Good morning,
My organization will be getting in a new to us 2012 Grand Sport Centennial Edition next week. The car will be a part of our non profit events. Not my first Corvette, I had a few to include a 2001 and 2004. On both of those cars I did a complete audio swap, head unit and speakers and added amp and sub. I already have a Kenwood DDX9907XR sitting here waiting to go in, need my Carplay.

The question for folks is opinions on need to swap Bose speakers out after a head unit swap. Will there be a noticeable gain on sound quality with just the HU? Before we spend $$ on an amp, sub, and speakers would like some honest feedback. Lots of threads out there, I get it, but looking for some of those thoughts and opinions that have been there done that, or wish they had gone a different route.

Appreciate the feedback.

 

There should be a noticeable improvement in sound quality when you install the Kenwood. That being said, you are posting in the audio section, so expect to hear that anything Bose is junk and you should do a complete audio overhaul which will include multiple amps, at least 2 subs, a DSP, custom speaker pods, components, and a couple 100 ft of speaker and RCA cable just to start off with.

My advice, install the head unit first, then decide what you want to do.

 

So, so true, and hands down the funniest thing I have read all week. Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely run RCA cables from the HU while it's cracked open, for growth.

What I have learned, after building 5 SEMA Show cars, is to each his own and that's the best thing about the car hobby is making each car your own.

 

I just did a DDX9907XR head unit also. Then I did JL C5 Speakers in the front, JL c2's in the back, a 10 JL stealth sub and a 600 watt 5 channel amp.
Speakers and amp made a much bigger difference than just the head unit. also did front and rear cameras while it was apart.
5 days worth of install.

 

Where did you mount the amp?

 

behind passenger seat.

 

I would suggest at least adding a subwoofer. When I did my system, I left the Bose speakers and amp, then I built a custom subwoofer, and added a amp to power it.

 

I agree with TRF, start with the radio, but prep for the rest just in case. If it's a daily driver, you'll soon be adding to it. Don't forget the wiring for cameras.

 

Thanks. I think I am just going to dive in for a full swap. Ordered the amp yesterday. JL RD900/5
Now I need to figure out speakers. I’m NOT an audiophile, but would like a decent sound.

 

Nice amp. Since you got a quality amp you’ll likely want some quality brand components up front that RMS in the neighborhood of 75-100w each, again quality coax for the mids in the ballpark of 75w each and a good sealed quality 10” sub. JL 10w3v3 would be right in that wheelhouse and tuned nicely by someone who knows what they’re doing will sound stellar. Thats pretty much the cocktail that many of us here do but there are other opinions to explore, likely some will offer their thoughts. Check out the sticky in the audio section titled something like, what system do you run in your Corvette.

You can Check out crutchfield.com follow the tabs to search what you’re looking for and you can even talk to staff members there for help, as you can here. They’re a good company to buy from.

 

Whatever you do, don't waste your money on 6.5" speakers for your car. It's like doing an ls1 swap from your LS3, lol. People will try to tell you to do it, but they're wrong.

Something like these would work if you're not into building a diy driver kit.
https://www.woofersetc.com/p-5548-es...-speakers.html

 

Many opinions here, but this one, i believe in.. If you want component selection help, just let us know.
bottom of doors- 8" or 10" midbass.
Top of doors- 3" - 3.5" midrange
dash tweeters- 3/4"

Run your amp to the sub, 2 ch to midbass, and 2 ch for mids and tweeters..

leave the rear bose speakers alone and just power them from the radio.

 

“Wrong” strong word for differences of opinions. One persons musical taste and way of enjoying it runs in all different directions and they all don’t satisfy everyone. If you looked at the sticky what do you run in your system here the majority of C6 owners use 6.5 components and they’re not all wrong. Can it be done with 3 ways, sure it can but often it’s not any better sounding and sometimes worse, depending on who’s listening to it. Some are quite happy with the factory Bose in the doors and some are taking them out the minute get they get the new car home, neither are right or wrong.
.

 

Actually, they are wrong. Putting 6.5s in a c6 says "I don't know what I'm doing" or "I bought what they had in the store".

There is no advantage to 6.5s over 8s or 10s that the C6 already has. A good 8 will blow away any 6.5 you put in it. Musical tastes don't matter here, it's simply.physics.

Strong choice of words, but it was the correct choice of words.

 

Quite narrow minded to assume that everyone must think like you. Some don’t need or want a big dollar sound system in their car, home or wherever. Did you not read where the Op stated that he’s not an audiophile and just wants decent sound and you recommend $2,500 three way speaker set. He didn’t say he wanted a higher end system but you don’t care, you just want to try and sell him what he likely doesn’t need or want.

Some like to think they’re audio geniuses and often they’re quite full of themselves and love to criticize those who don’t have a sound system like they do, seems you’re one of those. A similar spin but a slightly different version on these guys are the ones who let’s say, owners of Z06’s and ZR1’s who call your decision to only buy the lesser GS uneducated and you must not know **** about sports cars, why not get the superior Corvettes, after all, it’s just physics.

 

I only recommended the set I did because it comes as a kit. The issue with 8s and 10s is there are few kits out there for them. That's why people run 6.5s, they're available at every Walmart or car audio store in the world. 8s and 10s are less common, and require careful planning, understanding of crossovers and frequency response and a willingness to work outside the normal confines of car audio. Or you know, just buying Dayton Reference speakers.

If he wants "decent" sound, he is far better off replacing just the dash speaker and mid in the door and leave the woofer alone. If he wants decent sound, it'll probably sound pretty decent dialing in his eq with an aftermarket HU.

It's all personal preference for where you stop. Is 600hp enough, or is 400 plenty? Same for audio. But some stuff is simply wrong, like swapping out an ls3 for an ls1 because you found a used one locally.

My advice to the OP is to see how he likes it with the new HU, then decide what his budget and goal is. IMO, swapping the door woofers is the last thing to do, after you've decided to commit to a full redo and some decent money in speakers and amps, and research and planning to the build. Replacing the mid and dash speakers will make far more improvement than touching the woofer, maybe even add a sub in the back.

I yet it, it came off as harsh. It was intended to. I see guys on here go out and spend big money on expensive 6.5s all the time and either come back disappointed or convince themselves they did the right thing. I'm trying to help people not make that mistake. A Dayton Reference build from Parts express will blow away a big dollar jl 6.5 build for a lot less money, unless they're using ZR800s, which basically don't exist anymore.

 

Appreciate all the thoughts and feedback, and healthy exchange of opinions. Have settled in on my build plan.