84 Bose Stereo Problem

[DannyC4]

Alright, my stereo stopped working about a month ago, Im getting power, because it turns on, the antenna rises and everything, but I get no sound to the speakers, none of them. So, since its a 21 maybe 22 year old unit, I thought about getting myself a CD/mp3 player instead, I took it to Bestbuy, and the guys overthere didnt want to touch my Vette, they said it was gonna be way too much work invloved on the installation, and the labor would go up to around $250, thats plus the CD player. So, I dont know what to do, I saw this "Bose Replacement Amplifier" @ Ecklers.com, do you guys think that would solve my problem, or am I gonna have to spend over $400 on installing a new unit? Thanks a lot.

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by DannyC4

Alright, my stereo stopped working about a month ago, Im getting power, because it turns on, the antenna rises and everything, but I get no sound to the speakers, none of them. So, since its a 21 maybe 22 year old unit, I thought about getting myself a CD/mp3 player instead, I took it to Bestbuy, and the guys overthere didnt want to touch my Vette, they said it was gonna be way too much work invloved on the installation, and the labor would go up to around $250, thats plus the CD player. So, I dont know what to do, I saw this "Bose Replacement Amplifier" @ Ecklers.com, do you guys think that would solve my problem, or am I gonna have to spend over $400 on installing a new unit? Thanks a lot.

The Bose system has amplifiers mounted to the speakers, so I would remove one of the units and try a un-amplified speaker to see if that's the problem. (The pink wire on the connectors is the power for the amp, don't connect it to your test speaker- bad results)

3 years back, I had only one speaker working, so instead of spending $159.00 on each bad speaker ($480.00), I bought a replacement Radio w/CD and 4 Blaupunkdt speakers for $400.00 fromCrutchfield. They included a wire harness adaptor at no charge, I'm quite happy with the results.

[ponchonutty]

Glad you got it working. I was going to suggest exactly what you just did. Those young'ns at the big chain stores start to sweat when something out of the normal comes in. Hardly any of them are MECP cert. like in my shop.

[DannyC4]

Actually, I havent done anything yet, I was talking with some of my co-workers today, and one of them told me that is not that complicated to install an after market in-dash unit in my car, as long as I have the right wiring harness and the kit. So, I think Im just gonna get a regular CD player, with the kit and wiring harness, and maybe the "Kenwood Music Keg", which is a portable hard drive, with a memory of 10Gb, you can store +2000 mp3 songs in that thing!, and maybe a 10" bazooka, because theres not a lot of room in the back, and I still wanna be able to store the targa roof in the back on the weekends. Thanks a lot everybody for your advice and help.

[ponchonutty]

I would suggest then looking at a higher end Pioneer or JVC unit. They are great for the money and most are MP3 and XM/Sirius ready. You'll also want to find decent replacement speakers. That way you'll be completely free of that junky Bose crap. Make sure to keep it because Vette poeple frown when you make a change like this and pitch the old stuff even if its no good.

As far as the Bazooka goes, look at these!!!! http://bazooka.com/productAutoPassiveBTsRX.asp

[DannyC4]

I know, might as well get all new speakers. By the way, I thought I only had 4 speakers in my Vette, one on each door, and 2 in the back, but the guy @ Bestbuy told me that I also have 2 in the top of the dashboard. So, if you could, please tell me how many speakers do I really have, and what sizes they are, so that I can start making my shopping list. Those NOS inspired tubes look really cool man, with metal braided wires and nozzle and everything. So, you're saying that JVC is better than Kenwood? Quality wise. Thanks again!!!

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by DannyC4

I know, might as well get all new speakers. By the way, I thought I only had 4 speakers in my Vette, one on each door, and 2 in the back, but the guy @ Bestbuy told me that I also have 2 in the top of the dashboard. again!!!

Everything I read in my Chilton manual says the same thing, but I dont have any speakers under the grills on the top of the dash. Even if you do, they aren't the amplified type.

Now, in the rear, 6 x 9s will fit in the structure. In the door, 4" rounds fit right in without having to modify the housings (i gutted the Bose and inserted the Blaupunkts in the Bose housing), although taking those door panels apart are quite the adventure. I blew a few fuses doing mine.
(Might be wise to dis-connect the battery)

I only recommend Crutchfield because they give you an adaptor to hook up to the existing harness, plus a sheet of plastic, 8 x 11, for mounting modifications, all at no charge.

[ponchonutty]

Well, as far as actually how many speakers you really have, I can't say. They were different on all levels of Bose systems. You having a '84 I would guess to say you only have the doors and rear speakers. Just try to take a peak or pull the top dashpad off. It's only held on with about 14 7mm screws.

Yes, I love JVC as you can tell. In my shop, I push JVC and Pioneer as everyday stuff and then into the higher end Clarion and Eclipse for those that want to pay for it.

Yes, those Bazooka NOS 8" work awsome in Vettes. Make sure to get an amp for them because they aren't the self amplified ones. I did one for a local guy here and he was the talk of the town for some time.

[Schrade]

C4's are loud - glass top in or out! If you want good sound, get the bose speakers with internal amps replaced or repaired. Those internal amps
take ALLALLALL ambient sound in your C4, and reproduce it in its inverse. It's kinda like adding a negative # to its' positive equal, canceling out 'noise'. Anything else might make quality sound, and loud too, but it won't play the unwanted 'noise' in its inverse, so you're just masking it.