This FAQ is currently in development. Comments and Suggestions on topics I may have missed are encouraged.
General Info:
The Sound Group II option adds $635 to the sticker price. Included are eight BA speakers: three 3.5-inch mid/high-frequency drivers in the front dashboard (left, center, right), two 6x9-inch low-frequency drivers in the front doors, and two 6x9-inch full-range drivers and an 8-inch subwoofer (optimized for infinite-baffle operation) mounted in the rear parcel tray behind the back seats.
Powering all speakers is an 8-channel amplifier with integrated DSP, which pumps out a total of 368 watts. According to BA, the amp incorporates all audio functions, such as system tuning as well as volume, balance, fader, and tone controls, etc. These functions are embedded in the amplifier to improve sound quality—placing them at the end of the signal chain is said to increase dynamic range and minimize distortion. This is one of several elements that BA believes is necessary to achieve high-quality sound performance in a vehicle.
Speaker Questions & Info:
Standard 4 Speaker Package:
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in front doors.
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in rear shelf.
Boston 6 Speaker Package:
- 2 3.5 Inch speakers on the top of the dash.
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in front doors.
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in rear deck.
- 1 288 watt amplifier in front dash directly behind headlight switch.
Boston 8 Speaker Package:
- 3 3.5 Inch speakers on the top of the dash
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in front doors.
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in rear deck.
- 1 7" Subwoofer mounted on rear deck.
- 1 380 watt amplifier in front dash directly behind headlight switch.
What colors are the wires that run to the speakers?
Note: The the first color is the color of the wire and the second color is the color of the stripe on the wire.
Dash Left +: Gray/Orange
Dash Left -: Gray/Yellow
Dash Center +: Gray/Brown
Dash Center -: Gray/Orange
Dash Right +: Gray/Dark Green
Dash Right -: Gray/Light Green
Front Left +: Gray/Violet
Front Left -: Gray/Yellow
Front Right +: Dark Green/Violet
Front Right -: Dark Green/Yellow
Rear Left +: Dark Green/Tan
Rear Left -: Dark Green/Gray
Rear Right +: Dark Green/Brown
Rear Right -: Yellow/Gray
Subwoofer +: Grey/Brown
Subwoofer -: Dark Green/Brown
Is the Boston Acoustic Sound Group 2 option worth the additional cost?
This question is very subjective. Some people may find that its a great deal, and may never have any interest in upgrading the equipment. Others may become unsatisfied with the system over time, and choose to upgrade some of the components with higher quality aftermarket components. Given the quality of the speakers included with the Boston Acoustic system, I suggest you judge for yourself.
Boston Acoustic Sound Group 2 6x9 Speaker from the front door:
You would be hard pressed to find a speaker of this quality for more than $10 at any swapmeet.
Does this mean many of us will not be happy with the Boston Acoustic System? Absolutely NOT, unless you have experienced the joy that is aftermarket audio. The Boston Acoustic is plenty sufficient for the casual listener.
I'd like to upgrade the speakers with something higher quality, would that make the system sound better?
Put simply yes, but the difference will be minimal. The factory amplifier puts out no where near the wattage it claims to. For Instance, upgrading the 3.5" Speakers will make quite a difference, because 3.5" speakers generally do well powered with less than 40watts. Aftermarket 6x9" Speakers generally require 80watts or more, so replacing your 6x9" Speakers with an aftermarket will acually degrade the output and sound quality. The factory Boston Acoustic amplifier is not sufficient enough to power an aftermarket 6x9 to most people's satisfaction. The Sound Group 2 6x9s will most likely sound better on the factory amp. I know this from experience.
What companies make 3.5" Speakers that fit the dash? Which is best?
Nearly all 3.5" Speakers have an RMS wattage rating of 40watts or below. The factory amplifier is capable of driving most of the aftermarket 3.5" Speakers out there. 3.5" Speakers are limited to the amount of midbass they can provide due to their minimal size, so when auditioning 3.5" Speakers at your local audio shop, focus on their high range ability. Some of the higher quality 3.5" Speaker manufacturers include: Diamond Audio, Infinity, Eclipse, Pioneer, and JL audio.
I noticed that there is a center channel speaker in my dash, is this speaker necessary? Should I upgrade this too?
Proper stereo imaging cannot be achieved with 3 speakers in the dash. The only purpose a center channel could serve would be in a 5.1 Surround Sound application. A center channel screws up left and right imaging. I found the imaging so bad with the stock Sound Group 2, that I thought my hearing was going out on my left ear. After I removed the center channel, things got back to normal and the system felt balanced. I replaced all 3 3.5" Speakers with Eclipse units, but found that the distance from me to the center channel was too close, so the right side of the audio system was always louder than the left. I suggest disconnecting the center channel speaker and see if you prefer the setup yourself.
I have noticed that my door 6x9"s only seem to output bass. Is this normal?
The door speakers are crossed over to reproduce only low frequency sound. The only source of fullrange signal is from the rear deck speakers. The 3.5" speakers in the dash are crossed over to reproduce the higher frequencies.
I am hearing rattling or buzzing coming from the rear deck. What could cause this?
In the trunk under the rear deck is a cardboard shelf that protects the 6x9"s and subwoofer. This piece of cardboard has a tendency to buzz and rattle. Removing it will not affect sound quality.
I am not happy with the performance of the Boston Acoustic subwoofer, I'd like to replace it with an 8" Sub. Is this possible?
The factory subwoofer is mounted from the top of the rear deck, and is actually 7" in diameter. The easiest way to mount an 8" Sub in the rear deck, would be to build a wooden mounting ring for the top of the deck, and mount the new 8" Subwoofer from underneath the rear deck. Instead of the subwoofer being dropped into the rear deck, it would be under the bottom deck screwed into the wooden mounting ring on top. Keep in mind, that regardless of which speaker you install, the factory amplifier will most likely struggle providing enough power to it.
Ampifier Questions:
I'd like to replace the factory amplifier, how can I get a line level signal for my new Amps?
You can add an aftermarket amp by putting a line level converter between the factory head unit and factory amp and bypass the stock amp completely. You can use the factory head unit to adjust volume and balance, but you will lose your ability to fade.
What wires do I tap between the factory amp and factory head unit for my line level converter?
Radio pin A18- Radio Left Rear +: Dark Green / DarkBlue (amp pin A7)
Radio pin A19- Radio Left Rear - : Dark Green / Orange (amp pin A19)
Radio pin A21- Radio Right Rear +: Grey / Dark Blue (amp pin A8 )
Radio pin A20- Radio Right Rear -: Grey / Orange (amp pin A19)
Wouldn't it be easier to just use a line level adapter connected to the rear speakers?
Yes, but the amplifier handles all the digital sound processing, so your overall signal quality could be downgraded. It will work, but before the factory amp is a better location to tap.
Where can I tap into for a remote signal to turn on my amplifier?
Fuse 18 in the trunk fuse box. You can purchase a "Mini-Fuse" tap at many automotive parts stores. This fuse is on the power-off delay circuit, it stays on when you shut off the car until the door is opened just like the radio. It will look like the following:
Head Unit/Source Unit Questions:
I'd like to swap out my factory non Navigation radio with an aftermarket single din unit, what dash kit will I need?
You can use Metra Dash kit #99-6507 for the 2004 Dodge Durango. This fits the Magnum and also the 300c. It has half moon shapes on the sides to fill out the space where your factory radio had it's knobs.
Metra Dash kit #99-6507:
I'd like to swap out my factory Navigation radio with an aftermarket single din unit, what dash kit will I need?
As far as I can tell, no dash install kits have been manufactured yet for Navigation unit replacement. Every install I have seen has been custom by an Audio shop. If anyone spots a Metra or Scosche part # please e-mail me.
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