[SOLVED] Bose Amp Replacement

Context, I have a 2010 speed3 with the tech pack, which includes the Bose sound system.

I recently had all sound from my sound system die on me. Sound went from working perfectly, to intermittent cutting out, then a week later a pop of static and it was radio silence (literally). Still had power to the radio but all sources (AM/FM, CD, AUX, Bluetooth) were silent. Checked all fuses, and the physical wires to the radio/speakers. Everything looked good.

Assumed the radio kicked the bucket (bad diagnosis, I'm just inexperienced) and bought a new Pioneer DMH-W2700NEX off Crutchfield with the required kit to wire things up. Everything worked for a short while again, then suddenly a pop of static and it was radio silence again. Turning the car off and on or unplugging and plugging in the radio's power cable got things working again, until it didn't anymore. This (plus advice from Discord/Facebook group members) finally lead me to what was really the cause, the Bose amp had died.

I found an exact replacement from Mazdaspeedpartout on Instagram but decided to poke around at my local junkyard for a replacement. I ended up finding a 2009 Mazda 6 with the Bose sound system, and discovered the amp happens to be the exact same, although more difficult to get to. I snagged it for $35 CAD plus a small core charge. An absolute steal, as prices for them on eBay are roughly $250 - $300 USD. And refurbishing the amp can go for $150 - $200 USD. I plugged the replacement amp in and the audio is working perfectly again.

Hope this aids anyone else if they encounter something similar.

 

Good stuff! It always helps to know what other parts can cross over and work between models

 

Hey Im thinking about doing the same thing, Ive found a 2011 Mazda 6 parts car with the Bose audio system near me. Before I purchase the amp I just wanted to know a few things:
1. Are the serial numbers on your 2010 speed 3 amp and the 2009 Mazda 6 amp the exact same? I have come across many Bose amps that look the exact same but have different numbers so I'm not sure if it needs to be an exact match or not.
2. Do you know if 2009 - 2013 Mazda 6's use the exact same Bose amp? If not are they still interchangeable with the 2010 speed 3? Thanks for any insight you can provide!

 

Why on earth would the serial (not cereal you don't eat them) numbers match? If they do that's suspicious. The model numbers should match, you can cross reference part numbers on Jim Ellis Mazda they've got a great parts website
https://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/

OP hasn't been around since July 2023...but in his post he says he took the unit from a 09:Mazda 6 and put in in his gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 meaning they're interchangeable even if the part numbers don't match.

You headed over to aim / triple m?

 

Yeah I meant the part/model number.. and they don't match. The Bose system in the Mazda 6 has different power requirements so I'm not sure this swap is a good idea but I don't really know enough about electronics and audio.

Additional note: The Mazda 6 Bose amp sells new for less than half of the speed 3 amp on their parts website, if they're the same thing why do different part listings exist and why do dealers always quote $1700 (price of the speed 3 amp)

 

Okay and? There may be enough power to be fine, which is exactly what OP reported. unfortunately I don't think OP is around to tell us how it's going almost a year later.

If it were my car it'd be trying it but that's just me