I have the stock 6-disc changer/XM with the factory Bose speakers. For XM stations and some CDs it sounds good, but it seems very limited for adjusting the sound. Just a basic bass and treble adjustment. Am I missing something or is that it?

In the future I plan on putting in a touch screen DVD, GPS...head unit, but for a while I'll keep it stock.

Thanks...

you can have your head unit programmed for lux amp and add the lux amp - it will sound much better.

What is Lux Amp???

I'll do a search for it...thanks.

I read a lot about, but don't understand...
Is it just reprogramming my current head unit or adding another part???

If it's reprogramming...how do I do it?

Thanks

I read a lot about, but don't understand...
Is it just reprogramming my current head unit or adding another part???

If it's reprogramming...how do I do it?

ThanksIts both a new part, rewiring the amp plugs that are under your center console, and reprogramming the head unit with a tech 2 - dealer or someone with access to TIS data will have to load the programs for you. The Lux amps are between $200 and $399 depending on used or new. You will want to have the head unit programed before installing the amp as the current programming if run with the lux amp will blow the amp.

That seems like a lot of work and risky.

If I replace the current head unit with a nice all in one; DVD, NAV, Mp3 head unit, will it bring better quality to the stock Bose? Or, do I need to change to a Lux amp either way?

How would I find a "Tech 2" or dealer to upgrade the head unit? I'm in Los Angeles area...Burbank, CA

From a car audio installer's point of view, ditch the Blose and don't spend any more money on it. You'll spend more money in adaptors to keep the Blose then you would for front component speakers. I've heard the stock Blose and upgraded LUX Blose, and hated both of them. Waste of money IMO.

From a car audio installer's point of view, ditch the Blose and don't spend any more money on it. You'll spend more money in adaptors to keep the Blose then you would for front component speakers. I've heard the stock Blose and upgraded LUX Blose, and hated both of them. Waste of money IMO.

Thats why they are rated the highest end stereos in the world and can fetch several thousand $$ off thier simple tiny home desktop units :rolleyes:

No, they just pay Paul Harvey a sh3tload of money for advertising. I've heard way better home audio for a lot less. It's just a name.

Well that doesn't help a lot...pretty funny though. Does anybody else have an opinoin from personal experience.

If I purchase an aftermarket (good) Head unit, do I need to update the Bose Amp to the Lux Amp. Or will just a new head unit on the stock Bose amp and speakers improve the sound of the stock head unit?

Or, would it be better to just upgrade to the Lux Bose amp and keep the current head unit and stock Bose speakers? If so, who would update the current head unit...the dealer? Do I have to swaggle them to do it?

I actually meant to replace the whole stereo, not just the head unit, and the dealer wouldn't have anything to do with that. You wouldn't have to worry about reprogramming anything with a Tech 2 scanner.

A nice head unit, 2 sets of component speakers, 1 or 2 woofers, and one 5-channel amp would make a very nice system.

I don't want to replace the whole package...I just want a better sound out of the current system with a minimal change. It's like they put great speakers with a middle of the road head unit...there's not even a mid-range adjustment.

Would changing the head unit alone give me a better sound. Or would I have to also change the Bose Amp?

If I just change the Bose Amp to the Bose Lux Amp and have my current head unit upgraded would that make a big difference? If so...WHO do I contact to upgrade my current unit to the Lux?

I don't want to replace the whole package...I just want a better sound out of the current system with a minimal change. It's like they put great speakers with a middle of the road head unit...there's not even a mid-range adjustment.

Would changing the head unit alone give me a better sound. Or would I have to also change the Bose Amp?

If I just change the Bose Amp to the Bose Lux Amp and have my current head unit upgraded would that make a big difference? If so...WHO do I contact to upgrade my current unit to the Lux?

Find someone with an Escalde and listen to their radio - hey have the lux amp. That way, you can hear what it sounds like and make the decision of whether that will work for you.

or find someone that has converted one of these trucks to the lux amp and have a listen - They sound pretty good IMHO and you can retain factory steering wheel controls and XM without any additional work.

Any dealer can program the radio to lux for you, they just need to know what to do. There's like 5 items they have to load into the factory head unit to convert it to a lux head unit, basicly the same as an Escalade would have if not equiped with a TNR. The easiest route would be to just get a lux navigation unit and install the lux amp then you just need someone with a tech 2 to clear the VIN lock which is very easy and doesn't require reprogramming anything. Whole conversion under $1400 and you have a navigation unit plus better sound.

Thanks for the info...that's pretty cut and dry. I'll try to find someone with a Lux upgrade or an Escalade and check out the sound. I'm not in a rush to make a decision, but something to look forward to. I like some of the Hard Drive aftermarket Head Units that still utilize the steering controls. Win an Aftermarket Head Unit...Pioneer...Kenwood...would I still need to upgrade to a Lux Amp or will a better head unit kick up the sound with the stock Non-Lux amp?

Thanks for the info.

E

lux amp uses something similar to line level output from the head unit, the stock amp uses something like speaker level output. I don't know if / which aftermarket head units would work with either amp though.

I'll look into it.
Thanks for the info...

make sure its a 2003+ Escalade or Denali...

that will give you a good idea of what "lux" sounds like. Play a CD, adjust the bass and trebel, and see how it sounds to you.

For $1400 smackers I think I could gather a tom-tom or Nuvi 350, a decent head unit, amp, passive EQ, and a woofer setup behind the seat. I would bet it sounds better than a lux upgrade with a factory nav too. Just my opinion. :thumb:

I have been contemplating trying out a pre-amp EQ once.... not sure what would all need to be done though. I also am scratching my head over the lack of adjustibility of the Bose system.

Just buy a Kenwood Excelon head unit, they all have internal amps and will make your factory system sound much better, Don't waste you money on a lux amp, if you only want better sound out of your stock bose. If your looking for better speakers buy some Focals. IMO

If I buy a Kenwood or another brand with an internal amp, would it boost up the current system while going through the "dumb amp"...stock amp. I have no reason to upgrade Bose speakers...they are great speakers and if and when they blow, I can upgrade. Will just a new head unit with the current non lux Bose amp and Bose speakers sound better than the current Head Unit. From what I can tell the stock 6-disc changer, XM head unit is lame.

If I buy a Kenwood or another brand with an internal amp, would it boost up the current system while going through the "dumb amp"...stock amp. I have no reason to upgrade Bose speakers...they are great speakers and if and when they blow, I can upgrade. Will just a new head unit with the current non lux Bose amp and Bose speakers sound better than the current Head Unit. From what I can tell the stock 6-disc changer, XM head unit is lame.

If you hook up an aftermarket head unit to the stock bose speakers and amp its not going to make any difference.

The problem is not with the stock head unit. The stock head unit outputs clean unequalized line level audio. The problem is with the garbage Bose non-lux amp.

That is a bummer. I like Bose...so if I change the head unit, I need to change the Bose Amp to get some base and clarity.

Listened to an Escalade today with the same Head unit as mine. A lot better than mine, but still the Head Unit had only Base/Treble adjustment...CRAP.

I will not do the full Lux upgrad. I see it better to put an aftermarked DVD, NAV, Camera, Mp3...Head Unit in for a much better price.

or you can keep the stock head unit, and hook up all aftermarket amps/subs/speakers to it..

do whatever you want, and what will make YOU happy. :)

that is a bummer. I like Bose...so if I change the head unit, I need to change the Bose Amp to get some base and clarity.

Listened to an Escalade today with the same Head unit as mine. A lot better than mine, but still the Head Unit had only Base/Treble adjustment...CRAP.

I will not do the full Lux upgrad. I see it better to put an aftermarked DVD, NAV, Camera, Mp3...Head Unit in for a much better price.

That's what I was trying to tell you from the start. OEM is crap, but what do I know, I've only replaced about 30 of those for people that didn't like them.

You don't have to ditch all the Bose. You can add a new head unit by itself.

Very cool. Now if I replace the head unit, which I intend on doing, do I need to replace the Bose "dumb amp" or can I leave it with the Bose speakers and get a better sound than with the stock HU?

why would you spend money on a new head unit and leave the junk non-lux bose setup?

That's the question...do I nead to replace the non-lux Bose amp to get a better quality sound with a new HU? Keeping the Bose speakers

Follow jonyb's advise and dump your "Blose". Then just dump about $5,000.00 to whatever he recommends. I'm sure you will be happy with the results. ;)

Biggest problem going aftermarket is that you lose the rear seat radio controls. For some that is no big deal, but I have a 9 year old who likes to listen to different stuff than me. Guess that means I am getting OLD!!! You can change out the head unit and amp, then buy adapters to keep the steering wheel controls and XM radio. By the time your done, you will have spent more than just buying a LUX nav unit and Lux Amp. Plus when it looks stock people are less likely to steal it.

I would highly recommend reading Duratothemax's sticky thread posted above to find out how these stock systems are set up. He is the resident expert on how the stock systems work.

PB

That's the question...do I nead to replace the non-lux Bose amp to get a better quality sound with a new HU? Keeping the Bose speakers

I would not keep the bose speakers...if you are doing a new head unit, ditch all the bose stuff and start over. The bose speakers are meant to work and are 'tuned' for (if you could call it that) only the Bose amplifier

Biggest problem going aftermarket is that you lose the rear seat radio controls. For some that is no big deal, but I have a 9 year old who likes to listen to different stuff than me. Guess that means I am getting OLD!!! You can change out the head unit and amp, then buy adapters to keep the steering wheel controls and XM radio. By the time your done, you will have spent more than just buying a LUX nav unit and Lux Amp. Plus when it looks stock people are less likely to steal it.


factory XM, factory rear seat DVD player, and rear seat audio are all useless with an aftermarket head unit. There are no adapters to reatain these features.

Personally I opted for keeping the stock head unit and using a PAC adapter(thank's to Ben) and going with aftermarket speakers/sub and amps. Sound so much better than stock it's rediculous.

factory XM, factory rear seat DVD player, and rear seat audio are all useless with an aftermarket head unit. There are no adapters to reatain these features.

So the rear seat DVD will not work at all or will it just not play on the stereo?

For now I'm going to find a Lux Amp and have my current (6-disc, XM) head unit re-programmed at a dealer. Seems like the best and most affordable way to get better sound for the time being. I have a portable GPS and I am going to add an overhead DVD player between the visors so I won't need either in a head unit. I don't see the need to spend 5,000 on a sound system for the car.

For now I'm going to find a Lux Amp and have my current (6-disc, XM) head unit re-programmed at a dealer. Seems like the best and most affordable way to get better sound for the time being. I have a portable GPS and I am going to add an overhead DVD player between the visors so I won't need either in a head unit. I don't see the need to spend 5,000 on a sound system for the car.

Sounds like you know what you want. The $5,000 mentioned by someone else is an exageration. It wouldn't even cost close to half of that for aftermarket, but it's your truck and do what makes you happy.

for what it is worth, the lux nav unit sounds much better than the 6 disc converted to lux. plus the lux nav has a mid adjustment. i used both and prefer the sound of the nav unit. just waiting on the right used truck to make the swap:D. but i did try one for a few weeks in my truck out of a service customers truck. huge diff.

You know what's funny??? My Colorado actually had a mid-range adjustment and that was a basic system...Non-Premium.