Bose speaker replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 158
Likes: 10
Bose speaker replacement
has anyone out there replaced their bose speakers with an aftermarket speaker, without changing the bose amp or radio/nav unit? my searches haven't helped me find the answer. 2012 convertible. thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Just got finished doing this and I am wanting more...... 3.5s in the front and 5.25 in the rear. The fronts are full range (as is the 10" subs in the door) from the bose amp. The rears and center channel are mono... No getting around it if you stay with the bose amp. After a ton of reading and advise, it seems the best and most cost effective way of getting DECENT sound is to change the head unit. Right now I am running MB quarts with the stock 10's and an Alpine 8" compact sub (tied into the front outputs on the BOSE amp) and I am not satisfied at all. Muddied sound and most of the bass notes sound like exhaust drone (best way to describe it). You can start by unplugging the center channel and it will help with the sound stage (middle channel is a mix of both channels.. throws off the left and right sound). I was also thinking about going with a 4 channel amp, doing away with the rears and swapping the 10s with 6.5s..... Keeping the stock HU with this should be leaps and bounds over what I have now.... I am at a cross road and will probably mull on it for awhile.
Good luck with your journey
Good luck with your journey
Last edited by blownbayou; Apr 1, 2021 at 01:17 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
Just got finished doing this and I am wanting more...... 3.5s in the front and 5.25 in the rear. The fronts are full range (as is the 10" subs in the door) from the bose amp. The rears and center channel are mono... No getting around it if you stay with the bose amp. After a ton of reading and advise, it seems the best and most cost effective way of getting DECENT sound is to change the head unit. Right now I am running MB quarts with the stock 10's and an Alpine 8" compact sub (tied into the front outputs on the BOSE amp) and I am not satisfied at all. Muddied sound and most of the bass notes sound like exhaust drone (best way to describe it). You can start by unplugging the center channel and it will help with the sound stage (middle channel is a mix of both channels.. throws off the left and right sound). I was also thinking about going with a 4 channel amp, doing away with the rears and swapping the 10s with 6.5s..... Keeping the stock HU with this should be leaps and bounds over what I have now.... I am at a cross road and will probably mull on it for awhile.
Good luck with your journey
Good luck with your journey
the 10s are not full range - they are bass only from the bose sub. The 10->6.5" swap requires either ditching the 3.5s and using the signal from that to the 6.5s or a amp swap.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,386
Likes: 6,529
From: Melbourne, FL
Just got finished doing this and I am wanting more...... 3.5s in the front and 5.25 in the rear. The fronts are full range (as is the 10" subs in the door) from the bose amp. The rears and center channel are mono... No getting around it if you stay with the bose amp. After a ton of reading and advise, it seems the best and most cost effective way of getting DECENT sound is to change the head unit. Right now I am running MB quarts with the stock 10's and an Alpine 8" compact sub (tied into the front outputs on the BOSE amp) and I am not satisfied at all. Muddied sound and most of the bass notes sound like exhaust drone (best way to describe it). You can start by unplugging the center channel and it will help with the sound stage (middle channel is a mix of both channels.. throws off the left and right sound). I was also thinking about going with a 4 channel amp, doing away with the rears and swapping the 10s with 6.5s..... Keeping the stock HU with this should be leaps and bounds over what I have now.... I am at a cross road and will probably mull on it for awhile.
Good luck with your journey
Good luck with your journey
Running anything smaller than an 8 in the front doors is a mistake. The guys who say "well I run this 6. 5 set and it sounds great" are usually just fiscally biased, where they spent a bunch of money so it Has to sound good. Sometimes they're just clueless. But simply put, if you keep any of the Bose system, swapping the 10s out is a disaster. Unless you put another meaty 8 or 10" speaker in.
It all boils down to what you want out of the stereo. A lot of people LIKE separation between mins and tweets. Swapping out a wide and for a coax driver can be a little better, but a lot of people prefer the sound of a tweeter pleased in a different position than their midrange.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
So much to learn with this "premium" sound system........ I did a little tinkering yesterday with the bass and mid setting. Might have a happy medium until I get the new HU......
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 21
From: Grimsby Ontario
I too wanted to keep the factory head unit. I replaced the upper door speakers with infinity 3-1/2” and the rear 5-1/4” on my 2013 427 convertible. I am very happy with the improved sound, I also applied sound deadening throughout the entire vehicle which helped very much.
Last edited by Bailey & Avril; Apr 2, 2021 at 01:14 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 537
Likes: 169
From: Ogden, Utah
Switching your 10s out for 6.5s is going to literally ruin your sound. It's going to be leaps and bounds worse.
Running anything smaller than an 8 in the front doors is a mistake. The guys who say "well I run this 6. 5 set and it sounds great" are usually just fiscally biased, where they spent a bunch of money so it Has to sound good. Sometimes they're just clueless. But simply put, if you keep any of the Bose system, swapping the 10s out is a disaster. Unless you put another meaty 8 or 10" speaker in.
It all boils down to what you want out of the stereo. A lot of people LIKE separation between mins and tweets. Swapping out a wide and for a coax driver can be a little better, but a lot of people prefer the sound of a tweeter pleased in a different position than their midrange.
Running anything smaller than an 8 in the front doors is a mistake. The guys who say "well I run this 6. 5 set and it sounds great" are usually just fiscally biased, where they spent a bunch of money so it Has to sound good. Sometimes they're just clueless. But simply put, if you keep any of the Bose system, swapping the 10s out is a disaster. Unless you put another meaty 8 or 10" speaker in.
It all boils down to what you want out of the stereo. A lot of people LIKE separation between mins and tweets. Swapping out a wide and for a coax driver can be a little better, but a lot of people prefer the sound of a tweeter pleased in a different position than their midrange.
Then match the rear to the front with a good 5.25 and put a sub in the rear where they belong. Ditch the stock head unit and you will be a happy camper.
Last edited by D-Dub2013; Apr 2, 2021 at 11:16 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
Switching your 10s out for 6.5s is going to literally ruin your sound. It's going to be leaps and bounds worse.
Running anything smaller than an 8 in the front doors is a mistake. The guys who say "well I run this 6. 5 set and it sounds great" are usually just fiscally biased, where they spent a bunch of money so it Has to sound good. Sometimes they're just clueless. But simply put, if you keep any of the Bose system, swapping the 10s out is a disaster. Unless you put another meaty 8 or 10" speaker in.
It all boils down to what you want out of the stereo. A lot of people LIKE separation between mins and tweets. Swapping out a wide and for a coax driver can be a little better, but a lot of people prefer the sound of a tweeter pleased in a different position than their midrange.
Running anything smaller than an 8 in the front doors is a mistake. The guys who say "well I run this 6. 5 set and it sounds great" are usually just fiscally biased, where they spent a bunch of money so it Has to sound good. Sometimes they're just clueless. But simply put, if you keep any of the Bose system, swapping the 10s out is a disaster. Unless you put another meaty 8 or 10" speaker in.
It all boils down to what you want out of the stereo. A lot of people LIKE separation between mins and tweets. Swapping out a wide and for a coax driver can be a little better, but a lot of people prefer the sound of a tweeter pleased in a different position than their midrange.
Not many 8"s are component systems. A good 6.5 component system with crossovers will sound better than an 8" fullrange. Not to mention, the doors are pretty flimsy and having to sound dampen the doors vs doing a 8, 10, or 12" subwoofer is much easier.
my2c.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 219
From: Fredericksburg VA
Both of my front 10" Bose Speakers seem to be blown. Any bass, and it is sad farts. These are in my 2012 GS with the Premium sound. I have debated replacing everything, but rather spend that money on something else. What are my options to replace the 10" Bose Speakers? Are there other 10" options to simply plug and play with the Bose that aren't bose, or is it best to find a used pair/set of speakers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
Both of my front 10" Bose Speakers seem to be blown. Any bass, and it is sad farts. These are in my 2012 GS with the Premium sound. I have debated replacing everything, but rather spend that money on something else. What are my options to replace the 10" Bose Speakers? Are there other 10" options to simply plug and play with the Bose that aren't bose, or is it best to find a used pair/set of speakers.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/gm...3,speaker,1319
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Just got finished doing this and I am wanting more...... 3.5s in the front and 5.25 in the rear. The fronts are full range (as is the 10" subs in the door) from the bose amp. The rears and center channel are mono... No getting around it if you stay with the bose amp. After a ton of reading and advise, it seems the best and most cost effective way of getting DECENT sound is to change the head unit. Right now I am running MB quarts with the stock 10's and an Alpine 8" compact sub (tied into the front outputs on the BOSE amp) and I am not satisfied at all. Muddied sound and most of the bass notes sound like exhaust drone (best way to describe it). You can start by unplugging the center channel and it will help with the sound stage (middle channel is a mix of both channels.. throws off the left and right sound). I was also thinking about going with a 4 channel amp, doing away with the rears and swapping the 10s with 6.5s..... Keeping the stock HU with this should be leaps and bounds over what I have now.... I am at a cross road and will probably mull on it for awhile.
Good luck with your journey
Good luck with your journey
I have heard that removing the center dash speaker is suppose to help. I had an estimate done about 2 years ago just to replace the headunit (not BOSE) and the cost was near $2,000+
and this is just for the Kenwood Unit Multi-media entertainment center with 2 year warranty with front and rear parking cameras with satellite antenna installed. No speakers or amps. I was told those can be added later if I am not satisfied just with the headunit change. 
I do not have BOSE speakers as the "BOSE" words are not indicated on door speakers so I don't know what brand of speakers and what brand the head unit is in my base model 2005 Corvette but it is the single stack CD AM/FM stereo with automatic volume that gets horrible FM reception and even worse reception when I turn on dash cam that interferes with radio. I held off on this entertainment upgrade purchase since this vehicle is now 15 years old even though in cherry condition.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
If you switch to an aftermarket amp, a good 6.5" sounds way way better than the factory 8 or 10. No comparison. I run Apline Type R 6.5s in the front with a tweeter where the 3.5s were. The sound quality over stock is an incredible improvement. Has nothing to do with being biased...it just plain sounds better. The stock sound systems in these cars are garbage.
Then match the rear to the front with a good 5.25 and put a sub in the rear where they belong. Ditch the stock head unit and you will be a happy camper.
Then match the rear to the front with a good 5.25 and put a sub in the rear where they belong. Ditch the stock head unit and you will be a happy camper.
GARBAGE
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 568
Likes: 78
From: Nashville TN
Switching your 10s out for 6.5s is going to literally ruin your sound. It's going to be leaps and bounds worse.
Running anything smaller than an 8 in the front doors is a mistake. The guys who say "well I run this 6. 5 set and it sounds great" are usually just fiscally biased, where they spent a bunch of money so it Has to sound good. Sometimes they're just clueless. But simply put, if you keep any of the Bose system, swapping the 10s out is a disaster. Unless you put another meaty 8 or 10" speaker in.
It all boils down to what you want out of the stereo. A lot of people LIKE separation between mins and tweets. Swapping out a wide and for a coax driver can be a little better, but a lot of people prefer the sound of a tweeter pleased in a different position than their midrange.
Running anything smaller than an 8 in the front doors is a mistake. The guys who say "well I run this 6. 5 set and it sounds great" are usually just fiscally biased, where they spent a bunch of money so it Has to sound good. Sometimes they're just clueless. But simply put, if you keep any of the Bose system, swapping the 10s out is a disaster. Unless you put another meaty 8 or 10" speaker in.
It all boils down to what you want out of the stereo. A lot of people LIKE separation between mins and tweets. Swapping out a wide and for a coax driver can be a little better, but a lot of people prefer the sound of a tweeter pleased in a different position than their midrange.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I'll have to disagree with you on this one. I haven't upgraded my C6 stereo yet, but my C5Z had the same Bose setup. I installed a Kenwood HU and component speakers in the doors, and 5.25" behind the seats (Polk if i recall). I did have a separate amp for the door speakers, and then a mono amp for the 10" I ultimately put in the trunk. Before I got the 10" sub, the system sounded good even at speed.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
In all of these Corvettes space is so limited. If I had this done I will have a professional do it. When I had a 72 454 Coupe we went through the wheel fenders to get to the spark plugs and found different brands of spark plugs we replaced. No room in engine bay or anywhere else. Even the fusebox was hidden way up inside dashboard. Changing a fuse should be easy.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
The C6 seems well designed... compared to something like the 4th gen LT1 camaros.. haha! I purchased one with 100K on the clock and I did a spark plug change. I found two OEM plugs and 6 different plugs since the two passenger side back plugs are hidden behind the EGR port. Oh, to get the OEM plug out I had to break the ceramic back so I could get a socket to slide over the damn thing! The C5 has about the same amount of space - the C7 and 8 have far less space. I dont like that the passenger puts their feet on sensitive electronics on the C6 though... Or that its so low so a little flooding can corrode everything.