I didnt want to do it but i have to have better tunes!
I am thinking about the retro radio and a set of dash replacement spks also 6x9 in the rear. it looks like almost any 6x9 will slip in the back?
any suggestions?
not looking for a killer system or amps. just nice tunes.
The 8 track has to go!!!

 

almost none of them fit back there actually.

 

Ok, Any suggestions? what about these sound bars i see?
also any input on the retro fit radios that fit the console with out cutting it up?

 

The reason why they wont fit is because most aftermarket speakers have large magnets that hit the rear shade assembly.

You'll need to look for a speaker with a small magnet. I know the new Alpine typeR speakers use small neodymium magnets, but I havent verified if they will in fact fit. Those speakers will need to be amped for best performance though.

you could buy speaker box like I did and then you could run any speaker you want.

http://www.brightstarcaraudio.com/in...=274_101_81_82

 

Thanks
this is a great starting point, I appreciate it

 

Do you have the optional factory rear speakers in your car? If so, most of the aftermarket 6x9 speakers will not fit the factory grilles/brackets as Qwank mentioned. Stock 6x9 speakers are out of production, but a reproduction speaker might be available.

 

yes it has the speakers in the back. I will look for a good reproduction.
Thanks again

 

let us know if you find something that replaces the factory speakers!

 

A dual cone...note....not dual magnet...speaker is available from Radio Shack...which closely matches the stock speaker....and that is exactly what you get out of it as far as sound quality.
I put a good set of dash speakers in, but gave-up on the rear....so I put headers and sidepipes on and now I just listen to the rumble and have the radio in the background.

A speaker box or sound bar is really the only way to get any real good music sound.

 

https://1982corvette.shutterfly.com/pictures/230 Best thing I did was put in better audio .The speakers can be put in several ways ,get the 6x9s of your choice then make it work for you.

 

Cool terry82, did you make those boxes for the 6X9s? What did you use?

 

My wife used to have a '79, and she loved to crank up the tunes. The OE speakers didn't last all that long, of course.

I eventually replaced the HU with a unit (long out of production) that produced 12W/channel, and fit in the stock dash opening, and got a pair of 6x9 enclosures from Crutchfield, with some serious Pioneer 6x9s. I'm pretty sure that Crutchfield doesn't sell these enclosures any more, but they were essentially what they used to call "pick up truck" enclosures, that would mount in the rear corners of the cab.

 

I used 1/4 plywood.start with card board to get your curves.then wrap with covering from any audio place.

 

From April 5th posting. Mine has a cassette player vs an 8-track player, but either way I'm still bypassing it for only the radio and MP3 player - good luck.

I have done a lot of personal research on this as well, and requested feedback that I've received here has been unusually vague - it's not a hot Forum topic for some reason. I purchased the Alpine SPR69's for the rear and 4x6 Polk DB461's for the front for my'82. I am waiting for a chance to install them when I pull it out of winter storage - so I hesitate to yet endorse but this up to date info may help you and others in the planning/procurement stage. I have held them up while mounted on the stock speaker grill and they appear to fit fine because of the high tech, low profile neodymium magnets, and wow did they sound great in the store compared to other high end speakers with magnets 4-5x larger. I plan to pack some soft foam behind them to prevent any rattling due to the seemingly after-thought stock speaker brackets. The seasoned manager at our reputable local audio tunes installer shop said that they were one of the best speakers they sell, and the finest stock-fitting speaker they have for the C3. He said that he has sold dozens of sets to Vette owners. They will actually fit the stock speaker grill/opening with minimal hidden mods. The guy said his C3 owners have been thrilled with the fit and quality. We'll soon see. Since they are not quite flush mount, use a few small washers or as I preferred, cut small pieces of small rubber fuel line into vibration-isolating 3/16" washers (from a snowmobile, about half the diameter of a car fuel line). To each his own with boxes and such - no doubt they sound sweet,, but I want to keep the NCRA stock look.
I also am going to install an Alpine XC1410 amplifier which is small, very cool-running, 300 watts (75 watts per speaker) and will mount out of sight in the small space under the stock digital radio according to Crutchfield. I can help anyone with the OE-to-amplifier wire color conversion chart, at least for an '82 if you want to PM me. Also, I purchased a "Simple" (brand name) IS31 FM modulator that I will install once the patient is opened up and the radio is accessible. That way I will be able to play my iPod/iPhone without wires, and without the cassette running while using a cassette adapter. I understand that FM modulators have limitations especially in congested/ highly populated areas but I want to keep my stock digital radio and direct-wiring as this is the best option according to the research. Hope this helps others.
Dave

 

I'm glad someone tried the Alpines, I'm probably going to get a set of 6.5", but they'll be in my box anyways.

 

Thanks Dave! look forward to a build thread when you pull her out of winterization.

 

As promised, I checked to see if the Alpine SPR-69 with the small but super powerful magnet would fit in my 82 without the slightest modification because I want the 100% stock look. I can report unequivocally that they fit with room to spare. There is zero hint of having a non-stock speaker. Again, the speaker is slightly raised in its cradle so it can't be smashed flush against the stock speaker grill - you have to put small spacers between the grill and the three speaker mounting studs (why there are not 4 studs, one for each speaker hole, is beyond me). You can use washers or a small nut, but I made my own spacers by cutting a rubber fuel hose (snowmobile size) into 3/8" bits as you can see at the 2:00 position in the attached photo.
Later on I will hook everything up, including the front speakers (attached photo) and the Alpine amplifier that I mentioned above. I don't want to pull the center console to access the radio until it is warm enough outside, and I have new carpet to install, including for the speaker grills. It will be awhile as I will do everything at one shot. But, for those of us needing the best rear replacement speakers that you can literally buy for a C3 equipped with OEM rear speakers, I wanted to let you know that the SPR-69's do fit, as the audio shop assured me, and with room enough to still put your pinky finger between the speaker magnet and the steel access cut-out hole that accommodates the speakers in the rear. Hope this helps others wanting to keep the stock look/space efficiency but starving for good tunes because the foam around the OE speakers has turned to dust like mine. Dave

 

Looking forward to hearing how they sound.... You are going to run the stock head unit, right?

 

Yes. With a specific amp as noted above, as well as an integral FM modulator. They both have discrete On/Off switches. I've probably over-studied this thing but sort of had to since all other posts I've found relate to using speaker boxes, pulling the stock electronic radio, often cutting the console bezel or/and putting amps in the storage box or I've even seen them mounted in plain sight. I somehow bought this car from the original owner last summer, entirely unmolested since `82 and vowed to keep the upgrades discrete if at all possible, such as using Hushmat, brighter bulbs , O-ringed brake calipers, etc. I'll let you know how it all sounds.

Dave

 

Thanks Lakeside49 for doing the trial and error for us. Will be ordering a set later.