Adding aftermarket speakers to an OEM bose system?

[elwesso]

Alright, i already know what PMQ will say...

I really want to upgrade something, and i feel that the bose is really good... I think my bose is fairly new, and I feel that it is very adequate for my listening needs.....

hwoever, I would like to maybe make it a little clearer when its loud..... Again, i want to emphasize that I am not interested in completely ripping out the bose... I just dont want to do it.....

Im wondering how you think it would turn out if I put, for instance, some decent 2 ohm speakers upto the bose amps..... Ive heard (pun not intended) that it works pretty good... Get some decent 6x9s for the rear and maybe some 5 or 6 inchers for the front, with a pair of tweeters.....

Again, id like to get some audiophiles opinion on doing this... My gut instinct with modding says dont think, just rip stuff apart and put it back together all weird like..... If things dont work, i dont really get mad, i just resell the stuff and not really make too much of it..... I however dont like it when i do things and it screws other stuff up...

let me know what you guys think, and if you have any recommendations... I would prefer to keep it under $200 for a set of 4 speakers and 2 tweeters.

[M3Racer]

Out of curiousity, what size are the Q's speakers?

[elwesso]

Fronts are like 4.5in or something, and 6x9 rear

I have a dremel so im not scared to make something fit.....

[PoorManQ45]

finally you're coming around.

it sounds like you're on track right now. Just a tip though. you don't have to go with two ohm speakers. you can go with four ohm.

There really isn't a difference, except that the efficiency rating on th two ohm will show up as having a 3Db higher efficiency compared to the same speaker in a 4ohm version. This is due to the fact that the two ohm speaker will draw twicce the power.

So as you can imagine this will amps to run hotter.

You know what else I recommend so I won't bother unless you ask for more input.

If you need detailed instructions just ask

[elwesso]

So would it be easier on the amps to run 4 ohms instead of 2 ohms?? I just want to run what is going to be best. i figured 2 ohm would be better since its closer to what the OEM speakrs are.

Any recommended speakers?

[PoorManQ45]

I personally would recommend 4 ohm speakers due to the fact that the amps will last longer(in theory)

I'll recommend speakers later

[elwesso]

bueller?

[PoorManQ45]

I personally like Infinity Kappa 6x9s in the rear.

For the fronts I'd go with a pair of Infinity Reference(now 2 ohms) 6.5s. As for the tweeters I don't really know.

Does anyone know the crossover frequency of the tweeters? If I knew that then I could recommend some tweeters

[ceningolmo]

Wes... did you listen to the sounds in mine when you had it?

I took out the Bose completely... personally, I am not a fan of Bose or much of anything that they do. As a rule, I have found that Bose equipment (regardless of the setting) overemphasises the lows and highs and leaves significant gaps in the mid & mid-bass range. And, nearly anything regarding repair/modification/upgrade is a pain in the butt with Bose. Again, this isn't limited to the Q, but is regarding Bose equipment in general. And, it is just my opinion.

The rear is a 6x9 and the fronts will fit a stock 4". There is plenty of room in both locations to work on seperates. The fronts have the whole "echo chamber" that can be modified to fit a larger speaker with relatively little work.

For you Wes, the real advantage is that you have the '94 trim with the tweeter kit built in to the windshield pillars. It would be super easy to upgrade to a nice set of matched seperates. I am huge fan of the Infinity series for speaker upgrades... despite the fact that I have elcheapo Pioneer replacements in mine.

[elwesso]

Ive decided im not going to do aynthing with it at this point, the bose is "good enough"..... just going to put my subwoofer in and call it good!

[ceningolmo]

Where are you going to place the sub? Are you going to use prefab sub or constuct something specific to your vehicle?

I am interested to see where you are going to find room for a sub that will be audible... with the fuel tank between the trunk and the back seat, plus the additional equipment you have in the trunk (fuel cell, NOS equipment, and battery) you aren't left with a whole lot of room. Plus, once you add the set of clubs, you have even less room!

Whats your plan, stan?

[PoorManQ45]

Where are you going to place the sub? Are you going to use prefab sub or constuct something specific to your vehicle?

I am interested to see where you are going to find room for a sub that will be audible... with the fuel tank between the trunk and the back seat, plus the additional equipment you have in the trunk (fuel cell, NOS equipment, and battery) you aren't left with a whole lot of room. Plus, once you add the set of clubs, you have even less room!

Whats your plan, stan?

Hehe, I can tell you EXACTLY where he is going to put his sub, the air volume of the chamber, the tuning frequency, and what ever other information you want.

*Hint* I made it

Actually it's changed a little bit from that. It's not black metal flake anymore. Currently it's high gloss epoxy grey. It'll be covered with carpet as close to the trunk liner as I can find.

I still have to measure the volume of it and port it. I'm going to put the port so it fires into the compartment where the jack goes.

The imperfections that you see are not there anymore. I sanded the paint off and used some more high build primer, then I had my neighbor use epoxy primer and paint. The finish is extremely tough right now

*note* I'm currently working on one for the other side if you're interested in it.

Also, the water track does not have rust in it, it's just dirty

[ceningolmo]

Looks good... how does it sound? I have had trouble with this type of set up in the past. Well, not trouble exactly. But, I have had this type set up where I was often able to hear the low-end better outside the car better than I could inside the car.

Does the location of the fuel tank cause any problems with the way the low end pressure transfers from the trunk to the cabin? I know bass is supposed to be omnidirectional... but, in my experience there is still the problem with the direct transition of air pressure. I am sure the air pressure transfers through the rear sun deck and around the tank... but, I am curious if you had to do anything specific to deal with the problem.

I love the compact, clean look of your set up. Are you going to get your Q set with subs from both sides eventually? Is porting your preferred method, or would you consider a sealed chamber? What size are you sub and what type of wattage are you running?

What will you be charging for your set up when it is complete?

Lots of questions, I know... but, I am curious fellow.

[Rex]

Are you sure he's not going to use the sub/amp that he's had for over a 1 1/2, and had in his previous Q?

And FWIW, the amp will only run cooler, less load if he doesn't try to turn them up to the equvilant of the 2 ohm speaker. Net would be the same level of sound will require the same heat/power, even if you go up in ohms to decrease the load.

[elwesso]

Im confused.....

IM using the same amp that ive had for a while but PMQ cut the hole for 12 incher instead of a 10 so ill just use a 12.....

[PoorManQ45]

I love the compact, clean look of your set up. Are you going to get your Q set with subs from both sides eventually? Is porting your preferred method, or would you consider a sealed chamber? What size are you sub and what type of wattage are you running?

What will you be charging for your set up when it is complete?

Lots of questions, I know... but, I am curious fellow.

So many questions grasshopper. When you can grab the words from my mouth, you will be a true master spewing BS.

Hehe, that last pasrt was unexpected . I wasn't directing anything towards you so don't get offended.

I personally would keep it sealed, but I've found that the volume is a little large for a sealed box. I could leave it sealed though if that's what your needs call for.

This one is made for a 12, but I can scale it up for a 15, or down to anything smaller then that.

I'm thinking somewhere between $200 and $300. I've checked around and this seems to be the price range that other "stealth box" makers list.

I actually am not going to use these enclosures in my Q. I'm just using it for fabrication purposes. I personally find that my Infinity Kappa 6x9s have plenty of low end output for my taste.

how does it sound?

I haven't actually tested it out yet. LOL.

Well, not trouble exactly. But, I have had this type set up where I was often able to hear the low-end better outside the car better than I could inside the car.

What you experienced was phase cancellation. I've done the calculations and found that phase cancellation in these two locations, and even both at the same time, should be very litte to none.

Does the location of the fuel tank cause any problems with the way the low end pressure transfers from the trunk to the cabin? I know bass is supposed to be omnidirectional... but, in my experience there is still the problem with the direct transition of air pressure. I am sure the air pressure transfers through the rear sun deck and around the tank... but, I am curious if you had to do anything specific to deal with the problem.

It shouldn't have that much of an effect

[ceningolmo]

Actually, I am generally happy with the output of a good 6x9 as well. So, I guess I am asking more out of curiousity than any specific interest on my part. Personally, I am well passed my loud bass and "wake the neighbors" phase of my life.

I think it is interesting the way that you you built it in to the corner of the trunk. Its just a good clean design. Did you toy with doing anything in the spare tire well... I know it cancels out he ability to use a much larger area in the trunk, and you have the added detraction of no longer having a spare tire at your disposal...people who like something with a little more 'flash' might like that type of a set up. Of course, you would probably need to leave the box largely unfinished, so the end user could install amp/graphics/bling in the appropriate neighboring locations on the floor of the trunk.

Anyway... if I have call for such a set up, PMQ, you will be my first call.

[PoorManQ45]

I think it is interesting the way that you you built it in to the corner of the trunk. Its just a good clean design. Did you toy with doing anything in the spare tire well... I know it cancels out he ability to use a much larger area in the trunk, and you have the added detraction of no longer having a spare tire at your disposal...people who like something with a little more 'flash' might like that type of a set up. Of course, you would probably need to leave the box largely unfinished, so the end user could install amp/graphics/bling in the appropriate neighboring locations on the floor of the trunk.

I actually did think about making a sub box that goes in the spare tire well, but when I asked for Nico members most of them said they wouldn't be interested for the reason that you stated. you'd lose your spare tire. Actually this wouldn't matter to me because my damn spare tire is flat anyways .

Another problem i ran in to was what would I do about the liner? I mean, would the sub be hidden by it, or if not would it call for the customer to cut their own liner. The latter I do not like.

Anyway... if I have call for such a set up, PMQ, you will be my first call.

Thank you. If you ever run into a G50 owner that is looking for an enclosure that takes up very little trunk space, and you happen to think about it, please recommend me. Word of mouth is the most powerful advertisement