C5 door speaker question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
From: Boise Idaho
C5 door speaker question
I'm going to be installing a set of components (6.5" preferred) in my doors. I am currently debating what I should get. My wife has enacted a $100 limit (may be able to fudge this slightly), since I've been spending too much money on the car recently. I have a $50 Best Buy card that she doesn't know about, so that's an additional chunk of change that I can use. Herein lies the problem: I'm a JL Audio fan, through and through.
Would it be advisable to get a more traditional (Kenwood, Pioneer, etc.) set of components at Best Buy, or should I splurge and get a set of JL Audio TRs or VRs? I understand that it ultimately comes down to how I like the sound, but due to my price ceiling, I want to get the best bang for my buck.
Any advice, experience, or recommendations you have I am more than happy to hear them.
Thanks!
Would it be advisable to get a more traditional (Kenwood, Pioneer, etc.) set of components at Best Buy, or should I splurge and get a set of JL Audio TRs or VRs? I understand that it ultimately comes down to how I like the sound, but due to my price ceiling, I want to get the best bang for my buck.
Any advice, experience, or recommendations you have I am more than happy to hear them.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
From: Boise Idaho
I ended up going and listening to a few speakers and ended up getting the Diamond D661s components. They sounded better, in my opinion (possibly due to the silk tweeter). Now I just need to figure out what rears to get. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Keep an eye on the sensitivity/efficiency of the rear speakers. I don't know the specs on the Diamonds you picked up (good choice) but with the small size of the vette cabin they can be overpowering from the rear (much like the stock system is IMO) if you get say an 88db component set and a 91bd coaxial set in the rear. Yes you can fade etc but it is never quite as good IMHO. I have never been a fan of "rear fill" but to each their own 
G'luck on the system
Fej
G'luck on the system
Fej
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Put in the new speakers with the rears disconnected. You may not want to install rear speakers. I installed JL Audio VR series in the door. The 6.5" s in the stock location and the tweeter is mounted in the plastic piece right behind the door handle. I was pleased with the sound so have not installed rear speakers. Since theinterior was out of the car, I did run wires for the rears in case I changed my mind.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver WA
I have been thinking of changing out the speakers but when I went to the local Circuit City to see wht was available, I was told that with the Bose system that there is something unusual about it where you have to re wire the entire system (brigs to mind Tim Allen) and that you need to change all 4 speakers and not just any two.
Any truth to this.?? I just wanted to change the rears and add someting with a litttle more tweeter in it.
thanks
Any truth to this.?? I just wanted to change the rears and add someting with a litttle more tweeter in it.
thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
the easiest (and therefore cheapest) upgrade to the C5 Blose system is to replace the 3.5" twiddler in the doors. You cannot just replace both door speakers (3.5" and 8") without some work. The 3.5" is powered by the HU and the 8" has it's own amplifier. You could hook-up a 6.5" set to replace both but you will lose much of your bass since the HU output limits the frequencies that normally go to the 3.5". Lots of manufacturers make a replacement 3.5" speaker. Infinity and Alpine seem to be a popular choice on the Forum. You should come in under a $100 installed The aftermarket 3.5" will sound better than the Bose.
I'm not a fan of rear speakers but you can easily replace them also. Even a $50 pair of Pioneers will be better than stock. Go for it.
The aftermarket 3.5" will sound better than the Bose.I'm not a fan of rear speakers but you can easily replace them also. Even a $50 pair of Pioneers will be better than stock. Go for it.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 560
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From: nanticoke pa
rear speakers
i put a set of diamond audio coaxils in the rear and they sound great along with my diamond audio componens in the front and im runnin 2 jl audio amps 300/4 for fronts and rears and 500/1 for diamond audio 10 sub. diamond audio is primo equip. brad
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
the easiest (and therefore cheapest) upgrade to the C5 Blose system is to replace the 3.5" twiddler in the doors. You cannot just replace both door speakers (3.5" and 8") without some work. The 3.5" is powered by the HU and the 8" has it's own amplifier. You could hook-up a 6.5" set to replace both but you will lose much of your bass since the HU output limits the frequencies that normally go to the 3.5". Lots of manufacturers make a replacement 3.5" speaker. Infinity and Alpine seem to be a popular choice on the Forum. You should come in under a $100 installed The aftermarket 3.5" will sound better than the Bose.
I'm not a fan of rear speakers but you can easily replace them also. Even a $50 pair of Pioneers will be better than stock. Go for it.
The aftermarket 3.5" will sound better than the Bose.I'm not a fan of rear speakers but you can easily replace them also. Even a $50 pair of Pioneers will be better than stock. Go for it.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
the bose 8" isn't 4 ohm..it's like 1 ohm or something crazy like that. so if you just swap out the driver with a 4 ohm version you'll be getting a very reduced power output from an already weak amp
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Scott, you are correct. I was refering to the twidder and the rears in the above post. He wants to spend no more than a $150. I suggest he leave the 8"s factory (with their own amps) for this reason. Two pairs of speakers and install will be pushing that $150 limit. And no, I will not give him my CC numbers 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Scott, you are correct. I was refering to the twidder and the rears in the above post. He wants to spend no more than a $150. I suggest he leave the 8"s factory (with their own amps) for this reason. Two pairs of speakers and install will be pushing that $150 limit. And no, I will not give him my CC numbers
