Upgrading Speakers - thoughts?
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Don’t change the speakers unless they are actually blown. Just drop in the pioneer NEX 4201 that includes back up camera. Add a 10” sub in back driver side compartment. You will be 99% happy. If you will want that extra 1% get other speakers. But I think you will be surprised how much the 4200 head unit will wake up your system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
His expectations may not be what yours are so he may not need to WASTE the money on a complete system plain and simple.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 575
Likes: 26
From: Sunny Southern California
I have upgraded my entire system and could not be happier. This is the setup I went with:
Kenwood DDX9904s
Focal 165AS 6.5" doors
Focal PC 130 5.25" rears
JL Audio Stealthbox w/10" sub
Rockford Fosgate P1000X5 amp
Some people say that Focal can be a little bright, but I like the sound along with the JL sub. I listen to everything from Classic Rock, Rap, Metal, Reggae, to some Country. For the door plates, I installed this adapter and everything went in perfectly!
Kenwood DDX9904s
Focal 165AS 6.5" doors
Focal PC 130 5.25" rears
JL Audio Stealthbox w/10" sub
Rockford Fosgate P1000X5 amp
Some people say that Focal can be a little bright, but I like the sound along with the JL sub. I listen to everything from Classic Rock, Rap, Metal, Reggae, to some Country. For the door plates, I installed this adapter and everything went in perfectly!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,141
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
I do like the sound from the Focal KRX2's. They were the top of the line speaker from Focal for some time but Focal does have a reputation for having a bright or aggressive tweeter. Even though I have a DSP I still run my system passive and use the crossover supplied with the speakers but they do have a setting to turn down the tweeter slightly which I use at the -3db setting which is perfect for my tastes. I added the DSP mostly because of my disappointment with the sound quality from the Pioneer. The current Pioneers are great for features but fall short in regards to sound quality when compared to Alpine and the current Kenwood's. Kenwood has really upped their game in the sound quality department in the last few years and I find them to be a nice mix between features and sound, while Alpine has always had good sound but low on features. I do all my tuning and EQ settings using an RTA scale app and my phone microphone while playing pink noise through the speakers which helped a lot, but no matter what I did I wasn't pleased with the Pioneer sound. Adding a DSP has helped and is the only thing that saved my Pioneer from getting replaced.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 724
From: Sausalito CA
OP has choices for brands.
FWIW.
Yes, disconnect middle dash speaker.
Add surface mount high range tweeters behind seats near shoulder level.
Add subwoofer in truck/ hatch.
Let us know what you did and your "happiness" level which the upgrade.
PS Don't forget to start rattle proofing your Vette.
Good luck.
FWIW.
Yes, disconnect middle dash speaker.
Add surface mount high range tweeters behind seats near shoulder level.
Add subwoofer in truck/ hatch.
Let us know what you did and your "happiness" level which the upgrade.
PS Don't forget to start rattle proofing your Vette.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
I appreciate all the various replies with the different set-ups as it gives be good direction to take my research!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Don’t change the speakers unless they are actually blown. Just drop in the pioneer NEX 4201 that includes back up camera. Add a 10” sub in back driver side compartment. You will be 99% happy. If you will want that extra 1% get other speakers. But I think you will be surprised how much the 4200 head unit will wake up your system.
So you're saying keep ALL the original Bose speakers and hook them with the new Pioneer NEX 4201 + a Sub? I'm a bit confused, because generally when guys change head units, add a sub, they usually also add amps and speakers. Please be a bit clear.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
The OP has the non-Bose system, but you are correct. If you're running a sub you need an amp or you won't hear it, and you won't have any way to connect it to the radio to get JUST the bass response.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
OP has choices for brands.
FWIW.
Yes, disconnect middle dash speaker.
Add surface mount high range tweeters behind seats near shoulder level.
Add subwoofer in truck/ hatch.
Let us know what you did and your "happiness" level which the upgrade.
PS Don't forget to start rattle proofing your Vette.
Good luck.
FWIW.
Yes, disconnect middle dash speaker.
Add surface mount high range tweeters behind seats near shoulder level.
Add subwoofer in truck/ hatch.
Let us know what you did and your "happiness" level which the upgrade.
PS Don't forget to start rattle proofing your Vette.
Good luck.
Although I like your idea (shoulder level tweeters...lol), I've never heard this - Tweeters behind the seats + a sub? That's it?
Most common is - 6.5" speakers in the doors, tweeters in the doors, no speakers in the rear, a sub in the trunk space/etc (as far as speakers are concerned).
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Since we have tons of "Musical Gurus" here, and we're talking about high-quality components, I'd like to throw out Infinity as an option. What do you guys think of Infinity Kappa 60.11CS component speakers for the doors - will this fit clearly in given space in the doors & is this a decent quality??? I am considering this to pair it with JL 4 chnl amp.
It shows out of stock at Crutchfield but is available on eBay and Amazon.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108601...a-60-11cs.html
It shows out of stock at Crutchfield but is available on eBay and Amazon.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108601...a-60-11cs.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Since we have tons of "Musical Gurus" here, and we're talking about high-quality components, I'd like to throw out Infinity as an option. What do you guys think of Infinity Kappa 60.11CS component speakers for the doors - will this fit clearly in given space in the doors & is this a decent quality??? I am considering this to pair it with JL 4 chnl amp.
It shows out of stock at Crutchfield but is available on eBay and Amazon.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108601...a-60-11cs.html
It shows out of stock at Crutchfield but is available on eBay and Amazon.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108601...a-60-11cs.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Although I like your idea (shoulder level tweeters...lol), I've never heard this - Tweeters behind the seats + a sub? That's it?
Most common is - 6.5" speakers in the doors, tweeters in the doors, no speakers in the rear, a sub in the trunk space/etc (as far as speakers are concerned).
Most common is - 6.5" speakers in the doors, tweeters in the doors, no speakers in the rear, a sub in the trunk space/etc (as far as speakers are concerned).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
I had the Bose system and it made a big difference removing the head unit and adding a Kenwood unit. The speakers came later which made it even better. Nothing like your system but better than OEM which is what I was after.
Last edited by Vet Interested; Nov 26, 2018 at 04:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,141
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
Since we have tons of "Musical Gurus" here, and we're talking about high-quality components, I'd like to throw out Infinity as an option. What do you guys think of Infinity Kappa 60.11CS component speakers for the doors - will this fit clearly in given space in the doors & is this a decent quality??? I am considering this to pair it with JL 4 chnl amp.
It shows out of stock at Crutchfield but is available on eBay and Amazon.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108601...a-60-11cs.html
It shows out of stock at Crutchfield but is available on eBay and Amazon.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108601...a-60-11cs.html
And also the Metra 82-3015 for the tweeter location. This will cover the opening for the current 3.5" location but you still need to cut a hole to mount and accommodate any new tweeter. Just ignore the description where it says C7. These are the same for C6 or C7.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 369
Likes: 185
From: Live Free or Die
As of Black Friday I am putting Morel Virtus 603s in the Vette. Going for a 3 way system, which I haven't done before, but the 602s would work fine for someone who wanted to stick with two way. I read a fair amount and people seem to really like the Morels. They are supposedly a bit smoother than the Focals. Up to now I've always used JL speakers, so it will be something new.
I will probably run wires for the rear speakers since everything will be apart, but I haven't ordered replacement rear speakers yet. Going to disconnect them for the moment. I do like rear fill, but space is so limited...I think I would rather bridge the amp for the extra power to the fronts. With the top off those speakers need to be LOUD.
Amp will most likely be an Arc Audio KS 125.4, though I was looking at the Audio Control amps too.
Still need to buy a sub, but I will most likely just be doing the basic stealth C6 box with an 8.
I will probably run wires for the rear speakers since everything will be apart, but I haven't ordered replacement rear speakers yet. Going to disconnect them for the moment. I do like rear fill, but space is so limited...I think I would rather bridge the amp for the extra power to the fronts. With the top off those speakers need to be LOUD.
Amp will most likely be an Arc Audio KS 125.4, though I was looking at the Audio Control amps too.
Still need to buy a sub, but I will most likely just be doing the basic stealth C6 box with an 8.
Last edited by endus; Nov 26, 2018 at 04:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,141
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
When considering an amp, look at RMS watt values. A lot of cheaper amp manufacturers make claims that their amp produces (x) amount of power. But those claims are peak inflated numbers that don't really tell you much. You want to consider RMS watts when comparing amps to compare them accurately. RMS is the continuous power the amp can supply. I run my system off a Morel 5 channel amp and I have been happy with it. I see the Morel 5 and 4 channel amps on sale today on Crutchfield.com for what looks like a great price. Otherwise, I always recommend JL amps but they can be a little pricey.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Going forward, I also want to install the windshield for the Vert, and don't want the speaker set up to interface with the windshield's installations. https://www.google.com/search?q=c6+c...Gs0FHev4tpsCM:
These cars are such money pits...
