I, too, think the Bose system is absolutley awful and a complete rip-off given the exorbinate cost. FM sounds like AM and XM sounds dreadful. CD's sound "okay" but probably the worst I've heard in a "premium" set-up. The Bose "premium" sound system truly blows.

Lately, I've seen a few threads on replacing the 3.5" door speakers, disconnecting and/or replacing the center 3.5" speaker and replacing the 5 1/4" rear speakers.

I just ordered Boston Accoustic S35's for the doors and dash locations.

If anyone wants a S35 center speaker for $35 (my cost), I'll send it for free. (The speakers only come in pairs and I need 3 not 4.)

I also ordered the BA S55's for the rears.

The Crutchfield salesman "threw in" the wiring harnesses for free! Since I needed 3 sets (of two), that was a savings of $30. Item #12071043. As I learned form earlier posts, these harnesses allow easy change over from the Blose harness to plug into the BA speakers w/o splicing, etc.

If your interested in the free harness w/ your purchase, ask for Chip at extension 3284 --very helpful fellow. (888.955.6000).

I'll let you know how it sounds in due course.

Best,
Matthew

 

I'll take that deal. I'm in San Jose. The BA's make a huge improvement (I currently have no center speaker). Take your time and fiddle with the equalization trimming. I've found that you have to drive the midrange harder then anything else due to the small size of the 3.5's.

 

Just did this swap this Monday....changed out all three front speakers....didn't bother with the rear ones as the signal there is so weak and any tweeters back there will pull the sound stage back (high frequencies are very directional). It's an improvement but not a total solution. There are real highs now for starters but the lower end still leaves ALOT to be desired. The flubbery thumpers in the doors are an offense to my ears! I will try C64's suggestion of boosting the midrange and see if that helps. I wouldn't bother with the harnesses. I just cut the wires and used a professional crimper with the supplied connector tunnels that came with the BA's and that worked just fine. The Bose speakers will go in the garbage before they take up any room in my garage. When and if I sell the car, I will not put that garbage back in. Also you will want a good door panel removal tool, they look like a cross between a bent pry bar and the hammer claw on the back of a hammer. My buddy had one (used to do alot of custom work) and we both agreed that using a screwdriver or other improvised tool would be likely to break some of the pins holding the panel on. They are a high quality connector though (7 in each door if I remember correctly)...one area where GM didn't skimp! With the tool removing the panels and putting them back on was a cinch. Also make sure your windows are lowered...alot easier that way...so I've been told....again we had no problems at all with the panels on and off in a a couple of minutes.

 

Out with the Blose:

ALways a good idea! I replaced mine, too with these:


Much better sound.

 

I agree that the Blose are horrible! I had no idea that they were assembled in Mexico?! They sure aren't passing their company savings on to customers!

 

I'm not the most dedicated audiophile but I agree....the Bose system in the C6 is sub-standard for Bose....GM obviously bought the use of the name and not their quality sound system. Maybe the components are lightweight (and not just the obvious).

 

So is your transmission.....

 

I replaced all five speakers with the Infinitys, and it is perfectly acceptable, in my opinion, and actually very good. I think the system in general has gotten a bad rep from the start on this forum. I agree it could have been better from the start, but $200 in improvements has made a huge difference, for a lot less money than someone would spend for a new system, with little overall gain.

 

How tough is it to get to the speaker locations in the doors and rear?

I would like better sound but don't want to get my "new" car rattling.

 

I replaced 4 of the 5, here is a comparision of the old Bose speaker from the rear : and the new Infinity


Sound improvement wasn't as night and day difference as when I replaced the fronts but it was better.

 

I replaced all five speakers with the Bostons (S35s, S55s) and a cheapy Pioneer in the center. I also added a Kenwood sub. Overall it was about $450 of parts and labor and a very decent sound improvement. I didn't have a harness, so I had to improvise.

 

I realize I'll be dessimated on this post for saying this, but I'm pretty happy with my 3LT 'Blose' system. Except for some screwed up high freq modulation that I swear sounds like 'wow' (what you used to get from a bad tape deck), but that is a head unit problem, not a speaker problem. I plan to take the car in to address that, btw.

 

No problem, everybody has their own opinion, but just look at those cheap paper Bose speakers, lots of room for improvement.

 

Can someone tell me how to get the center grill off?

 

I'm another one who has replaced the Bose with Infinity, and I'm very, very pleased. The difference is very easy to tell, I actually hear some kickass bass now.

Replaced only the side and rear initially, but going to do the front tomorrow.

Best part is when I bought the rear speakers at Best Buy, I got the sides free.

BTW the worst part of the job is the noise you get when you remove the door panels. Don't worry about it, and they go on really easy when finished.

 

Did Best Buy do the install ? What speaker #'s did you buy ?

 

Look here http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1496569

 

and did some mods myself as the stock Bose system is less than expected. You would think in a Vette it would be better but hey it's GM so yep.

 

Know any kids in your neighborhood? It'd take one less than an hour to do the swap. It is very easy.

 

Thanks. I should have searched better.