I tried searching, couldn't find anything that answered all my questions. Bear with me.

I just bought a 96 Z28, with NO HEAD UNIT.

The guy that had it before me I guess had some kind of custom setup, not sure exactly what he was running, but I am pretty sure he had a line-output HU (with all speakers coming off RCA jacks), and an aftermarket amp-subwoofer arrangement. I am guessing at this setup, based on the wiring that I can figure out.

The stock audio was the 5-speaker Bose system. The wires in the dash that would go to the factory system look fairly unmolested. The bose speakers and "sub" are all there, look intact and connected. There is some kind of interface that connects the RCA outputs of the head unit he was using to the factory connector.

Not knowing that the car had a premium audio setup, I connected a Pioneer 50watt x 4 head unit I had laying around to the factory wiring adapter using a generic GM wiring adapter. The radio powered up fine, but I got no audio out of the speakers.

SO...Knowing nothing about car audio, the best that I can figure out is:

1. Bose speakers have their own amps built in to each speaker, and use a line-out reciever. The reciever I have is NOT line output. Therefore, I need some kind of adapter. (VEN 4.5)?

2.The system is a total pain in the *** and I would be better off gutting the whole thing and starting from scratch.

QUESTIONS:

Did I fry the speakers or amps connecting the "speaker-output" reciever to the system, or am I not getting any sound becasue they are simply not compatible?

Is there anyway to test the speakers individualy w/o a bose unit or line output adapter? Is there a reccomended way to test the wiring? (I could dig out a continuity tester and a schematic, but you guys might know a better way)

I am not looking for a custom setup...money is a little tight right now, I just want to be able to have SOMETHING in the car for now. Suggestions and input are appreciated. Thanks.

 

If you want to run the Bose stuff you need a RCA out type HU, and the correct adapter, the std GM one won't work...

In the long run, when you have the $$, scrap the Bose and replace it all with a decent from conponent set and a sub, and you should be good to go.

 

Yeah, no point in even trying to use the Bose crap. Ditch it.


The Monsoon systems are halfway decent. The Bose wasn't very good at all. Like was said..... Get some nice components, and throw a 8"/10" stealthbox out back in place of the Bose Jokewoofer.

 

No highs? No lows? Must be Bose.

Neither the Bose or Monsoon are very good systems. A quality HU, a set of components in the doors, a sub and a 4-channel amp will outperform a full blown, multi-speaker Bose or Monsoon system.

 

Uhhh... Duh.


I didn't say it was any better than a component system. I'm just saying, the Bose was total crap, where as the Monsoon is actually decent for a factory setup.

 

I never said you did.

 

if you really just want music period and not necessarily quality. your best and probably even cheapest is to pick up a about 4 speaker from www.ikesound.com or www.ebay.com or and just get new speaker wire and power them off your pioneer head unit. if you really shop hard u can find 4 decent speakers for maybe like 150.00 and then another 20.00 for speaker wire. wont be the best but you'll have sound and not have to **** with workign with the BOSE crap.