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Hi. I am looking to replace the factory head unit with an aftermarket unit but want to keep the door mounted amped bose speakers. I may replace the 3.5 inch speakers later. How important is it to get a more expensive unit with equalizer settings and preset tone curves. My thought is to try and get some sort of punchy bass without the real low subwoofer sound.
I also would like to know what ideas the guys have in here ! couple of years ago I went to this electronics place and almost bought a nice Alpine head unit, then the guy finds out its going in a Vette with Bose, He then hands me this 150 dollar unit and said I had to install this and if I don't my electronics would not work properly!! I had to cut like 10 different wires besides the plug that I was going to buy ! Basically I walked in to buy a head unit and the plug and play harness but found out its a lot more complicated than this so I changed my mind and still have my factory head unit but I sure would love to put something in there with a Bluetooth capability !
He's the guy who can answer all of your questions. The stock radio is 1.5 DIN which really limits your choices. Dennis can modify your bezel to fit a double DIN unit and then the rest just depends upon how deep your pockets are.
If your leaving the stock radio bezel then all you need to do is find a single din head unit that you like and and a PAC ROEM-VET1 and an install radio kit. This would be basically everything you need to be plug and play with factory speakers.
As far as head units go, it kind of becomes a preference thing. I would go to your local stereo shop or chain store and or websites and look at all the different brands and find one that you like the best. Most of the new big name brand stereos have a lot of the same features. Some of the more expensive stereos offer some neat added features and on screen displays.
Your not going to get much more punchy bass than what stock has to offer. Your are limited by your speakers. When I did my stereo and left the stock speakers, it did sound better but it wasn't jaw dropping if you know what I mean. Once I changed the speakers out and added a subwoofer and amp and ran new speaker wires, that's when I obviously noticed a huge difference.
I changed mine out in a day,I used the ROEM VET1 and did the bezel mod using ABS cement, it worked better than epoxy. Pioneer Avic- z150 all the bells Bluetooth, sat, HD radio, nav, rear view camera, iPhone app.
I have switched out the cigarette lighter plug for a duel USB PORT.
My thought is to try and get some sort of punchy bass without the real low subwoofer sound.
is you seal your doors is will really wake up the "bass" in your speakers I've done this to a silverado I had, I installed JL Audio speakers and was not please with the sound quality so after searching around i found that sealing the doors would help so I gave it a shot and was amazed at the difference it made in sound quality
this is just the frist video I found after a quick google but you'll get the idea
I like what you did with the seat heater buttons and power outlet. I'm going to be changing my center console and I'm debating how I want it to look when I'm done. That's a good look I'll have in my mind when designing mine.
I changed mine out in a day,I used the ROEM VET1 and did the bezel mod using ABS cement, it worked better than epoxy. Pioneer Avic- z150 all the bells Bluetooth, sat, HD radio, nav, rear view camera, iPhone app.
I have switched out the cigarette lighter plug for a duel USB PORT.
hey.... I never knew they offered seat heaters in c5s .... Did you add that yourself?
Hi. I am looking to replace the factory head unit with an aftermarket unit but want to keep the door mounted amped bose speakers. I may replace the 3.5 inch speakers later. How important is it to get a more expensive unit with equalizer settings and preset tone curves. My thought is to try and get some sort of punchy bass without the real low subwoofer sound.
If you don't want to spend the money for a bezel, just want a decent upgrade to the stock unit, you can try googling "Newport retrosound".
They have a 1.5 din radio that fits into the stock opening. It looks retro, but has usb/ipod inputs and Bluetooth input. No nav (but that will be obvious from looking at it). This will give you a modest increase in quality, plus a decent number of newer features. And you will still need to add a PAC ROEM-VET1.
but I will add that --nothing-- will really give you that punchy base sound or amazing claraity over your stock head unit until you ditch the stock speakers -- I got a complete package from Denis back in 2012 -- spent over $1k on a new bezel, and a kenwood 9880HD... while I am totally satisfied with what I got, I never expected to be "wow"ed by the sound quality -- I did it more for the nav, integrated phone, bluetooth, pandora, etc. Even with the precise control the internal EQ gives you, there's only so much you're going to get out of the stock speakers.
Why use any of the old system. If you think because it's Bose it has to be good, your wrong. Trash it all. Single din or double, run new speaker wire. Buy some good speakers. I ran the blue wire back to a really small powered sub and it all sounds great.
Why use any of the old system. If you think because it's Bose it has to be good, your wrong. Trash it all. Single din or double, run new speaker wire. Buy some good speakers. I ran the blue wire back to a really small powered sub and it all sounds great.
same reason I didn't ... $$$... upgrading speakers/adding an amp is still on my "to do" list. no disallusions on the "quality" of bose.
:-)
Dennis is definitely good people. I bought a JL audio 10in sub in his custom box for the spare tire well. Fits great and paired with a cheap 400watt amp, it sounds awesome. In a vert ta boot........
Why use any of the old system. If you think because it's Bose it has to be good, your wrong. Trash it all. Single din or double, run new speaker wire. Buy some good speakers. I ran the blue wire back to a really small powered sub and it all sounds great.
I have to disagree. My Bose sound great with my Pioneer head unit. More deep and powerful, but very clear, too.
C5 Aftermarket Head Unit
