C6 Audio upgrade
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
C6 Audio upgrade
Ok, I am about a month into my ownership of my Vette and I want to upgrade the audio system. I have the non nav, non bose system so nothing too much is lost. I picked up a Pioneer dvd for the head unit, and since Crutchfield has a ton of specials I am also good on amps.
I am seeking advice for the factory speakers. Has anyone tried to keep the factory 10's in the doors and amping them? I have read many people doing the components 6.5" in the doors with tweeters in the factory location. And I also noticed people have done the 8's in the door as well for mid bass. I kind of like this idea of the 8's because I don't really want heavy bass coming from the door, but don't know if 6.5's will give me the midrange I am seeking. For the bass, I am thinking of the JL 10" Stealthbox but have been looking at sub boxes at Madvette Motorsports and this nice box I cannot find from scienceofsound. (He hasn't posted anything since 2007) Any suggestions?
I am seeking advice for the factory speakers. Has anyone tried to keep the factory 10's in the doors and amping them? I have read many people doing the components 6.5" in the doors with tweeters in the factory location. And I also noticed people have done the 8's in the door as well for mid bass. I kind of like this idea of the 8's because I don't really want heavy bass coming from the door, but don't know if 6.5's will give me the midrange I am seeking. For the bass, I am thinking of the JL 10" Stealthbox but have been looking at sub boxes at Madvette Motorsports and this nice box I cannot find from scienceofsound. (He hasn't posted anything since 2007) Any suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 156
From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
first start with the sub, then if you want more do that. You will be shocked however at how much better the system will sound by just adding a sub. A good ten inch and a nice amp should do it. I have a 10" fosgate p3 shallow in a madvette enclosure in the rear cubby and an alpine 500 watt amp run mono. IT sounds incredible. So try just the sub first,,,,,,you will be shocked at how good the stock stereo will sound once the bass is there. check out my garage for pics. good luck, paul
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Lake in the Hills IL
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Here's the set up on my vert:
Alpine - INA-W900BT head unit w/ ipod kit
Alpine type R 6.5 component front speakers
JL Audio XD700/5 amp
JL Audio Stealthbox dual 8" subs
Absolutely worth every penny!
Alpine - INA-W900BT head unit w/ ipod kit
Alpine type R 6.5 component front speakers
JL Audio XD700/5 amp
JL Audio Stealthbox dual 8" subs
Absolutely worth every penny!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
A nice set of 6.5" components, powered correctly will give you plenty of good mid-range and highs. To round it out get a good sub. There is a self professed expert here who tried selling the point that the Bose 10" speakers could be repowered and sound fantastic. He was dead wrong and went a different route in the end. Bottom line, lose the bose, they're garbage. Heres my setup in my C6. It really sounds great. The JL Stealthbox is the way to go. IMO. Quality bass that hits nicely
JL Audio C5-650 Components, XR-525 Coax,JL Stealthbox 10W3, amps 450/4v2,300/2v2, Kenwood 8019DD H.U
JL Audio C5-650 Components, XR-525 Coax,JL Stealthbox 10W3, amps 450/4v2,300/2v2, Kenwood 8019DD H.U
Last edited by NYC6; May 4, 2011 at 05:37 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
replacing the bose is like going from night to day, find a good set of components for the front, rear speakers arent amazingly important so if you want to skip out on them you can, i put some 5.25 coaxials back there and they sound great, gives it the little extra to balance out 2 10" subs
heres my setup
Polk Audio PA1100.5
Polk MM 6.5" components in front
Polk MM 5.25" coax in rear
Kenwood eXcelon 10" shallow mount (XW1000F) x2 in a simple shallow box that fits under the roof mounts
Pioneer AVH 3300BT headunit
heres my setup
Polk Audio PA1100.5
Polk MM 6.5" components in front
Polk MM 5.25" coax in rear
Kenwood eXcelon 10" shallow mount (XW1000F) x2 in a simple shallow box that fits under the roof mounts
Pioneer AVH 3300BT headunit
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
In my opinion, I have a JL Stealthbox in my coupe. One 10" sub is plenty for the small Vette cockpit. Not to mention the limited space back there. Give a single thats powered well a listen. Unless you really like bass that is.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 7
From: Issaquah WA
I went with 8"s in the doors, along with 4" coaxes. I tried using components, and mounted the tweeters in the top fo the woofer grill, but I didn't like the lower soundstage that that created. The resulting sound is great, with a good punch from the 8's.
The main limitation with larger than 6.5" drivers is the mounting depth. You'll have to use something fairly shallow, and use a mounting plate that doesn't sit flush. The plates I used were about 1" thick, and the mid-woofer (old school MB Quart 8's) barely fit. Morel's 8" would fit as well.
The main limitation with larger than 6.5" drivers is the mounting depth. You'll have to use something fairly shallow, and use a mounting plate that doesn't sit flush. The plates I used were about 1" thick, and the mid-woofer (old school MB Quart 8's) barely fit. Morel's 8" would fit as well.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I went with 8"s in the doors, along with 4" coaxes. I tried using components, and mounted the tweeters in the top fo the woofer grill, but I didn't like the lower soundstage that that created. The resulting sound is great, with a good punch from the 8's.
The main limitation with larger than 6.5" drivers is the mounting depth. You'll have to use something fairly shallow, and use a mounting plate that doesn't sit flush. The plates I used were about 1" thick, and the mid-woofer (old school MB Quart 8's) barely fit. Morel's 8" would fit as well.
The main limitation with larger than 6.5" drivers is the mounting depth. You'll have to use something fairly shallow, and use a mounting plate that doesn't sit flush. The plates I used were about 1" thick, and the mid-woofer (old school MB Quart 8's) barely fit. Morel's 8" would fit as well.
Do you have any pictures of your set up?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Honestly I do like my bass on the heavy side...however in my Vette as long as the bass is really clean and has a moderate punch I am happy. We all know that space is limited and I do not want some large bulky box in the back of my car like I'm some 18 year old bass head. I will do a single 10 in the rear cubby.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Chevy engineers spent the budget on the overall design and the performance of the car. Not much invested in the stereo, however I will say it has a decent sound compared to my old 350z.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
A nice set of 6.5" components, powered correctly will give you plenty of good mid-range and highs. To round it out get a good sub. There is a self professed expert here who tried selling the point that the Bose 10" speakers could be repowered and sound fantastic. He was dead wrong and went a different route in the end. Bottom line, lose the bose, they're garbage. Heres my setup in my C6. It really sounds great. The JL Stealthbox is the way to go. IMO. Quality bass that hits nicely
JL Audio C5-650 Components, XR-525 Coax,JL Stealthbox 10W3, amps 450/4v2,300/2v2, Kenwood 8019DD H.U
JL Audio C5-650 Components, XR-525 Coax,JL Stealthbox 10W3, amps 450/4v2,300/2v2, Kenwood 8019DD H.U
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
The 'genius' who was all ramped up to do it found out it was a moronic idea and didnt do it in the end. He put JL speakers in when all said and done. Dont even try it, get the best Components you can and power them with enough juice. It will be light years ahead in quality from the cheap paper OEM stuff.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 7
From: Issaquah WA
Were the MB Quart 8's midbass/subs or were they coaxial speakers. I really want to obtain just a little more mid kick and was thinking about a Pioneer shallow mounted 8" sub. The issue I see is now I must either find a crossover to separate the fq for the woofer and the 3.5 or 4" I run up top.
Do you have any pictures of your set up?
Do you have any pictures of your set up?
Many companies have made x-overs for a three way system, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. I went active, with a 4 channel amp running the 8's on one pair of channels, and the 4" and tweeter off another pair of outputs. Then a separate amp for the subwoofer.
I took some pics, but I haven't uploaded them yet. I'll post them when I get a chance.
I haven't used the Pioneer shallow mounts, but I'm guessing most shallow mount 8's would work pretty well. Also, several companies 8" are not "shallow mount" but don't require a very large mounting depth.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
They're MB's 8" woofers - old school ones from when they were still German made. I would not recommend coaxial speakers as the tweeter would be way too low in the door, and 8's don't really cover the frequency range up to the crossover of the tweeters very well. But when combined with a 4" midrange and tweeter, they work great!
Many companies have made x-overs for a three way system, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. I went active, with a 4 channel amp running the 8's on one pair of channels, and the 4" and tweeter off another pair of outputs. Then a separate amp for the subwoofer.
I took some pics, but I haven't uploaded them yet. I'll post them when I get a chance.
I haven't used the Pioneer shallow mounts, but I'm guessing most shallow mount 8's would work pretty well. Also, several companies 8" are not "shallow mount" but don't require a very large mounting depth.
Many companies have made x-overs for a three way system, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. I went active, with a 4 channel amp running the 8's on one pair of channels, and the 4" and tweeter off another pair of outputs. Then a separate amp for the subwoofer.
I took some pics, but I haven't uploaded them yet. I'll post them when I get a chance.
I haven't used the Pioneer shallow mounts, but I'm guessing most shallow mount 8's would work pretty well. Also, several companies 8" are not "shallow mount" but don't require a very large mounting depth.
You have a pair of 4" and tweeters mounted in the door as well? Was it tight fitting both the 4 and the tweeter up top?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 7
From: Issaquah WA
I don't think there would be any way of mounting the tweeter high enough on the door without using a coax or having the tweeter grill visible. I'd definitely recommend using a good quality coax along with the 8".
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 8
From: Columbia South Carolina
Mine is going in next week to get all the factory speakers replaced. I'm going with JL audio setup. C3-650 & C3-525 to replace the factory speakers. Also getting 2 10" W6's in a customer enclosure. amps: HD 750/1 & HD 600/4. Going to keep the factory nav head unit for now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 2
From: NCM Lifetime Member
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20
Mine is going in next week to get all the factory speakers replaced. I'm going with JL audio setup. C3-650 & C3-525 to replace the factory speakers. Also getting 2 10" W6's in a customer enclosure. amps: HD 750/1 & HD 600/4. Going to keep the factory nav head unit for now.
I hope you hear a big improvement.
Please let us know.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Here is what I have in my 2010 C6:
JVC AV61BT Double Din Head Unit
Polk Audio DXI 6500 component speakers for the front doors
Polk Audio DXI 525's for the rear fill
Alpine F65 4 channel amp for the Polk's
JL Audio 10" Stealthbox
Alpine 500W mono amp for the JL
Steering Wheel Interface to retain steering wheel controls
Onstar Interface
(2) amp kits
wooden speaker adapter plates for the front doors
Worth Every Penny!!!! I am 1000% happy with this set up. It rocks as hard as anyone can possibly stand it. It has the most clear highs, Mids are crisp and the low's are perfect!
JVC AV61BT Double Din Head Unit
Polk Audio DXI 6500 component speakers for the front doors
Polk Audio DXI 525's for the rear fill
Alpine F65 4 channel amp for the Polk's
JL Audio 10" Stealthbox
Alpine 500W mono amp for the JL
Steering Wheel Interface to retain steering wheel controls
Onstar Interface
(2) amp kits
wooden speaker adapter plates for the front doors
Worth Every Penny!!!! I am 1000% happy with this set up. It rocks as hard as anyone can possibly stand it. It has the most clear highs, Mids are crisp and the low's are perfect!
