I don't know how different the new C-6 Bose will be from my old C-5 Bose system but I can remember that once you dropped the top on the vert, everything sounded a bit tinny especially when you cranked the sound up to comp for the wind buff. I wonder if anything will sound good in a top down vert. We'll see what effect this system has in the new verts when they emerge.
SmyrknMyrkn

 

So true..., one of the major reasons I bought a coupe, verts have terrible sound, top up or down....but, they're a fun toy with the top down... And they are MAJOR babe magnets....

 

I got my speakers from a local shop, that specializes in high end stereo. I'm sure there are some much better deals out there on the Internet. I didn't replace the 10" speakers, but there is a brand called Earthquake that makes a very narrow speakers. I just now installed a small sub woofer and I think I will call it good. The sub did add some richness to the system but it's small size limits it's overall performance. I set it up so it doesn't thump, just adds a bit of range to the low end. As far as Circuit City, it really isn't a tough job and the system uses standard 4 ohm speakers. I don't see a problem. I am just one of those people who doesn't trust other peoples work for the most part. So if it is possible I try to do the work myself. I'd rather buy tools than spend money on labor.

 

A co-worker has an Accord, his stereo sounds *so* much better than the Bose in my C6. Heck, the Infinity system in my 7 year old Dodge RAM pickup sounds better than the Bose in the C6. But, in fairness, the C6's Bose does sound better than the Bose in my 350Z (faint praise indeed).

I'm also following Ted's Excellent Adventure in hopes of a relatively inexpensive remedy for the "no highs, no lows, it must be Bose" blues. But the biggest question I have for Ted is, how much better is the sound stage after the speaker swap? Any at all? That's the most depressing thing about any Bose system, the sound stage is so muddy you can't tell where the performers and instruments are located on the sound stage.

 

I totally agree and so far you have been the only one to question it besides myself.
I suspect the soundstage is gone because they put a middle speaker in the dashpad up by the defroster. Which is OK, if you have the hardware and a soundtrack that is engineered for center speaker usage, which I have not seen any evidence of. Nor do any of the last few CD's I bought engineered for surround sound, which will take advantage of a center speaker in the correct way.
If that center speaker is radiating both channels, then you lose the soundstage. I have several songs where it is obvious the sound is coming from the left or right channel. In the C6, those portions of channel separation have pretty much disappeared.
I read somewhere you can pry up the defroster screen expose the speaker, unscrew it, and disconnect it. I have not had time to try it myself, and this weekend is not looking good, but as soon as I can, I will disconnect it.

 

Need To Know The Shop Thats Helping You. I Have A C6 With All The Above. Live In Reno And Palm Springs Area. Thanks For The Help.rg

 

In our everyday lives, we are bombarded by mediocrity. Remember the first time you drove a Corvette? How can you explain that experience to someone who feels his Camry is just fine? The answer is, you can't and perhaps you shouldn't. Good sound is the same way. If you appreciate music, once you've heard something astounding, you'll understand what the fuss is all about. Whether or not you think it is worth the price is another matter altogether.

Bose is sound what Camrys are to cars - more than fine for most folks, but not inspiring to those seeking inspiration. All you have to do is remember what it was like the first time you drove a Vette .

 

I put a small sound system in a 2000 s2000 I owned.The stock stereo was and with the top down inaudible.Put a premier head unit,JL component speakers,twin 8 jl sub in the trunk and a 200 watt alpine power amp.Cost around 2k.Was it worth it,lost my *** when I sold the car but the sound was incredible when compared to stock.Could drive doing 80 with the top down and listen to Hotel California and hear every nuance.On a hot sunny day,top down listening to .38 Special cranked , made me feel 21 again,how much is that worth.

 

If this is meant for me, the shop with the Eclipse speakers, I think is called Car Audio on Virginia a few doors North of Nevada auto sound. The guy there is very friendly and easy to deal with.

Sound stage: I felt the sound stage was almost non existent with the stock system. With the new speakers the mids have so much more clarity, you can start to place the instruments in your mind. I think the center speaker may not be as bad as people think. Mixing the two front channels and only allowing the mids to come through will help center the focal point. I have to get a nice bright speaker for the center.

Bass: I have adjusted the Clarion sub, so that it just adds richness to the system, no thumping. It is much better. Bass fills the cabin evenly instead of thumping around your feet.

Lets face it this doesn't compete with a high end system but short of ripping out the whole system and starting over, this is a major improvement. I am pleased. I truly believe that if one were to listen to the stock Bose and then mine, they would be impressed. For under $300 the improvement is dramatic.

Now XM is another story. But one that has to do with their crap compression. Like someone said there is no comparison between a CD and XM. I have to turn up the volume at least 4 clicks to get it to the same level as the CD and that varies between stations.

 

I had no problems with the bose in my c5.
Havent got my c6 yet to find out what its like
But then again i dident buy the vette for its soundsystem.

 

Nicely put, Herschel. But I'll pick one nit. I'd settle for good, I don't insist on astounding.

Since a number of lesser cars (in some cases *much* lesser cars) come from the factory with much better sound systems than the "premium" Bose system in our Corvettes, I question whether it would have cost Chevrolet much extra at all to put a *good* system in our cars.

Example, the premium Infinity system in my Dodge RAM was only $200 over base, the system with NAV (didn't get that) is only $775 over base. I'm here to tell you it sounds *much* better than the "premium" system with NAV in my Corvette while costing $1800 less.

Now some audiophiles may still puke, but that Infinity system sounds good to me. It has an excellent sound stage, clean crisp highs (from windshield pillar mounted tweeters), and a pleasantly rich, but not boomy, bass response. I've heard better, but it'd certainly be a *major* upgrade if it were available in the Corvette.

 

Interesting reading I found on the web...deals with Bose home systems. And I have heard all of the Bose systems in various neighbors homes... they want me, the stereo guru, to make them sound better... short of replacing them, I just try to localize them better in the room, fatten up the wiring, and tell them to talk to me *before* they buy again...it's so sad to see people drop $1500 on a system that sounds about as bad as another $300 home theater system.

http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html