Question on setup for a C5...

walt831 · 01-08-2008, 06:51 AM

First post here, and probably not my last.. So hi and all that good stuff.

I have a question about rear speakers. Has anyone had any comparative experience with system setups with, and without, rear speakers?

I saw one setup, I think it was SPD DMN, who had subs in the rear part pretty much behind the seats. I like that setup, because it looks nice and also because I won't have to buy rear speakers, so a little less cost there, but I was wondering how it sounds. Other questions I would have would be, with that setup, would you have to focus on getting really good highs/mids out of your front speakers? etc.. etc...

Any input about the rear speakers would be great

opinions (good and/or bad) are encouraged...

Darion · 01-08-2008, 09:19 AM

I'll get ya started and hopefully some others will jump in. First off go to this link and read it top to bottom if you haven't already;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1117959
alot of your questions car be answered in that link. Also I'm a bit confused about what it is you want to accomplish and you may pick up some extra direction after reading it.

I'll keep this general to get ya started.

Now a few things to know about your cars stock system. The front doors have two speakers, an 8 inch for bass and a 3 1/2 in tweedler for mids and highs. Your rear speakers are 5 1/4 inch in a Z06. As for power, the H/U runs the tweedler and rear speakers and a seperate amp runs the 8 inchers in the doors.

So the options as I see it, JMO. Many have replaced the rears and the tweedlers with same size high efficiency speakers and see what you think. Some have reported good results and I think that from person to person that opinion will vary with different expectations and experiance.

Also what many of us have done is take out all the Bose stuff and start over. A popular setup would be a new H/U, front comp. speakers, sub in the rear and an amp. Go to this link to see some pictures of setups and the equiptment they are using;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1305774

Ok, that should get you started and when you better understand what you like to accomplish with what can be done I'll follow up. Let us know also what type of $$$$$'s you are willing to put into this so that can be kept in mind.

Good luck, congrats on the ride and Welcome!

Darion

Kale · 01-08-2008, 11:10 AM

I had rear speakers for a while, because I wanted a little more volume with the top down.

They totally smear the soundstage and create a lot of side bias, even with time alignment. They also pull the stage back.

undertaker · 01-08-2008, 12:44 PM

I don't have rear speakers, a Z or FRC with a partition is the size of a coffin.......300 watts in the front doors and 500 in the trunk kinda offers enough volume

with close to open pipes and the windows down.

SPD DMN · 01-08-2008, 01:14 PM

With the setup that I have, I actually prefer the sound with some rear speakers. With the seat all the way back, I feel the sound stage is too far forward without the balance from the rear. The rears round out the volume of the mid range.

walt831 · 01-08-2008, 06:37 PM

Thanks for your input. And sorry if I wasn't being too clear on my intentions.

What I want to do is put in a full new system, take out the bose and put in a new H/U, front component speakers, rear speakers, amp, and a sub (or two, bwahaha...). What I was asking was in building a completely new setup, what people thought of keeping the rear speakers or getting rid of them.

As far as money goes, Darion, I try not to let that be an issue, but I'm putting a cap on this of about 3000. Somewhere in the 1500-2000 range would be ideal, so I could get it done soon, but if what I find that I want takes 3 grand, hell, so be it. It's just a matter of a couple extra months waiting.

Again thanks for your input, it's appreciated

Fasthotrod · 01-08-2008, 11:57 PM

You can get a hella nice system for $1500 to $2000 if you shop around and are willing to do the installation yourself.

A quick ballpark figure:

HU $300-ish
Front Speakers: $250-$300
Amp: $300-$500
Sub: $200
Box (Pre-Made) : $150
Misc Wiring: $150
Sound Deadening: As much as you can afford...

Rear speakers are a personal preference. I personally don't run them, for the reasons that Kale has already mentioned. Your opinion may differ... but there isn't any reason that you couldn't just wire the system with the intention of having rear speakers, then playing with it as you go to determine what sounds best TO YOU.

Lots of good info in the FAQ above, bro. Read it when you get some free time and feel free to ask for feedback as you plan out your system.

Mark

screw991le · 01-09-2008, 11:10 AM

I just did my system last summer. I actually like the rear speakers. I plan on adding them this spring. I like the music when it seems to be all around. But thats just me.

Kale · 01-09-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPD DMN

With the setup that I have, I actually prefer the sound with some rear speakers. With the seat all the way back, I feel the sound stage is too far forward without the balance from the rear. The rears round out the volume of the mid range.

Your soundstage is really far forward? You lucky bastard. Competitors spend hundreds of hours fabricating to have your problems.