1990
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
There is an audio section here on the Forum. Do a search here first and then post up in the audio section if you don't have any luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 176
From: Decatur IL
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I just had replaced the radio in my 90 and it required to replace the speakers too because the Bose speakers in the 90-96 Vettes have a one ohm amplifier and they are not compatible with a lot of aftermarket radios.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Well there is that and the bose speakers sound ok with the factory head unit but sound like crap driven by a higher end head unit. Been there done that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 176
From: Decatur IL
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It didn't bother me to have the speakers replaced because I have owned my 90 for five years and planning on keeping it for a very long time. So goodbye Bose and hello Pioneer!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
I just swapped out the stuff in the 87 I bought and wow it sounds wicked. Also one thing I learned having owned an 86 coupe and now the 87 convertible. Usually the coupes have the best sounds system possibilities due to the convertible version of a car an after thought.
Talk about being amazed with my 87 convertible. The coupes rear speaker area is pathetic compared to the boxes the convertible has. The channel separation is a bit better in the coupe but the base and clarity you get from the convertibles setup is night and day of a difference. I was trying to figure out how to put a speaker box in the back of the convertible till I hooked up the jl audio 6x9's the previous owner had installed. That flat killed the speaker box wants.
Anyways Im running a pioneer 1600dvd headunit with hifonics powered by the god series amps and jl audio speakers. Sounds great.
Talk about being amazed with my 87 convertible. The coupes rear speaker area is pathetic compared to the boxes the convertible has. The channel separation is a bit better in the coupe but the base and clarity you get from the convertibles setup is night and day of a difference. I was trying to figure out how to put a speaker box in the back of the convertible till I hooked up the jl audio 6x9's the previous owner had installed. That flat killed the speaker box wants.
Anyways Im running a pioneer 1600dvd headunit with hifonics powered by the god series amps and jl audio speakers. Sounds great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
As previously stated, your best bet is to an entire swap. It's not difficult, but budget 8 hours or so to get it done. You'll need to re-wire the speakers and replace them. Crutchfield is probably your best bet. You'll get the metra adapter that makes the switch a breeze.
I did mine for about $400.
I did mine for about $400.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Thanks for the hot tips. I just rebuilt my rear speakers. They sound good. I was just hoping I could replace the radio and keep my speakers. The guy who will do the install told me I wouldn't noticed that much. I will find out the model and type and post it and get your feed back.
Once again guys thanks for all the info
Joe
Once again guys thanks for all the info
Joe
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 372
Likes: 23
From: Harper Woods MI
I was so bummed when I took my '91 out for a three hour trip across the state last week. I got the dreaded low volume no sound. Ugh, hours of exhaust drone.
My '84 the previous owner took out the Bose system, I love my '91 with everything untouched, but I've looked into the repair and it's really expensive.
Now I am looking to upgrade. Besides the old system doesn't have the modern conveniences like XM, Pandora or ipod connectivity. I'd love to keep my speakers, but I think that will be a problem unless there is an adapter. I've read that there are options.
My local Best Buy has a deal with the local Corvette club, so I plan on checking with them sometime soon.
My '84 the previous owner took out the Bose system, I love my '91 with everything untouched, but I've looked into the repair and it's really expensive.
Now I am looking to upgrade. Besides the old system doesn't have the modern conveniences like XM, Pandora or ipod connectivity. I'd love to keep my speakers, but I think that will be a problem unless there is an adapter. I've read that there are options.
My local Best Buy has a deal with the local Corvette club, so I plan on checking with them sometime soon.
