Recently I purchased a Sirius radio and installed in on the dash. Since I want a clean look and hate the wires all over the place I wanted to replace the factory system with an aftermarket one that has Sirius integrated into the unit. Anyway, the guy said that this is a Bose factory system he would have to do the following:

1) replace the factory unit
2) replace or bypass the factory amp (it sounded like he wanted to replace more
than bypass)
3) replace the factory sub
4) replace the factory speakers (not sure why)
5) replace the factory wiring (not sure why again)


This seems like a lot just to replace the head unit. I do want to keep the sub and the steering wheel controls but $1500 is just out of hand. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

he kinda is right, cause once you replace the headunit, you lose control over the steering wheel controls, you also lose the sub if he doesn't bypass it.

But, on the other hand, all you gotta do is find a nice head unit that you want, and make sure he bypass's the sub. Then everything will be working fine, and it shouldn't cost you that much, since all you'll be paying for is the new HU, bypass, and installation.

But on another note, your factory speakers will sound real bad with a new HU, and so will the sub.

 

..sounds like the sales rep is trying to get at your pockets!!!!

 

X2

You can get a thing to make your steering wheel controls control the new CD player, but that should only cost about $100. Same price for the bypass of the factory amp.

Sounds like you need to find a new place to get it done, or find some DIYs and Do It Yourself.

 

i first started wit my panasonic deck, 52x4, plus a 1800 watt amp powering 2 12s at rms rating 450..

so when reaching loud volumes, im maxint out the STOCK 6 1/2ss.

they lasted bouta month until finally blowing...so i had to buy 6 1/2s, 4 of em since 2 blown.

so buying an amp for that, thats 4 channel to power the 6 1/2s and a seperate amp, powering the 2 12s........ makes the sound way clearer instead of using that stock amp, since its rated at 100watts, and powers the whole stock unit..

so got that installed, sounds way cleaner, plus didnt have to worry bout blowing the speakers, all the time i maxed it out and would never come close to blowing, when i had the stock 6 1/2s wit the subs and can hear it crackle when maxed out....how i had the 6 1/2s set was mainly highs, and barely any mids...no bass at all.

so really, imo its worth it since u get cleaner sound, better full system, and dont have to worry bout blowing anything else...

really, u dont need to change the wiring, thats the only bs part cuz most of the wiring is from the battery--------straight to the amps..

 

I just installed an Alpine CDA-9856 in my 2003 and nothing had to be bypassed. The Bose EQ is wired in a loop... In other words the signal goes out from the head unit to the EQ, where it craps all over it, then the EQ sends the modified signal back to the head unit, which then sends it to the speakers... The EQ also sends a signal back to the sub amp which sits behind the rear seat. The door speakers are wired directly to the head unit.

If you want to keep the stock sub (why?) then there are directions in the forums on how to do that, a search will turn it up. You can always print it out and show it to the installer. He'll have to make the call on if he'll tackle it or not. My guess is he'll try to sell you a sub and amp.

These "professional" installers see "Bose" and think they have to rewire the entire car. For some of them that is correct, however at least for the 2003 TL it is all plug and play with no rewiring required. However until the installer gets behind the dash and finds out for himself he has to quote you the more expensive price.

Replace the stock speakers? Absolutely, you'll laugh very hard when you see these things, they are pathetic. Replace all 4 (one in each door) with quality aftermarket speakers (6.5") and you won't miss the OEM sub.

New head unit, 4 speakers and installation... I can see at least $1000 depending on what equipment you want.

Just my

CanopyFlyer

 

I can understand doing the right thing and replacing everything, but the whole idea started because I just wanted to have one unit and not be able to see any of the wires. Also I don't want to loose what I already have so by the simple process of "upgrading" the HU i just downgraded and lost steering wheel controls, the sub and the integration with the eq. So if you look at it from my point of view I don't believe it's worth over $1000 just to get rid of the wires. As for the sound quality, I can tell the the existing system is not the greatest but it is sufficient if it means a $1000 in my pocket. Why does Honda make it so difficult.

AND..... this is not the only thing that has me fuming about Honda stereos. My wife has a 2005 CRV which comes with a factory XM ready radio. It has the antenna on the roof and everything. The only item that it's missing is the XM tuner. When I did the research, the only tuner that is compatible with the HU is the factory XM tuner which retauls for about $570. PLUS they want the installation costs and parts. So my XM "not so ready" radio will cost about $750, to ba able to be really XM ready just because honda made it this way. There is no aftermarket XM tuner that will integrate with the factory stereo.

 

You can install just the HU and not have to do a thing. The only thing that needs to be custom done is some wiring to get the factory sub to work again

 

What will happen to the steering wheel controls? Iwant to keep them functional.

 

I think I have the same alpine deck...is it the touch slide? I can't manually change the EQ settings, do you know how to do it??? i'll go into the EQ setting and they're all on auto presets ...I can't crank my system past 15 there's too much bass... i'll blow the door speakers...i know i should buy bass blockers but I want to see if I can fix it through the deck...i'm sure there's a way but i'm just so lazy to read the manual...

 

I had sort of the reverse situation. I went in to price a new head unit, and then realized that I'll lose the 9 months that I prepaid for Onstar (don't ask. please don't ask ) if they disconnect the factory unit, because Onstar runs through it.

So, thinking I'm a genius, I say "Well, the stock speakers suck, and I would eventually replace them, so why don't we do them first, and then I'll replace the head unit after the Onstar sub ends.

So they walk me around the showroom (I've bought car stereo equipment from this place for 20 years ... they are the best in the area and really do an awesome job) and by the time they got done, we're talking $1500 minimum just to replace the speakers and an amp. Say what?

I was getting more depressed by the minute. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I sure as sh*t ain't paying $1500 that I don't have to upgrade the speakers. Ouch.

Like most installers, I think they hate Bose, and view as this cancer that they have to completely cut out of your car. I don't necessarily disagree, I just wish the surgery wasn't so expensive.

 

You can buy a little module that connects to the controls and your HU.

Do a google on "SWI-ALP" and you find it. $69 plus or minus.

 

I agree with the installer. Because the Ohms load in those Bose speakers are different then aftermarket speakers, you must replace the whole new set of speakers. With aftermarket you get more options, sound better, looks better.

 

I just sold my factory sterero, but


I have two 6.5s and 2 6x9s for sale.

 

I got all my speakers replaced, a new head unit put in, and an amp for the speakers and the installation ran me $250. I already had all of the equipment. I watched them do it...our car is a bitch to work on :\

Hopefully that gave you an idea somewhat.

Bobby

 

I was looking at replacing the audio in my 99 tl. i got similar responses about replacing everything and bypassing this and that. One ore two places agreed it was not necessary. BB and CC INSISTED it was necessary. Tweeter said yes at first then relented after they checked their book, this forum says NO, crutchfield says NO. I will be replacing headunit with alpine 9856, sirius tuner and ipod connector. speakers will be replaced by polks. subwoofer may come later. i will try to take some step by step install pics. i figure i am saving 200+ on install labor. i know i will lose sub and sterring wheel controls (for now) and will add those later if desired. if you can wait, i will try and report back my results later on in the weekend or early next week.

 

I have plenty of time to wait. I'm at the point where I just want to say forget the whole thing. It's just too much money.

 

The impedance of the Bose speakers is not an issue. You can safely mix and match with a good quality HU. A well designed amplifier should be stable down to a dead short (where the protection circuit should simply shut it off.) My Alpine is currently handling a 4 ohm load from the Sony 6.5 two ways in the front and the Bose paper cones (I never measured their impedance) in the rear with no issues. However I would not try that with a $70 Wal-Mart special HU.

However I FULLY agree with you that you get many more options with after market speakers.

Believe me I can completely empathize with you about the $1000 in your pocket. Upgrading doesn't mean you have to loose the steering wheel controls, however it is an additional cost (as TL Sport mentioned a bit earlier.) I'll give you a run down on Alpine components since that is what I'm most familiar with (all links are to Crutchfield):

CDA-9857 $349.99

Sirius SIR-ALP 1 Adapter $79.99

PAC SWI-ALP Steering Wheel Adapter $69.99

Plus parts and installation. If you buy the HU from the right place you can get free install on the HU itself and only have to pay for the accessories.

With this setup you get everything you want. Steering wheel controls, Sirius radio integrated with the head unit (no separate control unit for Sirius, it's all done on the front of the Alpine) and a much better sounding system. Although upgrading the speakers would be a good idea too, but that can be done later. With a bit of custom wiring you can hook the OEM subwoofer amp to the Alpine's subwoofer output.

This also gets you out of OEM radio hell. No more overpriced junk from the dealer, you can pick and choose what you want.

I am by no means trying to state that this is the path you should take. I'm just trying to provide you with ideas and possibilities. I've been an audio enthusiast and loudspeaker builder (as a hobby) for over 20 years now, although my focus has primarily been on home audio. My TL's CDA-9856 is the 4th Alpine unit I've installed in the past 15 years and I've never had a problem with any of them, hence why I'm such a fan of Alpine.

CanopyFlyer

 

They will work just fine. Ive been running the oem speakers with a aftermarket deck for 3-4 years now. Yes While they sound better with the aftermarket HU than they did with the oem aftermarkets will sound better but arent necessary

 

Depending on what kind of equipment and quality of install we are talking here that sounds about right. Although as others have said you can use an aftermarket head unti with the stock speakers if you want. As most aftermarket head units only have 4 channles in thier stock amps unless you wanted to sacrifice rear speakers you would need to amp the stock sub anyhow. You can always do must of this stuff yourself. Swapping the head unit is pretty easy especially with color coded wire harnesses they offer now. Changing the speakers and running the wiring is pretty easy too just need to take plastic panels off. You could save a ton and use some quality stuff. If you need help with any of it you can ask here and most can help.

 

the stock HU isnt a 5 channel either. It has a output (just like a aftermarket, but not rca) for the sub which goes to its own amp

 

 

Just to double check, all of the speakers in our cars are 6.5s, right?

 

 

Yes, but he has a CL which has 6x9s in the rear

 

Gotcha

 

I think that I found a solution to my problem. Anyone have any experience with the product???
What do you think???


http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aApbub1...247350&I=607S1

 

I think the links is bad. Try this:

search for this on crutchfield.com

SIRIUS SC-FM1 Starbase
Satellite radio tuner

 

Yeah might as well. I lost my steering wheel controls and never bothered to buy the adaptor to get them back. I kind of miss it now.

 

whoever told you that you have to replace everything is an idiot. acura/honda bose systems can work with any aftermarket headunit. The radio plugs will fit right up to and METRA part 1721.

 

i replaced my entire system for about $800 and it sounds beautiful... for about a total of another $150 i can get a wire to use my steering wheel controls and have xm integrated into my alpine head unit... for that price you might as well replace the whole system and do not deal with guy.. he is either trying to rip you off or not very knowledgable... because you do not have to replace everything... ps if you do decide to replace stuff onlinecarstereo.com is great.