factory bose vs. aftermarket: anyone made the change?

[wamanning]

i've considered pulling my factory bose system from my '01 sport...but the factory sound is SOOOOOOO GOOD. i'm not into thumping base w/ thousands of watts, i want PURE and CLEAN sound and enough power to keep me happy. the factory system has that in spades, but it doesnt have modern stuff like MP3 support. i have an ipod FM transmitter, but that is definitely a low-sound-quality proposition.

so i'm wondering if anyone has pulled their factory bose system and replaced everything (head, amps, speakers, wires) with a high-end aftermarket system.

if you have, how does the sound QUALITY compare. i'm not talking WATTAGE, i'm talking crispness and purity and FIDELITY.

let me know what you've done and your thoughts on sound-quality +/-.

walter

[Kcryan]

Originally Posted by wamanning

i've considered pulling my factory bose system from my '01 sport...but the factory sound is SOOOOOOO GOOD. i'm not into thumping base w/ thousands of watts, i want PURE and CLEAN sound and enough power to keep me happy. the factory system has that in spades, but it doesnt have modern stuff like MP3 support. i have an ipod FM transmitter, but that is definitely a low-sound-quality proposition.

so i'm wondering if anyone has pulled their factory bose system and replaced everything (head, amps, speakers, wires) with a high-end aftermarket system.

if you have, how does the sound QUALITY compare. i'm not talking WATTAGE, i'm talking crispness and purity and FIDELITY.

let me know what you've done and your thoughts on sound-quality +/-.

walter

Im sure its been done, but i think your insane if you do it, ive had tons of cars with bose, and a bunch of aftermarket stereos too, (my I30 had bose, now has Alpine, Blaupunkt, and Infinity) but my 98 catera RIP had the best stero i EVER heard in a car.

Look into those things that are like $125 and hook in where the CD changer would go

[netager]

You can hook up your iPod or any device with RCA outputs instead of the changer - I did this in my Catera: sound quality is perfect and all my music is accessable I'll make a topic on weekend about how to do this.

[todd2fst4u]

i tried to use one of these on my 98 catera but it didnt work.
P.I.E. GM10-AUX 1995-2004 GM (Pre-wired) Auxiliary Input Converter

[CadillacSTS2003]

perpherial ipod interface should work you have the same disc changer and system my ETC has and i did it

[wamanning]

"Cadillac 1997-1999 Catera (requires OEM part #12484910 cable harness if Catera is NOT pre-wired)"

what's up w/ that? is there a similar device which works w/ '01 cateras w/ factory bose?

[CadillacSTS2003]

that means you have to buy that part if you dont have the cd changer plug already in your caddy

[wamanning]

Originally Posted by CadillacETC1997

that means you have to buy that part if you dont have the cd changer plug already in your caddy

i guess i didnt quote the whole page. let's try again:

Cadillac

• 1997-1999 Catera (requires OEM part #12484910 cable harness if Catera is NOT pre-wired)
• 1995-1999 DeVille (Not compatible w/2000-2003)
• 1995-2002 Eldorado (Not compatible w/2003)
• 1995-2001 Seville (Not compatible w/2002-2003)

now i read that as saying...it only works w/ 97-99 cateras regardless. and if you have a 97-99 catera w/o the right cable-harness, then you need to add that part, too. nowhere do i see any mention of compatiblity w/ 00-01 cateras...

any other sources to cross-reference?

[passionaterage]

When I bought my 97 Catera, the stereo had been stolen out of it. I replaced it with a Pioneer head unit, had to rerun all new speaker wires to each speaker (the original Bose speakers, they weren't stolen), and I have to say the sound is incredible. Everyone comments on how crisp and clear it is, especially the bass. I love it! It took a couple of hours, but well worth it. It's just the head unit suppying the power now, no seperate amp, and this thing still rocks!

[CadillacSTS2003]

to my extensive knowledge the sytstems were the same in the catera throughtout