C5 convertible - need audio options help
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
C5 convertible - need audio options help
Hello to all! New to the forum, and just bought my first Vette - a 1999 Torch Red convertible.
It has an Alpine 1 DIN head unit, stock Bose door speakers, and I just put in new rear speakers (which didn't really help).
The sound is pretty bad, no bass, doesn't go loud.
I'm not really looking to customize the car, I just want the stereo to sound great, with good bass response.
So...
it sounds like whoever put the Alpine HU in maybe didnt connect up the Bose door speakers right. Is there a way to do that? If it's really involved to go and redo that, I would consider putting in a new HU, and going with the Vettenuts 2DIN dashboard.
If I replace the Bose door speakers, what's the best option there? do they make a self contained subwoofer/amp that I can just plug in there?
Really just looking for suggestions on how to get some good sound without building custom racks & amps, etc.
Thank you in advance.
Ed
It has an Alpine 1 DIN head unit, stock Bose door speakers, and I just put in new rear speakers (which didn't really help).
The sound is pretty bad, no bass, doesn't go loud.
I'm not really looking to customize the car, I just want the stereo to sound great, with good bass response.
So...
it sounds like whoever put the Alpine HU in maybe didnt connect up the Bose door speakers right. Is there a way to do that? If it's really involved to go and redo that, I would consider putting in a new HU, and going with the Vettenuts 2DIN dashboard.
If I replace the Bose door speakers, what's the best option there? do they make a self contained subwoofer/amp that I can just plug in there?
Really just looking for suggestions on how to get some good sound without building custom racks & amps, etc.
Thank you in advance.
Ed
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 163
From: Oxford Maryland
Definitely consider an amp, you will never be satisfied at highway speeds with the top down without one. I mounted mine easily under the “waterfall “ in my C6 vert. Installed a Kenwood self powered subwoofer in the trunk that fit forward of the usable space under where the top folds down. Did a lengthy write up a few months back. From my experience and from my research it is hard to mix Bose and after market.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
Ed
Where are you located? If in Southern California I can show you what I have done with my C5 coupe and C6 vert. Both are good clean sounding systems with plenty of volume to be heard with the top down at highway speeds.
PM me with any questions you may have.
Gary
Where are you located? If in Southern California I can show you what I have done with my C5 coupe and C6 vert. Both are good clean sounding systems with plenty of volume to be heard with the top down at highway speeds.
PM me with any questions you may have.
Gary
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Definitely consider an amp, you will never be satisfied at highway speeds with the top down without one. I mounted mine easily under the “waterfall “ in my C6 vert. Installed a Kenwood self powered subwoofer in the trunk that fit forward of the usable space under where the top folds down. Did a lengthy write up a few months back. From my experience and from my research it is hard to mix Bose and after market.
Thanks
Ed
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 163
From: Oxford Maryland
On the C6 the satellite radio antenna is located under the waterfall. I removed the antenna and used a piece of marine plastic board from West Marine to mount the amp on the existing bracket. On the C5 there is a lot of hollow space under the waterfall and that location males it easy to run wires under the center console. I also included a pic of the Kenwood subwoofer mounted in the trunk. You may want to go to the double din size so you can add front and rear cameras.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 163
From: Oxford Maryland
Waterfall is very easy to remove. That area is not as sealed up as it looks so there is some air to circulate there, I believe more than would be where the factory amp in the passenger footwell is located. 3 hours blasting tunes with the top down to Carlise and no heat issues!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Definitely consider an amp, you will never be satisfied at highway speeds with the top down without one. I mounted mine easily under the “waterfall “ in my C6 vert. Installed a Kenwood self powered subwoofer in the trunk that fit forward of the usable space under where the top folds down. Did a lengthy write up a few months back. From my experience and from my research it is hard to mix Bose and after market.
If you're changing the head unit (stereo) might as well do the speakers too with an amp + JL Audio sub for that thumping bass. Do it once, do it right.Corvette Stories
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
On the C6 the satellite radio antenna is located under the waterfall. I removed the antenna and used a piece of marine plastic board from West Marine to mount the amp on the existing bracket. On the C5 there is a lot of hollow space under the waterfall and that location males it easy to run wires under the center console. I also included a pic of the Kenwood subwoofer mounted in the trunk. You may want to go to the double din size so you can add front and rear cameras.
Dr.Don,
Let me compliment you on doing that amazing setup. I have a few questions.
I have a 2008 Vert, trying to upgrade the entire sound system and replacing the current OEM Bose system.
1. What would be the dimensions of your amp? And what parts did you have to buy to get it installed under the waterfall?
2. Although the setup looks amazing, it also looks scary because I wouldn't want to mess up my water fall area, since it locks the top down. I want to make sure I don't mess up with the top. Some of us aren't that mechanically inclined, so what recommendations do you have?
3. How do you like the self-powered Sub? I recently bought the 2 Cubby subs that do in place of the rear speakers. These are JL Audio custom subs. Although, I'm sure they would sound amazing right behind the seats, again, I am not confident about my own installation/mechanical skills. THIS is what I have - http://www.jlaudio.com/product/54216...le_%2705-%2713
4. Lastly, what advice would you offer for doing the whole re-do of the system in a vert? C6 installation would be very similar to the C5 I think, and it would help everyone who's looking to change over to aftermarket from the Bose.
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
Here is what I put in my 2011 vert.
* Kenwood Excelon DDX9903
* CDT Audio 2 channel amp MXMA 1502 (looks not to be offered any more, similar size to the Arc Audio KS mini 125.4)
* CDT Audio MX Design 3 way components MX-362F
* PAC RP5-GM11 interface for keeping OnStar and steering wheel controls.
I also purchased the following install materials;
* From nakid parts the speaker mounting plates (https://www.nakidparts.com/interior/...speaker-mounts).
* A double din mounting kit for the C6 (trim bezel and antenna adapter).
* 60A fuse holder and 8 gauge wire for next to the battery to power the amp
* Quality stereo RCA cable to connect the front line out of the Kenwood to the inputs on the amp
I mounted the CDT amp in the factory location using the factory amp mounting bracket. The power wire for the amp went through the firewall where the main harness goes through. I tied the amp ground and radio ground together to prevent ground loops and took the amp ground to the factory ground post just behind the passenger seat (under the b-pillar trim).
This setup is loud and clean. I can hear it clearly at highway speeds with the top down.
Gary
* Kenwood Excelon DDX9903
* CDT Audio 2 channel amp MXMA 1502 (looks not to be offered any more, similar size to the Arc Audio KS mini 125.4)
* CDT Audio MX Design 3 way components MX-362F
* PAC RP5-GM11 interface for keeping OnStar and steering wheel controls.
I also purchased the following install materials;
* From nakid parts the speaker mounting plates (https://www.nakidparts.com/interior/...speaker-mounts).
* A double din mounting kit for the C6 (trim bezel and antenna adapter).
* 60A fuse holder and 8 gauge wire for next to the battery to power the amp
* Quality stereo RCA cable to connect the front line out of the Kenwood to the inputs on the amp
I mounted the CDT amp in the factory location using the factory amp mounting bracket. The power wire for the amp went through the firewall where the main harness goes through. I tied the amp ground and radio ground together to prevent ground loops and took the amp ground to the factory ground post just behind the passenger seat (under the b-pillar trim).
This setup is loud and clean. I can hear it clearly at highway speeds with the top down.
Gary
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 163
From: Oxford Maryland
Dr.Don,
Let me compliment you on doing that amazing setup. I have a few questions.
I have a 2008 Vert, trying to upgrade the entire sound system and replacing the current OEM Bose system.
1. What would be the dimensions of your amp? And what parts did you have to buy to get it installed under the waterfall?
2. Although the setup looks amazing, it also looks scary because I wouldn't want to mess up my water fall area, since it locks the top down. I want to make sure I don't mess up with the top. Some of us aren't that mechanically inclined, so what recommendations do you have?
3. How do you like the self-powered Sub? I recently bought the 2 Cubby subs that do in place of the rear speakers. These are JL Audio custom subs. Although, I'm sure they would sound amazing right behind the seats, again, I am not confident about my own installation/mechanical skills. THIS is what I have - http://www.jlaudio.com/product/54216...le_%2705-%2713
4. Lastly, what advice would you offer for doing the whole re-do of the system in a vert? C6 installation would be very similar to the C5 I think, and it would help everyone who's looking to change over to aftermarket from the Bose.
Thanks!
Let me compliment you on doing that amazing setup. I have a few questions.
I have a 2008 Vert, trying to upgrade the entire sound system and replacing the current OEM Bose system.
1. What would be the dimensions of your amp? And what parts did you have to buy to get it installed under the waterfall?
2. Although the setup looks amazing, it also looks scary because I wouldn't want to mess up my water fall area, since it locks the top down. I want to make sure I don't mess up with the top. Some of us aren't that mechanically inclined, so what recommendations do you have?
3. How do you like the self-powered Sub? I recently bought the 2 Cubby subs that do in place of the rear speakers. These are JL Audio custom subs. Although, I'm sure they would sound amazing right behind the seats, again, I am not confident about my own installation/mechanical skills. THIS is what I have - http://www.jlaudio.com/product/54216...le_%2705-%2713
4. Lastly, what advice would you offer for doing the whole re-do of the system in a vert? C6 installation would be very similar to the C5 I think, and it would help everyone who's looking to change over to aftermarket from the Bose.
Thanks!
!. amp dimensions are 6 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 3 7/8". Crutchfield lists the dimensions of all their amps on their web site. I used a thin sheet of white marine plastic board from West Marine, and SS mounting hardware from there.
2. The waterfall is only a thin hollow shell easily removed with a few screws, the frame that remains locks down the top.
3. The self-powered amp adds a nice thump to the base, not window shattering, but helpful. My Kenwood head unit had RCA inputs for a sub so I added it while I was in there. I did not want to give up any trunk space (gotta be able to fit the golf clubs)
4. I only did the head unit first. Sounded good in the garage......but that soon. faded with the top down and highway speeds. Should have listened to the advise offered on the forum and started with a new amp.
After market and Bose don't seem to mix.....I tried. It really is not that hard to replace everything.
This may not be a single weekend project. Take your time and work on one component at a time. Plenty of you-tube videos to help and lots of helpful advise easily obtained here on the forum.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
You guys have some extensive work done and some very handy skills.
I've got a double din Pioneer 8200 NEX, the 2 cubby subs, 2 JL Audio amps (1 mono, and one 4 chnl amp).
Now only thing needed is a set of good Component Speakers and some Sound Deadening stuff - what's recommended and somewhat economical. (I'm already 1600-1800 into it)
Thanks!
I've got a double din Pioneer 8200 NEX, the 2 cubby subs, 2 JL Audio amps (1 mono, and one 4 chnl amp).
Now only thing needed is a set of good Component Speakers and some Sound Deadening stuff - what's recommended and somewhat economical. (I'm already 1600-1800 into it)
Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 163
From: Oxford Maryland
You guys have some extensive work done and some very handy skills.
I've got a double din Pioneer 8200 NEX, the 2 cubby subs, 2 JL Audio amps (1 mono, and one 4 chnl amp).
Now only thing needed is a set of good Component Speakers and some Sound Deadening stuff - what's recommended and somewhat economical. (I'm already 1600-1800 into it)
Thanks!
I've got a double din Pioneer 8200 NEX, the 2 cubby subs, 2 JL Audio amps (1 mono, and one 4 chnl amp).
Now only thing needed is a set of good Component Speakers and some Sound Deadening stuff - what's recommended and somewhat economical. (I'm already 1600-1800 into it)
Thanks!
Used Focal Performance 165AS 2 way component speakers in the doors. Bit pricey but like them more and more. If you are on Crutchfield's mailing list they send out price reductions every week.
Dynamat door kit from Crutchfield for insulation. I just did the doors. I think it helped.....no rattles now where I had some before with certain notes.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 163
From: Oxford Maryland
Look at Southercarparts.com for the precut door speaker mounts. Exact fit and good quality. Kit includes lower for 6 1/2" and upper for 3 1/2 or in my case the tweeter.
Used Focal Performance 165AS 2 way component speakers in the doors. Bit pricey but like them more and more. If you are on Crutchfield's mailing list they send out price reductions every week.
Dynamat door kit from Crutchfield for insulation. I just did the doors. I think it helped.....no rattles now where I had some before with certain notes.
Used Focal Performance 165AS 2 way component speakers in the doors. Bit pricey but like them more and more. If you are on Crutchfield's mailing list they send out price reductions every week.
Dynamat door kit from Crutchfield for insulation. I just did the doors. I think it helped.....no rattles now where I had some before with certain notes.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,672
Likes: 7,304
From: CT