Bose

[First C4]

My uncle has had Bose speakers in his house for many years. He swears by them. I enjoy the sound they produce as well as the "surround" feel. I believe each speaker has 8 minis inside I think they are the 901.


Enough rambling to the point, recently he had a problem with one of his. One of the mini speakers broke...it resembled the ones in our Vettes. He returned the pair of 901's and they sent him new ones. They are warrantied for life if I remember properly. Has anyone contacted BOSE regarding vette speakers?

 

[Ken]

No, I haven't had any contact regarding the speakers in the Corvettes, but I had to comment on the Bose® system in automotive applications.

I have had Bose® system in my home for years and years; had just about every model except the 901s.

They used to market a speaker for professional use - the 801, but it appears that they discontinued it. They both sound great, and really fill a large room! :cool

Anyhow, back to automotive applications; they've got you by the short hairs if you decide you want to add components, or perhaps change receivers or amplifiers - Bose® is not usually compatible with components other than what the manufacturers installed at the factory. That's why they have adapters on the market, and they usually don't work that well.

 

[Rain]

Yes, Dr. Bose has been at the hi fi sound biz for a while now.


In the 80s especially, All I heard when it came to home audio was "Get BOSE< its the best".
Alas, the 90s came and baby boomers started small audio companies and today you can get far better speakers that fit any budget.

I had the AM7 home theater speakers in my apartments and bachelor houses.
But, when it came time for a serious home theater system I consulted friends who worked at audio stores and with the choices they gave me (within my budget) I endedup going with Polk Audio.
(And dont regret it!) Yes, they are larger than the Bose mini cubes but boy do they sound great!

Bose speakers require either an external processor or have one built into the sub (and sometimes inside the Bose receiver). I have witnessed Bose speaker systems run thru an audio analysis program and its horrendous the amount of sharp EQing these speakers require to sound Hi-FI and capture that "bose sound". Its honestly like bending a steel rod when a piece of string would have done the job fine!

Bose also makes a Pro Audio speaker that I used with a few bands back in the late 80s. The 802.
We usually had 802s for monitors on stage as well as a pair of 802s on each side. Below them we had the Bose Pro Audio subs. It was a kicking system, but it required the external processors and a TON more power amp to run them than conventional speakers need.

So, to wrap up, I do no dislike Bose, (love that damned Wave Radio!) I just know there is great stuff for the same or less money out there.

Noticed the Bose system in my vette REALLY gets boomy bass when I roll down the windows.. Roll em back up, and its a return to a smooth clean sound. I figure this is the automatic volume control compensating for the extra wind noise.

Rain(glad he lives near a bose outlet store.. I love the ball caps!)

 

[First C4]

I guess my main question is, will BOSE do any work on the Vette speaker/amp combination? I would guess that it falls to the hands of GM, BOSE does the design and furnishes parts to GM and then washes their hands?

 

[Rain]

Yea,
I say its part of th GM warranty. Should be in the paperwork somewhere. I know Mid America and a few other vette parts catalogs have replacement Bose speakers, amps, and head units for sale. I also have spotted repairmen/components in the back of Corvette related magazines.

Anything in particular you trying to fix, or simply asking?

I guess my main question is, will BOSE do any work on the Vette speaker/amp combination? I would guess that it falls to the hands of GM, BOSE does the design and furnishes parts to GM and then washes their hands?

 

[First C4]

Yea my Bose amps are on their way out...just thinking outloud though. I have done a search looking for info on the amps anyone got a schematic for the board? I really dont feel like paying $95 for a simple circuit board when I know how to solder.

Rain...
On a side note I grew up in Biloxi...that the part of MS Gulf coast you talking about? I lived there for 8 years, then spent another 6mo there for Tech training while in the AF.

 

[Rain]

HAHA Small world!
Was going to assume you were either at Keesler, or your folks were.

With my shows around the south east, I run into lots of old old guys who's folks were stationed at Keesler AFB back when the Catholic schools were not mixed with Boys and Girls in the same classes.
One thing they all remember is that OLD McDonald's just off base from the west gate to Keesler.

I'm originally from the MS Delta, Indianola. But moved down here for a better location and spring board for gigs in 1996. Diamondhead, Gulfport, 2 homes in Ocean Springs, St.Martin, and now Biloxi.

Susan and I built a house on back Biloxi Bay just off Popps Ferry Rd/Bridge.
Its a new subdivision between Popps Ferry and Camp Wilkes(the boy scout camp on back bay).

How long you been away from Biloxi?
Rain

 

[First C4]

I moved there in 86 and left in 94, I went to Mercy Cross HS as well as Our Lady of Fatima. When my dads squadron transferred to Arizona we left. My parents almost bought a place back on Popps Ferry. The place was north of the Back Bay in a sub division on the East side just a block north of the Firestation. I moved back there in 95 through June 96. I was back once in 98 for a weekend. Going back in 98, I really saw the influence of the casinos. I grew up there when the entire backbay was my playground, I lived in the housing that is next to MCHS. The landscape and traffic has changed immensely.

Back to vettes, I am looking at a future project most likely this winters project. I want to change the amps in the doors. My right front is starting to give me problems, the back is starting to hiss. The back would be a easy job...the fronts the doors have to be disassembled. I want to do the work myself, just thinking of ways of saving money.

I read somewhere the convertables had different amps...higher power?

 

[Ken]

Bose also makes a Pro Audio speaker that I used with a few bands back in the late 80s. The 802.

My mistake Rain, they still market the 802; I am getting so old my memory just ain't what it used to be.

I mistakenly tried searching for "801" initially, that's why I couldn't find it. :L

 

[Rain]

Hey
No foul -
Yea, they have a couple of newer versions of the 802 since my early dealings with em.
Bose has a new product out now. Its supposed to allow each musician to control his /her own vocal and instrument independantly.
The sound radiates out to the room with time alignment and such.

Everyone in the pro market thinks its an over priced toy and that it will never work.

here is a link to their product lit :

http://www.bose.com/controller;jsessionid=AzcbvSyvSZYzsaiXxE2ZVQJqDPjBQzgt1Lnsqw7ktetLdjfSPme2!1398318369?event=VIEW_STATIC_PAGE_EVENT&url=/musicians/index.jsp&pageName=/professional/index.jsp


'

My mistake Rain, they still market the 802; I am getting so old my memory just ain't what it used to be.

I mistakenly tried searching for "801" initially, that's why I couldn't find it. :L

 

[Rain]

Sounds like we were nearly neighbors then!
haha

How long have you had this vette and what all have you had to work on so far?

Casinos have certainly made the changes down here. NO longer a stinky sleepy fish processing community! haha
Biloxi city council met today re: a new Casino going in on Back Bay near Crawford street.
Of course the residents that are left over there are complaining. NIMBY - not in my back yard.
Heck if they were smart they would sell their homes to the builder for additional parking! haha

Very possible that the verts had a more powerful system. Esp with the increase in noise in the cabin.
I recall someone talking about the Bose schematics on this forum. Sure someone will step in and have better answers before the winter.

Lots of folks with older vettes have replaced the stock system with an aftermarket.

Great to meet ya - Hollar when you are back on the Gulf Coast!

We have Vettes By the Shore coming up in June!
http://www.msgccc.com/index.html

I moved there in 86 and left in 94, I went to Mercy Cross HS as well as Our Lady of Fatima. When my dads squadron transferred to Arizona we left. My parents almost bought a place back on Popps Ferry. The place was north of the Back Bay in a sub division on the East side just a block north of the Firestation. I moved back there in 95 through June 96. I was back once in 98 for a weekend. Going back in 98, I really saw the influence of the casinos. I grew up there when the entire backbay was my playground, I lived in the housing that is next to MCHS. The landscape and traffic has changed immensely.

Back to vettes, I am looking at a future project most likely this winters project. I want to change the amps in the doors. My right front is starting to give me problems, the back is starting to hiss. The back would be a easy job...the fronts the doors have to be disassembled. I want to do the work myself, just thinking of ways of saving money.

I read somewhere the convertables had different amps...higher power?

 

[Vettelt193]

Quote from Rain... "Noticed the Bose system in my vette REALLY gets boomy bass when I roll down the windows.. Roll em back up, and its a return to a smooth clean sound. I figure this is the automatic volume control compensating for the extra wind noise."

The boomy Bass is really from the extra air movment in the cabin of the car.... even without Bose you will notice a massive difference in Bass when the windows are open. Just thought you might like to know.

The SCV is not a 'smart system' all it does is raise the volume based on speed (and the adjustment to high or low) it doesn't 'listen' or know if the windows are open.... although, the C6 is supposed to have a smart volume control. I am curious to see how that works.

 

[LT4man]

I have had the Bose system in all three of my C4's. Had a great sound. Loved the bass. Never had a lick of trouble. I would say I am definitely a "happy camper."

 

[Blade]

We use JBL and Bose speakers in our Control Rooms and Studios at the Radio & TV Stations. They look and sound professional. We use 75 & 150 watt Crown Amps to drive them.

I have a Bose Wave Radio in my office.

 

[Spinman]

Bose will repair the amp/speakers for $75 each. www.bose.com

 

[vettedoc]

Doctor Don's will fix them and give you a lifetime warranty. I did mine last year and they work great!

www.doctordons.com/boseradios.htm

Doc

 

[First C4]

I will most likely go with Dr. Don's. He emailed me and for $100 a pair he will rebuild them and upgrade to the Convertable amps which are 75 watts. I have an all original 86 w 25,000mi, I want it as stock as possible. Changing the stereo system for a better sound does not appeal to me. Listen to a radio from a classic Vette...its not good so better yet just turn it off and enjoy the ride.

Doctor Don's will fix them and give you a lifetime warranty. I did mine last year and they work great!

www.doctordons.com/boseradios.htm

Doc