this might be a stupid question or something already posted but im a noobie on this site...ive heard that i cant just replace the bose head unit for an aftermarket one bc the bose speakers wont work with an aftermarket head unit.is this true?

 

What model of car?

 

1) Bose does NOT make HUs.

2) Typically the architecture is OE HU - Bose-spec OE amp - Bose speakers.

You can sometimes run an aftermarket HU into the Bose amp with a converter. Bose-spec amps usually use a "balanced differential" signal, like pro audio does... almost all aftermarket HUs use "single ended" signals, and the two don't mix, you need an adaptor.

Since it is hard to make money selling widgets like this, there are a lot of marginal adaptors, and you may have engine noise to get rid of after such a conversion, and it would take a real good installer and probably some luck on your side to get rid of the noise (been good lately? : ) Since the Bose-spec amp is designed for OE use, it has no input gains or design for accepting various signals.

Depending on where you are, you might find a shop that has experience doing what you wnat to do... but there is probably no "plug-and-play" Bose adapter for your car.

 

Oh, I forgot, Bose sucks, so upgrade everything anyway...