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I know replacing the stock unit is a popular mod but I'm not that much of an audiophile. As long as I can crank AC/DC while tooling around I'm good with it. With the top down doing over 40 I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference.
So my new 2013 GS has the Nav/Bose system. Is this system supposed to be good? What am I missing?
Does a new head unit improve the sound? What has to be done to make this system pretty good?
Yes a new head unit will improve the sound along with allowing you to add front & rear cameras. If you want more oomph, a sub & amp in the back will do nicely.
Lots of people, including myself upgraded the head unit. I went with the Pioneer system and the sound is much better than stock. Also added back-up camera. Still using stock speakers.
Yes a new head unit will improve the sound along with allowing you to add front & rear cameras. If you want more oomph, a sub & amp in the back will do nicely.
looks like everyone here likes the kenwood and the pioneer head units. i called Best Buy as ive never done a radio install. they do the head unit install free and $200 to install the backup camera.
Lots of people, including myself upgraded the head unit. I went with the Pioneer system and the sound is much better than stock. Also added back-up camera. Still using stock speakers.
I know replacing the stock unit is a popular mod but I'm not that much of an audiophile. As long as I can crank AC/DC while tooling around I'm good with it. With the top down doing over 40 I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference.
It is based on a 2004 design. 16 years ago it was decent. A good head unit is a lot better. I bought a Kenwood DNX575S and had it installed with a front and rear camera.
It is based on a 2004 design. 16 years ago it was decent. A good head unit is a lot better. I bought a Kenwood DNX575S and had it installed with a front and rear camera.
Noticeable sound quality difference? mind revealing the jnstall cost?
looks like everyone here likes the kenwood and the pioneer head units. i called Best Buy as ive never done a radio install. they do the head unit install free and $200 to install the backup camera.
$200 to install a back up camera Yikes! It’s very easy to do, not a whole lot you can mess up. While I think Crutchfield is over-priced, they can supply you with everything you need to install the head unit yourself including a pre-wired wiring harness. You should be able to do it in under an hour.
I’d get a head unit that has dual camera inputs and install a front camera while you’re at it. I’ve got Natika cameras $30 ea on amazon. Again install is about an hour.
I prefer Pioneer over Kenwood as I think the Pioneers are more intuitive and more user friendly. I’ve had 3 different Pioneer Nex units in my Corvettes and I have a highly-recommended Kenwood in my wife’s Wrangler that I can’t stand.
I found videos by Five Star Car Audio on YouTube very helpful and informative when I was figuring out how to install all the audio in the Vette.
$200 to install a back up camera Yikes! It’s very easy to do, not a whole lot you can mess up. While I think Crutchfield is over-priced, they can supply you with everything you need to install the head unit yourself including a pre-wired wiring harness. You should be able to do it in under an hour.
I’d get a head unit that has dual camera inputs and install a front camera while you’re at it. I’ve got Natika cameras $30 ea on amazon. Again install is about an hour.
I prefer Pioneer over Kenwood as I think the Pioneers are more intuitive and more user friendly. I’ve had 3 different Pioneer Nex units in my Corvettes and I have a highly-recommended Kenwood in my wife’s Wrangler that I can’t stand.
I found videos by Five Star Car Audio on YouTube very helpful and informative when I was figuring out how to install all the audio in the Vette.
Maybe ill just do it myself. I have to install a new MGW shifter and will have some of it apart already.
im imagining two harnesses are neccessary? one for the steering wheel controls and one for the head unit? What about the Bose amp? is it as simple as plugging in all the new harnesses in? i dont know much about identifying wires and what goes to what. Whats the model number Pioneer you went with? Thanks!
Maybe ill just do it myself. I have to install a new MGW shifter and will have some of it apart already.
im imagining two harnesses are neccessary? one for the steering wheel controls and one for the head unit? What about the Bose amp? is it as simple as plugging in all the new harnesses in? i dont know much about identifying wires and what goes to what. Whats the model number Pioneer you went with? Thanks!
You need to get the Pac Audio RP5-GM11 interface (harness). It has built in steering wheel controls and is also compatible with the factory amp. You will also need the Metra 95-3304 faceplate bezel. Very easy to connect the harness to the head unit with either crimp style wire connectors or solder if you can. Once the harness is connected to the head unit (radio) it is all basically plug and play at that point. Very easy to do, especially if you are already going to have the center console off for the MGW shifter. A reverse camera is also easy to install and should cost you less than $20.
Last edited by TorchRedFred; 09-10-2020 at 08:55 PM.
looks like everyone here likes the kenwood and the pioneer head units. i called Best Buy as ive never done a radio install. they do the head unit install free and $200 to install the backup camera.
You're a brave man to allow someone who works at BestBuy tear into your Corvette. Or buy any radio they sell. You need to go to an established car stereo store and get a decent unit and professional installation.
You need to get the Pac Audio RP5-GM11 interface (harness). It has built in steering wheel controls and is also compatible with the factory amp. You will also need the Metra 95-3304 faceplate bezel. Very easy to connect the harness to the head unit with either crimp style wire connectors or solder if you can. Once the harness is connected to the head unit (radio) it is all basically plug and play at that point. Very easy to do, especially if you are already going to have the center console off for the MGW shifter. A reverse camera is also easy to install and should cost you less than $20.
I installed a Remote start in my Tundra. Thats the extent of my electrical experience lol.
is it clear which wires go to which when attaching harness to head unit?
I think I'll try it. Thanks for the input. What was the model number of the head unit you did? ...
If you drive here to help w install i will provide an abundance of drinks and food...😀😀😀
I installed a Remote start in my Tundra. Thats the extent of my electrical experience lol.
is it clear which wires go to which when attaching harness to head unit?
I think I'll try it. Thanks for the input. What was the model number of the head unit you did? ...
If you drive here to help w install i will provide an abundance of drinks and food...😀😀😀
When attaching the wiring interface, it's basically connecting the color matched wires. Connect the interface to the head unit before you are ready to install it into the car. If any questions come up, the guys on the forum are quick to help out and reply. A lot of C6 owners have gone with an aftermarket head unit and done the install themselves, so not that difficult to do in a C6. There are also youtube videos that will explain what each wire is for, coming from the head unit, if you do a search to learn more. Also you can look up C6 install videos. I installed a Pioneer 8200 a couple years back. Newer models have come out replacing the 8200. If I was shopping today, I would probably install a Kenwood. Any of the mid level or up models are great, and most come with a capacitive touch screen which is the way to go. Capacitive screen is what you have on your cell phone and much better than the older resistive touch screens.
Maybe ill just do it myself. I have to install a new MGW shifter and will have some of it apart already.
im imagining two harnesses are neccessary? one for the steering wheel controls and one for the head unit? What about the Bose amp? is it as simple as plugging in all the new harnesses in? i dont know much about identifying wires and what goes to what. Whats the model number Pioneer you went with? Thanks!
If you’ll have the console apart anyway, swapping the head unit is easy. If you’re worried about the wiring, Crutchfield will pre-wire the harness for you, I think it’s a $25 charge if you buy the radio from them. I currently have the pioneer avh-2440nex head unit. It’s a 2018 model I believe and has Apple CarPlay/android auto, CD & front & rear camera inputs which is all I care about. They have models with wireless CarPlay & navigation if you want that, but I didn’t want any of those features. I’ve been really happy with the avh-nex models.
I installed a Remote start in my Tundra. Thats the extent of my electrical experience lol.
is it clear which wires go to which when attaching harness to head unit?
I think I'll try it. Thanks for the input. What was the model number of the head unit you did? ...
If you drive here to help w install i will provide an abundance of drinks and food...😀😀😀
If you installed a remote start by yourself then the swap will be a piece of cake.
If you’ll have the console apart anyway, swapping the head unit is easy. If you’re worried about the wiring, Crutchfield will pre-wire the harness for you, I think it’s a $25 charge if you buy the radio from them. I currently have the pioneer avh-2440nex head unit. It’s a 2018 model I believe and has Apple CarPlay/android auto, CD & front & rear camera inputs which is all I care about. They have models with wireless CarPlay & navigation if you want that, but I didn’t want any of those features. I’ve been really happy with the avh-nex models.
09-10-2020, 03:28 PM
2013 GS Bose/Nav System
