03 Tahoe - Bose + amp/sub = LOC??

dbricken · October 6, 2004

Hi all - -

I did a little looking around some old threads about how to connect an amp and sub to an existing stock Bose system (2003 Tahoe) and although I noticed a few different opinions, the majority of the posts agreed that the best way was to hook up a line output converter to a speaker cable in the car.

A few questions I was hoping someone who has added a sub could help me with:

1. What's the best place to strip a speaker cable to add the LOC? I'd heard between the front and rear doors between the front and rear door speakers, and I've heard between the stock amp and the stock sub. Which is best?

2. Where is a good location to get a remote point to power on/off the amp? Can you state exactly where that wire is and how to connect it to the amp?

3. Is this a decent choice if I'm simply adding an amp and a sub? *eBay LO converter here* Would this one be a better choice? Why?

Thanks a lot for the help.

dbricken · October 6, 2004

Anyone?

Here's another question - can I remove the stock amp that powers the sub (and the rest of the speakers?) and change it out with an aftermarket?

Is there an amp powering the sub in the center console and another amp powering the rest of the speakers? Or is it just one stock amp for the whole car?

Thanks again.

2004GMC1500CC · October 7, 2004

Anyone?

Here's another question - can I remove the stock amp that powers the sub (and the rest of the speakers?) and change it out with an aftermarket?

Is there an amp powering the sub in the center console and another amp powering the rest of the speakers? Or is it just one stock amp for the whole car?

Thanks again.

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Go here: http://www.pac-audio.com

dbricken · October 7, 2004

Thanks for the link - I've checked out PAC's site before and altough there was some good info there, it unfortunately didn't answer my questions posed in the above 2 posts.

Anyone else with experience adding a LOC to add an amp/sub to a Bose system?

2004GMC1500CC · October 8, 2004

Anyone?

Here's another question - can I remove the stock amp that powers the sub (and the rest of the speakers?) and change it out with an aftermarket?

Is there an amp powering the sub in the center console and another amp powering the rest of the speakers? Or is it just one stock amp for the whole car?

Thanks again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Go here: http://www.pac-audio.com

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Check JP Customs for adaptors to add an amp to the factory system.

dbricken · October 9, 2004

Well, I finished the install today. I went to a buddy of mine who does install work and he helped me figure things out. We got the LOC running (lots more wires than I knew what to do with) and things didn't work - but it turns out I was not grounded properly - simple fix.

So, I added the line output converter at the left rear speaker. I didn't even take off the door panel, I just accessed the yellow/brown twisted pair of wires through the grommet in the inside of the door, and spliced in some speaker wire. I ran that wire under the door molding and out under the 2nd row of seating to my LOC. The LOC I have has 2 channels so I wired the + and - together and capped that off with the speaker wire that is now spliced to the left rear door speaker. I grounded/powered/remote/RCA connected the LOC to the amp, and then wired the amp as normal, using a small screw into one of the large metal plates under the seats as a ground area.

I have to say, after toying with the settings, I'm pretty impressed with how things came out. I'm glad I didn't spend the $50+ on the connector that is sold online. It took some tweaking to the gain and EQ on the amp, but the subs really pound. I have a MTX 280watt amp going to 2 JL audio 12's in a sealed box. I was surprised at how low the gain ended up being set at. Maybe the Bose amplification had something to do with that considering where I accessed the speaker line?? Also, I noticed the best perfomance out of the sub when I had the factory "bass" setting on the radio set all the way up. I guess that allows more low frequency through, and the stock Bose speakers aren't going to suffer any no matter how loud I have it up.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the addition. It's not quite as loud as when this box was in my Mustang, but it's close. I'm sure it's due to the larger airspace in the Tahoe, but again, it sounds great.

KoolAID · October 9, 2004

Well, I finished the install today. I went to a buddy of mine who does install work and he helped me figure things out. We got the LOC running (lots more wires than I knew what to do with) and things didn't work - but it turns out I was not grounded properly - simple fix.

So, I added the line output converter at the left rear speaker. I didn't even take off the door panel, I just accessed the yellow/brown twisted pair of wires through the grommet in the inside of the door, and spliced in some speaker wire. I ran that wire under the door molding and out under the 2nd row of seating to my LOC. The LOC I have has 2 channels so I wired the + and - together and capped that off with the speaker wire that is now spliced to the left rear door speaker. I grounded/powered/remote/RCA connected the LOC to the amp, and then wired the amp as normal, using a small screw into one of the large metal plates under the seats as a ground area.

I have to say, after toying with the settings, I'm pretty impressed with how things came out. I'm glad I didn't spend the $50+ on the connector that is sold online. It took some tweaking to the gain and EQ on the amp, but the subs really pound. I have a MTX 280watt amp going to 2 JL audio 12's in a sealed box. I was surprised at how low the gain ended up being set at. Maybe the Bose amplification had something to do with that considering where I accessed the speaker line?? Also, I noticed the best perfomance out of the sub when I had the factory "bass" setting on the radio set all the way up. I guess that allows more low frequency through, and the stock Bose speakers aren't going to suffer any no matter how loud I have it up.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the addition. It's not quite as loud as when this box was in my Mustang, but it's close. I'm sure it's due to the larger airspace in the Tahoe, but again, it sounds great.

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