have eventually killed the HU's "output".
Yeah, I'm gonna guess all this rambling doesn't seem like much help.
So, what does all this mean??? you've got 2 different systems combined. Make sure the amp is "working", as it's what's turning the signal into sound. The fronts may have been hooked up to the Bose HU and you may have gotten very little sound from them. If so, this may have contributed to the other possible cause, the HU is dead. If the HU was hooked up to both an amp (okay, with some type of adapter) and the front speakers (low level, trying to drive a speaker, in need of high leve) it could have eventually killed the HU's "output".
Yeah, I'm gonna guess all this rambling doesn't seem like much help.
Huh??? Im confused. Yes we do have 2 systems combined. He is using a very cheap amp, but I cant tell what it is since it's under the drivers seat. My only guess is that the amp isnt powerful enough. I dont know why he did this instead of just getting a cheap head unit. He didnt need anything special. Just a CD player. Just cuz its free doesnt make it a good deal.
Sorry about the confusion. Let me try to clarify ...
Good Luck, and I'll help all I can.
- The Bose HU has no "speaker power", it has low level (RCA type) output.
- The amp may be dead, but I'm sure you guessed this.
- If any sound came out of the front speakers, they may have tried to run them off the HU's low level output and (eventually) killed the HU's output.
- Check connections & swap amps with a buddy if possible, to test.
Good Luck, and I'll help all I can.
So basically, to avoid to many complications I shoud either go check out a different amp or get a head unit. Any suggestions for a reasonably priced amp that may be good for this. I may end up getting new speakers, but Im not sure if he'll let me since its his car and Im only driving it until I save up enough money to buy a 5 speed Max (My Max is basically shot at the moment).
Well, assuming the current amp is either not working or dying, then a new amp could/would/should solve your problem.
I'd be more inclined to buy a decent HU (with built in 4-ch power) and if the amp is good you can use the HU to power 2 of the speakers and if the amp's dead, you can use the HU to power all 4.
Note: Not all 4-ch HU's can be run in 2 channel mode while using all the power. Probably worth finding a place that includes "basic" installation.
I'd be more inclined to buy a decent HU (with built in 4-ch power) and if the amp is good you can use the HU to power 2 of the speakers and if the amp's dead, you can use the HU to power all 4.
Note: Not all 4-ch HU's can be run in 2 channel mode while using all the power. Probably worth finding a place that includes "basic" installation.
Any suggestions as Im just geting into stereo stuff. I was thinking of going to Best Buy, but Im not too sure.
Edit: I just talked to my father and he said that they were running a 2 Channel amp and the two front speakers werent even hooked up because of this. So I think a new 4 channel amp might do the trick. I was thinking a cheap Sony Xplod 4 channel amp since he doesnt want to change the head unit. What do ya say?
Edit: I just talked to my father and he said that they were running a 2 Channel amp and the two front speakers werent even hooked up because of this. So I think a new 4 channel amp might do the trick. I was thinking a cheap Sony Xplod 4 channel amp since he doesnt want to change the head unit. What do ya say?
I'd make sure the amp is dead first (to state the obvious), but assuming it is and you're not trying to run anything but 4 full range speakers, you should be able to find a decent little amp for $125 or so.
If you (or any of your friends) don't have much experience, go ahead and pay for the install. Just make sure they give you a good estimate/quote for the install.
If you (or any of your friends) don't have much experience, go ahead and pay for the install. Just make sure they give you a good estimate/quote for the install.
I should be able to use the existing wires right? Or will they have to pull them and replace them with new ones? Also how do you check to see if the amp is dead? I think Im gonna go with the Xplod amp for my dads car since they're pretty cheap and a Pioneer everything for my next Maxima. I just wish I could replace the speakers in my current Max, but its not worth spending the extra $$$ until I buy a new car.
The amp should have a power on LED that indicates it has power. Look on the end where the power and ground connect. Assuming it's dead, you should be able to use the same wires that are currently connected to it.
Make sure the fuse for the amp's power wire (there should be two, 1 at the amp, maybe in the side and 1 should be near the power leads connection to the battery) hasn't gone bad. You might even replace it just to be certain.
Make sure the fuse for the amp's power wire (there should be two, 1 at the amp, maybe in the side and 1 should be near the power leads connection to the battery) hasn't gone bad. You might even replace it just to be certain.