Hi guys, I bought my C5 a few months back and I haven't really listened to the radio but a few times until recently. The weather is getting hot, so the windows are up and the AC is on.

I know my car used to have a stereo in it at one point because there is an after market head unit, RCA, ground, and power run.

The sound is horrible, it sounds like it is only high and the top end of the mid range. I have gone through the settings on the deck and it doesn't seem like anything is being blocked or turned down from the head unit.

Is there anything that you guys can think of to check? I have not taken the dash off and pulled the head unit to see if there are bass blockers or anything physically preventing sound.

I am thinking about putting in a new/better head unit and revamping the stereo over the summer, is this a problem I should even consider bothering with if I'm going to replace it?

 

There are hundreds of relative threads you need to study. I did a modest audio upgrade to my '04 C5 and a full-blown upgrade recently on my '09 C6.

What's your budget and install skill-set?

 

I'm thinking about a JL 10" to put in the rear hatch floor, probably a kicker or JL amp, maybe a Pioneer or Alpine head unit.

I haven't torn the door apart yet, but I'm probably thinking about $150-$200 for a door set.

I'm kind of a cheap person, but I would be willing to spend probably about $700 -$800 on a complete system.

 

It sounds like there was a subwoofer and amp installed, and then removed. If that's the case there are two things possibly wrong:

1. The speakers that remain in the car are not designed to reproduce low frequencies. This could be small speakers installed in the doors, or speakers with limited range. There isn't much you could do except replace the speakers or add a subwoofer. Gotta figure out what speakers are in the doors to know for sure.

2. The speakers remaining are okay for what you need, but since they were used with a subwoofer, they're currently crossed over to reproduce only mid and high frequencies. Look for a crossover in the deck turned on (ie. - a subwoofer setting on the deck, with a crossover set to 90hz or so), or a separate crossover installed between the head unit and speakers in the doors. If this is the case, you may be able to eliminate the low frequency crossover, letting the speakers play the full range of sound. Could be a bass blocker like you mentioned. You should have someone who is familiar with car audio check it out. Or you could add a subwoofer and amp.

You've got to determine if what you have sounds good with the exception of the bass, and if so, I'd focus on the sub and amp first. If not, then pull everything and start fresh. Generally, the sound differences between electronics (deck and amp) are small. If you have a decent quality deck, there won't be a huge difference in sound quality to other decks. Speakers are a different matter entirely - speaker quality and setup can make a huge difference in sound.

 

Depending on the amount of external noise you get, you might want to look at sound deadening to block the ambient noise and allow the system to play unhindered.

But going by what you've stated, the system itself might be at fault. What is the model number on the HU? Brand, model and size of speakers? Are the speakers run off the HU? Possible there's a Line Out Converter (LOC) somewhere in the dash that has been tuned for the system pre-removal of other components then hidden. An amplifier would be hard not to notice, so I'd discount that.

 

Full speaker upgrade from Dennis at DoubleD, 2 or 3 layers of deadening (BXTII, Ensolite and heat shield) from RAAM and others and pillar tweeters ... that would be a major upgrade w/o much $$$.

 

I did some configuring with my deck and I have determined that I have a decent sound, minus bass.

I'm not used to what it sounds like without bass.

I changed my settings so I have highs and mids. Thankfully, all speakers are working and are connected.

I need to find an amp and a way to get some punch into my car.

Thanks for all your help and input guys.

 

Sounds like you'll have it pretty easy - especially if the wiring is already run. Adding an amp and sub should be pretty simple once you've checked out the wiring to make sure it's okay. Most people when they pull the sub/amp don't do much to the other end of the wiring, so everything's probably still hooked up.