Advice on Q45 Stereo

[90Q45blue]

As some of you know, I just bought a 1991 Q45. The car has the factory Bose system, except the front speakers have been removed. I can't stand having mediocre sound only from the rear and without a Cd player so...

I ask you guys what you think I should do. Here is what's important to me: Cd player (changer preferrably), great-quality sound, loud (but no bass rumbling), AND I want to keep the Bose head unit if possible because I haven't seen anything else I like on the Q.

I am having a car audio place remove my Sony 10-Disc CD Changer and harness from the 1990 Q tomorrow, then they will see if they can put it on the new car. I am probably going to budget $600-$800 for this new system. Let me know what you guys think I should do.

Thanks,

Nick

[90Q45blue]

Anyone have any ideas?

[Rex]

If you want to keep the factory Bose system (I would), then I'd suggest you look on ebay for a set of speakers for sale, or browse thru here for a takeout. I think someone recently ditched their whole Bose set-up.

You could have them rebuilt for less than buying them from the dealer.

The other idea is to go to aftermarket speakers with an amp. I think there's an adapter to allow you to do this.

<I have a Sony changer for pre-94 Q, if you're interested in a backup>

[Simmsled]

I would get an adapter and add a 4 channel amp and replace all 4 speakers. And finally do a little dance...

[90Q45blue]

What amp and speakers would you recommend?

Nick

P.S. and where can I get this adapter?

[Rex]

Nick - Try reading through this thread.

[90Q45blue]

Thanks for the info Rex. I did some more searching but I'm still confused about one thing: So this adapter makes it so you can plug non-Bose speakers and amps, etc. into a Bose head unit? or does it make it able to plug factory speakers into a non-Bose head unit?

Thanks,

Nick

[Rex]

I think the link I listed above goes non-Bose HU with existing system. I know there's a way to do the other. Might be as simple as getting some RCA's made up as the signal coming out of the HU shold be low level.

If you need to know which wire is which I think that's on carstereohelp.com.

<any of that make sense>

[Simmsled]

You can go both ways Nick. What I think you should do is this...Keep the factory deck and cd changer, get a new pair of 6x9s for the rear, if you have access to a reciprocating saw you can cut new speaker plates in the shape of the old Q Bose speaker pod and put in 6.5 inch component speakers, if you do not then you will have to replace the 4 inch front speakers with 4 inch aftermarket speakers or 4 inch components. As far as speakers and amps this is what I recommend as a solid buy. Retail this stuff is over 800, but you will MOST DEFINITELY not have to pay that for your system.

Front Speakers: Boston Acoustics Rally RC420 component system $280 Retail (one of the best 4 inchers around)

Rear Speakers: Boston Acoustics NX97 $200 Retail (Staying with Boston Acoustics for tonal match)

Amp: JBL GTO755.6560 Watt 6-Channel Power Amplifier Retail $475 (I have been really impressed with JBL stuff. Their new amps are incredibly bulletproof and sound great. I have a JBL sub amp in my car.)

That setup would impress the hell out of you and whom ever rode in your vehicle. That amplifier has 6 channels if you decide to eventually add a subwoofer. If you did not want that capability, then I would suggest the 4 channel version, GTO75.4, and it would only cost $375 retail.

That would rock Nick! That is definitely a budget audiophile system.