We basically tried taking signals anywhere from the head unit to the factory amp in hopes to be able to get a decent signal. There wasn't much luck with powering a good set of speakers and subs. So we had to use aftermarket amps. In which we were met with pretty bad crappy signals. So now I have a bit ten installed. Boss head unit has own eq added onto the signal. Any signal you take coming from the head unit will already have the crappy eq added onto it. The DPS strips the signal down and gives the amp a clean signal to play with. I'm not a big fan of how Bose has implemented the system and the speakers are pretty meh IMO. If you're gonna pay extra $$ for the Bose system, it may be cheaper or more worthwhile just getting the non Bose and put in aftermarket amps, speakers and subs.