Was it worth it??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Was it worth it??
Was all of the money/effort to install a top flight audio system in your Corvette worth it? I'm asking because seeing as how obnoxiously loud many of our cars can be (heads, cam, headers, etc), how do you all feel now that the money is spent, work done, and you are driving around in a loud/barely sound deadened Corvette?
I'm not asking in a negative way. I'm asking because I've bought the components to install in my C6, and I'm having second thoughts on the money I spent on higher end equipment. As well as the weight I'll be adding using dampening material (in addition to all of this equipment). I wonder if I should save the equipment for use in a quieter car, and just do a more basic/lighter functional upgrade with mid hi components in the C6.
I'm curious if any of you have simplified your systems after going really far with the install.
I'm not asking in a negative way. I'm asking because I've bought the components to install in my C6, and I'm having second thoughts on the money I spent on higher end equipment. As well as the weight I'll be adding using dampening material (in addition to all of this equipment). I wonder if I should save the equipment for use in a quieter car, and just do a more basic/lighter functional upgrade with mid hi components in the C6.
I'm curious if any of you have simplified your systems after going really far with the install.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Short answer - YES
On my old C5 I didn't know what the heck I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted a better sounding and louder system. I installed, removed, upgraded, replaced, experimented, replaced again..... It kept me busy.
On the C6 I kinda knew what I wanted to end up with, so I made sure I didn't take any wrong turns along the way. I started by changing out just the HU and front twiddlers, then eventually added an amp, speakers, and sub. I am very happy with the results, especially since my entire system was only about $1500 total. I can now drive down I-20 at 75mph with the top out and actually hear the radio
On the C6 I kinda knew what I wanted to end up with, so I made sure I didn't take any wrong turns along the way. I started by changing out just the HU and front twiddlers, then eventually added an amp, speakers, and sub. I am very happy with the results, especially since my entire system was only about $1500 total. I can now drive down I-20 at 75mph with the top out and actually hear the radio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 469
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Was all of the money/effort to install a top flight audio system in your Corvette worth it? I'm asking because seeing as how obnoxiously loud many of our cars can be (heads, cam, headers, etc), how do you all feel now that the money is spent, work done, and you are driving around in a loud/barely sound deadened Corvette?
I'm not asking in a negative way. I'm asking because I've bought the components to install in my C6, and I'm having second thoughts on the money I spent on higher end equipment. As well as the weight I'll be adding using dampening material (in addition to all of this equipment). I wonder if I should save the equipment for use in a quieter car, and just do a more basic/lighter functional upgrade with mid hi components in the C6.
I'm curious if any of you have simplified your systems after going really far with the install.
I'm not asking in a negative way. I'm asking because I've bought the components to install in my C6, and I'm having second thoughts on the money I spent on higher end equipment. As well as the weight I'll be adding using dampening material (in addition to all of this equipment). I wonder if I should save the equipment for use in a quieter car, and just do a more basic/lighter functional upgrade with mid hi components in the C6.
I'm curious if any of you have simplified your systems after going really far with the install.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 469
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Very nice equipment you've got there....what Celestra and Sinfoni amps? I was really interested in the DNX9140 myself, but found some not-so-hot reviews talking about the glitches in the nav system not showing the street names and such. Kind of turns me off on it unless they've resolved it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
From: Palm Bay FL
Not so sure
Actually, my setup has been pretty troublesome, and I'm not sure I'd do it again.
I installed a Kenwood DNX8120 with PAC interface modules for Bose, chimes, and steering wheel controls. This weekend marks the 4th time the dash has been disassembled to deal with PAC issues. I'm seriously considering replacing the system with a factory NAV and PAL. It's reaching the point where reliability is more important than functionality.
I installed a Kenwood DNX8120 with PAC interface modules for Bose, chimes, and steering wheel controls. This weekend marks the 4th time the dash has been disassembled to deal with PAC issues. I'm seriously considering replacing the system with a factory NAV and PAL. It's reaching the point where reliability is more important than functionality.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Although at least then you could get the ~200-300 watts to the midbass and ~100 watts to tweeter and mid.
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Actually, my setup has been pretty troublesome, and I'm not sure I'd do it again.
I installed a Kenwood DNX8120 with PAC interface modules for Bose, chimes, and steering wheel controls. This weekend marks the 4th time the dash has been disassembled to deal with PAC issues. I'm seriously considering replacing the system with a factory NAV and PAL. It's reaching the point where reliability is more important than functionality.
I installed a Kenwood DNX8120 with PAC interface modules for Bose, chimes, and steering wheel controls. This weekend marks the 4th time the dash has been disassembled to deal with PAC issues. I'm seriously considering replacing the system with a factory NAV and PAL. It's reaching the point where reliability is more important than functionality.
How did you like the dyn md100 (if that's what you run) once you removed the dyn x-over? What are you using to run active? What's your system setup overall?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
I had the 345 system, which is a minor update to what you have.
I like the MD102 quite a lot since going active. I ended up with a 2 way setup, MW162 / MD102, then I switched out to MW172 MD012. The handoff is:
2.5khz 18db Mid
3.2khz 18db Tweeter
I gapped out a problem frequency in the car. Sounds pretty good.
I'm running 350w each to the mids and 90w each to the tweeters.
I like the MD102 quite a lot since going active. I ended up with a 2 way setup, MW162 / MD102, then I switched out to MW172 MD012. The handoff is:
2.5khz 18db Mid
3.2khz 18db Tweeter
I gapped out a problem frequency in the car. Sounds pretty good.
I'm running 350w each to the mids and 90w each to the tweeters.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
On my old C5 I didn't know what the heck I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted a better sounding and louder system. I installed, removed, upgraded, replaced, experimented, replaced again..... It kept me busy.
On the C6 I kinda knew what I wanted to end up with, so I made sure I didn't take any wrong turns along the way. I started by changing out just the HU and front twiddlers, then eventually added an amp, speakers, and sub. I am very happy with the results, especially since my entire system was only about $1500 total. I can now drive down I-20 at 75mph with the top out and actually hear the radio
On the C6 I kinda knew what I wanted to end up with, so I made sure I didn't take any wrong turns along the way. I started by changing out just the HU and front twiddlers, then eventually added an amp, speakers, and sub. I am very happy with the results, especially since my entire system was only about $1500 total. I can now drive down I-20 at 75mph with the top out and actually hear the radio
Excelon 9140
JL Stealthbox
JL HD 900/5 amp
JL C5 650's door
GM/BOSE stock rears
I can finally hear clarity!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 5
From: NJ
