Adding onto Bose factory system

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=15640
Printed Date: July 18, 2025 at 10:51 PM

Topic: Adding onto Bose factory system

Posted By: ghs_wreslter189
Subject: Adding onto Bose factory system
Date Posted: June 29, 2003 at 10:52 PM

I recently purchased a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. It came with a factory Bose system including a cd player, 5-1/4"s and tweeters, 6x9s and tweeters, and a factory amplifier. I already switched out the cd player and I am planning on adding my MTX 81000D and 2 Kicker XPL 15"s.

The problem is that I only have to turn up the volme to about 8 or 10 before it is almost too loud for the speakers. I don't want to have to turn up the gain too much on my amplifier, yet I don't want to blow the Bose speakers because they sound awesome...any suggestions?

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--Adam

Replies:

Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: June 30, 2003 at 10:15 AM

When you put in the aftermarket head unit, how did you connect it to the factory wiring? Did you use a bose or premium sound system interface? Or did you just hook it up as if it were a regular system, using a 32-pin GM wiring harness?

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Ethan
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"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com

Posted By: ghs_wreslter189
Date Posted: June 30, 2003 at 10:51 AM

I hooked it up as if it were a regular system. I know that a lot of people tell you not to do so with Bose because of the impedance; however, all of the speakers are on an amplifier and the cd player is pretty outdated anyway so I am not worried about it.

I was wondering if there was a way to change the gain on the Bose amplifier.

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--Adam

Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: June 30, 2003 at 2:26 PM

Nope there are no controls for/on the bose amplifier, so the only way to control the volume really is to adjust the level of the bose input.

So are the bose amps still being used? or is your aftermarket head unit powering all of the bose speakers?

The proper way to have everything hooked up, so that the bose amplifier does not get too high of an input signal, as well as to send power to your sub amp in the future, you'll use the aftermarket head unit's preamp output(s) to send a signal to the sub amp.

In order to keep using the bose speakers and have it all work right, you need to get an integration adapter, as this will let you adjust the level of the signal that gets input into the bose amp, so that it matches up properly.

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Ethan
-----
"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com

Posted By: ghs_wreslter189
Date Posted: June 30, 2003 at 10:27 PM

I had already planned on using the preouts on the cd player for the sub amp, I just wish their was an easier way to control the Bose amp.

I am not sure if all eight speakers are connected to the Bose amp or which ones aren't but I will check soon.

It would probably be best to use all aftermarket speakers instead.

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--Adam

Posted By: ghs_wreslter189
Date Posted: June 30, 2003 at 10:32 PM

I will use RCAs for the sub amp but I wish there was a way to control the Bose gain.

I am not sure which speakers are connected to the Bose amp but I will check. It is probably best to use all aftermarket speakers anyway.

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--Adam