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I am looking to improve my C5 stock stereo system, no BT, poor sound, etc. I called a local auto sound installer and was given two options. 1) Replace the head unit and add a Metra wiring harness which would add BT and provide some better sound quality keeping the existing speakers. Option 2 was to replace the head unit, add an amp and replace the Bose door subs with 2 way coaxial speakers and new wiring with the option down the line of adding a sub. The cost difference however including all parts and labor went from roughly $550 to $1,600. Can’t I simply buy a new head unit and change the door speakers for a much improved sound experience? Is there an alternative in between these two extremes that will provide BT and much improved sound quality? Option 1 fits my budget but concerned the sound quality will only be marginally better. Thoughts, input suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks everyone!
Sound powered by a replacement head unit won't go very loud at all.
Even if the head you decide on unit advertises big wattage just know that the output will suck without a dedicated amplifier.
Even this high dollar Alpine will only push 16w RMS which won't have any punch behind it and will leave you dissatisfied after expecting something great.
I had Best Buy install mine. They did an awesome job. They do free installs if you buy there head unit.
I have a Pioneer 7 inch head unit.
you need a certain wiring harness if you have the Bose sound system, and the custom trim piece.
Best Buy ordered up everything and installed it in Schaumburg, IL. Full touch screen, Apple car play, Bluetooth, and phone. Worth every penny.
First, browse the Audio/Electonics forum, there are a bazillion threads on this subject with pictures and options. I put this single DIN unit in with a Metra harness and bezel for less than $300. Bluetooth, SD card, front USB. Sounds great with proper adjustment of the interface unit.
Option 2 will get you what you want. Without an amp, you won't see much difference in sound. Option 1 will get you all the functionality that you want, but the sound quality will be about the same.
agree, just doing the headunit and speakers really won't get you much punch.
I highly recommend an alpine ilx650 as the headunit -- it's a very nice DD with android auto/apple car play, AND , they sell a 450 watt amp that mounts to the back of it. Even with the amp, the entire setup is much thinner than most other head units, and I think it runs aroudn 600-$700 for the head unit and amp. I have that in my car running the replacement door speakers and rears, and sounds great (I have separate amps for the subs)
I did a write up on it here: consider this DD headunit if you're doing an upgrade... - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
I did just the head unit and the Axxess adapter at first with the stock Bose. I waited about a year and ended up replacing all the audio this past winter. You can do the head unit to get the Bluetooth and a marginal sound improvement and add everything else later. The head unit is the first step to me anyway.
I dunno. I replaced the crappy BoseOEM with a Clarion -and not exactly a top of the line-- and trashed the Bose speakers and replaced them with JBL's--again, not exactly top of the line--and my stereo sounds great. Its a small passenger compartment so you don't need to blast out a million amps. Ok, so i did have Crazy Cowboy install the insulation package and I did remove the Goodyear EMT's and threw on some NItto G2's--which helped a lot. I could use a little more bass I suppose and may put in some different 5 inchers in the future, maybe.
I am looking to improve my C5 stock stereo system, no BT, poor sound, etc. I called a local auto sound installer and was given two options. 1) Replace the head unit and add a Metra wiring harness which would add BT and provide some better sound quality keeping the existing speakers. Option 2 was to replace the head unit, add an amp and replace the Bose door subs with 2 way coaxial speakers and new wiring with the option down the line of adding a sub. The cost difference however including all parts and labor went from roughly $550 to $1,600. Can’t I simply buy a new head unit and change the door speakers for a much improved sound experience? Is there an alternative in between these two extremes that will provide BT and much improved sound quality? Option 1 fits my budget but concerned the sound quality will only be marginally better. Thoughts, input suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks everyone!
If you're not looking to compete, replacing the head unit with a quality aftermarket actually does wonders. If you get a head unit that has a 10band eq or greater you can absolutely get some rich premium sound out of the existing system. I have a convertible and my sound is very lustrous going down the road.
Save your $$ in my opinion and go with the quality head unit. Din...din 1/2 or double din
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