i bought this low mileage iroc from the original owners daughter. It came with a newer 90’s model GM C/D head unit in the dash. the speakers just faintly worked but the music was mostly over run by static. Later the woman found the original Bose tape deck and gave it to me so I go to reinstall it and the wiring harness in the car has more plugs than the head unit has spaces. Like I’m missing something? I plugged in what I could , the radio comes on, Santana goes up but still a muffled sound. Nobody I’ve tslked to has a clue what I’m talking about, GM parts guys, stereo people , camaro guys , nobody.
Ive noticed quite a few on here know about the Bose system. I’m to the point now I think I’m going to put an aftermarket head unit in it dose anybody know of a wiring adapter that will work with the Bose setup where I can use the factory wiring and speakers or at least speaker location ?

 

Bose head units put out pre-amp level speaker outputs. They are shielded and are the same as amplifier input levels. They are not intended to drive speakers without an amp.

If the speakers you have are not Bose speakers, each with their own attached and powered amp, you will not get the correct sound. You need either a speaker level output head unit or an amplifier.

 

The Bose systems are unique. The head unit will have a standard plug then an additional plug that runs power supply to each speaker for their built in amps.
So in short, each speaker has 4 wires. Positive & negative for power for the amps then two additional wires to get sound from the head unit.
LOTS of people know the information & tons of threads. Just have to read though them all.

 

so I must be missing the amp or something because I have plugs that have nowhere to go.
Can you run an aftermarket head unit to the Bose speakers and they work ?

 

I have heard you can but the speakers have amps already. Probably can't handle to powerful of a head unit. I guess you could run the without the amps powered on.

 

Pictures of plugs. If it’s like mines it’s two sets of plugs/ meaning one standard setup and one bose setup. But the plugs themselves sets look identical but only one set used