So for Christmas, my fiancee surprised me with a new stereo for my 2007 C6. It currently has the original Bose system with navigation. The stereo I got as a gift is a Boss BCPA9685RC with a back-up cam, phone mic, Android Auto, etc.

She included a GM stereo adapter kit, but I want to make sure the steering controls still work as well. Is there a specific adapter I need for the steering controls? Are there any you might recommend? I've never installed a stereo and backup cam before so I'm clueless on this stuff atm. Also, how many channels is the factory Bose system? This stereo have enough channels? Will I need to buy an amp or will the factory amp suffice? If I use the factory amp, would it be a pain to install a new amp later? I'm not looking to install any huge subwoofers or anything like that. I feel that the factory Bose system sounds pretty good imo. Want to make sure it at least sounds a little better.

 

According to Crutchfield this is the adapter that you need.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541RP5...Interface.html
Don't take this the wrong way, but you might be better off leaving the stock HU alone rather than replacing it with that one. Boss radios have tons of features but do not have a good reputation for quality.

 

Awesome, thanks! Yeah... there's no way I'm gonna tell my fiancee to take the stereo back. I want my marriage to work, lol. The stock Bose stereo sounds good, but it is really dated though. No Bluetooth, can't make calls without OnStar, the nav sucks, and many locations around my area aren't even found on the map because the disc is old. Not sure if the last Nav Update disc has current locations, but even my home address isn't found on the map. The interface sucks and can't change the background.

I'm sure this will be a nice replacement, at least for a while. The main things I was looking for in a stereo is to have:

• sound quality at least the same or better than the Bose system
• Bluetooth connectivity so I can make hands-free calls
• listen to music on my phone or Spotify
• a navigation system that updates and doesn't depend on a disc
• backup camera connections (Front camera would be nice, too.)
• an interface that is easy to use while the car is move
• ability to customize the start-up screen/background if possible.

This stereo has at least four on that list. Not sure how easy the interface is until I actually get to test it out. I will definitely miss having the Corvette logo on the screen when starting up the car, but hopefully, I can change the background on this one. Was also considering getting an Android stereo so that I can put apps like Torque Pro on there and have alternate gauge info displayed on the screen. I don't think this Boss unit has that capability. But yeah, I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings by not installing this in my car. She was dying to tell me what surprise she had waiting for me for Christmas. I figure with the extra features this one brings that the original Bose system lacks I can live with it for a couple of years or until it starts giving me problems. But I've honestly never had a stereo give me issues before. They just get outdated and start lacking features that newer technology brings as the future comes around.

My 2006 GTO had the best interior of any car I've owned, but the stereo taunted me every time I got into it because of the lack of current features. It was at the end of the CD era, and the 6 disc changer just didn't cut it. My C6 gives me the same vibes when I turn on the stereo. Love the car. But the stereo reminds me it's older than my beater Kia Sorento. Pretty sad when I get jealous of my fiancee's Dart stereo system, lol.

 

i got a pioneer nex4200avh head unit with the gm "module" and my steering controls stopped working... .never bothered me much... but no steering controls on an 07z or 10zr1...

 

I hear you, as they say "Happy wife, happy life". My daughter has a similar HU in her car and while most of the time it works flawlessly, occasionally while listening to the FM tuner the sound "clips" like the internal amp is cutting out. It does not do it with any other input source, which I cannot understand.
I do agree that the stock HU in a C6 leaves a lot to be desired, but I just cannot justify spending upwards of $1k for an upgrade with all the features. I would rather spend that money on performance mods.

 

X2 on the performance mods. Long list of things I would love before a stereo, lol.

I was surprised that she got me a stereo for the vette. That's like me trying to find a gift for her in the women's clothes section. Hard to know if you are getting the right size and if she would even like what I would buy her, lol. Nonetheless it still makes me happy. At least that's money I didn't have to spend on a stereo, lol.

​​​​We keep our money separate. Only pool for joint bills like mortgage, utilities, etc. Same with car payments. I pay for my cars. She pays for hers. She's waiting yo finish paying her 2013 Dart off so she can keep it as a beater and get a vette, too.

 

Dual Vettes are great, I actually got my wife her 89 convertible before I bought my GS. Don't even get me started on trying to shop for them. I have been married for over a decade and still have no idea.

 

You are a good man. Your girlfriend took the time to buy you something that would make you happy. Put it in your car and enjoy it. I’m sure it will work very well.

 

I have an Android based aftermarket head unit in my Audi daily driver from icebox audio. It was a royal pain to adapt to my car because many of these units use a more or less generic adapter harness for a specific brand. Crutchfield is usually pretty good at getting you what you need the first time. Give them a call, if you have trouble, and I am sure their customer service will sort you out. I'd be curious to hear your review on this unit once you get everything working as I too would like to upgrade the head unit in my C6.