replace stock radio & keep Bose speakers

[xpaddiict]

I have been trying to find correct info on the existence of an adapter to convert an aftermarket radio (Sony, JVC, Panasonic, etc.) so that I can use it in my 1997 Infiniti I30t. CircuitCity said that I have to rip out the Bose speakers; Google seems to bring up some mention of an adapter... a local high price car audio shop said first the same as Circuit City, then said that there WAS an adapter that they could order for $69. So... does such an adapter actually exist & can I buy it myself somewhere & install this animal or is my best bet to go w/local shop & their access to known adapter?

[BP2K2Max]

yeah, i have one in my car. it's called a line output converter and it takes the stereo signal and de-amplifies it so that it can be sent through the bose speakers.
it's this thing: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piepdcloc.html


i used to have one to run my panasonic head unit with my bose speakers in my 95 maxima, and i have one now to run my 2 12" subs using the bose stereo in my current maxima.

[xpaddiict]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

yeah, i have one in my car. it's called a line output converter and it takes the stereo signal and de-amplifies it so that it can be sent through the bose speakers.
it's this thing: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piepdcloc.html


i used to have one to run my panasonic head unit with my bose speakers in my 95 maxima, and i have one now to run my 2 12" subs using the bose stereo in my current maxima.

So.... buy a "stock" CD player such as one from JVC, SONY, etc. (not discrete components) & this thing hooks up between it and the Infiniti connectors?

(is the Panasonic "head" unit here just one such stock player/receiver?)

Newbie questions - but after replacing 2 stock radios in this car I am inclined to replace with newer non-original components.

[BP2K2Max]

^ i hear ya, that's why i went with a panasonic deck, my bose stereo kept giving cd err messages.

so, yes. you can buy any old aftermarket stereo and that thing will allow you to hook it up and run the sound through bose speakers.

the reason why it has to be done like this is because bose stereo's amplify the signal at the speaker, each speaker has its own amplifier. in a regular stereo the signal is amplified at the head unit. the converter you need removes the amplification from the head unit and sends de-amplified signal to the speaker, where it is amplified there.

the head unit i used was just any old run of the mill reciever(head unit, Deck, whatever you wanna call it) it was the panasonic 4020 double din, i chose it becuase it filled the giant hole that the bose deck left.

[harrymay]

i use to have one in my 3rd gen maxima. it works pretty good, but not a substitute for ripping out the speakers and wires and putting in new stuff.

the only thing that sucks it that you have to manually tweak out all the channels so that they sound the same, otherwise you will have one speaker loud, another low, and another in between

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by harrymay

the only thing that sucks it that you have to manually tweak out all the channels so that they sound the same, otherwise you will have one speaker loud, another low, and another in between

i haven't had that problem. it might depend on which converter you used. or maybe you have/had bad connections where the speaker wires attach to the convertor.