[Z06] Stock Stereo Sucks
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Its a rather simple fix, if you're not planning on changing out the factory speakers, adjust the face control more to the front, and to bring out the highs, adjust the high control a little more, you should adjust the fade just until you do not hear the rear speakers anymore, at that point, its set just right.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Originally Posted by rbartick
The C5 does not have tweeters. It uses cheap paper "twiddlers" at the 4 corners. They are sort of a combination mid/high driver and they do not do a good job of reproducing any of the high range frequencies. I disagree with you about the placement, I think it is pretty bad. The existing front twiddlers fire at your legs and knees. A properly placed high range driver should sitting in front of the passengers at or near ear level and they should be pointing towards the space in between the front seats. When listening to the stock radio in my Z06 I get almost no mids or highs fron the fronts. They are all coming from the rears that are directly behind my head.
Read this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=120&TopicID=1
Read this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=120&TopicID=1
*sigh*.....call them whatever you want, "tweeters" or not, they are designed to reproduce high frequencies, I never said they were as good as aftermarket components. You are not reading my posts, you are too busy trying to disect them and sound intelligent yourself. Read what I'm posting before you reply. I agreed with what you said before, however I did say that for factory, its not that bad, yes the tweeters could be improved, but I can think of hundreds of cars that would love to have 8's in the doors from the factory, its always give and take. When it comes to an aftermarket setup, the Vette has spacious doors which will accomodate a large component set, and for the record, you are wrong about tweeters needing to be at ear level or in front of the occupants. Almost all of the winning pro sound cars have kick panels with tweeters mounted in them, which down near the floor. You will get a higher soundstage by raising the tweeters, but not a more accurate one. High frequenices are very directional so if the speaker path lengths are not optimized, especially with mids and highs, you will have a left or right side bias. And before you mention it, time based correciton is not the cure, its a band aid and not a very good one.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Originally Posted by lager99
Sure many pro cars would have 8" in the doors...along with maybe 4" or 5", tweets pointed at the dome light, and a nice center channel. There will also be larger subs in the back, but properly balancing your frequencies on an Real Time Analyzer create proper staging without actually hearing the sub behind you. I do know how many pros put stuff where because I've been in many of those cars, the same ones you read about in the magazines. I used to compete in the Pro class & was sponsored by Phoenix Gold. 
For a guy that was sponsored by Phoenix Gold, you sure don't seem to remember much about proper car audio, unless you're just holding back here to keep it simple for everyone else here. If you honestly competed you should know more about proper stereo imaging. Maybe you've just been out of the loop for too long.
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 633
Likes: 17
From: ON
Originally Posted by Blkout
I agree with everything you said and ideally a larger sub in the rear would be ideal, but that will never happen from the factory. It just takes up too much space. That being said, the next best way to get sub-bass up front is to use a larger speaker, an 8" works very well in this application since it has more output than a 6 1/2" speaker. I realize the factory tweeters are garbage as well, but as far as a factory stereo goes, the C5 speaker placement and size is actually set up very well even for aftermarket stereo's. Its not difficult at all to drop in a very nice 2 way or 3 way component set in the doors of these cars without having to cut or modify anything. Simply add a 10" or 12" sub in the rear and you've got yourself a VERY good stereo with minimal to no fabrication.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Blkout
For a guy that was sponsored by Phoenix Gold, you sure don't seem to remember much about proper car audio, unless you're just holding back here to keep it simple for everyone else here. If you honestly competed you should know more about proper stereo imaging. Maybe you've just been out of the loop for too long.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Blkout, you have at this time, 335 posts. 296 of them you are criticizing fellow forum members. 23 of your posts made no sense what so ever, and last but not least, 16 posts were legit. Congratulations, you have made official 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,260
Likes: 64
From: League City TX
Originally Posted by Captain America
When I first started driving my Z06 I thought the stereo sounded great, but after a while I started to notice it wasn't so great. I like to play my stereo loud. With out adding bass spealers in the rear what can I do? I realize I can take it to a car audio shop, but there is no way Im leaving my baby in the hands of strangers.
A great stereo (I mean great) makes a great car even better. Nothing compares to a full throttle 1-2-3 run when you have great music m-o-v-i-n-g through your body.
If you are willing to listen to someone who has been there and done that - I installed a great system in my first 01 C5 coupe after a bit of trial and error. Don't compromise, but don't go overboard.
First - the stock HU works fine. Search 99HT archived posts to understand connecting an external amp.
Second - You need excellent front speakers with exceptional power handling. Go get 1/2" MDF from Home Depot. Go get Dynaudio MKII 7" components. Make a baffle with the MDF and make brackets to angle the tweeters forward toward the windshield. The pass speaker should face the drivers side of the windshield, the passenger the opposite.
Third - Get a JL Audio 300/4 and mount it under the passenger seat. Use 2 channels to power the Dyns.
Fourth - Purchase a JL stealthbox and drop in the rear well (remove for track events, etc). Bridge 2 other channels from the JL and wire it up. Cross it over at 70 hz.
Fifth - disconnect the rear speaker wires - they are terrible.
Set the gains and get ready to enjoy some fantastic sound quality from a stock appearing system.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Closer_2001
Let me be the counterpoint here...
A great stereo (I mean great) makes a great car even better. Nothing compares to a full throttle 1-2-3 run when you have great music m-o-v-i-n-g through your body.
If you are willing to listen to someone who has been there and done that - I installed a great system in my first 01 C5 coupe after a bit of trial and error. Don't compromise, but don't go overboard.
First - the stock HU works fine. Search 99HT archived posts to understand connecting an external amp.
Second - You need excellent front speakers with exceptional power handling. Go get 1/2" MDF from Home Depot. Go get Dynaudio MKII 7" components. Make a baffle with the MDF and make brackets to angle the tweeters forward toward the windshield. The pass speaker should face the drivers side of the windshield, the passenger the opposite.
Third - Get a JL Audio 300/4 and mount it under the passenger seat. Use 2 channels to power the Dyns.
Fourth - Purchase a JL stealthbox and drop in the rear well (remove for track events, etc). Bridge 2 other channels from the JL and wire it up. Cross it over at 70 hz.
Fifth - disconnect the rear speaker wires - they are terrible.
Set the gains and get ready to enjoy some fantastic sound quality from a stock appearing system.
A great stereo (I mean great) makes a great car even better. Nothing compares to a full throttle 1-2-3 run when you have great music m-o-v-i-n-g through your body.
If you are willing to listen to someone who has been there and done that - I installed a great system in my first 01 C5 coupe after a bit of trial and error. Don't compromise, but don't go overboard.
First - the stock HU works fine. Search 99HT archived posts to understand connecting an external amp.
Second - You need excellent front speakers with exceptional power handling. Go get 1/2" MDF from Home Depot. Go get Dynaudio MKII 7" components. Make a baffle with the MDF and make brackets to angle the tweeters forward toward the windshield. The pass speaker should face the drivers side of the windshield, the passenger the opposite.
Third - Get a JL Audio 300/4 and mount it under the passenger seat. Use 2 channels to power the Dyns.
Fourth - Purchase a JL stealthbox and drop in the rear well (remove for track events, etc). Bridge 2 other channels from the JL and wire it up. Cross it over at 70 hz.
Fifth - disconnect the rear speaker wires - they are terrible.
Set the gains and get ready to enjoy some fantastic sound quality from a stock appearing system.
Good for you...sorry my opinion doesn't count though.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 518
From: Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make Counter Accusations.
Originally Posted by Blkout
You are not reading my posts, you are too busy trying to disect them and sound intelligent yourself. Read what I'm posting before you reply.
...
Almost all of the winning pro sound cars have kick panels with tweeters mounted in them, which down near the floor
...
Almost all of the winning pro sound cars have kick panels with tweeters mounted in them, which down near the floor
Good luck with your tweeters "down near the floor".
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Valrico FL
I agree, the radio leaves much to be desired. I installed a partition which helped but it is still lacking. Most of the time I do as others here do and just enjoy the music of the exhaust. When on a long trip I just turn off the radio and listen to all of the voices in my head. (no you don't, yes I do, he does not, shut up).
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
From: Rapid City SD
Its not the speakers that %%%% so badly, its the head unit.
Delco couldn't make a decent radio if its existence depended on it. Unfortunately GM has kept that from happening. At least it helps keep the aftermarket going.
Delco couldn't make a decent radio if its existence depended on it. Unfortunately GM has kept that from happening. At least it helps keep the aftermarket going.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Originally Posted by Racer44
Blkout, you have at this time, 335 posts. 296 of them you are criticizing fellow forum members. 23 of your posts made no sense what so ever, and last but not least, 16 posts were legit. Congratulations, you have made official
Well, I have yet to see you make a credible or useful post so I'm way ahead of you.
Last edited by Blkout; Jul 25, 2004 at 09:16 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Originally Posted by rbartick
Good luck with your tweeters "down near the floor".
If you have ever heard a properly set up stereo, you would not be making comments like this. Tweeters "near the floor" have been working very well for pro audio competitors for well more than a decade now.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Originally Posted by Closer_2001
Let me be the counterpoint here...
A great stereo (I mean great) makes a great car even better. Nothing compares to a full throttle 1-2-3 run when you have great music m-o-v-i-n-g through your body.
If you are willing to listen to someone who has been there and done that - I installed a great system in my first 01 C5 coupe after a bit of trial and error. Don't compromise, but don't go overboard.
First - the stock HU works fine. Search 99HT archived posts to understand connecting an external amp.
Second - You need excellent front speakers with exceptional power handling. Go get 1/2" MDF from Home Depot. Go get Dynaudio MKII 7" components. Make a baffle with the MDF and make brackets to angle the tweeters forward toward the windshield. The pass speaker should face the drivers side of the windshield, the passenger the opposite.
Third - Get a JL Audio 300/4 and mount it under the passenger seat. Use 2 channels to power the Dyns.
Fourth - Purchase a JL stealthbox and drop in the rear well (remove for track events, etc). Bridge 2 other channels from the JL and wire it up. Cross it over at 70 hz.
Fifth - disconnect the rear speaker wires - they are terrible.
Set the gains and get ready to enjoy some fantastic sound quality from a stock appearing system.
A great stereo (I mean great) makes a great car even better. Nothing compares to a full throttle 1-2-3 run when you have great music m-o-v-i-n-g through your body.
If you are willing to listen to someone who has been there and done that - I installed a great system in my first 01 C5 coupe after a bit of trial and error. Don't compromise, but don't go overboard.
First - the stock HU works fine. Search 99HT archived posts to understand connecting an external amp.
Second - You need excellent front speakers with exceptional power handling. Go get 1/2" MDF from Home Depot. Go get Dynaudio MKII 7" components. Make a baffle with the MDF and make brackets to angle the tweeters forward toward the windshield. The pass speaker should face the drivers side of the windshield, the passenger the opposite.
Third - Get a JL Audio 300/4 and mount it under the passenger seat. Use 2 channels to power the Dyns.
Fourth - Purchase a JL stealthbox and drop in the rear well (remove for track events, etc). Bridge 2 other channels from the JL and wire it up. Cross it over at 70 hz.
Fifth - disconnect the rear speaker wires - they are terrible.
Set the gains and get ready to enjoy some fantastic sound quality from a stock appearing system.
I'm not a big fan of Dynaudio, but to each his own. Dyn's sound a little bland and laid back. I've owned a set before and they just weren't the sound I was looking for. I'd take a set of DLS, Focal, or CDT components over Dynaudio anyday.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 518
From: Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make Counter Accusations.
Originally Posted by Blkout
If you have ever heard a properly set up stereo, you would not be making comments like this. Tweeters "near the floor" have been working very well for pro audio competitors for well more than a decade now.
Take this silly debate to the audio section. Tell them how great a "tweeter at the floor" setup is.
Last edited by RussBt; Jul 25, 2004 at 11:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 518
From: Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make Counter Accusations.
Originally Posted by Blkout
If you have ever heard a properly set up stereo, you would not be making comments like this. Tweeters "near the floor" have been working very well for pro audio competitors for well more than a decade now.
Take this silly debate to the audio section, or better yet the sounddomain.com forums. Tell them how great a "tweeter at the floor" setup is.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Grandville MI
After reading through this thread, I think I'd like to put 8" bass speakers in the door along with 3.5" tweaters, and then put 5.25" midrange in the rear. It might not be the perfect speaker placement, but it would probably be a huge improvement over what comes stock. One question I have is- How many watts does the stock delco unit put out? Is an additional amp going to be necsessary?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,506
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough NJ
Yeah, I bought my Z06 because I fell in love with the Bose system. 
Please. Better to take the money you'd pump into building a high end sound system and put it towards H/C or S/C, IMO. 
Please. Better to take the money you'd pump into building a high end sound system and put it towards H/C or S/C, IMO.
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 633
Likes: 17
From: ON
Originally Posted by Geneus
Yeah, I bought my Z06 because I fell in love with the Bose system. Please. Better to take the money you'd pump into building a high end sound system and put it towards H/C or S/C, IMO.
Please. Better to take the money you'd pump into building a high end sound system and put it towards H/C or S/C, IMO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,506
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough NJ
Originally Posted by PbPedis
When I'm stuck in rush hour traffic, the only thing that keeps me sane is having good tunes on a great sounding system. A S/C wouldn't do much for me when crawling along at 5 mph.
Others have told me that the slight whine of their S/C's is "music to their ears."