If it cant hit the highs and it cant hit the lows, then it must be a Bose!

That is what I am trying to figure out.

DeEePiDDY has it right, I can't understand why a Bose amp is there when I have the basic-basic factory radio, is this normal? Secondly, does this offer me any opportunities for upgrades?

Not really like I said if you want to add a new head unit and have bose than you have to use a pac converter between the harnesses. If you ever want to put in new speakers you will have to run new speaker wire from your head unit to them to bypass the bose system. If you want to add a sub and have bose you have to use a LOC or what I recommend a MTX re-q to add the amp and sub.

I was going to get the morels but I found a used Dynaudio. Pretty satisfied!


Nice ML setup. I am ready to pull the trigger on some Martin Logan Purity, or Maggies. PM me your opinion on Maggies vs MLs. Don't want to hijack the thread, though I think the OP got the message regarding Bose/blows. :tiphat:

OP, Bose are OK. They appear to be popular due to strong company marketing. Obviously, this is just rumors and personal opinions.

Is the head unit even hooked up to the amp?

actually theres technical reasons y the Bose systems arent very good... its not an opinion is actually the way the system works.

For the moment let's put the discussion of a new HU on hold. If the Bose amp actually works and the mystery cables under the hatch trims are really for rear speakers and they are actually live, couldn't I use them as a convenient source to feed a low profile self powered sub under one of the seats? If so I'd be a step closer to my goal of an all new system without having to pop for the HU and the self powered sub at the same time. And yes, when I eventually do get a new HU I'll probably just eliminate the Bose amp.

You should read about some of the bose owners and what they have to do to add things. Even if it is a low output it is still being processed threw bose and that cuts anything it sees as a threat to its speakers out. That is a big down fall for bose anytime you want to add amps to a bose system you need to use a JL clean sweep or more preferred a mtx re-q or re-q5. So you would need them to clean the signal before sending them to a new amp. I would still like to see a picture of your head unit. If it is a base than that is what you have.

I haven't tried posting pics yet, but I've got a 2010 base model with the A7 and sport package. That's it. I've seen many pictures of the HU on this site and mine looks like all of the others-doesn't have a SAT button, no Bose labeling on the HU and no aux inputs in the console. It does have a front mounted aux audio only input jack for ipod/mp3 player.

Than you have stock and base model no bose.

I agree, just keep wondering about that Bose amp lurking behind and between the seats.

Maybe there was a HU swap at the dealer...someone wanted the Bose deck and you didn't?

Highly doubt it either swap is a lot of work and would not be cheap.

just a dumb thought maybe when the car was on the line the build sheet said
one thing and the workers did another and just covered it up.....

i mean the bose amp is there............