replacing stock amp on BA - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

suzook · 07-20-2013, 08:10 AM

I will be replacing the stock BA amp with my trusty old kenwood KAC-X4R. This amp has a built in Full DSP with Time Alignment, and parametric EQ options. I am confident this thing will be able to properly EQ the stock BA speakers. As it stands there are too many peaks in the wrong areas making the BA system sound harsh, and canny. Once i receive my Fark harness, and do the install, I will post my results. Im not looking for ear splitting loudness...just quality sound, which i honestly believe the BA speaks can deliver with a quality amp, and some EQ'ing.

JimE · 07-20-2013, 11:56 PM

I'm sure it will. Many have reported improved sound quality with a simple amp replacement.

Good luck...............

lfree11012 · 07-21-2013, 11:06 AM

FrankT · 07-21-2013, 12:01 PM

I think the stock speakers are up to the task. Good luck on the install. I gutted my entire system and replaced it. I think you'll be pleased with the results.

suzook · 07-22-2013, 08:01 AM

My biggest hurdle is the amp won't fit in the stock location. I'm thinking I could mount it right behind the wheel well....or another option I'm thinking is where the "spare" tire is....I could cut out some of the foam for it to fit nicely on top of it. I will post some pics as I go along....just waiting for my fark....anyone know how long it takes to get it? I ordered Thursday... And still no shipping info.

DuskSS · 07-22-2013, 08:07 AM

I just think the stock everything is garbage.
they sound muddy they distort, they just have no clarity at all.

same car as the OP and this is by far the worst premium system I have ever had in any car.
I'm not sure even an amp can help this.

suzook · 07-22-2013, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuskSS

I just think the stock everything is garbage.
they sound muddy they distort, they just have no clarity at all.

same car as the OP and this is by far the worst premium system I have ever had in any car.
I'm not sure even an amp can help this.

They do distort at very high levels...part of the problem is the stock amp. I believe an aftermarket amp will help...as I don't need ear splitting levels....as far as the quality of sound...the amp should help also....along with the eq/DSP settings that are included in the amp I'm installing. Worst case scenario??? I could always swap out the speakers if im not happy with the end result. Btw....i agree that the boston system sucks...def the worst "premium" system in a vehicle.

DuskSS · 07-22-2013, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzook

They do distort at very high levels...part of the problem is the stock amp. I believe an aftermarket amp will help...as I don't need ear splitting levels....as far as the quality of sound...the amp should help also....along with the eq/DSP settings that are included in the amp I'm installing. Worst case scenario??? I could always swap out the speakers if im not happy with the end result. Btw....i agree that the boston system sucks...def the worst "premium" system in a vehicle.

half on the dial even on above CD ripped music. game over.. dont even think about listening to XM at that level.
anything above elevator music with any kind of mild bass = distort.

Mine must be worse than yours because that it far from "ear splitting" levels before it just flat sucks. hell my engine is louder than the stereo by far now.

Camaroshark · 07-23-2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuskSS

half on the dial even on above CD ripped music. game over.. dont even think about listening to XM at that level.
anything above elevator music with any kind of mild bass = distort.

Mine must be worse than yours because that it far from "ear splitting" levels before it just flat sucks. hell my engine is louder than the stereo by far now.

When I swapped the stock BA amp for a JL XD 400 /4, the muddy sound disappeared... The speakers are still not superb, but they do sound much better than with the factory amp.

C3-650 are going in the doors next weekend.... Provided my ******** package arrives...

Glen e · 07-23-2013, 10:22 PM

Yup...my JL's going in Thursday, and then a 10 hour trip to have steve install my hex vents at his shop. Should be a nice trip to test them out.....

Camaroshark · 07-27-2013, 10:35 AM

I was very happy when I finished mine up.

Camaroshark · 07-27-2013, 10:42 AM

Wired it up the night before...

Glen e · 07-27-2013, 10:53 AM

Clean looking.....

suzook · 07-27-2013, 04:54 PM

So in went the amp today...fark harness is well worth the $....BA speaks still sound kinda shitty though..even with all the parametric eq settings I have available. These speakers just suck!....WTF was Chevy thinking with the BA system...while im not a big fan of BOSE....they sound way better than the BA. Oh well guess a new set of focals for the front...ill leave the BA's in the rear. I now have a lil pop when the amp turns on/off now too. Maybe Ill just throw the stock amp back...and just be done with it.

07-20-2013, 08:10 AM	#1
suzook Drives: camaro Join Date: May 2013 Location: Stony Brook,NY Posts: 1,756	replacing stock amp on BA I will be replacing the stock BA amp with my trusty old kenwood KAC-X4R. This amp has a built in Full DSP with Time Alignment, and parametric EQ options. I am confident this thing will be able to properly EQ the stock BA speakers. As it stands there are too many peaks in the wrong areas making the BA system sound harsh, and canny. Once i receive my Fark harness, and do the install, I will post my results. Im not looking for ear splitting loudness...just quality sound, which i honestly believe the BA speaks can deliver with a quality amp, and some EQ'ing. __________________ 2016 2SS,A8,NAV,NPP,MAG Ride,Sunroof Hyperblue/JetBlack

07-21-2013, 12:01 PM	#4
FrankT 400HP used to be enough.. Drives: 2010 2SS rs manual Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central NC Posts: 772	I think the stock speakers are up to the task. Good luck on the install. I gutted my entire system and replaced it. I think you'll be pleased with the results. __________________ Build thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47925

07-22-2013, 08:01 AM	#5
suzook Drives: camaro Join Date: May 2013 Location: Stony Brook,NY Posts: 1,756	My biggest hurdle is the amp won't fit in the stock location. I'm thinking I could mount it right behind the wheel well....or another option I'm thinking is where the "spare" tire is....I could cut out some of the foam for it to fit nicely on top of it. I will post some pics as I go along....just waiting for my fark....anyone know how long it takes to get it? I ordered Thursday... And still no shipping info. __________________ 2016 2SS,A8,NAV,NPP,MAG Ride,Sunroof Hyperblue/JetBlack

07-22-2013, 08:07 AM	#6
DuskSS Bayou City Muscle Cars Drives: 2013 2SS Dusk Edition Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 1,443	I just think the stock everything is garbage. they sound muddy they distort, they just have no clarity at all. same car as the OP and this is by far the worst premium system I have ever had in any car. I'm not sure even an amp can help this. __________________ 2013 2SS Dusk Edition Lethal Racing Stage V PER 418ci Forged LS3 530/520 SAE

07-23-2013, 10:22 PM	#10
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Yup...my JL's going in Thursday, and then a 10 hour trip to have steve install my hex vents at his shop. Should be a nice trip to test them out..... __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

07-20-2013, 11:56 PM	#2
JimE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 3,087	I'm sure it will. Many have reported improved sound quality with a simple amp replacement. Good luck...............

07-21-2013, 11:06 AM	#3
lfree11012 Drives: 2018 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: delaware Posts: 319

07-27-2013, 10:35 AM	#11
Camaroshark Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS RJT, 6speed Join Date: May 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 887 View My Garage	I was very happy when I finished mine up. Attached Images __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS, LS3 - 6 speed. Mods, Magnaflow exhaust with resonator delete. ******** 12" stealth box subwoofer kit, Kicker 400 mono amp, JL XD 400/4 amp.

07-27-2013, 10:42 AM	#12
Camaroshark Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS RJT, 6speed Join Date: May 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 887 View My Garage	Wired it up the night before... Attached Images __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS, LS3 - 6 speed. Mods, Magnaflow exhaust with resonator delete. ******** 12" stealth box subwoofer kit, Kicker 400 mono amp, JL XD 400/4 amp.

07-27-2013, 10:53 AM	#13
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Clean looking..... __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

07-27-2013, 04:54 PM	#14
suzook Drives: camaro Join Date: May 2013 Location: Stony Brook,NY Posts: 1,756	So in went the amp today...fark harness is well worth the $....BA speaks still sound kinda shitty though..even with all the parametric eq settings I have available. These speakers just suck!....WTF was Chevy thinking with the BA system...while im not a big fan of BOSE....they sound way better than the BA. Oh well guess a new set of focals for the front...ill leave the BA's in the rear. I now have a lil pop when the amp turns on/off now too. Maybe Ill just throw the stock amp back...and just be done with it. __________________ 2016 2SS,A8,NAV,NPP,MAG Ride,Sunroof Hyperblue/JetBlack