audio upgrade?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 791
Likes: 230
From: SoCal CA
I installed an amp last weekend and new Polk speakers the weekend before. I have the Bose radio and it wasn't very good. I kept the head unit since it has NAV.
Both the speakers and the amp were necessary to make the radio decent. I don't think you'll be able to shortcut it and be happy with the results.
Both the speakers and the amp were necessary to make the radio decent. I don't think you'll be able to shortcut it and be happy with the results.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Ditto - I also have the Nav head unit. RockStar Designs here in Houston replaced my door speakers with Image Dynamics components, Image Dynamics sub in their custom sub enclosure, replaced the stock Bose amp with an Arc Audio 4ch amp (90W/ch front, 300W to sub) and disconnected the 2 rear and center channel speakers. Audio improved 10x.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles Ca.
I went thru the whole deal, changing the front 3.5", there rear 5.25", disconnecting the center 3.5".
It did improve the highs and sounded a LITTLE better.
But it was still muddled, no real bass, and just no sound quality.
I installed high quality amps, 3 way component speakers in the doors,
and a Boxolgy (forum vendor) sub enclosure with an Image Dynamics IDQ10v3 sub.
And a LOT of sound deadening and acoustic insulation.
I am using the stock Bose/nav HU.
And it now sounds, as the kids say " SICK ".
I just couldn't live with the sound of the crappy Bose amp and speakers.
The HU is not bad.
The guys over in the audio section really helped me out and there is a ton of good info there including installs. Use the search button or FAQ to find a lot of good info.
There are some threads going on "High End Value System" that would be a good guide.
And you don't want or need rear speakers .
Good Luck to You
It did improve the highs and sounded a LITTLE better.
But it was still muddled, no real bass, and just no sound quality.
I installed high quality amps, 3 way component speakers in the doors,
and a Boxolgy (forum vendor) sub enclosure with an Image Dynamics IDQ10v3 sub.
And a LOT of sound deadening and acoustic insulation.
I am using the stock Bose/nav HU.
And it now sounds, as the kids say " SICK ".
I just couldn't live with the sound of the crappy Bose amp and speakers.
The HU is not bad.
The guys over in the audio section really helped me out and there is a ton of good info there including installs. Use the search button or FAQ to find a lot of good info.
There are some threads going on "High End Value System" that would be a good guide.
And you don't want or need rear speakers .
Good Luck to You
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
I went thru the whole deal, changing the front 3.5", there rear 5.25", disconnecting the center 3.5".
It did improve the highs and sounded a LITTLE better.
But it was still muddled, no real bass, and just no sound quality.
I installed high quality amps, 3 way component speakers in the doors,
and a Boxolgy (forum vendor) sub enclosure with an Image Dynamics IDQ10v3 sub.
And a LOT of sound deadening and acoustic insulation.
I am using the stock Bose/nav HU.
And it now sounds, as the kids say " SICK ".
I just couldn't live with the sound of the crappy Bose amp and speakers.
The HU is not bad.
The guys over in the audio section really helped me out and there is a ton of good info there including installs. Use the search button or FAQ to find a lot of good info.
There are some threads going on "High End Value System" that would be a good guide.
And you don't want or need rear speakers .
Good Luck to You
It did improve the highs and sounded a LITTLE better.
But it was still muddled, no real bass, and just no sound quality.
I installed high quality amps, 3 way component speakers in the doors,
and a Boxolgy (forum vendor) sub enclosure with an Image Dynamics IDQ10v3 sub.
And a LOT of sound deadening and acoustic insulation.
I am using the stock Bose/nav HU.
And it now sounds, as the kids say " SICK ".
I just couldn't live with the sound of the crappy Bose amp and speakers.
The HU is not bad.
The guys over in the audio section really helped me out and there is a ton of good info there including installs. Use the search button or FAQ to find a lot of good info.
There are some threads going on "High End Value System" that would be a good guide.
And you don't want or need rear speakers .
Good Luck to You
Ive had a couple of audio shop owners who have said its one of the best they've heard.Extreme volume with crystal clarity. Listen to some systems and decide for yourself what you need.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
From purely a sound staging perspective, the rear speakers are really bad - I think that's the reason for CraigE's comment. People may want the back speakers (and they do help for overall SPL/volume - especially with the top down), but the placement of these speakers really contributes to muddying the image. The only time the driver really hears the rear left speaker is when the sound is coming from his/her right side. Not an ideal scenario.
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
From purely a sound staging perspective, the rear speakers are really bad - I think that's the reason for CraigE's comment. People may want the back speakers (and they do help for overall SPL/volume - especially with the top down), but the placement of these speakers really contributes to muddying the image. The only time the driver really hears the rear left speaker is when the sound is coming from his/her right side. Not an ideal scenario.
Last edited by NYC6; Jun 19, 2008 at 05:39 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
Definitely everyone should go with what makes sense to them. I was just commenting from several years of designing car audio systems for IASCA competing cars... in a past life
But everyone hears things differently, so there's no right or wrong - just personal preference.
Last edited by WAwatchnut; Jun 20, 2008 at 01:36 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
I think the volume issue might have something to do w/the source material. I can't even get my '08's(base) volume over half w/o shaking the glass and I'm a metal,heavy rock guitar player! It's loud as **** in there. How do you have your bass and treble set?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
It's not the volume, its the quality of the sound. The Bose bass response is way too muddy, with no midrange. The sound also gets very distorted at higher volumes because the little (and I mean little) Bose 5 ch. amp can't keep up. Loud, yes. Clear, no. (IMHO)
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 3
From: Des Moines WA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
I'm sorry, I thought you meant the BASE stereo. I love my base set up. Very clean and extremely loud for a factory system.imo
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
Thanks maw455!
Gotta give a big 
to maw455!!! He went out of his way to meet me this weekend and show off his stereo. Sounded great! So good I am going to have the same installed in mine.
Just another reason why I love the forum and my Corvette. The people on here are always willing to help out and Corvette owners in general seem to be one big happy family!
Thanks Again!
to maw455!!! He went out of his way to meet me this weekend and show off his stereo. Sounded great! So good I am going to have the same installed in mine.Just another reason why I love the forum and my Corvette. The people on here are always willing to help out and Corvette owners in general seem to be one big happy family!
Thanks Again!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 874
From: Bay Area CA
I have an 08 with the BASE stereo system, no nav unit. I replaced the front door 3.5 speakers with Infinity's. The sound is a little cleaner with a little more mid range. I expected more, but from reading prior posts, don't expect to much from speaker swaps with either base or bose systems. I prefer to hear the NPP exhaust rather than spend thousands of dollars upgrading the entire system.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Gotta give a big to maw455!!! He went out of his way to meet me this weekend and show off his stereo. Sounded great! So good I am going to have the same installed in mine.
Just another reason why I love the forum and my Corvette. The people on here are always willing to help out and Corvette owners in general seem to be one big happy family!
Thanks Again!
to maw455!!! He went out of his way to meet me this weekend and show off his stereo. Sounded great! So good I am going to have the same installed in mine.Just another reason why I love the forum and my Corvette. The people on here are always willing to help out and Corvette owners in general seem to be one big happy family!
Thanks Again!
No problem. Happy to help out both you and Rocky (I think his forum vendor status has finally been approved). He does great work. Look forward to seeing you at a local event sometime soon.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 0
From: Walker MI
I don't really want to replace any speakers, just seems like the head unit's weak... does an aftermarket head unit do anything for a BASE not BOSE stereo?
do i have a center speaker? if so, i can't tell
do i have a center speaker? if so, i can't tell
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles Ca.
Although I'm not in the area I bought my IDQ10v3 from Rocky and he was very helpful, as was Nick (Boxology) and his stealthbox is awesome.
They are both top notch in my book and my recommendation does not come easily.
They are both top notch in my book
and my recommendation does not come easily.