C5 convertible sub and other
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
C5 convertible sub and other / PICTURES!
Want to upgrade the system in the C5 vert, and was wondring if any vert owners out there have put a sub in their center well. Can you hear and feel it doing 70mph with the top down? What did you use? I'm considering either JL's 10W6 or Kicker's 12L7.
Also open to recommendations on the door speakers - need loud and clean for those topless sunny days. Considering Infiniti Kappas or Polk MM6.
Also open to recommendations on the door speakers - need loud and clean for those topless sunny days. Considering Infiniti Kappas or Polk MM6.
Last edited by vertte; Apr 12, 2005 at 06:51 PM. Reason: change title
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 446
Likes: 14
From: Huntsville, AL
I put a sub box in the center well, and love the sound and punch it gave with the top down. I went with a simple RF punch 3 10", nothing fancy but the sound is fine for a vert. IMHO. I also replaced all the other speakers. Check out my gallery for picts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 3
From: Wood Dale Il.
I have a Jl audio in my 01 vert plus Rf door and rear speakers, with an Alpine head and digital EQ, I have a punch 250m and an Alpine v12 amp. in mine it sounds good.
I have one part out for repair once it comes back you can come and listen if you want Im in wood dale/elk grove.
Send me a pm.
I have one part out for repair once it comes back you can come and listen if you want Im in wood dale/elk grove.
Send me a pm.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Randleman NC
I have an 04 vert. Just installed the JL Audio sub box with a JL 10W3. Push it with a MTX 311D. Amp fits in side back compartment perfect. Installed Memphis PR 3" tweets in the door spkrs. Using stock head unit. Installed Ipod2Car to hardwire Ipod in center console. I love it! 
I just went all day today with top down. Still sounded great. the tweets cut through the air noise and the sub was punching just as strong as top up. Without taking the car apart I think its a great combo for the money.
By the way Im a Bass player for a Rock band so serious thump is important to me. And I wouldnt change a thing that I did. Its completely stealth you cant even see it at all. Everything still looks stock.
I just went all day today with top down. Still sounded great. the tweets cut through the air noise and the sub was punching just as strong as top up. Without taking the car apart I think its a great combo for the money.
By the way Im a Bass player for a Rock band so serious thump is important to me. And I wouldnt change a thing that I did. Its completely stealth you cant even see it at all. Everything still looks stock.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
All day with the top down - it's 30 here in Chicago - I'd need a snowmobile suit to do that this time of year! 
It's good to know the tweets and sub cut through the wind noise. I'm suprised the 10W3 is beefy enough to be heard with the top down.
I've already stripped out the interior, and am getting ready to install a layer of Fatmat and then Frostking, so now is the time to replace the whole setup.
After doing more research, I'm now leaning to a total JL system (except the HU). XR650CSi for the doors, 10W6V2 for the sub, VR525CXi for the rears, 500-5 amp. The 500-5 pushes out 250W for the sub; however, the 10W6 is rated 400W continuous. Will it be underpowered, or is this enough power?
For the HU, definitely want to be able to play MP3, and am leaning toward the Kenwood Excelon decks.
Open to suggestions!
It's good to know the tweets and sub cut through the wind noise. I'm suprised the 10W3 is beefy enough to be heard with the top down.
I've already stripped out the interior, and am getting ready to install a layer of Fatmat and then Frostking, so now is the time to replace the whole setup.
After doing more research, I'm now leaning to a total JL system (except the HU). XR650CSi for the doors, 10W6V2 for the sub, VR525CXi for the rears, 500-5 amp. The 500-5 pushes out 250W for the sub; however, the 10W6 is rated 400W continuous. Will it be underpowered, or is this enough power?
For the HU, definitely want to be able to play MP3, and am leaning toward the Kenwood Excelon decks.
Open to suggestions!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Folsom Ca
I have a 12" JLW6V2 and it still sounds/feels great with the top down, on the freeway, going 120! lol. It is a great sub and I am sure the 10 will still produce plenty of bass. I was debating between the 10 and the 12 for a while but finally went with the 12. If you want some pics, pm me and I will send them. I have never been dissapointed with any JL product.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 695
Likes: 1
From: Edgewood WA
Any of the top end speakers for the doors will sound good. Every speaker has its own sound, I always recommend you listen at the stereo shops to find what you like. I'm using a couple of 10" MTX subs I had laying around. A lot of folks would stick their noses up at, them, but as long as I don't tell them what they are, they sound good to everybody.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Ordered all the JL Audio speakers and sub the other day. The 10w6v2 is a rear ported sub, and needs at least 3/4" clearance on the back to operate properly, which negates using any of the ready made boxes out there. Anyone made a custom, ported sub enclosure out of the center well? I'm thinking the slanted portion of the well will lend itself very nicely to create the chamber for the port. I'm also hoping I can create a shelf below the stock cover to mount the sub on, and then modify the cover to keep everything stealthy (kind of like JL's stealthbox). Any hints or pictures would be appreciated!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Have ya looked at what subthump has for a box? Steve can make what you want work for sure. After reading this thread, I was surprised no one suggest it 
http://www.subthump.com/c5vette.htm
Email him and tell him what you want to do, he's a pretty nice guy, im sure he'll help.
snoopdan
http://www.subthump.com/c5vette.htm
Email him and tell him what you want to do, he's a pretty nice guy, im sure he'll help.
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Installed the JL 10W6V2 in the center well. Cut a piece of 5/8" MDF about 13" wide by 23" long - fits very snuggly in the center well, about 2" down from the top of the stock center well cover. Encased the center well in 2 layers of dynamat and a layer of 1/4" sticky insulation (frost king). Powered up by the 250W sub channel on a JL audio 500/5 amp.
Holy crap, it fricking rocks!
The sub is rated to 500W, but if I put that much power into it, I'd be deaf in a week.
It sounds crisp. clear, and loowww....
Crusied around today with the top down, and it hits hard! No need for an aftermarket box, the vette already has one ready to go! It was so easy, grandma could do it.
Hope to modify the stock well cover so it will fit over the sub and not degrade the sound at all....
Holy crap, it fricking rocks!
The sub is rated to 500W, but if I put that much power into it, I'd be deaf in a week. It sounds crisp. clear, and loowww....Crusied around today with the top down, and it hits hard! No need for an aftermarket box, the vette already has one ready to go!
It was so easy, grandma could do it. Hope to modify the stock well cover so it will fit over the sub and not degrade the sound at all....
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Yeah, just mounted it on a board that fits very snuggly in the center storage bin. Check it out:
This picture shows the carpet out, Dynamat and Frost King covering the whole trunk area, 2 layers of each in the storage well.
Here's the 10W6 bolted to the board, about to slide into position. The 2 pieces of MDF at the back are there to keep the back from falling down. The slanted front of the storage bin works great at keeping it in place and forcing it to the back.
Now in place, the sub weighs 30lbs - it ain't going anywhere!
Drove around at 90mph yesterday and it was plenty powerful enough. How do you guys listen to 1000W subs? Are you deaf?
This picture shows the carpet out, Dynamat and Frost King covering the whole trunk area, 2 layers of each in the storage well.
Here's the 10W6 bolted to the board, about to slide into position. The 2 pieces of MDF at the back are there to keep the back from falling down. The slanted front of the storage bin works great at keeping it in place and forcing it to the back.
Now in place, the sub weighs 30lbs - it ain't going anywhere!
Drove around at 90mph yesterday and it was plenty powerful enough. How do you guys listen to 1000W subs? Are you deaf?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Here's some more pictures:
JL 6.5CSI cut through the air noise at 90MPH no problem. 100W pumped into them from the JL500/5. Mounting plate courtesy of Vrumvrum.
Kenwood's new MP3 player, the 828 mounted on VrumVrum's face plate. The head unit does a really good job with sound stage management, and has a built in accelerometer that I haven't played with yet. On the downside, the display is hard to see in direct sun.
While I had the whole interior apart, I installed seat warmers and figured what the hell, and took the rest of the dash apart and put in the aluminum bezels from Vette Essentials.
before
After
Put new chromies on too! Had already installed the drilled/plated rotors and painted the calipers last fall.
Ready for summer!
JL 6.5CSI cut through the air noise at 90MPH no problem. 100W pumped into them from the JL500/5. Mounting plate courtesy of Vrumvrum.
Kenwood's new MP3 player, the 828 mounted on VrumVrum's face plate. The head unit does a really good job with sound stage management, and has a built in accelerometer that I haven't played with yet. On the downside, the display is hard to see in direct sun.
While I had the whole interior apart, I installed seat warmers and figured what the hell, and took the rest of the dash apart and put in the aluminum bezels from Vette Essentials.
before
After
Put new chromies on too! Had already installed the drilled/plated rotors and painted the calipers last fall.
Ready for summer!
