Shoping for new stereo head unit

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

I know, "This should be in the stereo Forum"

I never go there, and rarely go to the online mechanic.

I am bidding on a lot of Bose head units, trying to get an upgrade for the Q. I want the in-dash CD, as well as the changer in the trunk. I want to keep Bose. I am not sure what the connections are like on the back. There seems to be a 90 to 93 connection, a 94 connection and a 95-98 connection, and later. But others say 87 to 95 are the same.

If anyone has a picture of what the 1994 Q45 radio connections look like, please post it, or email it to me.

[email protected]

Thanks a bunch, and you can move it, if you want to.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Hey Jeff about 2 years ago my father had a Bose unit from what I believe a 96 or 97 Max put in the dash of his 95 Maxima GXE. Now only the rear speakers work but they dont get too loud and the front speakers dont work at all. My dads speakers are non bose btw. Should this have happened? We're just thinkin about changing the speakers to aftermarket ones. Is there to get around buyin new speakers? Sorry for jackin your thread man. If any1 else can help please reply.

Website · Post by **elbles** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Well, to answer jdmfreak's question, the reason why the speakers aren't getting too loud is because a Bose head unit has almost no internal amplification, as they rely on the amplification built into the speakers that Bose uses in their installs. The Bose unit is putting out just enough power so that the amplifiers would have a signal, which isn't nearly enough to power speakers adequetely. Your best bet is to throw the Bose head unit out, as it would be a real pain, really expensive, or both, to find the Bose speakers for the car, in all 4 corners in decent working condition. Put in a good aftermarket head unit (Alpine and Panasonic seem to have the highest power ratings, if you aren't planning on going with additional amplifiers), and I'm sure you'll be happy with how it will sound. :-)

Post by **jdmfreak** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Well since they put the Bose unit in they cut out the part that was under the factory. Do you know what Im talkin about? Any way what would they use to hold up the aftermarket unit.

Website · Post by **elbles** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

You mean that the Bose unit is a little "taller" than the original unit, so they had to remove part of the bottom or top of the original enclosure, or something along those lines? I would assume that they would have some way to house an aftermarket head unit, considering that Bose systems are often replaced as well. I'd try calling a local stereo place, to see what they say about mounting a unit in the given space . . . they'd know better than me. :-) Hope that helps/helped somewhat . . .

Post by **Rex** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Jeff - Here's my thread about Nissan/Infiniti HU Compatability from the Stereo Forum. I think you need to look for the one with the Tape-DNR button on the lower right hand corner.

GOOD LUCK. I've been trying for a year and haven't been able to come close to one for less that $150

Post by **911/Q45** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

One of the most appalling thread hijacks I've ever witnessed, only the death penalty will satisfy human justice!

Post by **jdmfreak** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

I plead guilty to that charge. But before you sentence me to my death I have one more question. If we go with after market speakers, can we keep the Bose unit in the car?

Post by **sultan** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

this probably won't help jeff williams, but go to this link from maxima.org and scroll down to post #27. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=258184 it explains a lot about bose (for maximas, should be the same) and says what you need to use different speakers or headunit.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Thanks man. Ill give that to my pops when he gets back home. I believe Im done here.

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Rex wrote:Jeff - Here's my thread about Nissan/Infiniti HU Compatability from the Stereo Forum. I think you need to look for the one with the Tape-DNR button on the lower right hand corner.

GOOD LUCK. I've been trying for a year and haven't been able to come close to one for less that $150

Thanks, Rex, my one true friend, who cares. Everybody else just hijacks my threads:(

Just Kidding. I've done it a few times, myself.

Post by **louiegz** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Let me throw my two cents in here, Jeff. Consider this idea. Get yourself an I pod and then get this...

http://www.everythingipod.com/...max=1

TransPod FM All-In-One Car Solution for iPod.

I got my wife an I pod and those things are great. You can have all your music on this thing thats the size of a pack of smokes and you don't have to change your head unit. I will stress the fact that I haven't tried the TransPod yet because I got it for my wife for X-mas. As soon as I use it in my Q, I will report on the performance. This looks like a good solution for the I pod because it holds it, charges it, and transmits it to your FM radio. No wires. This is why I tell you to go this way...

Reason 1: You retain the stock look on your dash. The radio buttons will still match th A/C buttons.

Reason 2: No pulling your dash apart to fit a new head unit.

Reason 3: You can take your music with you out of your car.

Reason 4 And most important of all. You dont mess with that Bose system that sounds perfect the way it is. My wife has the BMW 330 with the Harmon Kardon system and my freind has a 03 Accura TL with a Bose system, and my Q's Bose blows both of them away.

So just think about that before you buy a head unit that might, or might not work, and you dont get the sound that your use to.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

louiegz - Great idea, but for those of us that may already have something other than an ipod, there is a similar FM transmitter, that uses the headphone output. I'm thinking about treating myself to one as a little Christmas present to us (me & the Q

).

I think (not to speak for Jeff), but he's looking for a same year (or so) Q45 Bose take out with the in dash CD.

Myself, I'm using a Sony MD player with the cassette adapter. For those of use with out gig's of MP3's it allows me to record from the oldest media of all - sound.

Post by **louiegz** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Rex wrote:I think (not to speak for Jeff), but he's looking for a same year (or so) Q45 Bose take out with the in dash CD.b]sound.

In dash cd Bose. Hum. But this wasn't 94-96 Q What year head unit is this, Rex?

Post by **Rex** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Here's an example of the "generic" one. Less than $30 and can be used anywhere with any portable music device. From the looks of things, it can also be used to broadcast your MP3's from you computer to your home audio system.

<- click here

Ok, Jeff, now I've hi-jacked your thread

Post by **jdmfreak** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

And you deserve the death penalty just like me. You'll probably get over cuz you actually tried to help him.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

louiegz wrote:In dash cd Bose. Hum. But this wasn't 94-96 Q What year head unit is this, Rex?

Not sure which HU you're referring to ^^ above, but I've been told any Nissan/Infiniti Bose HU with the DNR-Tape button on the lower right hand corner should plug right in to his 94. The best looking ones I've seen are out of J30's.

Here's an example

Here's the better looking models, that require an adapter

I just don't know which adapter of where to get it, but someone in my above posted link seemed to have used it. I guess I should have asked them.

Jeff, there's another Sony 10 disc (ebay item #3067162572)

Post by **jdmfreak** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

I think thats what my dad has in his car.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Well, get the screw driver and out get to it

(JUST KIDDING)

If he ever decides to change to an aftermarket, keep us Q45 guys in mind.

Post by **Jesda** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Get the Digisette from Radio Shack. Tape adapter that stores 96MB of MP3s, doubles as a portable MP3 player. MMC expandable. You can even change tracks with the FF/Rewind buttons.

Post by **thirty7th** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Hey Jeff,I have a link for you that will show you the diagrams for wiring your Bose head unit correctly. It really helped me out. http://carstereohelp.com/strinfiniti.htm I am currently using the Bose head unit with Kicker aftermarket amps, which I wired according to the diagram in the link. Bose radios have line output levels similar to the rca's found on aftermarket radios, so you need to have some type of amplification. It suffices until I get an aftermarket radio. Bose units just aren't bright enough sounding to me.

JDMfreak, Bose speakers are usually 2ohm, which are more efficient than aftermarket speakers which are usually 4ohm, which resulted in the loss of high output in your pops car (assuming that it was wired correctly and that the aftermarket speakers were attached to the factory amps.) I agree with Elbles....Get rid of the Bose head unit and get an aftermarket radio and speakers. Too expensive to replace all of those Bose speakers.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Well what we have in the car is the factory non Bose speakers in the car, not after market ones.

Post by **nuQ** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

maybe these questions has been asked before,,,,,,but, here goes. 1. will a 95-99 bose indash cd/cass combo fit a 90??? 2. can a bose head unit be wired directly to an aftermarket amp/amps then to aftermarket speakers???? anyone have an opinion on the sound of this setup??? the only reason for going with this setup would be to keep the stock look of the dash. thanksjeff

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

Thanks for all the great ideas. I am still hard-headed about keeping to Bose Had Unit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...26002

This looks great! What do you think?

:thinker

Post by **zinkie13** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

I have a Bose cd/tape unit out of my 97 Q and it is in perfect working order and is also cosmetically perfect. I have the Antenna adaptor if you need it as well If any of you are interested.

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

zinkie13 wrote:I have a Bose cd/tape unit out of my 97 Q and it is in perfect working order and is also cosmetically perfect. I have the Antenna adaptor if you need it as well If any of you are interested.

If my email works, you've got mail.

Post by **louiegz** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

louiegz wrote:Let me throw my two cents in here, Jeff. Consider this idea. Get yourself an I pod and then get this...

http://www.everythingipod.com/...max=1

TransPod FM All-In-One Car Solution for iPod.

I'd like to retract my suggestion to buy the TransPod. This item is awful. The signal was weak, and it sounded horrible. DON'T BUY IT!!!!!!!!! I got one for my wife for X-mas, needless to say, I tried it out in her Bimmer and it's going back. I hope no one else got one. Does anyone else know how to do a line out plug to the 95 Q head unit? I really don't want to use a cassette adapter.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:36 pm

I have a friend with a similar FM type as I noted above, and he's very pleased with it. He suggests getting the one with 4 selectable frequencies.

Shoping for new stereo head unit

Shoping for new stereo head unit

Good input!

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