Bose or not Bose??

[Oldschool140]

Originally Posted by bayhas

just outta curiosity, how did you interface the 2 systems? RCA outputs?

I just installed new stereo by Sony MEX-BT5000 it has blue tooth, Ipod connection, loaded with everything. Go to Installer.com and get the wire harness #BHA1784R $17.00 and it uses RCA connection for your stock amp controls real easy

[Benzonline]

Despite I dont own the W140, ive heard and PUSHED its Bose system to the limits. Handled surprisingly well and no distortion at all.

[bayhas]

Originally Posted by Benzonline

Despite I dont own the W140, ive heard and PUSHED its Bose system to the limits. Handled surprisingly well and no distortion at all.

actually the reason why bose amps and sound systems are always distortion free, is a very simple trick, bose regulates the volume of its amps to about 85% of the max output of the amplification ICs/transistors, thats prevent maxing out the transistors, and prevents clipping. this alone cuts the max THD (total harmony distortion) by... say 10 times...

[Benzonline]

I have the BOSE in my W202. Looking at the speaker diagrams its literally the same system as the W140 (almost).

Yeah their amps have their "special circuitry" compressing the bass signals when you crank it up.

[bayhas]

Originally Posted by Benzonline

I have the BOSE in my W202. Looking at the speaker diagrams its literally the same system as the W140 (almost).

Yeah their amps have their "special circuitry" compressing the bass signals when you crank it up.

thats actually another feature of the Bose amp in most of the high end cars, they have an active graphic equalizer that supresses the bass band as the overall amplification gain goes up

[Benzonline]

How low would the Bose 140 STOCK go in bass, as a whole? To how many HZ? 60....40?

[vvee12]

Originally Posted by bayhas

thats actually another feature of the Bose amp in most of the high end cars, they have an active graphic equalizer that supresses the bass band as the overall amplification gain goes up

I actually HATED it when I cranked it up I lost the bass but its understandable why...not to blow the amps...not a bad system for stock but aftermarket is the way to go

[Professorn]

Actually I would like to try a "simple" modification between the stock headunit och the stock BOSE seven-channelamplifier.

Simply to replace the signalcable to Belden LonWorks dito, of course with the right type of connectors.

[Ventolin]

Hi guys,

At the risk of being hung, drawn and quartered (flamed for you new sk0olrz) please accept my apologies in advance if I cause offense!

It is possible to replace the rear speakers on the rear deck under the rear window with a bit of work.

You might need to do this if your car did not come with Bose as standard (mine didn't).

There are at least 2 companies that make suitable sub-woofers / bass drivers:

JL Audio and Elemental Designs.

You can easily fit 6.5" subs to the rear deck by just making a baffle out of some mdf or birch ply. It looks possible to fit 8" subs in the two spaces right at the side, with 6.5" subs/bass units in the middle two spaces. So you have:

6.5" - 6.5" - 6.5" - 6.5"

or

8" - 6.5" - 6.5" - 8"

Wiring these up is dependent on what ohm speaker you choose and your amplifier.

Of course you can't use the bose amp if you change the rear speakers, but a decent 100Wx4 channel amp should be sufficient.

In my car I installed 4 x 6.5" elemental designs subs with a 4x125W RMS amp. The amp had filters on it already so I could tune the frequency response to my taste (around 40Hz and below for non boomy sub-sonics).

The Elemental Designs speakers are true subwoofers - below 20 Hz you see them moving their little hearts out rather than hearing it. Lower than 20 Hz and you need to get your bits of foam out to stop the resonant rattles that you start hearing the car make.

With SPL meter in hand I can tell you that this system can easily satisfy most bassheads out there - sure it's not going to win any SPL contests, but this is an SQ system rather than an SPL system.

So, if you want a modern day alternative, or need to change your system, rest assured there are ways to do it and with very good results too. As for whether it's better than the Bose system or not, I don't know as I have never heard the Bose system so I don't have a reference point. However, upgrading the head unit, amp and speakers isn't as hard as you might think, it's just a case of careful component selection and pretty standard installation techniques.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Ventolin

[_Adrian_]

Well ..
Heres my take on the subject ( even though I'm without a W140 right now due to some issues on the seller of the vehicle having a lean on the title so i got my $$ back and let him handle it and I'll keep looking )

The reason why the Bose system sounds so good is because all the speakers are enclosed and they are tuned. Also like stated above the amplifiers are designed very well and are slightly overpowering the speakers yet have built in limiters to prevent clipping and implementing an active crossover system to further reduce the frequencies that will damage or distort the sound after amplification.
But lets face it, the system was designed almost 15 years ago and the speaker technology this day if far ahead.

Here's the path i choose:

Headunit - KVT-819DVD
Nav - KNA-G510
Nav Traf - GXM30
Sirius - KCA-SR50
BT - KCA-BT100
TV Tuner - KTC-V300N

Amplifiers
4CH - KAC-X4R ( Front and Rear ) 4x 75RMS at 4ohms
1MB - KAC-X1R ( Parcel Shelf Subs ) 1x 600RMS at 4ohms or 1x 1200RMS at 2Ohms

Speakers
Front door*:
VR525-CSi
TR350-CXi

Rear Door:
TR-400CSi

Rear Parcel Shelf**
4x 8W3V3 ( if i can fit them )
OR
4x 6W3V3 ( if i cant )

*Tweeters from the 5.25 component set will be placed in the dash where the
factory cell integration speakers are for better imaging and will build a custom
matched 3 way passive cross over.

**Parcel Shelf subs will be 8ohm version run in parallel to drop them to 2ohms.
Possibly will build an enclosure or might use the trunk as an infinite baffle

NOTES:
With a little bit of math all volumes of the enclosures will be matched to new speakers to extract maximum efficiency out of them and the best sound possible by using closely matched caps and coils in the crossovers.

I have ordered most of the stuff already ( electronics are on route ) and will wait to have the car before i continue to order the speakers. Also i still have a little bit of work ahead of me on the on the custom crossovers for the front.

Mainly will be a SQ system with a multimedia branch.

As far as the mirror mounted speaker I'm doing research on an amplifier that would allow me to drive such a low impedance speaker to take advantage of it as a center channel when in theater mode.

EDIT:
There will be a 2 x 1 Farad Stiffening Capacitors to help keep stabilize the voltage and relive stress off the alternator as well. Factory battery will be replaced with 2 yellow top optimas which i will position one on each side of the trunk to improve weight distribution in the rear of the car.