I have a lot of "rattling" out of my driver door and dash speakers. Instead of just replacing those, I am considering replacing the entire system, including cameras. Since I am not the most mechanical guy and always seem to lack the tools that I need, I am probably going to have it all installed. I am not very well versed in all of this.
Two questions: It seems like all aftermarket systems are as good or better than the stock head unit. Any mid-level recommendations? I want all of the factory settings to work, including HUD and Android bluetooth.
Speaker recommendations?
What should I expect for a fair price?
Thanks in advance.

 

Get a mid level or higher model from any of the major brands like Kenwood, Alpine, Sony, or Pioneer. Something with a capacitive glass touch screen is preferred. HUD will still work but you will lose any radio info and navigation info from being displayed in the HUD. An aftermarket head unit is much better than the stock unit in every way. Sounds better even with the stock speakers, and you get all the modern features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and etc, etc. For speaker recommendations, it's best to discuss this with the shop that will be doing the install. Everyone has their preferences, but if a shop is going to stand behind their work, it's best they have input in the audio gear being installed. As far as prices for a full system and install, be prepared to pay. Nobody does anything for a reasonable price anymore, imo.

 

In addition to the head unit, you'll also need an interface to marry the cars wiring to the head units wiring, the most commonly used one is the PAC RP5-GM11 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541RP5...Interface.html In addition to that you'll also need a dash kit https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120953...t.html?tp=3121 Also if you want XM radio, you'll need a tuner to work with your new head unit, as you can't reuse the stock tuner. https://www.crutchfield.com/shopsear..._xm_tuner.html Depending on if you get a new navigation head unit you get, if your car currently has a navigation system, you may be able to reuse your stock GPS antenna, the stock antenna will plug right into a Kenwood as they use the same connector, Pioneer systems would require and adapter for this because they use a different type of connector, I have the ability to make these if you need. If your car currently has the stock XM tuner, you can reuse your stock XM antennas with the new tuner mentioned above, this will show you what you need to get to do that. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-xm-tuner.html It's kind of a long thread so you'll want to read the whole thing as there's been some updates to it. Like Fred mentioned, by the time you buy everything you need and pay someone to install it, it's not going to be cheap, you may be tempted to install a cheap Chinese system to save money, but I, like Fred, suggest you spend the extra money buy a mid to high end quality name brand system, you'll be glad you did in the long run. When you said you wanted to maintain the factory settings, what were you referring to ? Let us know if you have any other questions

 

Thanks for the input. It is very much appreciated.

 

08, 3lt, nav, bose...I went to BestBuy and had them install a Pioneer AVH 2550 NEX...and a backup camera,,,I asked about new speakers and the installer told me to wait as the new head would wake them up. He was right. Its a touch screen, HD radio, CD/DVD player, bluetooth to play all the bluetooth options..android auto/apple carplay..nice sized screen for backup camera and easy to read the other functions...total was about $850...and glad I did it

 

Is this still needed if one is not going to use the factory amp or OnStar?

Is there a better alternative just to keep the steering wheel controls?

 

Not necessarily the RP5-GM11 but you'll still need an interface of some sort to interface between the cars Canbus wiring to the after market radios wiring, it just depends on what features you want to retain and how you're going to hook everything up. This shows all the PAC options available for the Corvette. https://catalog.pac-audio.com/?fc=mo...m=1880&submit=

 

I've been looking to upgrade mine as well. Unfortunately with this chip shortage there is an audio shortage as well. The high end units are plentiful, but those are way more than I need. Good Luck!!

 

Speakers... That's a fun one. IMO, the factory 10s are very hard to replace unless you replace everything.. Amps, subs, everything.

It's expensive to replace everything. If you're not willing to sink 2 to 3 grand into it, just replace the 10s with another set of oem speakers. The mid range speakers can be pretty easily eplaced with aftermarket without much issue.

 

+1 on a new HU. Most all my speaker rattles went away on install of Kenwood HU. Woke up the system significantly. Sounds good now.

 

Thanks for that info!

I want to replace the head unit, Bose amp under the footwell, and the four speakers with suitable aftermarket replacements. I just want to retain the steering wheel controls. I did that in my WRX and it was a massive improvement.

 

I installed an Alpine HU with a reverse camera and used the RP5-GP11 adapter. I did it all myself (first time going into the dash for something like this) and very happy with the results. Including the little stand I bought to help with soldering (one of this with two arms to hold the wires - got it on Wish for something like $5) I think I spent $450.

Left the speakers stock for now - that’s a heftier investment and more time consuming project. Lacking a little bass overall but not enough to have that on the immediate need (after I get the 3” Kooks and NPP mufflers installed it might be a different story).

 

Your C6 has 8 speakers.

 

Really? I'm counting two component speakers in the doors, plus two in the rear panel behind the seats (I have a convertible, coupes might be different).

A woofer and tweeter set count as one component speaker despite what marketing pamphlets want you to believe.

There was also one single speaker in the dash, but I disconnected that long ago and will not replace it.

 

I didn't even count the center channel.

There are 2 speakers in each door (for a total of 4) , as well as the 2 on the dash (and the center), plus 2 in the rear. Total of 8 (9 if you count the center), not at all a marketing number either. They're also totally separate speakers, and none of them are tweeters. You've got 2 midbass 10s, 4 midrange 3s, and the 2 full range 5.25s in the back.

 

Where are the two in the dash?

 

The 2 corner dash speakers were added for the 2012-13 model year. Earlier C6's had a 7 speaker set up.

Edit: I just want to clarify, I believe the 2 extra dash speakers only came with the Bose equipped C6's for the model years mentioned (12-13).

 

Ah! Thanks. That explains why I can't find those in my 2010.