Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,203
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome
The radio in my 85 is stock and shot. I am looking in the catalogs at the Pioneer 1.5 din CD/Tuner. MAD wants $499 and so does Ecklers. Corvette Central only wants $279 for the same unit. Seems like a good price or should I say the right price if you compare to Best Buy etc.
I will have to add the Bose interface if I dont want to rip out the speakers and start over. I am not an audiophile and all I want is decent radio reception and CD tunes.
Am I safe in assuming this radio with the Bose interface will give me what I am looking for or should I buy an refurbished upgraded Delco/Bose CD/tuner from Doctor Dons or similar.
TIA
:seeya
[Modified by Southern Comfort, 9:32 AM 8/6/2003]
I will have to add the Bose interface if I dont want to rip out the speakers and start over. I am not an audiophile and all I want is decent radio reception and CD tunes.
Am I safe in assuming this radio with the Bose interface will give me what I am looking for or should I buy an refurbished upgraded Delco/Bose CD/tuner from Doctor Dons or similar.
TIA
:seeya
[Modified by Southern Comfort, 9:32 AM 8/6/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
Check with Crutchfield as well. You can get the Bose adaptors from them as well as the installation kit and wiring harness. I never cared much for the Pioneer 1.5 DIN radio. I got rid of the factory one in my 93 and replaced it with a single DIN Alpine. The mount that I got for my 93 was metal, so it looks nicer than the plastic. Also, if you start with a single DIN, you can always add an eq later on. Also take a look at some other company's 1.5 DIN radios. There are some nicer models out there that have more to them. Again, I would look at Crutchfield. They have a lot more options and you aren't paying the premium price of having it listed in a Corvette catalog. Remember, as soon as you say the word Corvette, the price doubles... :lol:
:seeya
:seeya
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
I'd recommend going with a good single DIN radio over the dual DIN or the 1.5 DIN radios. You'll have better options, more features and probably better prices. When it comes to install kits, I'd recommend the following site
http://www.installer.com/
This site has several double DIN kits with the pocket underneath the radio that aren't exactly for the Corvette, but should work with minimal mod'ing. I found this site when I was looking at getting a '92 Coupe that the previous ownere had ripped out the Bose and installed a crappy cassette deck.
As for my own taste, I enjoy the Bose Gold in my '94 and doubt I'll change it out soon. I prefer the 'factory' look it has over the flash of most of the new radios other there. If I do replace it, its probably going to be with a modified Kenwood touch screen (screen taking up the double DIN location and the radio head unit hidden). Again, going for a somewhat clean, stockish look.
http://www.installer.com/
This site has several double DIN kits with the pocket underneath the radio that aren't exactly for the Corvette, but should work with minimal mod'ing. I found this site when I was looking at getting a '92 Coupe that the previous ownere had ripped out the Bose and installed a crappy cassette deck.
As for my own taste, I enjoy the Bose Gold in my '94 and doubt I'll change it out soon. I prefer the 'factory' look it has over the flash of most of the new radios other there. If I do replace it, its probably going to be with a modified Kenwood touch screen (screen taking up the double DIN location and the radio head unit hidden). Again, going for a somewhat clean, stockish look.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
hm... I musta missed your post. sorry.
Since I don't have a C5, and don't believe huge subs are required... then again, I don't lurk there much as I would like...
with that said...
stick with a din sized head. they are a much better value.
I highly recommend Alpine. The 9807 looks good.
http://12.145.140.137/html/D2_n_1_n_n.html
I like their reliability and sound quality. Great stuff! I have a 7998, but that requires an amp... I don't think you want that.
If you are removing the head, remove everything. adaptors will do nothing but ruin the sound... and so will the bose speakers.
Depending on what you want... here are some suggestions.
Polk GRX series. many sizes, sound nice. great price!
Infinity
Boston Acoustic Rally series.
those are good store bought speakers that will work well.
I am not sure what fits up front in the 85's... however, I think there is a dash and a door speaker...
in the rear, thats easy. you can fit a 6x9, or, up to an 8" sub.
Since I don't have a C5, and don't believe huge subs are required... then again, I don't lurk there much as I would like...
with that said...
stick with a din sized head. they are a much better value.
I highly recommend Alpine. The 9807 looks good.
http://12.145.140.137/html/D2_n_1_n_n.html
I like their reliability and sound quality. Great stuff! I have a 7998, but that requires an amp... I don't think you want that.
If you are removing the head, remove everything. adaptors will do nothing but ruin the sound... and so will the bose speakers.
Depending on what you want... here are some suggestions.
Polk GRX series. many sizes, sound nice. great price!
Infinity
Boston Acoustic Rally series.
those are good store bought speakers that will work well.
I am not sure what fits up front in the 85's... however, I think there is a dash and a door speaker...
in the rear, thats easy. you can fit a 6x9, or, up to an 8" sub.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
I will have to add the Bose interface if I dont want to rip out the speakers and start over. I am not an audiophile and all I want is decent radio reception and CD tunes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
I know a place in Santa Ana that sell these 1.5 din Pioneer for less than all the price you mention. I was thinking about intalling it to my 88 since I already had the 1 din pioneer which stick out a little. They have both new and refurbuish (sp).
If you want, I'll find out the address and phone no.
As for the set up, I took all the Bose Amp. out and reused the wiring with all after market speakers, a profile amp. and a pioneer CD changers all tug away inside the rear of the pass. storage area.
If you want, I'll find out the address and phone no.
As for the set up, I took all the Bose Amp. out and reused the wiring with all after market speakers, a profile amp. and a pioneer CD changers all tug away inside the rear of the pass. storage area.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
Well the Audio section is the correct place to ask, it really doesn't belong here.
No matter what I do, nobody wants to visit any other sections of the forum.
I don't know what to do with this post.
No matter what I do, nobody wants to visit any other sections of the forum.
I don't know what to do with this post.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Mr Mojo)
Well the Audio section is the correct place to ask, it really doesn't belong here.
No matter what I do, nobody wants to visit any other sections of the forum.
I don't know what to do with this post.
No matter what I do, nobody wants to visit any other sections of the forum.
I don't know what to do with this post.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
I'm a OEM guy if possible on these things. However, if you don't have a CD and you want one, I guess a change is in order. I personally feel that if you dump the Bose, dump it all. Just use the Bose mountings to buy speakers to fit. I have a 92 Bose and I have the rear speakers right in front of me and it appears that these speakers can be replaced, easily. Use the wiring harness already there. Everything is color coded for easy identification. Just don't get one of those rice looking eye catching radios. They look like an add on. :U
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Strick)
You CANNOT use the factory wiring for more than providing power to the head unit.
The Bose system is so complex and integrated, you risk blowing something else up... :nono:
The Bose system is so complex and integrated, you risk blowing something else up... :nono:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Caboboy)
Here's a Bose replacement CD from Dr. Dons, it sounds great if you don't want a boom box:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (bogus)
You CANNOT use the factory wiring for more than providing power to the head unit.
The Bose system is so complex and integrated, you risk blowing something else up... :nono:
The Bose system is so complex and integrated, you risk blowing something else up... :nono:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
From: Stamford VT
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (bogus)
You CANNOT use the factory wiring for more than providing power to the head unit.
The Bose system is so complex and integrated, you risk blowing something else up... :nono:
The Bose system is so complex and integrated, you risk blowing something else up... :nono:
[Modified by Jim85IROC, 10:57 AM 8/6/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Strick)
Wait a minute. With the Bose out, all of it, you can use the wires already in the car's harness to carry the signal to the speakers.
On the Bose system the wire from the head unit to the speakers is a low level signal wire. This signal is then boosted to a higher voltage and current by the amplifier, to drive the speaker. This is actually a pretty good idea, because you dont need very thick cable from the head unit, and there is no power loss in the cables either. Howver, once you resite the amplifier in the dash, the wires giong to the speakers carry speaker current and voltage, and so need to be more substantial. I ran new cables 1.5 sq mm multistrand . This cable is used in high power stage public address systems, so it is well on top of the job electrically, and nice and flexible for door open/closing.
:thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (britvette)
AGAIN, we're not talking about a 1000watt system. The 14-16 gauge wire will work on normal size speakers. True, if I were doing it, I'd run new wires, but I'm a perfectionist (don't like it), but that's a whole other thing.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Strick)
Fair comment. If the wires are 14/16 gauge I would agree it will be OK. To be honest, I didn't even look at mine before running new cable, but since it is such a PITA removing the old speakers, making new baffle boards for the new speakers etc. I thought it was worth while to go the extra and put new cables in while the car was in bits.
Basically I think we are in agreement here.
(But I would still run new speaker cable :yesnod: )
Basically I think we are in agreement here.
(But I would still run new speaker cable :yesnod: )
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Audio Question.....Opinions Welcome (Southern Comfort)
My ideal suggestion for you.
1) Go for a single din, and mount an EQ below it.
2) Do not use the facotry wiring, the wire is crappy and old.
3) Do not use the stock speakers, go ahead and replace them with the best you can afford, if need be do the work partially (front speakers first, the rears next month)
4) Do not buy any stereo gear from the Vette rags, you can get better prices elsewhere.
5) Get an amp, there is no deck that can power a system to be useful when you have the Targa top off.
You can do all of this for under 1k with some decent gear
1) Go for a single din, and mount an EQ below it.
2) Do not use the facotry wiring, the wire is crappy and old.
3) Do not use the stock speakers, go ahead and replace them with the best you can afford, if need be do the work partially (front speakers first, the rears next month)
4) Do not buy any stereo gear from the Vette rags, you can get better prices elsewhere.
5) Get an amp, there is no deck that can power a system to be useful when you have the Targa top off.
You can do all of this for under 1k with some decent gear