Bose speakers off an aftermarket head unit? Will the 1 ohm impedance kill my unit?

[rkonster]

I have been hearing lots of different information regarding the Bose speakers. For the most part, it seems that the Bose speakers are 1 ohm, which means the current draw on the head unit will be much greater, since normal speakers are usually 4 ohm. I was going to put in my Eclipse unit and do an amp bypass, but after hearing all this, I am afraid. Does anyone have any experience with this?

[miroj]

rkonster - 8/22/2004 7:44 PM

I have been hearing lots of different information regarding the Bose speakers. For the most part, it seems that the Bose speakers are 1 ohm, which means the current draw on the head unit will be much greater, since normal speakers are usually 4 ohm. I was going to put in my Eclipse unit and do an amp bypass, but after hearing all this, I am afraid. Does anyone have any experience with this?

The impedance is written on the speaker itself. You cant make vague assumptions since the values vary according to the cone. Woofer, mid and tweeter are all different.

[SilverML320]

It will not effect your head unit if you use the Bose adapter. Basically a high to low line converter. Be sure to get a good converter to preserve the sound quality and ensure that all will work well. I have the Alpine IVA-D300 and spent $100 on my converter. Sounds great.

[rkonster]

SilverML320 - 8/23/2004 3:57 PM

It will not effect your head unit if you use the Bose adapter. Basically a high to low line converter. Be sure to get a good converter to preserve the sound quality and ensure that all will work well. I have the Alpine IVA-D300 and spent $100 on my converter. Sounds great.

So you are still using the Bose amp? I am assuming that you are using the converter to deamplify the amplifed head unit signal to feed into the Bose amp. Am I correct?

[SilverML320]

I am still using the Bose amplifier.

[rkonster]

SilverML320 - 8/23/2004 4:23 PM

I am still using the Bose amplifier.

So you are saying the sound quality is at least equal that of the factory Bose system? Because I am assuming your converter simply attenuates the amplified head unit signal, which means that the final signal sent to the speakers has a combination of the inherent noise from the head unit, as well as the Bose amp. So with an increased amount of noise, I am assuming a degredation in sound quality. Now this is all in theory. Perhaps the noise increase is not noticeable? Though I cannot see how it couldn't be at high volumes, although at low volumes, it may be alright.

[SilverML320]

There is no loss in SQ. I think that it sounds a little better than with the stock unit. It plays a little louder than stock at lower volumes. That is the only thing that I have noticed. Will you be attending the meet on Sept. 5?? If so, I will be than and you can feel free to check mine out and listen to it before jumping into anything. Please let me know.

[rkonster]

Well, I just spoke to Mobile Innovations in NJ, who are the guys who did dewdaltz's install. They seem to do a lot of work on Mercedes's. Apparently, the speakers in the ML are 4 ohm, instead of the usual Bose 1 ohm, so he said I can just do a simple amp bypass. Thanks for all your replies.

[dewdaltz]

rkonster - 8/23/2004 8:16 PM

Well, I just spoke to Mobile Innovations in NJ, who are the guys who did dewdaltz's install. They seem to do a lot of work on Mercedes's. Apparently, the speakers in the ML are 4 ohm, instead of the usual Bose 1 ohm, so he said I can just do a simple amp bypass. Thanks for all your replies.

Is your ML there in Mobile Innov. already for the install? We have a meet on Sept 5(Sunday) are you coming.

[rkonster]

dewdaltz - 8/23/2004 9:52 PM

Is your ML there in Mobile Innov. already for the install? We have a meet on Sept 5(Sunday) are you coming.

Mobile Innovations is booked solid for a while. I will be going in on Sept 25. I don't think I am going to be able to make it to the meet, but I am not positive yet.