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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: George Hatfield on August 07, 2010, 05:19:58 pm

Title: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: George Hatfield on August 07, 2010, 05:19:58 pm
We have a 2003 vintage coach and the Bose system needs to be replaced.  The DVD player does not work;  the bass is annoyingly loud in spite of the fact I have it set at its lowest setting; and the large front speakers are too heavy (brackets break); there is no place to plug in the i-Pod; there is no place to plug in headphones (good when the AC is running), etc. 

I'd like some ideas for a replacement system.  What have others used? 

Also, if you removed the original Bose system, how did you remove the cable from the control unit in the AV cabinet to the bass`unit (which is under the kitchen counter). 

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: Barry Beam on August 07, 2010, 06:08:35 pm
Quote
If you removed the original Bose system, how did you remove the cable from the control unit in the AV cabinet to the base unit (which is under the kitchen counter).
 

George,
Just unplug it from the Base unit.
You are not going to get that out.
It wont hurt anything.
You might need it for future use.
I would like to replace mine also.
Title: Re: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: Neal Pillsbury on August 08, 2010, 12:31:04 am
George,
We chose the SONY DAV-IS10 5.1 micro satellite home theater system.  There is a decent summary/write-up here: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/501799644 (http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/501799644) 
There may be better today, but from late 2007 through today, this has been a great addition, for us.  Google it for "best price" and you can find it for less than $400.  I like it better than many $4K systems.  The attached picture shows you how small the satellite speakers are and all of the components are very high quality.  The control head and the Sub/Mid-range/Amplifier Assembly are connected by multiconductor "PC printer cable".  Satellite speaker wires all run from the Sub/Mid-range/Amplifier Assembly, which we put under the couch. 
Just a thought..
Neal
Title: Re: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on August 08, 2010, 04:53:47 pm
Hi Neal,
 I have to admitt I have no clue as to the AC Polarity display meaning or purpose.  Meaning how would you change it ?

Just never heard of that before, DC, surely,  3 phase, surely, but AC ?

Thanks

Dave
Title: Re: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: Bill and Ricki on August 09, 2010, 05:50:34 pm
Having just wondered around through the 1998 Bose install, it appears to me you can possibly use the same wiring for the components and replace the speakers, etc.  We had a new TV installed with cabinetry modification and I was able to put in the Directv receiver and blu-ray player into the existing cabinetry.  The base unit is under the couch but without provision for sound exiting from it.  Also put in a new dash radio that connects to the Bose system.  Now if I ever loose the cheat sheet about unit settings for the group it will be a dark day.  Just a thought!
Title: Re: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: Barry & Cindy on August 13, 2010, 11:56:51 am
We have been using a high-end Logitech Z-5500 audio system.  It cost $400 and comes with 5 speakers and a large sub-woofer and a very small wireless remote console.  Perfect size for our motorhome's limited space.  Logitech sound sytems are designed for compter gamers who demand high quality audio.  It is a digital system with a built-in 5.1 decoder and also takes stereo as input and can convert it to 5.1 sounding audio.  As with all things computer, prices are quite low for what you get, as opposed to separate audio systems which have very large receivers and cost a lot more with speakers priced extra.

Computer audio systems are always a value.  We have a $10 amplified stereo pair of speakers on our dash plugged into our computer, so we can hear our mapping software directions. 
A similar amplified speaker is used in our shower so I can listen to TV news while showering.  I opened the $10 speaker and saran wrapped the speaker and other stuff inside to waterproof it.
Another inexpensive audio system could be used in the bedroom for improved stereo TV sound.
Title: Re: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: Dave Head on August 13, 2010, 01:47:57 pm
Another possibility are the smaller ZVOX systems like the 325
(http://www.zvoxaudio.com/)
I use a 550 at home and it is great.
 
Quote
Barry & Cindy wrote: 
We have been using a high-end Logitech Z-5500 audio system. It cost $400 and comes with 5 speakers and a large sub-woofer and a very small wireless remote console. Perfect size for our motorhome's limited space. Logitech sound sytems are designed for compter gamers who demand high quality audio. It is a digital system with a built-in 5.1 decoder and also takes stereo as input and can convert it to 5.1 sounding audio. As with all things computer, prices are quite low for what you get, as opposed to separate audio systems which have very large receivers and cost a lot more with speakers priced extra.
 
Computer audio systems are always a value. We have a $10 amplified stereo pair of speakers on our dash plugged into our computer, so we can hear our mapping software directions. A similar amplified speaker is used in our shower so I can listen to TV news while showering. I opened the $10 speaker and saran wrapped the speaker and other stuff inside to waterproof it. Another inexpensive audio system could be used in the bedroom for improved stereo TV sound.
 
Barry & Cindy 1997 Foretravel U270 36'
Foretraveler@gmail.com

Title: Re: Replacing the Bose system
Post by: George Hatfield on October 25, 2010, 12:08:41 am
Thanks for all the input!

I'm finally getting around to replacing the Bose/TracStar system on our U295.  Questions....

1.  Does anyone have any experience with OrbAudio speakers (http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp (http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp))?  They seem like just the ticket given their size and performance.

2.  It looks like we will be installing a Winegard DirectTV Slimline SK-3005 dish (http://www.winegard.com/travler/index.php (http://www.winegard.com/travler/index.php)).  I think several of you have installed this dish or the similar SK-3005.  Any recommendations as to where to buy it?

Thanks in advance!