Bose, what exactly is it?

[reserves]

I have an Avant with Bose, can someone tell me exactly what is contains.

I know it contains and Amp & sub as well as the speakers. However I would like to know:

Is the Amp run via pre-outs from the head unit?

Are the speakers amped or just the sub? I'm guessing there must be some crossovers somewhere, I seem to remember reading that the speakers were amped using direct speakers outputs from the head unti (a ICE no no!).

Also, where exactly is the sub!

cheers, rich

[fletchie55]

I also heard that the amps are run using speaker outputs instead of pre-outs, not good practice if this is the case, but must admit its the only car I havent thought the stereo needed upgrading!

Also think this thread may need to be moved to elec section

[reserves]

Cheers. I put it here because it's specific to my B5 Avant, but have no problems with having it moved!

[QuantumJohn]

The sub in the B5 avant sits in it's plastic enclosure situated in the near side (passenger) boot side cover.
Yes, the amp runs off speaker outputs not rca's.

John

[confusionhunter]

The speakers are amped, and are NOT using a direct feed( ie the speaker cables) but a low level feed. However RCA cables are NOT used. the preout signals are fed through the car loom (which isnt the greatest). You can buy adapters to convert the concert stereo pre outs to RCA type without any bother if you wanted to upgrade.
The Bose amp rune 2 ohm speakers so upgrading can be tricky and if you change the amp and speakers you need VAGcom to take off the "Bose mode" on the Stereo which feed an non flat EQ to the amp..... "Bose Tuned" apparently.....
Sub should be behind the panel in the boot to the left above the rear wheel well......
Hope that answers your questions.

[reserves]

Perfect, thanks guys.

How hard is it to run the RCA's to the sub, part of the reason I wanted BOSE is because I spent way too much time on my last car with the sound, stripping the interior etc. Also are the power leads that go to the Bose amp any good, running these from the battery is a royal pain in the a** so definately don't want to go down this route.

[confusionhunter]

Put it this way.... I am a stereo freak and have learnt to live with the Bose! I did do a total upgrade to an A3 concernt system and yes power cable and RCA were all required.... was nt any worse really than any other install.
But to be honest when upgrading to other amps and speakers starting from a Bose gives you no advantage really.....
As for routing ask the ZeroKk (cant remeber thehis ID exactly!).... cos he has a big install.....

[fletchie55]

its zerok66 on here, and yes his install is prety big and took quite some time and £s to do apparantly!

[reserves]

Cheers, I don't have the energy for a big install, too much stress! I'm reasonably happy with the Bose so i'll stick with it.

I've just got to work out how best to use my iPod in the car, probably just go straight in via Aux and use the ipod controls, don't understand peoples obsession with controlling them from the head unit when the iPod is in a cradle right next to the head unit!

[Dr-Al]

The speakers are amped, and are NOT using a direct feed( ie the speaker cables) but a low level feed. However RCA cables are NOT used. the preout signals are fed through the car loom (which isnt the greatest). You can buy adapters to convert the concert stereo pre outs to RCA type without any bother if you wanted to upgrade.
The Bose amp rune 2 ohm speakers so upgrading can be tricky and if you change the amp and speakers you need VAGcom to take off the "Bose mode" on the Stereo which feed an non flat EQ to the amp..... "Bose Tuned" apparently.....
Sub should be behind the panel in the boot to the left above the rear wheel well......
Hope that answers your questions.

On the Concert system, the Bose amp in the boot is fed by the 6-pin yellow socket from the head unit (T6m on the circuit diags).

On non-Bose Concert setups, this same socket is used to feed all of the rear speakers directly.

Therefore, I suspect that setting it to Bose mode with VAG-COM does a bit more than appyling a different EQ map. It will have to switch the output from this socket from speaker level to line level. Since the wires that normally just feed the rear speakers are then required to send sound to both front and rear speakers via the amp, the socket will also need to somehow convey the F/R fade setting as well.

[confusionhunter]

hmm.... OK well if your sure, but I'm pretty sure the Yellow plug is the Pre outs and the main outs are the ISO type large 8 pin socket.....We'll agree to disagree....

[Dr-Al]

hmm.... OK well if your sure, but I'm pretty sure the Yellow plug is the Pre outs and the main outs are the ISO type large 8 pin socket.....We'll agree to disagree....

You can disagree if you like, but the information comes staight from circuit diagrams in ElsaWin (the VAG electronic service/repair system).

[k5turbo]

not tryin to start a argument but personally i thing the bose is pap!! when i took them out to replace them they aint made 2 good and the cones seem flimsy! but if your happy with the sound then stick with it as its a bit of a dent in the wallet t do it properly.but if u are considering to upgrade in the future have a look at focal k2 powers with a jl w7 sub !!!!!!!!!!!

[si_hill]

Can a standard Concert 1 stereo system be upgraded retrospectively to a Bose system? i.e. if I obtain the speakers and amp can these be run off of the standard loom?

[Dr-Al]

Can a standard Concert 1 stereo system be upgraded retrospectively to a Bose system? i.e. if I obtain the speakers and amp can these be run off of the standard loom?

The head unit-to-boot loom may well be fitted on non-Bose cars, but I doubt that the boot-to-front speaker loom will be there.

You would need to check to see if the connectors are tucked away behind the boot liners.