C5 Speakers - Yeah...I Know
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Le Mans Master
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C5 Speakers - Yeah...I Know
Most of the info here on this subject is dated. Seems like one of the recommended replacements matching the original stereo head are the JBL GX series, but they are discontinued.
I noticed that the existing front speakers are not too bad--they could be better--but the rear speakers are totally flat/awful. I found some of the JBL GX rear speakers(yes discontinued, but a few still on the shelf), but the 3 1/2" for the front are bye bye.
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HIGH END SPEAKERS OR A NEW HEAD...But I want to "improve" the sound. Should I grab those JBL GX 6 1/2 rear speakers now, or go with the JBL GTO series, or another brand like Alpine, etc?
I noticed that the existing front speakers are not too bad--they could be better--but the rear speakers are totally flat/awful. I found some of the JBL GX rear speakers(yes discontinued, but a few still on the shelf), but the 3 1/2" for the front are bye bye.
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HIGH END SPEAKERS OR A NEW HEAD...But I want to "improve" the sound. Should I grab those JBL GX 6 1/2 rear speakers now, or go with the JBL GTO series, or another brand like Alpine, etc?
Last edited by vette4fl; Mar 7, 2021 at 05:54 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Wisconsin
Have you looked over this section of the forum
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lectronics-20/
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lectronics-20/
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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Have you looked over this section of the forum
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lectronics-20/
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lectronics-20/
Yes - dated...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2019
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From: Northwest Nevada
If you have a FRC model / body style, I found an unexpected rear speaker sound improvement in my '02 Z06 after I installed a cargo area partition. The rear speakers sound a bit fuller and more lively...not a huge amount but enough to make a noticeable difference. Other benefits include a faster interior cool down for the A/C, faster warm up for the heater, and privacy / security for stuff stashed in the cargo area (reason why I wanted a cargo partition). The rear partition makes no significant difference in cabin road noise (more of a chassis and tire issue). I was able to better dial in the OE sound system to further improve the sound quality to an acceptable level.
Last edited by M.Y.02Z06; Mar 8, 2021 at 11:43 AM.
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Honestly ANYTHING will work. Not sure why everyone referenced those JBLs. They're nothing special. Any 3.5 up front that's 4 ohms and any 4 ohm 6.5/5.25 out back will be just fine.
Le Mans Master
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Please see posts #48 - 51 to see what I did...which is essentially replace everything except the HU...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...project-3.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...project-3.html
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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Please see posts #48 - 51 to see what I did...which is essentially replace everything except the HU...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...project-3.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...project-3.html
I just checked the amp and front speakers - both are discontinued. That's the thing with the posts on the forum, most of them are years old and the items are discontinued.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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I referenced the JBL's because they were recommended in another post on the forum. At their price point, they probably are not special, and as I noted, I am not interested in spending a lot of money on this. Seems speakers go from $69/pair to hundreds really fast! I have used Kickers to replace the stock speakers in my Ram 1500, and it was a significant improvement; I could actually hear voices and instruments!!! So, I'm not exactly an audiophile, just want some decent affordable speakers.
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Racer
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Well what would you like to do ? Replace the stock speakers with something better sounding and leave the stock head unit/bose amplifiers in place.. or do you want to take everything out and start from scratch with an aftermarket headunit and some nice 6.5" speakers in the doors ?
I went the 2nd route myself and it sounds phenomenal. I have 6.5inch JBL speakers in the doors now, but JUST bought some Alpine type R's after hearing them in a friend's car. They sound a little better.
I went the 2nd route myself and it sounds phenomenal. I have 6.5inch JBL speakers in the doors now, but JUST bought some Alpine type R's after hearing them in a friend's car. They sound a little better.
Safety Car
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From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I referenced the JBL's because they were recommended in another post on the forum. At their price point, they probably are not special, and as I noted, I am not interested in spending a lot of money on this. Seems speakers go from $69/pair to hundreds really fast! I have used Kickers to replace the stock speakers in my Ram 1500, and it was a significant improvement; I could actually hear voices and instruments!!! So, I'm not exactly an audiophile, just want some decent affordable speakers.
These should be halfway decent/palatable:
Front:
Rear:
You really won't notice much difference from mid-grade gear on the factory amp from brand to brand, so my first criteria would be best price and then something I can match front/rear because I'm a little **** like that.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
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From: Belle Isle Florida
I have several Bose speakers I removed from my 2000 that were working fine when removed. I also have Bose speakers that are seperated from another car. I would be willing to part with them at a reasonable price if your interested. I am in Orlando.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
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I used the JBL GX328 speakers in the door and GX528 in the rear of my '02 Z06 and am liking what I've heard so far.
Not much use yet as I'm still waiting on my double din bezel to show up to finish the HU install, but wanted to share some matching speakers that do fit.
But I agree, the sticky is showing it's age, you still have to look all over the place to find the supporting info, it was a bit frustrating.
Not much use yet as I'm still waiting on my double din bezel to show up to finish the HU install, but wanted to share some matching speakers that do fit.
But I agree, the sticky is showing it's age, you still have to look all over the place to find the supporting info, it was a bit frustrating.
Last edited by F1Fan; Mar 9, 2021 at 10:20 AM.
Instructor
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These bolted right into the rear: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These bolted right into the twiddler in the Bose door speakers: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And I used these to hook up the rears to the factory wiring: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These bolted right into the twiddler in the Bose door speakers: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And I used these to hook up the rears to the factory wiring: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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These bolted right into the rear: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These bolted right into the twiddler in the Bose door speakers: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And I used these to hook up the rears to the factory wiring: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These bolted right into the twiddler in the Bose door speakers: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And I used these to hook up the rears to the factory wiring: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 4,359
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Senior moment???
In any event, thanks for pointing this out, and the newer 328/628 versions. They appear a bit less expensive than the gto's, although the gto models get rave reviews.
Last edited by vette4fl; Mar 9, 2021 at 05:59 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
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From: SC
The gx302 show discontinued on the Crutchfield website, and the 602's do not even come up at all. On Amazon the 602's are showing limited supply, and when I checked for the 302's they showed discontinued...but NOW they show in stock.
Senior moment???
In any event, thanks for pointing this out, and the newer 328/628 versions. They appear a bit less expensive than the gto's, although the gto models get rave reviews.
Senior moment???
In any event, thanks for pointing this out, and the newer 328/628 versions. They appear a bit less expensive than the gto's, although the gto models get rave reviews.
Honestly, assuming you don’t care too much about the price difference, if it were me I’d try out the gto’s. I have the 302/602 and while they’re good enough that I’m not going to bother changing them, I wouldn’t consider them a major upgrade over stock. Although it may be that I don’t have the gain adjusted properly on the access module that I used for my double din conversion.