Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: gsizoli on 20 August 2009, 21:19:50

Title: Bose system
Post by: gsizoli on 20 August 2009, 21:19:50
Hi!

BOSE system was available before facelift Omegas?If yes than compatible with each other? For example from some pre facelift saloon to facelift saloon?
Z
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: TheBoy on 20 August 2009, 22:17:33
The amps/speakers are, the headunits vary obviously
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: Dave DND on 20 August 2009, 22:49:34
As far as I am aware, the Vauxhall and Opel BOSE amplifiers and Speakers are all 2 Ohms (except tweeters (?), and fully compatable with both pre and facelift Omegas.

However, if trawling the internet looking for BOSE equipment, do not buy anything from any other vehicle, as Non-Omega BOSE equipment is not compatable with the Omega. Many other manufacturers used BOSE also but you must not try to mix and match between vehicle marques.

 ;)
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 25 August 2009, 08:19:24
The less important element is the head unit. It offers "line" outputs on the speaker terminals.

However, if you use a non-Bose head unit then it will also work (I ran one before I could fine the Bose head) - but will distort a bit at high volume levels.
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: Dave DND on 25 August 2009, 08:41:11
Quote
The less important element is the head unit. It offers "line" outputs on the speaker terminals.

However, if you use a non-Bose head unit then it will also work (I ran one before I could fine the Bose head) - but will distort a bit at high volume levels.

NO NO NO !!   >:(

The line level outputs on head units are NOT the same as BOSE ones. If you are lucky, you will have little control over the volume, and if you are unlucky, you will end up with a car filled with smoke as the amp and head start to fry.

BOSE is NOT compatable with anything other than BOSE
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: Dave DND on 25 August 2009, 08:43:05
Some Vx head units can be configured for the BOSE system using Tech2, but not all.

Aftermarket head units not compatable at all.
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 25 August 2009, 13:26:19
Ok, so if that's the case, why was I able to use a CCR600 with the Bose amp very successfully until such time as I found a CCR800?

Admittedly that was 8 years ago, but I recall being advised at the time (by Philips audio as I called to ask them) that although the 800 outputted a similar voltage level to the 600, it didn't have a power output stage and didn't have the current capability to drive speakers.

They more or less admitted that the 800 was "less" of a machine than the 600 - albeit with the BOSE label on the front. I'm not advocating not using the correct kit - but it did work.

BTW, the only reason I did it at all was that I was able to find the amp/speakers in a breakers, but the 800 had gone. At the time finding Bose in breakers was really difficult as the cars were still fairly new. So, my call to Philips was to ask if I could somehow attenuate the output of the 600  - "you don't need to" was the reaction, with the explanation given as above.

I eventually found an 800 at a sensible price so finished the install properly. So, imagine my joy now at finding a complete system for a fraction of the price paid 8 years ago.

Hope this all makes sense and puts some context to my ramblings.

Regards .......... Rob
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: Dave DND on 25 August 2009, 15:39:45
Quote
Ok, so if that's the case, why was I able to use a CCR600 with the Bose amp very successfully until such time as I found a CCR800?

Admittedly that was 8 years ago, but I recall being advised at the time (by Philips audio as I called to ask them) that although the 800 outputted a similar voltage level to the 600, it didn't have a power output stage and didn't have the current capability to drive speakers.

They more or less admitted that the 800 was "less" of a machine than the 600 - albeit with the BOSE label on the front. I'm not advocating not using the correct kit - but it did work.

BTW, the only reason I did it at all was that I was able to find the amp/speakers in a breakers, but the 800 had gone. At the time finding Bose in breakers was really difficult as the cars were still fairly new. So, my call to Philips was to ask if I could somehow attenuate the output of the 600  - "you don't need to" was the reaction, with the explanation given as above.

I eventually found an 800 at a sensible price so finished the install properly. So, imagine my joy now at finding a complete system for a fraction of the price paid 8 years ago.

Hope this all makes sense and puts some context to my ramblings.

Regards .......... Rob

The CCR600 is a unique example - and will give better than most results. You will find that the unit gave a nice smooth volume control until just over mid to 3/4 volume and then it went very noisy and distorted as the BOSE amp is overdriven. However 99% of other head units do not have the low volume control and are generally unable to play at very quiet volumes and distort very quickly over a much reduced change in volume.

The reason behind this is that the CCR600 uses a rotary potentiometer as a volume control, giving a very precise control over the output as the knob is rotated. Most other head units use a digital switch that will increase the volume in predetermined steps depending on how many "clicks" the stereo receives from either the volume control rotary button, or up and down buttons.

hope that helps to explain why yours sort of worked, but was still not ideal.

 :y
Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 25 August 2009, 18:06:49
Thanks - that makes sense and would also (I hope) explain why it also works with a CAR400 which I've been using to try and eliminate my phone problems today.

Title: Re: Bose system
Post by: TheBoy on 25 August 2009, 18:53:10
also, the ccr800 is similar to ccr600, but with a modified output stage.  to my mind, the ccr800 is the best sounding factory fit omega stereo, worse probably cdr2005