BOSE Help... (please)

[clarenn]

Hi

I have a 2005 156 JTD and I have just bought a Bose speaker system for it.

Sub, Amp, speakers and tweeters.

The seller has said he will include the plugs so I can match the wires, but the car doesnt have the bose wire loom in as it wasnt standard fit.
I was told that I would need to make a loom up - which isnt too much of a problem s I have stacks of cable.

The stumble block is - I have searched for hours now and canny find a wire diagram.

What I am after - if anyone can help is....

A pin out wire diagram for the plug on the amp
what do I need to do to my standard head unit?

Anything else I need to know...!

any help gratly appreciated, feel free to email me glenn (@) chusonis.co.uk

Many Thanks

[shiny_car]

1. ICE forum (!Reported, to move this thread there )
2. grab a CD copy of the workshop manual; http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=alfa+156+workshop
3. refer to 147 BOSE-retrofit thread: it should help despite being a 147 and yours a 156; http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ice-a...fit-guide.html (Full BOSE retro-fit Guide.)
4. refer to gotcha's thread about upgrading from BOSE; he has a pin-out diagram; again, for a 147, and may not be exact for a 156; the workshop manual should have the pin-out too, but this may be a starting point; http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ice-a...m-bose-up.html (147 BOSE upgrade (going from BOSE up))
5. to switch the factory headunit into 'BOSE-mode', you will need to connect +12V (ignition) to the 'BOOSTER-IN' terminal; check the wiring schematic sticker stuck atop your headunit; if there's no BOOSTER-IN terminal, you're kinda stuffed cos your headunit is then not compatible

Work carefully if you're building your own loom. There is a decent chance of interference/'noise' entering the audio signal path if not hooked up properly, and/or due to ground loops.

[classicgal93]

Moved to Ice forum
Thanks SC

[clarenn]

Hi Guys

thanks all for your help, I now have all the info I need - however, I am having trouble fitting the amp and Sub in the boot of the car.

I have removed all of the boot lining and underside of the rear shelf, but canno find any mountings for them to go?

do I have to fabricate some brackets or am I looking in completely the wrong place to fit them,....?

any advice ?

[shiny_car]

I'm not 100% sure, but I do believe the 156 saloon BOSE amp is usually fitted to the underside of the parcel shelf, left side, though it doesn't have to go there. I presume some simple brackets would work, and need to be made.

The sub - you have the full enclosure with the sub? The shape of the enclosure should give a clue as to the usual position, but I think it may be on the right side of the boot.

[clarenn]

Hi

nope - dont have the enclosure sadly.....

[shiny_car]

Oh, so what is your plan? Build one from mdf wood?

[Pud237]

156 saloon subs don't have enclosures, they are just mounted up into the parcel shelf, they use the boot as a form of enclosure.. Great space efficient design but I'm sure a larger, enclosed sub would give a bigger bass kick.

[clarenn]

I am gonna run with the BOSE Sub for now and see how it sounds as I dont really fancy having a large Bass Bin in the boot - left all that behind in my youth - now I am just after a solid sound....

I started on the loom tonight.... hopefully if I cna suss this out - I can post some pics....

[156Chris]

The sub goes directly underneath the fabric mesh panel on the right hand side pointing up, you'll need to remove the mesh panel and screw it in from above.

The sub goes in the middle of the parcel shelf, sorry I can't remember how it was attached as mine got removed years ago.

Also what "tweeters" did he give you, as far as I'm aware on the 156 BOSE all you get is the 4 door speakers and the sub, the tweater looking things with BOSE written on them on the upper part of the front doors don't actually contain any speakers!!!

If you post up some pictures we'll probably be able to give you some pointers

[clarenn]

I am trying to suss out....

[clarenn]

how can I slot pictures into this thread....?

[clarenn]

DSC00406.jpg

If this works - this is the BOSE kit I have.....

[clarenn]

Here is a selection of Images form the loom I have made this evening...
DSC00390.jpg
To make life easy and to use the existing connections - I bought these connectors so I could use the plugs on the back of the head unit and then plug straight into the car wire loom.
DSC00391.jpg
DSC00392.jpg
All joints have been soldered and then heat shrink wrap used to proect each joint - I think a far more professional finish than just tape...
DSC00394.jpg
I took the liberty of also putting 2 x fused spurs inline too just for extra protection.
DSC00405.jpg
The loom with Speaker connectors, Power connectors and BOSE Plug - all nicely soldered....
DSC00393.jpg
The completed Loom!

[clarenn]

Close Ups of the loom production....
DSC00399.jpg
Soldered connection...

DSC00400.jpg
Un-heated shrink wrap...

DSC00401.jpg
heated (and sealed) shrink wrap...

DSC00403.jpg
All the connections...

DSC00405.jpg
Finished...

[clarenn]

Ha! - Sussed this picture lark out!

Hopefully they all look OK....?

will post some more pics once I start to run the loom and fit the Sub / Amp

once the ice is done - I have some lowering springs and gas struts to fit!!! :-)

[clarenn]

Originally Posted by 156Chris

The sub goes directly underneath the fabric mesh panel on the right hand side pointing up, you'll need to remove the mesh panel and screw it in from above.

The sub goes in the middle of the parcel shelf, sorry I can't remember how it was attached as mine got removed years ago.

Also what "tweeters" did he give you, as far as I'm aware on the 156 BOSE all you get is the 4 door speakers and the sub, the tweater looking things with BOSE written on them on the upper part of the front doors don't actually contain any speakers!!!

If you post up some pictures we'll probably be able to give you some pointers

Thanks for the location info - its appreciated.
The tweeters are part of the speaker - so I have 4 of them - one on each speaker.

your right that the door speaker grills near the handles dont do nowt...

[shiny_car]

Originally Posted by Pud237

156 saloon subs don't have enclosures, they are just mounted up into the parcel shelf, they use the boot as a form of enclosure.

Ah, my bad. Didn't realise this.

[mr-mac]

Quick question to follow up on this thread.

Do the two red\white wires from Bose amp both need a constant live?

Also I have heard it said as long as you wire it the same you can take the front Bose tweeters off the front of the main speakers and mount them in the standard factory placement. Apparently this results in a considerably better soundstage from the Bose system in the 156 than having tweeters down on footwell.

I am about to install my Bose system (I have pretty much the full loom) inc wires to each door and everything however the big connection near the Fusebox that had the two red\white wires and on car fusebox side has red\black will have to be wired separately as sure Bose had extra fuses at right of main fuses that would mean if I could find this connector the red\black wires wouldn't be there to connect up to.

So just need to know if the two red\white wires going to Bose amp are both +12 constant and if they are I'll just do my own wiring.

My plan is loom tomorrow, just cutting off door plugs and running speaker cable so they are same length as front to rear one with iso plug on end so I just connect to std car speaker connector behind HU and all wires just run down centre of car (saves ****ing about). So a.m. sorting loom so plug and play, p.m. install speakers and wires and plug in

I hope

[Gertie]

Originally Posted by mr-mac

Do the two red\white wires from Bose amp both need a constant live?

Yes they have constant feed - the remote wire controls the amp.

Originally Posted by mr-mac

Also I have heard it said as long as you wire it the same you can take the front Bose tweeters off the front of the main speakers and mount them in the standard factory placement. Apparently this results in a considerably better soundstage from the Bose system in the 156 than having tweeters down on footwell.

I have not looked at the speakers yet, but the tone-test CD I made proves all sound come from footwell speaker - the "tweeter" in the door panel - at the door handle emits no sound. AND they receive ALL frequencies including BASS - thus rattles quickly with heavy beat music

[156Chris]

Originally Posted by Gertie

I have not looked at the speakers yet, but the tone-test CD I made proves all sound come from footwell speaker - the "tweeter" in the door panel - at the door handle emits no sound. AND they receive ALL frequencies including BASS - thus rattles quickly with heavy beat music

If you take the mesh off the "tweater" you'll find that there isn't actually a speaker underneath it ...

[mr-mac]

Mine will as moving tweeters from front Bose speakers to factory location as it makes the soundstage a lot better and improves sound quality.

Hmmm struggling here as per other thread I posted on as I have loom from car and although the wires from head unit agree in colour the wires from amp to door do not agree with what everyone else has discovered.

Maybe you guys who have done this could look in other thread for me

Found another install guide where the red and red\white were installed to switched live rather than constant.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ice-a...urs-156-a.html (bose wire colours 156)

[LarmiqMiTo]

I'm sorry if this is either going to sound really stupid or is in the wrong thread but does anyone know where Or if anyone sells the Bose kit for the MiTo and anyone that will fit it?

[Gertie]

Originally Posted by LarmiqMiTo

I'm sorry if this is either going to sound really stupid or is in the wrong thread but does anyone know where Or if anyone sells the Bose kit for the MiTo and anyone that will fit it?

If you are looking to buy new and want it installed - rather go with an after-market setup. Bose is a good option to specify from the factory, but not worth the money doing it afterwards as you now have to add labour and harness, etc, etc.

If you stumble upon a second-hand set for next-to-nothing and willing to do-it-yourself; sure go for Bose.