Stereo options for C5's?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
Stereo options for C5's?
Did the C5 run get different stereo options as in you could choose the stereo? The one in my 2001 coupe is just....ok. If you have the top off and you are doing like 80 or so on the highway it isn't really loud enough. The Bose stereo I had in my 2004 Silverado Z-71 flat out rocked. Best stereo I have heard factory to date. Were there different radios available? I have the Bose speaker system and the stereo has a CD player.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 18
From: Elko, Nevada
3-options I believe.
Almost standard was the AM/FM, CD player.
In dash AM/FM, CD player plus CD changer.
Cassette only AM/FM deck. All Bose/Delco.
Changing out just the deck becomes cumbersome
because the Bose speakers are each amped individually.
Lot's of custom wiring for that, and if you switch out speakers
you're then talking about an amp install.
I've seen some trick set-ups for sure, but it can become one
expensive mod.
Almost standard was the AM/FM, CD player.
In dash AM/FM, CD player plus CD changer.
Cassette only AM/FM deck. All Bose/Delco.
Changing out just the deck becomes cumbersome
because the Bose speakers are each amped individually.
Lot's of custom wiring for that, and if you switch out speakers
you're then talking about an amp install.
I've seen some trick set-ups for sure, but it can become one
expensive mod.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I ripped out my entire stereo and put a Pioneer CD player, digital DSP unit, 12 disc changer, 5 amps, a 2 farad capacitor, an MTX 12" 8000 series sub, and custom built a baffle with really high end speakers for the doors. Lotsa work but my major in college was sound engineering so I gotta have the tunage. Now when is Pioneer gonna have an out board MP3 player that will integrate like a changer??? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,275
Likes: 19
From: Camden County NJ
Purerock hit it right on the head! I felt the same way you do about the stock stereo so I had it ripped out. I went with an Alpine 7892 head, 6 disc changer, XM radio, JL audio 500/5 power amp, MB Quarts (top of the line) in the doors and JL co-ax in the rear. The stock stereo was ok at it's best with the top on but as soon as you took the top off it fell apart and showed it's weakness. Now my system rocks top on or off!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 213
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From: Land of the heartless the home of the paid. Miami FL
I went with the kenwood head unit, Sirius satellite radio, infinity mid's and high's, kicker comp DVC 12", Alpine V12 amp and a fiberglass stealth box. here is a pic of the head unit. 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Originally Posted by BT-01-vette
Purerock hit it right on the head! I felt the same way you do about the stock stereo so I had it ripped out.
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Team Owner
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From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by cerino2000
Did the C5 run get different stereo options as in you could choose the stereo? The one in my 2001 coupe is just....ok. If you have the top off and you are doing like 80 or so on the highway it isn't really loud enough. The Bose stereo I had in my 2004 Silverado Z-71 flat out rocked. Best stereo I have heard factory to date. Were there different radios available? I have the Bose speaker system and the stereo has a CD player.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
Well, no one answered this so i will ask again, could you simply replace the stock speakers (that I am assuming have amps built into them) with nicer ones and be good to go? I want to keep the stock look.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I have heard that the front speakers have built in amps. I know for a fact that the rear speakers are not self powered. But when I removed my front speakers I could not find any built in amp what-so-ever. If it has one its very small and doesnt weigh anything. Amps usually have some sort of heatsink and have some weight to them...I found neither in the door speakers. I honestly would have to say that I dont think they have amps in them.
However, I ripped mine out and still have the stock look with the same factory metal grill there. I had to make a board that fit in that area, cut the holes for the speakers that I wanted to use and bolt it to the same holes that speakers used. It was a royal pain in the butt, but nobody makes corvette specific aftermarket "drop-in" speakers so you almost HAVE to do it that way. Here is a pic of mine........
I wanted a 3 way system but there was no room for it so I suspended a Dynaudio 3 inch dome midrange over the 8 inch midbass.
However, I ripped mine out and still have the stock look with the same factory metal grill there. I had to make a board that fit in that area, cut the holes for the speakers that I wanted to use and bolt it to the same holes that speakers used. It was a royal pain in the butt, but nobody makes corvette specific aftermarket "drop-in" speakers so you almost HAVE to do it that way. Here is a pic of mine........
I wanted a 3 way system but there was no room for it so I suspended a Dynaudio 3 inch dome midrange over the 8 inch midbass.
Team Owner
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From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by cerino2000
Well, no one answered this so i will ask again, could you simply replace the stock speakers (that I am assuming have amps built into them) with nicer ones and be good to go? I want to keep the stock look.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Get rid of the whole thing and you'll be amazed at how BAD the stock system sounded. I replaced everything with Alpine DVD, NAV, and component speakers.
