QuestionQUESTION: Good Day sir, Is it possible to install a 1/4" stereo headphone jack onto my Bose WaveRadio / CD player? It does not have one. Thank you! --Chris
ANSWER: No, I don't recommend it. Why? Because Bose uses highly tailored sound quality to compensate for acoustic reproduction in the loudspeakers. To tap in a headphone jack onto the audio amps would produce strange sounding audio.
There is a solution. Use the audio outputs on the back of the unit and mute the internal speakers. Then attach a set or wireless or self powered headphones to that output.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6531_7-6509088.html
http://www.headamp.com/home_amps/gs1/index.htm
Examples above.
Hope this helps.
C
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you! Great answer about my Bose. Now that I have your ear, may I ask another question? I have just inherited a tabletop AM / FM / FM Stereo / Radio that was my Grandmother's. It is an RCA model RLC75W, 120 v, 60 cycles, 18 watts, and measures 23.5" wide, 7.5" tall, and 5.5" deep. It is old. My best guess it was built in the 1970s. It is in a stained mahogany plywood veneer cabinet, pull-on volume knob, separate bass, treble, and balance knobs, tuning knob, and input selectors for tape input (RCA jacks) and phono input (weird looking 3 pin)on the back Masonite panel. It has 2 - 4" speakers inside, Pioneer 10-99, 8 ohm, 3 watts, Japan B6847 printed on the rear of the magnet. After all that.....my question. I want to replace the old, original 4" Pioneer speakers with something newer, more full range, for better sound quality across both the AM and FM bands, rock, to talk, to classical. I feel confident that I can do the replacement myself, as the back panel is removable and provides good access. I am pleasantly surprised at the amount of sound this box makes. It has great reception,and can really punch music. Can you recommend a pair of 4" full range speaker replacements? I do not want to spend too much money....up to $50.00 for the pair.
Again, my thanks about the Bose.
Chris
AnswerYour greatest problem will be finding speakers that fit the same mounting holes. You may need to do some modifications to make the replacements fit properly, such as slightly different mount screw holes and use of mortite or some compound to seal around the speaker basket so there is no air leak.
Take a look at some of those on the crutchfield search:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-w0IQwijaM9z/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?search=4%22+speak
BestBuy and CircuitCity and even RadioShack all have more choices. If you can get a Polk or Boston Acoustic to fit they would do a good job.
ALSO: Important is to make sure the impedance is correct. That is the most important electrical characteristic. In those days about all speakers were 8 ohms, so make sure you get 8 ohm speakers of their are no markings to the contrary.
Best wishes,
C
I saw your ratings. Thank you for being one of the few who take the time.
However, I would like to disagree with your sentiment. You said you were looking for a good quality speaker. I suggested for you to make sure the impedance was correct and there were several that were in the list I suggested you consider.
Voltage is not a relevant factor as you stated. But sensitivity is and you did not mention that. But, impedance is of primary importance.
Auto speakers are of higher audio sound quality, in general, than are radio/tv replacement speakers.
Also, I suggested you consider such places as BestBuy, CircuitCity and RadioShack, all of whom can give you a variety of options.
The choosing of the best speaker for your radio is going to be to some extent finding a speaker that will fit. In ages ago all 4 inch speakers had somewhat standard mounting configurations but today that is not so; there is a great variation in the geometry, mounting, depth and so on. So, you must do some work on your end in choosing the best fit and subjective quality for the old RCA tapletop.
Hope this helps you understand more succinctly.
C
