Different approach here.

I know we all are looking for replacement headunits or extra amps in our RX-8s, but my goal is to rip complete Bose system off RX-8 (from junkyard of course, cause I love it, with one exception - you can't control the deeper bass) and put it in my other car (Passat lol), BUT without the RX-8 headunit. So my main question would be:

Does the Bose amps require some factory headunit signals or can I completely chuck away factory headunit and use aftermarket headunit (like alpine, sony etc)

I want to play music from an aftermarket car stereo and an EQ unit of my choice, and drive it through all that RX-8 Bose gear (front speakers + amps, tweeters, rear speakers, main amp).
Has anyone have some insight if this would be possible? Everyone's talking about some LOCs etc but I have no idea what is what.

In theory it should be simple - drive the cables of the aftermarket stereo HU preamp out into the input of the Bose amp. As to the front speaker amplifiers, power them from separate power inputs. Is that achievable, or does the amp require some factory headunit signals?

Cheers!

I don't think it requires anything special, just the regular amp stuff like power, ground, remote on and input signal. Someone might chime in with the wiring diagrams for this stuff since I don't have it, but it shouldn't be too hard. I mean, people are replacing the HUs in the 8 for aftermarket with no problems so I can't see a problem with it.

I do see a problem with the time and money you may spend adapting the speakers and wiring to the Passat. Unless the speakers are a direct fit, it would probably be easier to just get aftermarket stuff. Would probably sound better too.

Check the audio install reference sticky at the top of this forum and see if you can even fit the 8's stuff in your Passat. 9 inch front speakers are kind of an odd thing, and the only way you can drive them is with the Bose amp since they are 1/2 Ohm.

I think it'd be much more worth your while to select custom components that fit the Passat versus hacking apart an RX8 for the Bose speakers.

The bose system is so muddy, why you would ever want it in another car is beyond me.

The only redeeming part of the system is the 9" woofers up front, and fitting them into a passat would be hell I bet.

Aftermarket speakers will get you so much better clarity and quality...

Thanks for the replies.
The point is, I really like (almost love) that RX8 Bose system. I would even rip the original headunit if it only had more contol over frequencies (esp. that lower deeper bass which you just can't get rid of, not always wanted)

The problem with aftermarkets is you gonna buy this and this and that and in the end you might not get something that sounds as you were thinking. Here I have got trusted sound quality with plenty of power (well enough for me - I mean for listening to the music by myself, not my far neigbours :-) ) with only that bass control flaw.
I am also not a fan of super tweety tweeters, I just like the spectrum RX8 gives, without that high frequencies which just tires my ears. Im not after competition, it's for my own pleasure :-)
I can see no problem with fitting 9 inch subs into Passat, I will cut original housing if required and do any other mods just to get that sound. (I have fitted 2001 Honda Civic projector headlights to my old Mazda MX-3 in the past with success, so speakers shouldnt be problem either)
Anyway, I guess I will start looking for threads with fitting aftermarket headunits in RX-8

Cheers!

Remember that the Bose system in the RX8 was probably tuned for the sound frequencies in the RX8. Road noise, engine noise, etc etc. It was custom built around all that. Throwing it into another car might not work as well as you'd like. Custom building around the passat with aftermarket speakers/tweeters and woofers would definitely get you a better sounding system.

I wouldn't use the head-unit either. Get an aftermarket one, change the Bose amp for aftermarket and use the RX8 speakers and woofers if you are set on using them.

My Bose system has got no highs, no lows...it simply blows. There isn't really anything special about 'em...But I guess it's kind of like another popular saying: beauty is in the ears of the listener...LOL.