Stereo Upgrade
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood Texas
Same here, I did it this way
I put in a Clarion DUZ385SAT head unit and JL Audio components in the doors. I disconnected the amp and all the other speakers. It sounds so much better than stock you wouldn't believe it. I did use a GMCO adapter and the component speaker plates that you can buy from a vendor on this site. The clarion will directly run an ipod, but I just put my music on a 20 dollar flash drive and use the USB connection. This setup cost me about $350 but I did the install myself.
You need the dash install kit too. It is about 20 bucks.
You need the dash install kit too. It is about 20 bucks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
I put in a Clarion DUZ385SAT head unit and JL Audio components in the doors. I disconnected the amp and all the other speakers. It sounds so much better than stock you wouldn't believe it. I did use a GMCO adapter and the component speaker plates that you can buy from a vendor on this site. The clarion will directly run an ipod, but I just put my music on a 20 dollar flash drive and use the USB connection. This setup cost me about $350 but I did the install myself.
You need the dash install kit too. It is about 20 bucks.
You need the dash install kit too. It is about 20 bucks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,502
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
There's a whole section about it . . good stuff:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
I put in a Clarion DUZ385SAT head unit and JL Audio components in the doors. I disconnected the amp and all the other speakers. It sounds so much better than stock you wouldn't believe it. I did use a GMCO adapter and the component speaker plates that you can buy from a vendor on this site. The clarion will directly run an ipod, but I just put my music on a 20 dollar flash drive and use the USB connection. This setup cost me about $350 but I did the install myself.
You need the dash install kit too. It is about 20 bucks.
You need the dash install kit too. It is about 20 bucks.
With the Bose, there's a lot of "stuff" going on, and many people prefer just about anything over the Bose.
In the base system, the stock amp is putting out some decent power, and driving a larger woofer than you'd be able to (easily) replace with aftermarket. Many people who have replaced the head unit, and not connected the stock amp up (often done by "professional" shops) were very disappointed in the sound.
For a basic upgrade I'd recommend replacing the head unit with something that has more than basic tone controls. I have a Kenwood Excelon unit, but there are many with some form of equalization. Hook that up to the stock amp, and then upgrade the midrange speakers in the door with component mid/tweeter setups. A basic passive crossover would be needed to allow you to use the components with the existing mid/bass woofer in the door.
You'll be fixing all of the major shortcomings, without giving up anything in the process.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Sammamish WA
Picked up a lexus for the wife the weekend and the stereo was sooooo much better than than the Vette (Mark Levinson system). I was ready trade cars for the sound ......ok maybe not quite ready for a trade
.....guess I have to get a new stereo now
.....guess I have to get a new stereo now
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
They do sound nice though. I wish we had a real good option for the Vettes. Levinson, Dynaudio... heck I'd even settle for an Infinity based system.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 3
From: Honolulu HI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 791
Likes: 230
From: SoCal CA
I have a 3LT with Nav (Bose). I kept the head unit and 10" Bose subwoofers. bought Polk 3.5 for the doors and 5.25 for rear, removed the center dash speaker, and added a small amp to drive those speakers. Much better sound and I spent about $200 total.
Check out the audio forum.
Good luck.
Check out the audio forum.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Sammamish WA
...it's the wifes car.right now all I want to find an area audio show that will install a decent IPOD interface in my vette. I kills me to have 32 GB of music and no way to hook it it into the vette. Any success stories? (I have 07 with XM but without nav.....
