Quality components on the cheap!!

[nuQ]

looking to get rid of the bose system in my 90Q (too much hassle with the amped speakers and lousy sound quality). might consider getting a bose head unit off ebay (keeping the factory look, but with the cd), and running that into an amp then aftermarket speakers. what are the opinions on the most inexpensive, yet decent quality, head units, speakers (6x9's and 6.5's), and amps. would love to put in a sub, but thinking that might be too much for now. stuff i could get off ebay would also be great to save $$$!!! My Q is not an everyday ride, so i'm not looking for top notch stuff, but need to get a cd in there while doing away with the bose!! thanks

ps---would also like to look into an inexpensive remote starter,,,any more thoughts?

jeff

[Rex]

Okay, there are a few ways to go, but none that I can think of are both cheap & easy.

I added an indash Bose unit from a newer Nissan/Infiniti in my Q back in March and have been very happy. It required an adapter that I got off ebay for about $20. It was a Nissan piece, but the part number had been cut off. This will allow you to simply add factory look in dash CD.

To use aftermarket speakers you'll need an amp (as you said) and you should run new speaker wires. There's an aftermarket plug to allow you to go from factory Bose to create "amp ready" RCA's, but regardless of where you install the amp, you'll want to run new speaker wires as the existing wires currently only run "signal" to an amp. They aren't of the quality you'd want to run your powered sound through.

In either situation you should be able to add a small amp and sub (Wes did) without too much trouble.

The big question is how much effort and money do you want to put into it? Any thought to adding a CD changer, replacing the powered Bose speakers with some take outs and adding a sub?

Let us know some more and we'll figure something out.

[nuQ]

rex,,,,yeah,,,i'm planning on replacing all the bose speakers with aftermarket. i'm so, on the fence, with going with a bose head unit or an aftermarket setup!!!!!!

[Rex]

I'd find a good set of 2 or 3 way speakers (Pioneer,Infinity, etc) for up front (can't recall if 5.25, 6, or 6.5's). And either simple 6x9 2 ways in the rear, or maybe 6x9 or an 8 sub/mid bass for the rear.

AZ just found a few good "entry-priced" amps for use in his S13. I'd recommed the SX series from Autotek as they are a good watt per dollar for reliability. They have a 5 channel which would allow you to run the front doors, 2 way 6x9's and a decent sub.

Keep in mind one draw back (in the stereo wolrd) to the Q is the gas tank over the rear axle. This isn't really too big of a deal with sub frequncies being non-directional, but you will see some db loss due to this.

You can sometimes find a complete system on ebay that someone took out of their car, just as always be careful when buying used electronics.

[PoorManQ45]

Here's my two cents(all that I have).

There is nothing wrong with the factory headunit and the amps. There put out a descent amount of power at I think a 1 Ohm load.

The problem with the stock system is the speakers themselves. It is very hard to have a speaker with only one cone that can produce anywhere near 20 -20,000 Hz at higher volumes, without creating a ton of distortion and/or causing the Doppler affect.

What I did to solve this problem is I bought a $20 pair of 6x9 3-ways from Walmart. They have a much better frequency response than stock, also, they have a descent sensitivity rating. And they play alot louder than the bose ones. I think that I may have lost a little bass, but I made up for it ten-fold in the higher frequncies.

My suggestion to you is to just replace the speakers. Try to find some that have an efficiency/sensitivity rating of 92 db 1w/1m or more.

Replacing the HU may get a little expensive(depending on what you choose). It's up to you whether or not to change the HU. An aftermarket HU may draw a little too much attention, potencially leading to theft and/or damage.

Keep in mind one draw back (in the stereo wolrd) to the Q is the gas tank over the rear axle. This isn't really too big of a deal with sub frequncies being non-directional, but you will see some db loss due to this.

Another problem is that the trunk is sealed. Meaning that the bass frequencies will not traverse into the passenger compartment very smoothly. This will cause it to sound muffled and distorted. I would suggest porting the sub into the compartment somehow. Either mounting it in the rear deck(use trunk as enclosure), or mount the sub where the rear arm rest is(This would probably look pretty good), or put a TUNED port in either the deck or behind the arm rest.

[AZhitman]

It won't be a "tuned" port (unless you accurately measure trunk volume.

However a port into the little "hatch" in the decklid would be sweet.

OR, a Infinity Basslink behind the rearseatback...

[PoorManQ45]

It won't be a "tuned" port (unless you accurately measure trunk volume.

I was just about to edit my post, but you beat me to it.

[nuQ]

what are your opinions on going with a bose head unit off ebay as opposed to a quality/inexpensive aftermarket, i.e.,,,,alpine, pioneer, etc????

[Rex]

what are your opinions on going with a bose head unit off ebay as opposed to a quality/inexpensive aftermarket, i.e.,,,,alpine, pioneer, etc????

I like the look, even though I should try and tweak the overall alignment, of the one I got off ebay. I think any gains in performance (for us normal listeners) would cost way more than you want to spend, and the "normal" HU's just won't look good.