Mar 25, 2015, 01:48 PM
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C5 and general audio FAQ
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
I'm not an audiofile, but in my humble opinion anything would sound better than the Bose and the Focals sound very nice. I'm sure there are lots of others that sound very good as well. I did not install a sub or amp, and I am quit satisfied with the result. With this system, I can crank to full volume without any distortion, so yes, I can hear them with the top off. As for the rears, that is personal taste. I had them turned off for a while (by mistake) and when I turned them back on, I liked the sound better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
The sound quality of the ipod is great. I have about 1500 songs on mine now. I can move it easily from my Vette to my truck and into the house. I just leave it on random play and let it run. There is no need to have the changer anymore, so I have removed it from the trunk.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
The sound quality of the ipod is great. I have about 1500 songs on mine now. I can move it easily from my Vette to my truck and into the house. I just leave it on random play and let it run. There is no need to have the changer anymore, so I have removed it from the trunk.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 40
From: Texas
I recently had the Soundgate GMCRV1 that I've used for 5 years die, and instead of getting another Soundgate, I tried the Metra Axxess XSVI-2004. I run it with its gain ***** cranked all the way up, the same as I did with the Soundgate. IMO the improvement in the sound from the door subs is huge. I can crank up the volume much higher without any distortion now. Also, the Metra provides a switched power lead with the "Retained Accessory Power" feature, ie your stereo stays on till you open your doors, like the stock stereo would. I've seen a lot of mentions of the Soundgate and PAC adapters here, but never the Metra, so figured it was worth mentioning.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Cant believe with today's technology that people still use CD's and the poor quality BOSE stock sound system.
I yanked out that POS Bose stereo as soon as I bought the car and installed a deck that plays MP3 disc's and has an iPod connector along with an USB port, was under $200 for the radio along with a free installation kit from Crutchfield.com!
A single MP3 disc will hold almost more music than a 12 disc CD changer, well over 120 songs on one disc and no need to change the disc. Just take all of your CD's and upload them to your computer and make MP3 disc's. iTunes is free and will do all this for you.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview...INS-itunes.com
I yanked out that POS Bose stereo as soon as I bought the car and installed a deck that plays MP3 disc's and has an iPod connector along with an USB port, was under $200 for the radio along with a free installation kit from Crutchfield.com!
A single MP3 disc will hold almost more music than a 12 disc CD changer, well over 120 songs on one disc and no need to change the disc. Just take all of your CD's and upload them to your computer and make MP3 disc's. iTunes is free and will do all this for you.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview...INS-itunes.com
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Car Audio Tech you said
"hi nextime,
The original Bose system in the Corvette C5, although not a cheap installation, happens to be extremely well built in my opinion. It's a simple case of you get what you pay for in my opinion and I for one would not put in an aftermarket deck as I am keeping my vehicle 100% original."
First if this system was so good there wouldnt be 100's of how to's on how to remove the system on this forum or all the other Corvette forums plus all the other cars that used the Bose system.
The system is cheap compared to the quality of aftermarket systems available now or the year your Corvette was built. Just cause you paid high $$$ for it stock in your Corvette doesnt mean it is high quality.
Second nobody keeps their car 100% original if it is driven. Once you drive it long enough to do a tune-up, change brakes, change tires it is no longer 100% original. Original is how it left the factory assembled.
Now if you actually heard an aftermarket system that replaced the Bose you can clearly hear the difference. Aftermarket systems make the Bose sound like a 1 speaker transistor radio.
P.S. all of my Blows I mean Bose parts are still in my possession, the car can be returned to 100% stock like you say when I sell it.
"hi nextime,
The original Bose system in the Corvette C5, although not a cheap installation, happens to be extremely well built in my opinion. It's a simple case of you get what you pay for in my opinion and I for one would not put in an aftermarket deck as I am keeping my vehicle 100% original."
First if this system was so good there wouldnt be 100's of how to's on how to remove the system on this forum or all the other Corvette forums plus all the other cars that used the Bose system.
The system is cheap compared to the quality of aftermarket systems available now or the year your Corvette was built. Just cause you paid high $$$ for it stock in your Corvette doesnt mean it is high quality.
Second nobody keeps their car 100% original if it is driven. Once you drive it long enough to do a tune-up, change brakes, change tires it is no longer 100% original. Original is how it left the factory assembled.
Now if you actually heard an aftermarket system that replaced the Bose you can clearly hear the difference. Aftermarket systems make the Bose sound like a 1 speaker transistor radio.
P.S. all of my Blows I mean Bose parts are still in my possession, the car can be returned to 100% stock like you say when I sell it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, The Lone Star State
I tried to replace the head unit with an aftermarket reciever and couldnt do it (acording to Cartoys). I had to replace the speakers as well which was going to be super expensive.
long story short...I just bought an iPod cable and hooked up to the CD changer controls.
long story short...I just bought an iPod cable and hooked up to the CD changer controls.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Yeah they fed you a line of BS, all you needed was the Soundgate GMCRV1 to make ALL the stock speakers work.
I tried to replace the head unit with an aftermarket reciever and couldnt do it (acording to Cartoys). I had to replace the speakers as well which was going to be super expensive.
long story short...I just bought an iPod cable and hooked up to the CD changer controls.
long story short...I just bought an iPod cable and hooked up to the CD changer controls.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 927
Likes: 6
From: King George VA
Hey guys. I'm really enjoying the sound of my stock stereo, but the 12 disc changer in the trunk won't read CD-Rs. Besides, I don't need a 12disc changer anyways. 
Is it possible to remove the changer, and swap out the oem head unit for a newer oem unit with the single disc capability? Are the two head units (one disc and no disc, changer in trunk) the same size? Thanks
Is it possible to remove the changer, and swap out the oem head unit for a newer oem unit with the single disc capability? Are the two head units (one disc and no disc, changer in trunk) the same size? Thanks
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: SW FL
Hey guys. I'm really enjoying the sound of my stock stereo, but the 12 disc changer in the trunk won't read CD-Rs. Besides, I don't need a 12disc changer anyways. Is it possible to remove the changer, and swap out the oem head unit for a newer oem unit with the single disc capability? Are the two head units (one disc and no disc, changer in trunk) the same size? Thanks
Is it possible to remove the changer, and swap out the oem head unit for a newer oem unit with the single disc capability? Are the two head units (one disc and no disc, changer in trunk) the same size? Thanks
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 97
I tried to replace the head unit with an aftermarket reciever and couldnt do it (acording to Cartoys). I had to replace the speakers as well which was going to be super expensive.
long story short...I just bought an iPod cable and hooked up to the CD changer controls.
long story short...I just bought an iPod cable and hooked up to the CD changer controls.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Sorry but to replace anything in the C5 the head unit has to be the first to go. The stock head unit is designed to work with the Blows I mean Bose system.
I replaced just my head unit and left the Bose speakers and it sounds so much better.
The stock C5 system sucks compared to what is available today!
I replaced just my head unit and left the Bose speakers and it sounds so much better.
The stock C5 system sucks compared to what is available today!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: SW FL
Sorry but to replace anything in the C5 the head unit has to be the first to go. The stock head unit is designed to work with the Blows I mean Bose system.
I replaced just my head unit and left the Bose speakers and it sounds so much better.
The stock C5 system sucks compared to what is available today!
I replaced just my head unit and left the Bose speakers and it sounds so much better.
The stock C5 system sucks compared to what is available today!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: WINFIELD ILLINOIS
line out add on what wire to tap
I have read through many many post and have not found the exact answer. Im keeping the stock HU and have a line out converter. Ive tried taping to the front speakers 2 diffrent ways. One befor the conditioner, and one way after the HU speaker outs. I still can not get any LOW PASS Bass. please help with the best wire's to tap to to get full audio im wanting to run a 4 channel amp with a sub amp added.
Please. Thank's guys
Please. Thank's guys
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
You should have a full frequency line-level signal going from the radio to the bose conditioner. C5 schematics are here. You could also tap into the speaker-level bass signal at one of the door subs, I fed a bazooka tube with that signal for a while, it worked fine.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: WINFIELD ILLINOIS
so you think maybe the line out that i have just is not a full range. I didnt really look at it was something i purchased befor a few years back. Do they make ones that are not a full range.