Addicted427

Why do some people remove the center dash speaker??

I noticed mines sounds a little distorted but I was just thinking of replacing it.

Can you guys please explain.

Thanks

ProfessorDeath

It tends to distort the quality of the sound. It's a mono channel I believe.

RicK T

I've read here, I don't have personal knowledge, that the center speaker is a combination of inputs from the left and right channels. Most think it "muddies" the sound. After disconnecting most report the sound and separation is much better.

If you want to test, an easy method is to put a small pillow or heavy towel over it. Should give you the idea any way.

berk4422

I technically did not remove mine, just unplugged it. There is much better stereo separation and imaging. I have a stock bose nav unit with the kicker speakers from double d and stock bose subs in the doors. The sound is immensely better without the center speaker.

2006c6keller

Put a QUALITY center speaker in AND YOU CAN HEAR A GREAT IMPROVEMENT. I'm a VERY HIGH END AUDIO BUFF. I've done it and happy for a car audio system; of course, not a high end home system.

Dano523

The only two speakers on the car that are stereo (at least in the bose system) are the 3.25" ones in the doors. the rest of the speakers, including the front middle, and the back two, and door thumpers are mono channeled.

So when upgrading the two small door speaker to something that has more bass (just a touch more) and actual tweeters, then by unplugging the center speaker, you get more true stereo out of the door speakers (no center fill speaker to muddy things up)

As for upgrading the back speakers to poly with tweeters, not only do you get cleaner/brighter highs, but also fill in some missing mid lows as well.


As for replacement speakers (2 front and 2 back) for the Bose system the Kicker CS speakers are just the ticket. If you want to upgrade the center speaker as well to bring back the center fill, then DD only sells them in pair, so will need to find someone else upgrading to split a pair.

http://shop.doubledmods.com/C6-Speak...-Kicker-CS.htm


As for the KS and DS speakers (takes more power to drive them correctly), unless you are going to upgrade the Bose amp to put out more power, the CS are just the ticket

Rich Farr

I replaced the 3.25" door speakers and disconnected the center - a very noticeable improvement! That was all I required to go from poor sound quality to decent.

LawrenceFromTorrance

How much trouble is it to disconnect the front speaker?

Dano523

Just leave the speaker in unplugged, instead of the gaping hole with it remove instead.

Deftly

Which speakers are used by OnStar and Bluetooth for the telephone? Is the center speaker involved with either of these at all?

HBsurfer

I just removed mine after reading this thread. It made a noticeable difference. Took about five minutes. I used a butter knife to find the clips and just pulled straight up when I found one. After the grill was popped off, four screws held the speaker down. Removed those, unplugged the speaker and pushed the grill back in place. Simple, fast and even a non audiophile like me can hear the change.

Rich Farr

If you like the improvement you will really be impressed with better door speakers - not expensive about $70

mooty123

Just removed front speaker and can not believe how much better it sounds! Makes you wonder what GM was thinking

HBsurfer

Any recommendations? I am fired up now and know nothing about audio so I would appreciate any input.

rgibson214

Did you replace the dash speaker with a dual voice coil speaker? Also, what's the size of the dash speaker?

I believe the center speaker is connected to the two upper door speakers. If so, I understand how replacing it with a high quality dual voice coil unit would improve the sound.

Turbo6TA

rgibson214 ...

You know this is a 3 1/2 year old thread.

You might be better off sending a PM to '2006c6keller' and see if he answers you.

Grzldvt1

Let me dive in here, even though this is an old thread, you ABSOLUTELY want to remove the center speaker. The goal of any stereo system is to create a soundstage, so you can identify the placement of each instrument and where each singer is located. The center speaker and I don't care if you spend $1000 for one, screws that up.
I replaced my entire BOSE(Buy Other Sound Equipment)
I am a serious audiophile and I even disconnected my rear speakers, they just screw up the front soundstage. In a Corvette you really don't need the rears.
My test songs are I'm A Man by Chicago The Band and Hotel California by the Eagles.
I'm A Man(Long Version) has one of the best percussion sections on the Planet and I can literally feel and hear where each instrument is across the stage/windshield.
Hotel California is equally up to the task, but tests the entire range of your speakers, as it has a very deep bass in the beginning and them as each instrument and singer come on, you can hear them across the windshield.
The C6 HU is mediocre at best, and my C5 HU was light years better, believe it or not. I had about $2000 in my system all total, $1000 in a new Pioneer HU, and $1000 in speakers/amp. People would get in and felt like they were on stage with the band. If you looked in the car it all looked stock. I had an awesome CDT 8" sub in the left rear cubby, while the cubby is a bit shallow, there is a hack that fools the sub into thinking it is much bigger. When I cranked up the bass I could feel the sub, pushing air and literally kicking the back of my seat,

airspeed

thanks for that info just unplugged my center speaker and it does make a difference
this forum has really helped me with a lots of do it your self tips.

Creedence85

Just found this thread today and wanted to thank you all for your input. I've never understood the execution of center channel speakers in non 5.1 systems, so I unplugged it today and it's definitely cleaner with better imaging. The rear speakers sound quite muddy compared to the front, it's odd that they're mono, and fading them forward seemed to improve the clarity as well as the stereo image. I've had the car for less than 2 weeks, but these improvements are enough that it might be good enough to roll with for the rest of the summer, then see how I feel about it in a few weeks. A full system would be nice, and the car has the room for it, but now at least it's functionally adequate.

Don-Vette

I have the non Bose system in my 2010 GS 1lt I thought the door speakers were 10"? Even with the bass turned down I notice too much booming sound. Which ones are recommended for my system? Doors and Rears? How hard is it to change the door speaker? The rears look pretty easy and disconnecting the front one seems simple enough. TIA