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03 Upgrade-Very Basic Questions

M

mtnbkr

GUEST
I did a search. I could find nothing on point. My apologies if there is another thread somewhere.

I have a 5 year old (low end) RF 150 watt amp and a 12" JL sub with large enclosure. I had them in my old Pathfinder with the stock system. The amp and sub improved the sound significantly, for a small outlay.

Will I be as happy simply adding these components to the Av's system (the Bose one)? Keeping costs in mind, is there anything else I can do to get a big bang for little bucks? And this one's really stupid...can I put the sub enclosure rear facing in the bed with banana clips, or would it be better to put it in the back of the cab with the seat down, rear facing? I would obviously prefer having it in the bed (security issues aside). Finally, are these components I have crap now? Should I just replace them?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
mtnbkr said:
I have a 5 year old (low end) RF 150 watt amp and a 12" JL sub with large enclosure. I had them in my old Pathfinder with the stock system. The amp and sub improved the sound significantly, for a small outlay.

Will I be as happy simply adding these components to the Av's system (the Bose one)? ?Keeping costs in mind, is there anything else I can do to get a big bang for little bucks? And this one's really stupid...can I put the sub enclosure rear facing in the bed with banana clips, or would it be better to put it in the back of the cab with the seat down, rear facing? I would obviously prefer having it in the bed (security issues aside). Finally, are these components I have crap now? Should I just replace them?
Click to expand...

Since you already have sunk $$$ in that equip. I think you should install it and give it a whirl. Maybe it won't be optimal but will probably improve the bass until you decide to upgrade everything. You will need to purchase and install some type of adapter or converter to integrate ampliffiers to existing blose systems. Check one of our sponsors www.jpcustoms.com for pricing.

I know of at least one other member >:D that has sub enclosures in the bed...he seems VERY happy with the results. Mind you he does push ten time the juice you will. Before I installed the subsolutions enclosure, putting an enclosure with some 10's in the bed was a serious option for me. I might still do that one day when I am finished with my "other" audio project.

Good Luck! :cool:
 
carrerarod,

Thanks for the useful advice. I'm going to bring my Av (when I get it) to the stereo shop and see what they recommend, bearing in mind your comments. I really would like to keep as much of the stock stuff as I can (since I'm leasing).

The amount I have sunk into the amp and sub is insignificant (maybe $650 Cdn., 5 years ago). I've had at least $15K worth of fun from that equipment already - it doesn't owe me anything. I don't mind replacing it without getting too out of control.

Thanks again.
 
mtnbkr said:
Thanks for the useful advice. I'm going to bring my Av (when I get it) to the stereo shop and see what they recommend, bearing in mind your comments. ?I really would like to keep as much of the stock stuff as I can (since I'm leasing).
Click to expand...

ok, well let's start from the beginning. What do you want? just bass or? bring these trucks back to stock is not that hard if you don't start cutting plastic or stripping wires. It gets a little more difficult with the blose system. But since you don't have your truck yet, I would seriously wait until you get it and see what you think is missing. We all have different standards and maybe the factory system will be good enough for you. If I am not mistaken the '03 blose system has a subwoofer from the factory in the center console area. If you do a search for a review that Goo929 did a few months back, several of us got into talking about the audio system. Might help you out....

Oh yea, did you get onstar? this is a pain to deal with....

What part of Canada are you from? I ask for 2 reasons: one is I am also Canadian (shhhh...don't tell anyone) and two I have discovered that many audio shops up there are pretty ignorant when it comes to onstar. My brother still lives in Ottawa and i think he did almost every decent audio shop in town and they were all confused. Mind you, many places here in Southern California don't have a clue either! :rolleyes:

Good Luck Eh! ;D
 
Putting subs in the bed with the seats and midgate up is much like putting a box in the trunk of a car. It will work, but keep this in mind: Bass is moving air. The subs in your pathfinder were venting their output straight into the passenger area. When you put them into the Av's bed, assuming the midgate is closed, the subs will attempt to push air, but will be very restricted in their ability by the sealed area around them. Separating the cabin's air space and sub's air space will result in less performance and a lot of exterior vibrations.
 
carrerarod,

I'm from Calgary, Alberta (home of the Flames (yikes), some of the best mountain biking on this planet, some fairly decent skiing and the annual Calgary Stampede, among other things). I was dealing with one of the local, big box, super successful home/auto, audio/visual chain which sells slightly less than (or entry level) audiophile stuff - eg. Yamaha, Marantz, Denon, Pioneer, HK and others for home and RF, JL and others for auto). I have always enjoyed good dealings with them and certainly the price has always been right for what I got in return.

I was there today and the guy there said that they have had nothing but problems with B(l)ose systems. He wanted me to bring in whatever info I could get from this site as to how to bypass the amp. On a positive note, he told me that there is no reason to buy new stuff as the RF amp and JL sub that I have are of decent quality. He was sure that they alone could improve my sound materially (together with whatever was required to deal with the B(l)ose system).

I did get Onstar. I wasn't going to but heard that it might be handy if (when) the use of cell phones becomes illegal when driving in Alberta. Prepurchased blocks are supposed to be available in Canada starting next month. Hopefully if I just add an amp and sub, Onstar won't create too many problems. What do you think?

I did read Goo's review of the 03 together with the stereo review. I have read other related threads at this site as well. Some are happy with the stock system and others, including yourself, are not so pleased. Although I am a perfectionsist at most everything, I can tolerate mediocre sound, so long as it is loud and there is fairly decent bass (ie. punchy, but clean and tight). I suspect that I will be reasonably content with the B(l)ose system so long as I can beef it up with some bass. This won't create too many problems if I decide not to keep it at lease end and hopefully, Onstar and the B(l)ose system will not interefere with such minor mods.

DS,

I hear you. I don't like it but I hear you.

On a slightly different note, can you answer this very basic question - why is it that the sub for my home theatre rattles my windows regardless of placement, when my JL sub, when facing forward in my PF, sounded like it was not even on (compared to it facing backwards, when it almost blew my windows out). Aren't subs non-directional? Is there a difference with auto systems?

Thanks again for the continuing advice (eh).

 

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Ah, spent a lot of time in Alberta as a kid - in both Red Deer and Cold Lake...

Visit www.go2pac.com and read up on their products. The OS-1 allows you to use onstar with aftermarket stuff. I use it in my avalanche. The OEM-1 is also used to integrate aftermarket HU's with the blose system. if you will be gutting out the entire system, this may not be needed. the OEM-1 is cool because is has a pre-amp output that will allow you to connect an amplifier - like the one you want to use for your subwoofer. If you need to purchase some of these products i would recommend contacting our site sponsor www.jpcustoms.com

 
carrerarod,

I've been looking for the converter or adapter you were talking about to be able to add to the B(l)ose system. I can't find it anywhere. The guy at the stereo place was concerned about this issue. Could you direct me to the adapter or converter if you know where it is? Thanks.
 
carrerarod,

If you have any ideas as to how I can get the OEM-1 sent to Cda, let me know. The sponsor's site seems to indicate US shipping only. So does PAC's site, although I emailed them to see if they have a Cdn distributor.
 
Send an email to jason @ jpcustoms.com He might be able to help you out. I am sure you can get them in your area as you are not the first in Canada that has had to deal with Blose systems.

You could also try eBay and/or a few of the websites that we like to do business with.

Or you might have a friend in the US that might be willing to buy it then mail it to you as a "gift" >:D
 
carrerarod,

Jason has now been emailed. I mentioned your name so that he knows this inquiry originated from the CAFC site.

In a worst case, I do have some friends in the US who could be convinced to send me an early X-mas present this year.

Thanks again.
 
By way of update, Jason apparently emailed me at home today (as relayed by my wife) to advise that although they regularly ship to Cdn. destinations, there is no OEM-1 from PAC yet which will work with the 03's. PAC expects to have one out sometime in 03. I guess I'll just have to wait.
 
mtnbkr said:
By way of update, Jason apparently emailed me at home today (as relayed by my wife) to advise that although they regularly ship to Cdn. destinations, there is no OEM-1 from PAC yet which will work with the 03's. ?PAC expects to have one out sometime in 03. ?I guess I'll just have to wait.
Click to expand...

sorry to hear that. thanks for the update on the product though! :cool:
 
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