So Im installing a sub and amp to my coupe while still retaining the bose premium HU. I understand I will have to splice into the stock harness and install an LOC. My question is...can someone recommend me a LOC? I see there are quite a few different types..

 

they pretty much are all the same...you could spend 100 bucks on one and get the same performance out of a 30 dollar unit

 

No need for an LOC, my installer spliced in some RCA plugs directly the factory harness. If you do want to use an LOC, Navone makes one with a line driver built in.

http://www.davidnavone.com/cart.asp?24&cat=7

 

I just bought the Jl audio speaker wire to rca connection for my setup. You can find it on crutchfield as well as Jl's website.

 

As I understand it, you can only do speaker wire to RCA without an LOC if your amp will accept differential inputs. If your amp will not accept differential inputs, you need an LOC.

I may be wrong on this, but I thought I should caution anyone who might be thinking of doing speaker wire to RCA - check your amp specs to be sure it accept differential inputs first.

 

^^^ True, your amp will need to be able to accept speaker level inputs to use the rca to speaker wire connection..

 

I have the 04 coupe with stock headunit... doing a double din install friday.. i am going to sell my navonne LOC converter.. it is by far the best one out there... no hissing and it has a built in line driver.. pm me if you want.. $15 plus shipping...

 

The Bose HU outputs a low line level of about 2 volts BEFORE it enters the Bose amp.

Tap into the audio harness BEFORE the Bose amp and you don't need anything but spliced RCA cables if your amp accepts balanced inputs - JL Amps do.

If you tap into the audio harness AFTER the Bose amp (which I don't recommend because the Bose amp adds undesirable audio EQing) then you need an LOC.