Ok guys...I think the consensus here is that the Bose system in our cars SUCK....and unfortunately I have the Bose speakers and they need changing.

However, I do not want to change my head unit. Can I just change out the factory speakers?? I am getting drastically different answers from audio shops. I would like to keep it as simple as possible and not have to add amps, and no speaker boxes added for bass..etc.

I would just like a clearer-sounding speaker with more highs....I don't need to blow my ears out or have any earth-shattering Bass.

Crutchfield is telling me I have (3 1/2 inch) speakers in my door. What about the bottom speaker in the door??? They look like maybe they are (8"inches). I am told not to change out that speaker.

Can some one help me out with advice on this? For certain some of us Corvette owners have changed out the factory speakers.


Thanks for the input

 

There are a bunch of posts about folks swapping out their speakers for Boston Acoustics S35s. If you do a search you'll find plenty. Here's one to get you started: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=BA+s35

Good Luck

 

For a quick fix remove the speaker in the center of you dash. It will clear the sound. I'm not an audio geek. I can't explain HOW it works, only that it does.
Try it. It only takes 5 minutes and can be put back if you want to.

Ron one

 

Check out the audio section, alot of info there,so much it will confuse you even more.

 

As suggested - there's lots of threads about this in the 'Audio/Electronics' Forum.

The way you describe your expectations, and that you DON'T want amps and other big add-ons, it sounds like you are a prime candidate for the Boston Acoustics speaker upgrade.

For reference, your C6 has :

• a 3.5" in each door
• a SELF-powered 10" Bose thumper in each door (kinda like a woofer, but less effective, IMHO)
• a 3.5" in the center of the dash (a 'supposed' center channel, using mixed mono)
• a 5.25" in each rear B-pillar (also using a MONO signal for both rears, derived from the Bose digital electronics)

 

do a few searches or look in the audio forums . . .this has been discussed extensively and there's lots of good info to review.

 

Does this require pulling the dash? or is there access to the speaker from on top on the dash?

 

Yes! so It is possible to just change out some speakers without Amps. This looks like I need the BA speaker upgrade.

I was told the below link would allow me to plug right into my door speakers. Any truth to this???

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-e5vPEkr...peaker+harness

 

This is also good advice, for a potential FREE audio upgrade.

Center channels are SUPPOSED to help firmly focus the most important, central voices (like a lead singer) and instruments towards the FRONT, MIDDLE of the car - to simulate a live stage. If done right, it works equally well for both driver and passenger.

Unfortunately, the reason that removing the center speaker in a C6 can clear up the sound is simply the poor implementation of a center channel by Bose. The derived center signal is just too muddy to distinguish the speaker's location. Removing it improves the perceived stereo separation of the door speakers and removes some of this muddiness, thereby the sound seems clearer.

If you like the sound without the center, you may then want to also try shutting down the REARS too, by adjusting the fader to the front. Again, the rears are the same MONO signal as the center, so they are also muddy and poorly focused.

And - before you ask - there's no built-in way to simply 'fade out' the center speaker like you can the rears. It's signal is derived from the combination of the left & right door speakers.

KEEP IN MIND when reading these posts - there's a LOT of controversy on CF over upgrading the center and rears vs. removing/deactivating them. SO - as Usual - let your OWN ears be the guide to whether it's better or worse with these speakers active. What everyone DOES seem to agree on is : the stock speakers suck, and they need to either be replaced with better quality units OR shutdown (faded out) as a first step towards better sound.

 

NO need to disassemble the dash- you just pry the center grill up, unscrew the speaker and disconnect its connector. Just be careful with the grill - it's fragile, and uses those push-pin things that can also break easily.

There's a few posts in the Audio forum with pics of the removal process.

And just another FYI - you cannot replace the 10" door thumpers without installing another amp, because their self-powered amps are on-board the speakers themselves. Concentrate on upgrading the 3.5's for now - that seems to be the best 'bang for the buck' to start with...

 

Unfortunately, the Blose 3-channel amp "colors" the signals it sends to the center dash and rear speakers to a mixed mono signal.

I changed out the OEM 3.5" paper cone door and dash speakers with Boston Acoustics S35 two-way poly cone speakers from Crutchfield about a year ago in my daily driver. I immediately noticed a nice and much-needed increase in highs and midrange clarity. I plan to do the 5.5" rears some day, but most who have done it report less of an impact than doing the fronts.

The opinions around here on whether to change out or just unplug the center dash speaker seems to be about 50-50. There is no disagreement, however, that changing out the 3.5's in the doors is a noticeable improvement.

The 10" door thumpers can not be changed without also changing the amp, as the signal feed to those is reportedly non-standard. Note that the head unit gives out a good clean signal, and need not be replaced should you wish to do a full-blown amp/speaker upgrade.

 

 

That is the WRONG harness. The correct harness at Crutchfield is Item #12071014, Here is the link:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MP33LBL...014&i=12071014

Also available at Circuit City. Most stores don't carry it.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metra...oductDetail.do

The cheapest place I found it is here
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=265-763

I swapped my speakers out for the Polks. IMHO they sound better than the BA's. Plus if you want to replace the center speaker instead of disconnecting it, you can get a second set of Polks for half price at Crutchfield.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4WKURs2...107DB351&tp=96

 

Here are a couple of links that are very helpful in addressing this topic:


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...&postcount=124


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1728800

 

Has anyone contacted a rep from Bose to tell them about thier systems poor performance? You would think that Bose would be all over it.

 

If we did that, we wouldn't have anything to complain about.

 

[QUOTE=Thrill6;1563737089]That is the WRONG harness. This is the one you need:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metra...oductDetail.do

I assume if I want to change out my rear 5 1/4 speakers I will need this same clip?

 

good questions and info!

 

Wouldn't Infinity Kappa's be good one to use for a swap. The have a little better specs then the others. yes they are a bit more, but not much....

 

I would like to know the same.