C6 Center Channel Speaker Install/Remove/Replace
 

I realized that my installation write-up doesn't mention how to do the center channel/dash speaker and I was asked about it so here's a quick how-to. I don't have any pics from it, sorry, the 2 times I've been into that dash speaker I didn't think to take any.

The grill is a pop-out. There's a clip at each end, 2 in the center inboard and one in the center out towards the windshield. Just use a thin bladed flat screwdriver to pop up the grill - you're better off popping each clip and then removing the grill. Prying it off from one side winds up breaking a piece that holds the clip.. ask me how I know...

Once you've gotten all the clips to pop out the grill will just lift out. The sun sensor is attached to this grill. It has the typical clip connector with the lever you need to push down to release it. Disconnect that and sit the grill aside - careful with that sun sensor, you don't want to scratch it up.

The speaker is held in place with 4 9/32" head screws. Just remove those screws (1/4" ratchet wrench will fit) and the speaker lifts right out. Another one of those clip connectors to remove from the speaker.

That's all there is to it. If anyone has pics they could add to this that would be great!

Here's one pic...

http://www.quiros.net/corvette/dashspeaker3.jpg

Here are pics from my install. I wired the center channel off my HU rear channel. I used the R+ and L- to obtain a "mono-like" signal. This allows me to dial in the amount of center channel by using the fader control.

http://peachstateposse.com/Gallery2/album165

Excellent guys, thanks!

Here's a couple of the shots from Leo's set for easier access, the first one is a great one for showing the clips.

http://peachstateposse.com/Gallery2/...5/DSCF0063.jpg

This one gives a good view of the sun sensor.
http://peachstateposse.com/Gallery2/...5/DSCF0064.jpg

http://peachstateposse.com/Gallery2/...5/DSCF0067.jpg

Awsome. Just to make sure, this is a NON-bose car right?

Mine was non-bose. :yesnod:

Mine WAS Bose. Looks exactly the same. :thumbs:

:lurk:

Thanks for posting.

do all C6 system come with center speaker?
I install a new HU and everything else is factory. I use both pair of RCA..but i never heard the center speaker. I did not touch the factory amp.

I beleive that the base system do not have center speaker...right?

They all have it. :yesnod: (not sure about z06 though)

The amp does the signal processing to create the dash channel so there's not a line level out on that channel from the radio.

would it be wise to put a 2 way speaker in there if you get a good HU that can play 5.1 sound like kenwood ? I wonder if the kenwood would allow you to turn off the center channel ? I'm thinking on a kenwood navi 8140 or 9140 for my Vette.

thx Tim

the general consensus on this forum appears to be that the center channel speaker is not necessary / throws off the front stage. i intend to retain factory nav and want the option to revert to stock.

1) do most people completely remove the center channel speaker? 2) is it possible to eliminate the center channel speaker without actually removing the speaker / accessing it and unplugging the speaker wire from the speaker? 3) or is accessing the center channel and unplugging the speaker wire from the speaker the easiest way to eliminate the speaker? 4) has anyone posted the pin-outs from the factory amp?

pin outs are in the c6 faq. but it is way easier to pop that grill and unhook it then jack with the wires at the oem amp

Just went out to the garage and it took me about five minutes to do this and wow it does sound a lot better :thumbs:

This is a thread that has come back from the dead! :) (well, 2006 anyway)

Here is what I am concerned about with my 2011 GS. I have the non-Bose audio system and do not have the optional Nav.

I use the OnStar alot, and I have noticed that the sound from OnStar (the cellphone and the Turn-by-Turn Navigation) seems to be coming out of that center dash speaker.

I am planning on retaining my OEM head unit, but using an aftermarket 5-way amp powering a new set of door and rear speakers, and a subwoofer. This setup will cetainly stop any audio from going to that dash speaker.

I am worried that I won't be able to hear the OnStar or the OnStar cellphone if I do this.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it sure seems like the audio from the OnStar is comming from that center dash speaker.

Anyone here know anything about this as it relates to a 2011 Vette with the non-Bose and no Nav?

Ron,

________________________________

EDIT I guess the easiest way would be to go out and unhook that center speaker and see if I hear any audio from the OnStar. Just wondering before I try this, if anyone here has any knowledge of this firsthand.

.

:iagree:

I am attempting to remove the center speaker. The pictures showing the locations of the center speaker grill clips are removed from the previous posts. Does anyone else have any pictures or a more accurate description of their location?

Well? What is the answer to this issue of OnStar & dash speaker? :toetap:

Following is a picture in response to my own post - for other's future reference:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pict...ictureid=99651

So, does removing the center speaker affect NonStar or BlueTooth handsfree phone audio? :lurk:

It appears that it does have an effect. I have a kenwwood dvd unit in a formerly bose equipped c6. When using the handsfree portion it sounds like like a 5.1 system with the center channel tuned off. You still get the callers voice but it is noticebly quieter and distant sounding. Still functional as long as your car isn't really loud(cammed&catless, headers etc).

I am attempting the do the same thing. I am keeping the factory HU and adding amp and door speakers.

However, I want to do the opposite. I want to make sure ALL the chimes and Onstar route through the center channel.

The reason is because there are complaints from people online who install after-market amps and, if using the PAC GM-24 harness, the chimes are routed through the left front after-market speaker.

The result is very loud chimes, even after the chime volume is put on the lowest setting.

Either MarkCZ or the Kokoman posted a solution but it involved some soldering and what looked to be a fair amount of work. I would like to disconnect the center channel speaker as well and maybe route the chimes and Onstar through the rear coaxes, which I guess I could leave hooked up to the OEM amp and HU. However, I was gonna put the rear speakers, which I already upgraded to Kicker coaxes, on the after-market amp.

I am kinda bummed at having to keep the center channel speaker because people who post on here say it lessens the sound quality - or sound stage as one poster put it.

Wow, old thread. I did what you are going to do. I don't have Onstar but the chimes and nav direction comes through the front left speaker. The volume adjustment on the nav does work and the nav voice does not come across too loud even with the volume up. I tested it before putting everything back together with the front channel hooked to the rear speakers still powered by the HU so all sounds came from the back and it was harder to hear it over the front speakers when it was cranked up a bit. I also disconnected the center speaker.

If you're keeping the oem radio you can't do much with the chimes, they're going to be part of the left front signal. You can swap the fronts and rears so the chimes are in back, then only amp the non-chime rears into the front doors.

Another option (which I'll prob be using) is to add an aftermarket adapter like the C2R-GM24 in addition to the oem radio. My plan is to use rear signals up front, front signals to sub (amp LPF will eliminate chimes), and use C2R for chimes and amp trigger. The only thing I'm not sure about is how the other car computers will react to having the radio AND the C2R connected at the same time. If the C2R doesn't work due to coms issues, I have a CM1 chime unit that I'll try, then rig up my relay idea for the trigger (to keep amps from turning on when the door is opened).

Let me know if you get the relay set-up to work as my attempt didn't give me the desired effect in my 2012. I DID follow your instructions for the rear speaker install and did that today. Boston Acoustics 5.25 Coax in the rear made it sound a little better. Will probably do the front 3.25s in a week or so.

What are your thoughts on the dash speakers now that the 2012s have 3 up there now? Have you explored the R & L dash "tweeters" yet?

I drove my '07 130 miles with the stock radio setup when I traded it in, then jumped right in to my '12. The new setup in the '12 is obviously better sounding than the '07 was. It still doesn't compare to a well amped component and sub setup, but is definitely an improvement.

I started my install last weekend, and canceled my travel plans for this weekend, so I hope to have everything done by Monday.

I have installed everything behind the oem radio, and the car seems to be happy with both the radio and the C2R-GM24 connected, so I won't have to use the diode and relay setup (but I'm sure it would work if I needed to).

End result for me will be 3-way active in doors and sub in trunk. Equipment will be: oem Nav, Pioneer DEQ-7600 processor, PowerBass XEX-23 crossover, PowerBass XAX-4160FD 4-channel amp for CDT HD-2 tweets and CDT ES-04 mids, Kenwood XR-5S bridged to CDT ES-06 bass and ch-5 to CDT QES-1020 in a RAAMaudio corner box. Once my 12 months of free XM runs out I'll be swapping out oem Nav for my Pioneer x920BT w/Sirius, OnStar is getting unplugged as soon as original trial runs out.

Stock amp, dash tweets, center channel, and rear speakers will all be left as-is, but I'll be pulling the amp fuse ;)

The only thing I'm still not entirely sure about is where everything will be mounted in the back. Most likely I'll be bolting it down near the rear wall using a sheet of 1/4" MDF under my Lloyd's cargo mat (wood under mat, gear on top, bolts going through).

:flag: