CactusGeorge

I'm in the process of installing replacement speakers for the Bose stereo and thought some pictures would be of interest to others with the Bose system.

The woofer is a very strange configuration--very flat and very light-weight. Pictures to follow...

CactusGeorge

Here is the back of the Bose woofer...

CactusGeorge

A shot of the door with the Bose woofer and amplifier still installed.

CactusGeorge

I held a yard stick next to the opening to show dimensions...

takahashi

nice... what do you have in mind?

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Interesting pics. I only have the base stereo with my sport package-equipped car, so it's cool to see how the Bose setup is.
One question that I asked already: on these pictures, the Bose speaker also has that shrouding that I noticed on the base door speaker as well. I suppose it's there to protect against water... When I replaced my speakers, I did not use any shield since I had no good material available. Is that really necessary? I mean, is there any real danger that my speakers would get wet? I hope not...
Where is a good place to get some sort of a shield or baffle or whatever?

Thanks.

CactusGeorge

I installed a five channel Soundstream Edge amp, and then Focal co-ax 690 CA's in the rear deck. The CA's are a bit of a disappointment, but I cut costs in the deck speakers so I could spend more on the doors.

After talking to some local shops and reading threads in this forum, I noticed two ways of approaching the deck speakers. Some prefer the rear and front speakers to be the same. Others contend that the deck speakers are just for fill, so put the money in the door speakers. I flipped a coin and chose the latter approach.

So the doors are getting Focal 165 W separates. To be honest, I was going to use 165 V Slims or something, but this project has been a lot more work than I anticipated, and I don't want to take the doors apart again (Most of the work was installing the amp and connecting to the pre-amp outs at the head unit--you can see more info at https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=21153)

CactusGeorge

Tamas: I think your right about that foam surround--it's to keep water off of the speaker.

The Focal speakers don't mention anything about adding protection from water, but I'm curious what experienced installers would do...

ATL RX-8

I too would hope that your speaker or amp never get wet, but for anyone that thinks it's crazy to have happen, search the forum for my tint problems. Long story short, the window tint guy used enough water is his application of tint that he blew my speaker AND the amp. (I never quizzed him as to WHY he was playing my stereo while he worked.) He lost 564 dollars to replace the speaker. We didn't find out about the amp until the speaker was replaced. Fortunately for his bank account, the dealer covered the amp under the warranty.

RX-Nut

Wow, gotta ask, how did you remove all the door stuff!

CactusGeorge

I posted a thread with pictures of the screw and snap connectors that hold on the door panel:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=21613

MrWigggles

George,

How deep is the cavity from where the mounting holes are to where that horizontal brace piece is inside the door? In other words, about how deep of a speaker could you get in there?

Also, do you have any close up picks of the little door amps?

One comment about the woofer. With that thin light weight stamped steel basket, that woofer is GOING to distort on loud passages. It looks like a well designed speaker, but as with almost all Bose speakers, too much emphasis on keeping the cost down. They are made in Mexico for probably $4 a piece.

Thanks in advance.

-Mr. Wigggles

CactusGeorge

I don't have the window rolled down at this time, but maybe this picture will provide a general idea of the mounting depth.

CactusGeorge

Here's a closeup of the Bose amplifiers...

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Rolling down the windows will likely not cause any problem with fitting a speaker that has a mounting depth of about 2.5 inches (max. 3 is my guess but that might be pushing it). The window does not intrude in the space that a regular-sized speaker magnet would occupy.

Edit: actually, come to think of it, you should be able to mount a fairly deep speaker since you are mounting it to the black plastic panel behind the door trim. So this means that even a speaker with something like 4 inches depth should be OK...

TPNova1

I am picking up my Sunlight RX8 next week, thinking about installing a CAP (1 farod) to the BOSE.....any ideas if that would work? Or should I install new speakers too. Thanks!!!!!

MrWigggles

If the lights don't dim on heavy bass notes then you don't need a stiffening cap.

-Mr. Wigggles

CactusGeorge

I'm not an experienced installer, but my take on adding a cap is that is helps the amp by providing power during peak current draw. Not sure that this would help the Bose system...

Opinions of the Bose system vary, but personally, I've driven Protege rental cars that had much better sounding audio. Actually, my 1990 Volvo 740 had a much better sounding system.

I guess it depends on what type of music you listen to in the car, and what exposure you've had to high-end home and car systems.

My aftermarket system is getting close to wiring completion (amp mounting and possibly a sub woofer will follow some time down the road). The Soundstream amp and Focal speakers seem to provide a full/rich sound, but I won't know the final quality until the install is complete and the speakers have broken in. The HU will always be the limiting factor, but I don't want to mess with the faceplate and steering wheel controls...

CactusGeorge

Tamas: The window, when rolled down, does enter the space behind the speaker for 1-2 inches, but beyond that the door has lots of clearance.

Since I'm installing 6.5" speakers, I cut some mounting plates from 1/4" plastic (per your thread recommendation, I believe) to adapt to the 9" Bose openings.

If an installer is aware of the window position, s/he could place a deep speaker in the Bose cutout.

In my case, the 1/4" plastic provides plenty of clearance for the Focal 165 w 's (about 3")

manok_adobo

my headlights dims on heavy bass notes. What should I do?

mdw33333

Have your alternator checked, because the factory Bose system shouldn't be doing that.

manok_adobo

I just have the base stereo. I have a 1200 watt system, is this too much for the battery?

rotarygod

Probably as long as it is truly a 1200 watt system. What kind of amp are you using? If you haven't upgraded the factory ground wires on the car, it is unlikely you'd get 1200 watts out of an amp anyways.

SPARTUS

The BOSE woofer in the door looks exactly the same as the BOSE rear deck woofer that came standard in a 2001 Acura 3.2TL I use to own.

jniamehr

Sorry to bring up this old topic, but does anyone know how many watts the bose amp is putting out Im thinking of changing my rear speakers.... thanks!