Stock C6 speaker replacement
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 35
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From: Simi Valley California
Stock C6 speaker replacement
I know this has probably been covered, but are there any speaker upgrades that replace the stock Bose without modification? I'm looking for improvement, but not a major upgrade or expense. I've got a C6 coupe with Nav. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
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From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by gtrman100
I know this has probably been covered, but are there any speaker upgrades that replace the stock Bose without modification? I'm looking for improvement, but not a major upgrade or expense. I've got a C6 coupe with Nav. Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 121
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This topic has been covered many times, but if you are new to the forum you need to know where to look. Do a search for "C6 speaker upgrade". You can find the pros and cons of different approaches. For the best possible sound you need to replace the amp and speakers. However, a low cost alternative is to only replace the 3.5 and 5.25 speakers. Forum members have replaced with Eclipse, Infinitys, Boston Acoustics, and others. Most have reported a significant improvement in the sound quality. My original intent was to follow Shopdog's approach, but the amp he used is no longer available, so I decided to try the speaker replacement only approach. I have no regrets.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 588
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From: Tampa, Florida
I did that search (interested in topic) and all I could find was a 2005 post on a C6 which replaced stock speakers with Eclipse speakers, but would not explain how the connectors worked.
From what I've read, it seems that only the door (3.5") and rear (5.25") speakers can be "replaced" without replacing the Bose headunit and amp. The post recommended Eclipse 8233 (another said 8235's were out - this was a year ago) for the front and Eclipse SE8353 for the back.
So, anyone else replaced just the speakers (no amps,no new headunits, etc.)? If so, which brands did you use, and how did you connect them to the Bose speaker wires? This is for an 06 Coupe with Bose and Nav.
Thanks!
From what I've read, it seems that only the door (3.5") and rear (5.25") speakers can be "replaced" without replacing the Bose headunit and amp. The post recommended Eclipse 8233 (another said 8235's were out - this was a year ago) for the front and Eclipse SE8353 for the back.
So, anyone else replaced just the speakers (no amps,no new headunits, etc.)? If so, which brands did you use, and how did you connect them to the Bose speaker wires? This is for an 06 Coupe with Bose and Nav.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
I have recently been exchanging e-mails about this and did a little digging. Infinity makes a 3.5" coaxial, the 32.7 Kappa, that is 2 ohms. I think it's your best chance of simply replacing speakers in the C6 and having a significant effect on the soundstage. They go for $100 at Crutchfield and can be had for around $60-70 elsewhere (Woofers etc, eBay).
The 10" sub in the door cannot just be replaced, it's a self-powered driver so you have to provide amplification to any replacement.
There's not much point in replacing those 5.25's in the rear. They are driven at very low levels with a mono signal for fill. Wired & driven that way I don't see the point in spending money on those speaker positions.
The 10" sub in the door cannot just be replaced, it's a self-powered driver so you have to provide amplification to any replacement.
There's not much point in replacing those 5.25's in the rear. They are driven at very low levels with a mono signal for fill. Wired & driven that way I don't see the point in spending money on those speaker positions.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 588
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From: Tampa, Florida
Thanks for the info! I found the rear 5.25 Eclispe 8353s for $25 new, and the 8253s for $20. They are outdated models - the new ones are 8355 and 8255, which can handle more power. Does anyone know the Bose amp output specs on the 06 Coupe?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 588
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From: Tampa, Florida
Originally Posted by Steve Germany
13 watts on a good day.
I picked these up in eBay for $50 (all four). I understand these are not a direct connect, and that I will likely need to strip and solder the cables to the new speakers. Can anyone confirm this?
Eclispe SE8233 and SE8253
Thanks!
Last edited by ZBoater; Aug 30, 2006 at 04:16 PM.
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Former Vendor
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From: Murfreesboro, TN. "I'm like a kid in a candy store everytime I see a Corvette!!"
Yes, you will... there are not any direct connectors made to interface directly to the existing Bose connectors. You can either cut off the existing plug (leave enough wire so that you can reconnect the factory speakers if you sell the car), or you can tap into the wiring without cutting off the plug. Either way, you should be good to go!! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 798
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From: Dana Point CA
Originally Posted by TheKomoman
I have recently been exchanging e-mails about this and did a little digging. Infinity makes a 3.5" coaxial, the 32.7 Kappa, that is 2 ohms. I think it's your best chance of simply replacing speakers in the C6 and having a significant effect on the soundstage. They go for $100 at Crutchfield and can be had for around $60-70 elsewhere (Woofers etc, eBay).
The 10" sub in the door cannot just be replaced, it's a self-powered driver so you have to provide amplification to any replacement.
There's not much point in replacing those 5.25's in the rear. They are driven at very low levels with a mono signal for fill. Wired & driven that way I don't see the point in spending money on those speaker positions.
The 10" sub in the door cannot just be replaced, it's a self-powered driver so you have to provide amplification to any replacement.
There's not much point in replacing those 5.25's in the rear. They are driven at very low levels with a mono signal for fill. Wired & driven that way I don't see the point in spending money on those speaker positions.
Also, I notice speakers have a varying amount of RMS Power (eg 35 to 90 Watts). Is this also a concern when selecting speakers? Thanks in advance for any replies, the info I got from the "kids" at the local car audio was vague (I don't think they knew!).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by emejay
Why 2 ohms? Most speakers I have found and which I have read others using in this same scenario are 4 ohms. Any problems using a 4 ohm? Any benefits to a 2 ohm?
Also, I notice speakers have a varying amount of RMS Power (eg 35 to 90 Watts). Is this also a concern when selecting speakers? Thanks in advance for any replies, the info I got from the "kids" at the local car audio was vague (I don't think they knew!).
Also, I notice speakers have a varying amount of RMS Power (eg 35 to 90 Watts). Is this also a concern when selecting speakers? Thanks in advance for any replies, the info I got from the "kids" at the local car audio was vague (I don't think they knew!).
For using the stock amp I wouldn't be concerned about power ratings. Neither stock amp is a powerhouse and you will not overdrive speakers. Speaker power ratings are more CYA than anything else. A good driver can normally handle alot more power than it's rating, as long as that power is CLEAN.
We're going to be putting Infinity Kappa 32.7 CS's into greenie99's new Coupe on Saturday. He has the Bose system with NAV. I'll be doing some comparisons pre & post swap out. Those comparisons will be more than a little subjective of course, but hopefully greenie will share his impressions as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point CA
Originally Posted by TheKomoman
I say 2 ohms not because I am certain that's what the Bose amp is setup for, but many previous Bose amps have been 2 ohms so I make one of them there *assumptions.*
For using the stock amp I wouldn't be concerned about power ratings. Neither stock amp is a powerhouse and you will not overdrive speakers. Speaker power ratings are more CYA than anything else. A good driver can normally handle alot more power than it's rating, as long as that power is CLEAN.
We're going to be putting Infinity Kappa 32.7 CS's into greenie99's new Coupe on Saturday. He has the Bose system with NAV. I'll be doing some comparisons pre & post swap out. Those comparisons will be more than a little subjective of course, but hopefully greenie will share his impressions as well.
For using the stock amp I wouldn't be concerned about power ratings. Neither stock amp is a powerhouse and you will not overdrive speakers. Speaker power ratings are more CYA than anything else. A good driver can normally handle alot more power than it's rating, as long as that power is CLEAN.
We're going to be putting Infinity Kappa 32.7 CS's into greenie99's new Coupe on Saturday. He has the Bose system with NAV. I'll be doing some comparisons pre & post swap out. Those comparisons will be more than a little subjective of course, but hopefully greenie will share his impressions as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point CA
Is there any problem using a 2 ohm speaker if the amp was intended for a 4 ohm or 3.4 ohm speaker? I spoke with someone at Infinity's tech dept. and he made it sound like a catastrophy would arise using the wrong ohm speaker. I also checked with Bose and they will provide no specifications whatsoever, other to say all components of the system were matched for optimum sound. The more I critically listen to the stereo in my car and the more I read about Bose, including their arrogant website, the closer I get to ripping the damn thing out and doing it right. My only constraint is I just wrote a check for $80K for the car, and I'm not too interested in writing another one to fix a mediocre sound system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by emejay
Is there any problem using a 2 ohm speaker if the amp was intended for a 4 ohm or 3.4 ohm speaker? I spoke with someone at Infinity's tech dept. and he made it sound like a catastrophy would arise using the wrong ohm speaker. I also checked with Bose and they will provide no specifications whatsoever, other to say all components of the system were matched for optimum sound. The more I critically listen to the stereo in my car and the more I read about Bose, including their arrogant website, the closer I get to ripping the damn thing out and doing it right. My only constraint is I just wrote a check for $80K for the car, and I'm not too interested in writing another one to fix a mediocre sound system.
