I have a 2002 C5. My stock radio has the cassette player and the 12 disc CD changer. My CD changer decided to stop working, get an error code saying it can't play or something like that. Anyhow, I've toyed with replacing my stock radio with an aftermarket radio. Not sure I really want to do that. What I'm looking for, is better sound from the speakers, a way to play my mp3 player or even have a USB plug to where I can play the flash drives with music on them. I had a guy tell me that if it were him, he would just add an amplifier and it would improve the sound. I know they make after market adapters that you can plug into the back of the stock radio using the CD changer plug. And they have the same type of adapter that you could plug into the back of the car through the jack that the CD changer plugs into, which would eliminate taking the factory radio out altogether. You would just run the cable to the front of the car.

Then I toy with doing the adapter and also replacing the speakers. I've been told that the factory speakers are good quality speakers and it's not necessary to replace them unless they are blown out. However I don't think the sound is that great right now. Seems to need more base and when I play the radio right now, it just sounds cheap. It definitely needs more base and I can't adjust the base any more than it already is. If I take off all the trebble, I get more base, but then lose the trebble in the process. So I go back to replacing the speakers. I will say when the CD player worked, the sound was better. So I'm thinking it could be that the quality of a CD is better than just the radio. I don't know.

Does anyone have an experience with the adapters? I think they actually call it a radio harness for an ipod or mp3 player. I'm also really leary of letting anyone install a new radio. Taking the bezel off to get to the radio, makes me nervous. My best friend had someone install a new radio in her C5 and they cracked the bezel in the process. I'm open to any and all suggestions that someone may have. Let me say, that I'm not into the big boom boom base that most kids like these days. So I'm not looking for that type of base sound. I have a 2012 Dodge RAM pickup and I love the stock radio in it. If I could get that same sound from the C5 radio, I would be happy! Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Do yourself a favor and contact Dennis from DDmods. He is the stereo man to talk to about changing your system.

 

Thanks. I sent them an email asking some questions. Hoping they will email or call me back.

 

Every time stereos are brought up in this forum, everyone is immediately told to contact the gentleman from DDMods. Which means several people have dealt with him and he is legit and knows his stuff...That being said...........

Upgrading the audio on a C5 is not hard at all. I had my aftermarket head unit in my C5 in less than an hour. I replaced the headunit with a Kenwood, left the front speakers stock, and replaced the rears with Kicker Comp VR 6.5s. I also added a Kicker amp with a kicker Comp VR12 in a custom box.

Dont let audio installs scare you, especially head units. If your speakers arent blown, all you need is a head unit, interface (which retains the use of stock amplifiers,) and an hour to and hour and a half of your time. That alone will certainly make your stereo sound much better! PM me if you have any questions and I would be happy to walk you through the install!

 

Thanks. I actually went to DD website and looked at a couple of things. I'm leaning towards the Ipod integration kit, which would allow me to plug in the adapter harness to the CD harness in the back of the car. That would allow me to play an mp3 player and also my iphone as well. Then possibly get the Amp upgrade for the stock headunit. It would come with the amp, one 3.5 front speaker and 2 rear speakers.

When you say all I need is a head unit, I'm assuming that means a new radio? This may sound crazy, but what i like about the factory radio is I can see everything really well when I'm driving. Like how to switch from radio, to AUX, the channel numbers to change radio stations. The after market radios are harder to see all of that. LOL. Guess that's what happens when we get older. I like bigger numbers....etc. Easier to see through these old eyes of mine.

 

Correct. The head unit is the radio. Goodluck!

 

Call Dennis, he is a great guy, there is no obligation.. he is the expert.. IM a fairly smart guy, but I am not an audio expert. I'm smart enough to go to an expert when seeking advice on this issue. He loves to talk to Corvette people .he is not only a Vendor here , he is a Corvette owner.

http://www.doubledmods.com/
(608) 854-2033 or (608) 854-2034

574 State Rd. 80
Hazel Green Wi. 53811

Monday-Friday 8-5 CST

 

 

got your email
I am in middle of C5 install right now.
I will reply back once completed this afternoon
or as always just call me anytime
608 854 2033

Thanks everyone

Dennis

 

Sounds good. Don't want to interrupt your install. Will wait for your response. Thanks

 

I've got a head unit and (skoche?) surround to fit the factory 1.5din. I forget the head unit, but it has full USB, mp3 etc. I believe I have nib top end adapter to factory harness also. Again, forget the brand, but was through DD on this one. I was going to wait until spring to list a garage cleaning thread on parts since I modded a lot over winter, but if you haven't pulled the trigger yet I'll dig up specs later. Only selling because I went with 3 gauge cluster and then 2din screen to fit with gauges.

 

Re speakers.... I'll look up what I went with. I kept the bose woofers but replaced the rest and have a much improved range and quality. Especially after having sound dead-end the car, the speakers are a noticeable change. They had been an old recommended package on the DD site.

Edit: I found the old links to which speakers I had bought.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1