Expert: Ernesto R - 3/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: My Aunt gave me this vehicle since she no longer drives.  She probably never used the radio.  The radio is a cassette and no rear speaker sound and right dash speaker cuts in and out and static in moderate volume.  I don't know if it is the radio or speakers.  I want to get factory CD am-fm but they seem to be Bose only models that I have been told are not compatable with my non-Bose Cassette am-fm. Is this true? Is the connector the same for Bose and non-Bose? Would like to stick to factory but do I need to go aftermaket? Thanks.

ANSWER: that is correct bose  and non bose  don't work together

in your case aftermarket is going to be the best way to go
good luck



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I just found a site on line for used radios(a junkyard) and they have a non-Bose CD radio for my car.  Did they make such a thing? is the connector the same as my non-Bose cassette radio.  I assume I do not have a Bose system because it does not say Bose, it says Symphony Sound.

ANSWER: Symphony Sound was very similar to bose and yes the plugs are the same


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info.  I keep learning on what I need to do. I have found a Bose CD radio.  Will it work with my Symphony Sound speakers?  I am told I have to have Bose speakers because they run on different ohms. Does Symphony Sound and Bose operate on the same ohms? I see where a person is seeking a Bose system and includes an amp in his request as well as speakers.  Is there a seperate amp required for Bose as compared to Symphony Sound which may account for the difference in ohms.

Answer
bose speakers are 1.5 ohms symphony are 2.0 ohms regular speakers are 4.0 ohms  1.5 and 2.00 are almos the same and ok

but the amplifiers are not the same and you will need to have a bose amplifier install in the vehicle
now since you are going to rewire everything
any 4 channels amplifier will do the job

make sure there is a antenna plug on the radio, if you have the antenna plug in the old radio
rouns small plug on the side
that is more important