New audio system---need help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 184
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New audio system---need help
I am close to getting my Vette out of the shop. The radio doesn't work, and when it did the speakers sounded like shiat. So I plan to get a whole new audio system.
The Vette is an '80. It has T-tops, so I don't want anything that will not leave room to put my T-tops in the back. Probably just a new face unit and whatever stock speakers are.
Can anyone recommend a good face unit (I'd like mp3 ability) and speakers? What size speakers will I need (I know nothing about car audio stuff)?
I'm not looking for top-of-the-line super expensive stuff, just something that sounds good and ain't too much money.
And where should I take it for purchase/installation? I've used Best Buy before, and they did a good job and got a good installation price.
The Vette is an '80. It has T-tops, so I don't want anything that will not leave room to put my T-tops in the back. Probably just a new face unit and whatever stock speakers are.
Can anyone recommend a good face unit (I'd like mp3 ability) and speakers? What size speakers will I need (I know nothing about car audio stuff)?
I'm not looking for top-of-the-line super expensive stuff, just something that sounds good and ain't too much money.
And where should I take it for purchase/installation? I've used Best Buy before, and they did a good job and got a good installation price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by DJ Dep
Please post question like this in the General section. This is the Tech/Performance section.
Dep
Dep
Hey look it's the forum police. Stereo installs depending on how far you want to go can deliver excellent sound PERFORMANCE and be very TECHnical to install. Hell my vette had a tv, which I don't recommend it covers the oil guage. Hey homie this can be a tech article I'll just make it one. The c3 rear area doesn't really have room for a subwoofer in the back of 12" or greater while still fitting t tops. Behind the seat is a excellent location for an amp, I have never experienced overheating problems in this area. Also for a mp3 unit a aiwa mp3 from best buy is not that expensive and will most likely give you the sound you are looking for. I have Boston Acoustics in mine which are a great sounding speaker, but it just depends on what you want to spend, the dash speakers should be a 4 x 6 and the rear's I think are 6 x 9's.
Hey dep dimensions makes it tech correct?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,143
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From: San Diego California
Originally Posted by munday
Hey look it's the forum police. Stereo installs depending on how far you want to go can deliver excellent sound PERFORMANCE and be very TECHnical to install.
Hey dep dimensions makes it tech correct?
Hey dep dimensions makes it tech correct?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by DJ Dep
C3 Tech/Performance
Internal Engine | External Engine | Tech Topics Only | Performance Results
Judge for yourself
Internal Engine | External Engine | Tech Topics Only | Performance Results
Judge for yourself
So if I get a dBA guage then we can get performance results from his new system
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
u can do a few different setups i guess..... i have seen 6x9's in a rear cutout plate or in the storage compartments..... u can do 5 1/4's in the lower kick panels, some 4"s in the dash and some tweet up high... jl audio makes a component setup a 6 1/4" driver, 4" mid, and a tweet.. i have that setup with a few subs...... if you are not going to run an amp i would just buy the speakers in pairs in what you might be able to afford....... there are various combos that u can do, it's just a matter of how much time/work you want to put into it....... the kick panels would be easier that trying to pull the dash.... mount tweets in the pillars and maybe the 6x9's in the rear....../ it's better to have mid and high to come from the front and lows from the back..... u can use one of the rear compartments as a box for sub...just build a slip box for it...
b
b
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by onaqwst
u can do a few different setups i guess..... i have seen 6x9's in a rear cutout plate or in the storage compartments..... u can do 5 1/4's in the lower kick panels, some 4"s in the dash and some tweet up high... jl audio makes a component setup a 6 1/4" driver, 4" mid, and a tweet.. i have that setup with a few subs...... if you are not going to run an amp i would just buy the speakers in pairs in what you might be able to afford....... there are various combos that u can do, it's just a matter of how much time/work you want to put into it....... the kick panels would be easier that trying to pull the dash.... mount tweets in the pillars and maybe the 6x9's in the rear....../ it's better to have mid and high to come from the front and lows from the back..... u can use one of the rear compartments as a box for sub...just build a slip box for it...
b
b
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 567
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From: Springhill Kansas
I have all pioneer stuff. The new like 700f head unit or something like that, 200 bucks, 4x6 pioneers in the dash and then i built a custom sub box with 2 12" pioneers and a legacy 2000 watt amp. I have 4 pioneer speakers in the box as well. Very tight, but t-tops lay on top of the box. Sounds great, but i would recommend just doing the head unit and a few speakers in the back (saves a lot of space and money) but i think pioneer is cheap and great sounding stuff.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 559
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From: James Island South Carolina
Originally Posted by seventyeightcorvette
How about the rear panel? What is behind there? Is there room for 6x9's in that? That would free up the entire back for ttops and with tops there you still would be able to hear your stereo.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 582
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From: Ashaway RI
I have an 81 and installed a Sony Xplod cd/mp3 am/fm etc. You have to cut the gauge bezel to fit it, but it's a pretty simple install. Boston acoustic 4X6 speakers (FX7) fit in the stock location in the dash and sound great. I tried others like pioneer and Polk and they just didn't fit. Boston Acoustic 6X9 (NX97) fit in the rear stock location and sound great. Also tried Pioneer and Polk in the rear and they didn't fit.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by bertmeister
I have an 81 and installed a Sony Xplod cd/mp3 am/fm etc. You have to cut the gauge bezel to fit it, but it's a pretty simple install. Boston acoustic 4X6 speakers (FX7) fit in the stock location in the dash and sound great. I tried others like pioneer and Polk and they just didn't fit. Boston Acoustic 6X9 (NX97) fit in the rear stock location and sound great. Also tried Pioneer and Polk in the rear and they didn't fit.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by seventyeightcorvette
I have an explode in my 78. I have xplode 6x9's in speaker boxes in the rear. I also put new 4x6's up front. My only problem is that I have to lay my ttops at an angle and they cover up my speakers. I couldnt fit the speakers in stock location in the corners. I was thinking about installing them in the rear wall in back, but I think that the gas tank will be in the way, so that nixes that idea. Trying to figure out another layout so I may lay my ttops flat, but not much room. Thought about the storage compartments, but the battery is in the way. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 582
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From: Ashaway RI
Sorry for the delay. 
The 81's came with the rear speakers installed in the back corners, so they don't interfere and are not blocked when you have the t-tops back there. I don't have a picture right now, anyone else? Maybe you could use the mounting setup they had in the 81?
The 81's came with the rear speakers installed in the back corners, so they don't interfere and are not blocked when you have the t-tops back there. I don't have a picture right now, anyone else? Maybe you could use the mounting setup they had in the 81?