Replace Bose Amp with Pair of Aftermarket Amps, Keep COMAND
Just posted this in the audio forum, but thought maybe I'd ask my fellow E55 owners the same :
I searched for a long time, read a lot of posts, and still am unclear about this, so my advance apologies for asking some tired old questions.
That said, I just bought a 2001 E55 with the COMAND system and the 8-speaker Bose set up. I want (or feel compelled) to keep the COMAND system, but hope to replace the stock amp and speakers with some equipment I will pull from my W126. I have a pair of Infinity amps, a 4-way and a sub amp, 6.5" Infinity Kappa Perfect components for the front, 6.5" 3-way Infinity Kappas for the rear, and a 12" Kappa d VQ sub.
Questions:
1) are the COMAND head unit outputs to the Bose amp analog/wire?
2) if so, shouldn't I generally be able to disconnect the Bose amp from the COMAND unit, and grab the HU outputs at the Bose amp to feed my two aftermarket amps?
3) again, if yes, will I have a separate bass signal?
4) wire gauge from Bose amp to speakers?
5) I'll obviously be powering the amp with new wires, I'm wondering if I can grab some kind of wire from the Bose amp to signal the amps to power up. Haven't really researched or searched this one yet.
After suffering with the horrible bose system in my '02 E55 for 6 months, I installed the following: I wanted to keep my command 2.0 head unit with nav, phone and voice command so I added a JL 300/4 (75W RMS X4) amplifier to power Focal 2 way 6.5" Utopia speakers in the front doors and Focal 5.25" coaxial speakers (required special adapters from England). The stock bose amp still powers the factory 6.5" subs on the rear deck. Since the JL amp is a true differential input system (both sides of the input are isolated from ground) that works with high or low level signals, it interfaces directly with the head unit without any adapters, isolators or level matching devices. The system is all stock in appearance and no mods were required to the doors so I can return the car to stock in a couple of hours when and if I sell it. The best part of all is the sound. Finally I have crystal clear highs from the mirror mounted tweeters (the stock system did not use this area and there were just grills with no speakers) and the muddy bass is gone! I can listen to concert hall level music with minimal audible distortion in my car. The head unit is not "perfect" and low level noise can be heard during very low level music if you listen very carefully.
1) YES - the COMAND head unit outputs to the Bose amp analog/wire?
2) YES, MUST USE A TRUE DIFF INPUT AMP (JL AUDIO) OR ADAPTER - if so, shouldn't I generally be able to disconnect the Bose amp from the COMAND unit, and grab the HU outputs at the Bose amp to feed my two aftermarket amps?
3) NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE - again, if yes, will I have a separate bass signal?
4) DONT KNOW, I DID NOT FEEL THAT THIS WAS A REAL LIMITATION - wire gauge from Bose amp to speakers?
5) YES YOU CAN GRAB THE PWR ON SIG, I DID - I'll obviously be powering the amp with new wires, I'm wondering if I can grab some kind of wire from the Bose amp to signal the amps to power up. Haven't really researched or searched this one yet.
I had a drawing of the wiring harness with the color codes and signal names that I will continue to look for.
One of the strange byproducts of this upgrade is the Left/Right and Front/Rear balance adjustments will now be swapped on the HU, i.e. you will need to adjust the L/R to adjust F/R.
Alans1, I'm surprised you could fit 6.5" speakers in the front doors. I've got some conflicting info as to size. I measured the outside speaker cover, and it looks to be about 6.25" or so in diameter. Also the Infinity website suggests 5.25" speakers up front (I don't trust the site, though). Another '01 E55 owner said he put 5.25" speakers. Not sure if the '02 is spec'd for 6.5", or if some have just been able to fit them just because there's enough space.
I suppose I could pull the door panel and find out pretty quickly, but want to do it all in one shot. I already have 6.5" speakers, but would like to have new 5.25" on hand if need be. What do you think?
Also, if you do come up with the wiring harness drawing, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on it. Thanks.
I went down this road when I installed the Alpine unit in my car...here is all the info you will need to do any stereo wiring....
Command Pinout:
1 (was green/black VSS speed sense wire before 2000, now tucked under passenger door sill "cable gutter" after 2000 update. VSS now over CANBUS.)
2 gray wire--diagnostic connector pin 33
3 black/yellow wire--mute the radio as soon as you connect it to ground (telephone mute)
4 red/white--constant 12V
5 blue/white--remote turn on lead (same at Bose amp)
6 empty
7 empty
8 brown--ground wire
Speakers:
1 Right rear + = Purple/Black
2 Right rear - = Yellow/Black
3 Right front + = Yellow/Black
4 Right front - Yellow/Brown
5 Left front + = Green
6 Left front - = Yellow
7 Left rear + = Brown/Red
8 Left rear - = Brown
For switched 12 Volt..tap into the yellow/black wire on the lighter (for new head unit)
For Illumination....use the either the purple/red on the lighter...
:
Linear Mode
