Audio Upgrade Options

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 13, 2013 | 02:50 PM

thedudeman

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 128

Likes: 1

Audio Upgrade Options

Hey, so I was wondering if there are any audio head units out there for a C5 that come with internal hard drives for music? I know there are head units with 3.5mm audio input ports for mp3 players, but I'm just wondering if there are units with their own dedicated hard drives. I don't want to have to mess with an external player if I do an upgrade for the same reason that I don't drink and drive....I don't want to spill my beer

Apr 13, 2013 | 02:54 PM

Vetteman Jack

Administrator

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 368,324

Likes: 24,777

From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

MO Events Coordinator

St. Jude Co-Organizer

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

NCM Sinkhole Donor

CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran

My suggestion is to contact Dennis at www.doubledmods.com. He's a forum vendor and knows a lot about audio for the C5.

Apr 13, 2013 | 02:59 PM

Chevy-SS

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,616

Likes: 11

From: Newport, RI

Your solution is a USB port. I put a Kenwood H/U in mine, and I made sure it had a front USB slot on it. You can buy tiny USB flash drives that are virtually invisible, and they will hold thousands of songs. Problem solved...............

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:01 PM

bobeast

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 1,305

Likes: 80

From: Hollister CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack

My suggestion is to contact Dennis at www.doubledmods.com. He's a forum vendor and knows a lot about audio for the C5.

While you're talking to him, consider his double-din mod. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities with respect to feature sets.

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:06 PM

knewblewkorvette

Race Director

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 14,137

Likes: 2,984

From: Iowa

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy-SS

Who sells the tiny USB drives, I want some?

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:07 PM

thedudeman

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 128

Likes: 1

Man, you guys are awesome. I just want to say I love this forum. I can't believe how fast you all post replies on here. Thanks again!

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:09 PM

thedudeman

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 128

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy-SS

Do you have the model number? How much was it if you don't mind my asking? And also, any mods needed to the Bose speakers?

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:14 PM

thedudeman

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 128

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack

My suggestion is to contact Dennis at www.doubledmods.com. He's a forum vendor and knows a lot about audio for the C5.

Ok, I sent Dennis an e-mail. We'll see what he suggests. I was hoping to get something that works with the existing Bose system since it still works really well. I haven't had any problems with it anyway. What do you guys think? Should I keep it or is it a good time to switch it out if I am getting a new headunit? If so, what do you recommend?

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

Brett Foote

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Joe Kucinski

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Joe Kucinski

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Joe Kucinski

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Verdad Gallardo

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:29 PM

Chevy-SS

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,616

Likes: 11

From: Newport, RI

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudeman

Do you have the model number? How much was it if you don't mind my asking? And also, any mods needed to the Bose speakers?

I bought and installed my H/U about 3 years ago, so I'm sure it's discontinued. I would never recommend my particular model # H/U to anyone anyway, as I do not like the setup options.

You will find that many (if not MOST) H/U's will have either USB or SD Card slots right in front.

I bought the appropriate wiring adapter, which allows you to install aftermarket H/U and still fully utilize the Bose speakers. Dennis knows all about this stuff.

I also added a 10" sub and separate amp while I was at it.

You can have the stock H/U out on the bench in about 10 minutes or less. Give yourself an hour or so to wire and install the new H/U. Total install time probably around two hours. Very easy job, but kinda tricky on the wiring. You gotta get that just right, or speakers will not function properly.

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:36 PM

#10

Chevy-SS

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,616

Likes: 11

From: Newport, RI

Quote:

Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette

Who sells the tiny USB drives, I want some?

Here's the one I like. 8GB holds 2,000+ songs. You can't even tell it's in there:

Amazon.com: SanDisk Cruzer Fit SDCZ33-008G-B35 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive - Black: Electronics

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:49 PM

#11

thedudeman

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 128

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy-SS

Here's the one I like. 8GB holds 2,000+ songs. You can't even tell it's in there:
Amazon.com: SanDisk Cruzer Fit SDCZ33-008G-B35 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive - Black: Electronics

Nice! That is cool; I totally forgot they make the really small ones like that now. Great idea. Dennis said there is an old Pioneer unit that sells for like 2k that has it's own hard drive, but that is insane when you could do the USB option. Thanks!

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:50 PM

#12

Chevy-SS

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,616

Likes: 11

From: Newport, RI

Here s PDF which shows how to remove the H/U.

Be aware that you likely will NOT need to do the steps on pages 2, 7 & 8.
http://csgbenefits.org/C5_Bose_HU_Removal.pdf

-

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:58 PM

#13

Chevy-SS

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,616

Likes: 11

From: Newport, RI

My biggest gripe is that the stock C5 H/U opening wouldn't take a double-din H/U. Thus you will end up with single din H/U (yes, there are ways to use double-din, but it's extensive and expensive). I recently installed a double-din H/U in my Cadillac DeVille (very easy install) and I LOVE the extra screen real estate, which really makes it easier to scroll through folders and song listings.

Apr 13, 2013 | 04:05 PM

#14

racebum

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 16,028

Likes: 170

From: oregon

aren't din and half units a direct drop?

Apr 13, 2013 | 04:08 PM

#15

Kmcoldcars

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 3,181

Likes: 286

From: Puyallup Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudeman

Here is one I installed in my 1992 a while back that I bought from Dennis. The flash drive holds thousands of songs. The color of the display by the volume **** is adjustable to match the buttons around the radio.

<p>

<p>

Apr 13, 2013 | 04:13 PM

#16

thedudeman

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 128

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy-SS

Here s PDF which shows how to remove the H/U.

Be aware that you likely will NOT need to do the steps on pages 2, 7 & 8.
http://csgbenefits.org/C5_Bose_HU_Removal.pdf

-

Excellent how-to, thanks! So this is considered a 1.5 din? What defines a din exactly? What is required to use a double din in the C5?

Apr 13, 2013 | 04:21 PM

#17

Chevy-SS

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,616

Likes: 11

From: Newport, RI

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudeman

Excellent how-to, thanks! So this is considered a 1.5 din? What defines a din exactly? What is required to use a double din in the C5?

Yeah, stock H/U is 1.5 din. I don't know exactly what "din" means. There's a few threads around on putting double din in. You gotta buy custom console piece, and do some modding. My Kenwood is very similar to the pics posted by "Kmcoldcars".

Apr 13, 2013 | 08:31 PM

#18

Evil-Twin

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 21,325

Likes: 3,841

From: small town in S.E Pa. PA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04

I just put this unit in my C5

I left everything in Dennis' hands, sent him my bezel and he converted it to double din. Now I have Garmin Navigation. HD radio, Pandora, Sirius Radio, the ability to watch HD movies via DVD, rear facing camera, and now I can get all my text read to me, notifications of emails, and can send and receive phone calls and texts, all hands free.
Bill aka ET

Apr 13, 2013 | 08:48 PM

#19

thedudeman

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 128

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil-Twin

That's a fantastic unit, what was the total cost?

Apr 14, 2013 | 09:11 AM

#20

LoneStarLizzard

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 959

Likes: 50

From: Peters Colony Republic of Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudeman

That's a fantastic unit, what was the total cost?

Here is a link to Double D's website page that offers this specific Kenwood H/U for sale:

http://shop.doubledmods.com/Kenwood-...odDNX690HD.htm

I'm thinking about doing this exact same thing.

The Lizzard.

Reply Share

First
Prev
1 / 2
Next
Last

Forum Jump