Got rid of the center spker... WOOWWW!!! - Page 13 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

nikos30 · 12-03-2012, 02:36 PM

It is a decent sound system, but I dont think there should be a better sysem that you can upgrade to from factory. Ive had my speakers replaced 4 times because my dealership didnt know about that recall. Since they replaced the entire sound system, I havent blown anything.
I do hear that scratchy noise you guys are talking about. That scratchy sound is probably because the sub is slightly blown or your treb might be too high.

Anyway, I just read this thread, sorry I am a bit late in posting. I will try disconnecting it this week hopefully and Ill tell you guys what I think.
Thanks for the find.

FRANK121 · 12-06-2012, 09:12 AM

Has anyone tried to replace the speaker with a better one or is it the signal being sent from the head unit that causes the poor sound quality? I have mine disconnected and it does sound a lot cleaner at higher volumes.

dkp2LT · 12-09-2012, 12:46 PM

^ I was wondering the same thing. Put in my HUD this weekend and decided to keep the center speaker disconnected. Huge difference. I am not going to reconnect unless I find there is a better speaker.

Pace · 12-18-2012, 09:55 AM

If anyone has broken a clip removing the grill

...you can get them from Ebay via fparts.

BlackIce1066 · 01-23-2013, 05:30 PM

Ok im a believer. Today I disconnected my center speaker and wow what an improvement. Best and cheapest mod ever.

Jodean · 01-24-2013, 07:01 PM

I just tried this.

Im not an audiophile but can hear things most people cant. Im running treble at 6 mid at zero, bass at 2

Disconnecting the speaker seemed like an improvement, at least while i was AT the speaker and unplugged it. Was going to leave it unplugged. But then i sat back and actually listened to the music from a driving position, which is seat all the way back since im 6' and it actually sounds better with it plugged in, i noticed some sounds that were missing when i unplugged it again.

At first i didnt believe it, but then tried another 10 or so times on and off.

Ended up plugging it back in, sounds the best. I do not seem to have this overbearing sound from the center as you guys mention (unless your up in the dash at the speaker) i dont think its any louder than the door speakers.

Frid · 01-24-2013, 08:38 PM

I have a couple buddies that did this to theirs and it sounds much better.

hairzee · 01-25-2013, 10:20 AM

I tried it and it sounds better in, to me.

Looking at some posts I thought.... wow this should make a huge difference. Nope not hearing a better system at all ????

SNK · 02-09-2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairzee

I tried it and it sounds better in, to me.

Looking at some posts I thought.... wow this should make a huge difference. Nope not hearing a better system at all ????

Just tried it and I absolutely agree. Did not make any significant difference and actually made the music sound somewhat "unorganized", if that makes sense. I left it plugged in and will possibly have to get an aftermarket system if I want better sound.

Jrichards73 · 02-10-2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRANK121

Has anyone tried to replace the speaker with a better one?

4 years into production, I'm sure someone's done this. Guess I'm going to have to try. Wish you could buy singles... Or replace with 2 tweeters.

Camaro_Custom_Painted · 02-18-2013, 06:48 PM

Thanks to all the posters on this thread. I had a similar situation with my 2011 MKZ. The front center speaker assembly (made up of 3 small speakers) was so over powering that it made the sound seem way out of balance and at times hard to even listen to. I disconnected it a while back and *BAM* did it make the sound better! I'll try this on my Camaro when I take it our next spring. Although it doesn't appear the difference will be as profound, still sounds like its worth a try.

emtae001 · 02-19-2013, 06:45 PM

OK I did it and be forewarned. Two broken clips and one fell into the dash. I am not new at this either. I have installed stereos, taken door panels apart etc. I used a plastic tool as well. After first removal one clip cracked on one side of it. Put it back in place. Put the grill back on. didn't go into place very well so had to remove it again. That when the clips broke. One whole plastic piece broke right off. Sheared at the flush mount part of the grill. Was the sound difference worth the damage? NO ! Now I need a new speaker grill. Cheap plastic crap.

Keef21 · 02-20-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRANK121

Has anyone tried to replace the speaker with a better one or is it the signal being sent from the head unit that causes the poor sound quality? I have mine disconnected and it does sound a lot cleaner at higher volumes.

Yep, I have Hertz aftermarket speakers all around running off a JL audio 5 channel amp. After the preliminary install (with center unplugged), I felt there was a gap in the soundstage & highs were lacking (Hertz tweeters not overly bright). So I installed a single 3.5" Hertz coaxial in the center with a capacitor to block out the lows. I'm running it off the stock amp (everything else off my JL amp). Happy w/ the results.

FYI I had to do a bit of trimming on the Hertz speaker - it has a polymer ring around the frame that sticks up a bit & would not allow the grill to snap in flush. Just Dremel'ed down that ring and presto.

nightshift · 03-09-2013, 08:09 PM

I guess it's a matter of preference. I unplugged mine, then plugged it back in. I'm no audiophile, but do have a pretty good ear and it sounds good to me with the center speaker plugged in.

rocknRllr · 03-09-2013, 09:41 PM

I read a previous thread a few months ago and unplugged the speaker and what a difference! There's a previous thread from Racer X that recommends the best settings for my ear anyways

12-03-2012, 02:36 PM	#301
nikos30 HT5 EastSide Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NJ/PA Posts: 1,351 View My Garage	It is a decent sound system, but I dont think there should be a better sysem that you can upgrade to from factory. Ive had my speakers replaced 4 times because my dealership didnt know about that recall. Since they replaced the entire sound system, I havent blown anything. I do hear that scratchy noise you guys are talking about. That scratchy sound is probably because the sub is slightly blown or your treb might be too high. Anyway, I just read this thread, sorry I am a bit late in posting. I will try disconnecting it this week hopefully and Ill tell you guys what I think. Thanks for the find. __________________

12-06-2012, 09:12 AM	#302
FRANK121 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 487 View My Garage	Has anyone tried to replace the speaker with a better one or is it the signal being sent from the head unit that causes the poor sound quality? I have mine disconnected and it does sound a lot cleaner at higher volumes. __________________ 2011 Victory Red 2SS/RS 630hp. and 550ft. lbs. Black Rally Stripes 6 Speed Automatic Whipple 2.9L LS3 Conversion ARH LT Headers and X-Pipe GMMP Axle Backs Yank 2800 Stall RotoFab CAI RX Performance Catch Can VMAX Ported Throttle Body Built by C.B.I. Streetcars Tuned By DSX Tuning GM Quarter Flares Camaro Floor Mats

12-18-2012, 09:55 AM	#304
Pace Lifestyle = Deathstyle Drives: 11 SIM 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 89	If anyone has broken a clip removing the grill ...you can get them from Ebay via fparts. __________________ 11 2SS/RS

01-23-2013, 05:30 PM	#305
BlackIce1066 Black Ice Drives: 2SS/RS Black w/ silver ice stripes Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pueblo,Co. Posts: 1,241	Ok im a believer. Today I disconnected my center speaker and wow what an improvement. Best and cheapest mod ever. __________________

01-24-2013, 08:38 PM	#307
Frid Drives: '11 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 3,321	I have a couple buddies that did this to theirs and it sounds much better. __________________ American Racing 1 7/8" w/ HF cats Borla ATAK axle-back C.A.I intake w/ Scoop Lethal Racing 'Night Fury' cam PFADT Trailing Arms 486rwhp/464rwtq ___________ Best 1/4 ET : 12.88@ 110mph- Headers, Intake, Tune, T Arms, Stock Tires *My Build Thread*

12-09-2012, 12:46 PM	#303
dkp2LT Drives: 2010 LLT/RS, '07 MKX, '10 Flex Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,975	^ I was wondering the same thing. Put in my HUD this weekend and decided to keep the center speaker disconnected. Huge difference. I am not going to reconnect unless I find there is a better speaker.

01-24-2013, 07:01 PM	#306
Jodean Drives: 2010 Camero 2SS RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tea SD Posts: 40	I just tried this. Im not an audiophile but can hear things most people cant. Im running treble at 6 mid at zero, bass at 2 Disconnecting the speaker seemed like an improvement, at least while i was AT the speaker and unplugged it. Was going to leave it unplugged. But then i sat back and actually listened to the music from a driving position, which is seat all the way back since im 6' and it actually sounds better with it plugged in, i noticed some sounds that were missing when i unplugged it again. At first i didnt believe it, but then tried another 10 or so times on and off. Ended up plugging it back in, sounds the best. I do not seem to have this overbearing sound from the center as you guys mention (unless your up in the dash at the speaker) i dont think its any louder than the door speakers.

01-25-2013, 10:20 AM	#308
hairzee Drives: 2010 SS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 166	I tried it and it sounds better in, to me. Looking at some posts I thought.... wow this should make a huge difference. Nope not hearing a better system at all ???? __________________ 2010 SS, CAI intake, Kooks 1 7/8 LT with high flow cats, Pfadt Sways and Springs, Lloyds Mats, Magnaflow 3"cat back, Ported TB, JRE tune, Rx Catch Can, Forgestar F14, BMR subframe, BMR 4point strut brace.

02-18-2013, 06:48 PM	#311
Camaro_Custom_Painted Choke on that causality! Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 505	Thanks to all the posters on this thread. I had a similar situation with my 2011 MKZ. The front center speaker assembly (made up of 3 small speakers) was so over powering that it made the sound seem way out of balance and at times hard to even listen to. I disconnected it a while back and BAM did it make the sound better! I'll try this on my Camaro when I take it our next spring. Although it doesn't appear the difference will be as profound, still sounds like its worth a try. __________________ Edelbrock EForce - Stainless Works Headers - BMR Sways & Arms - Rotofab CAI - Assorted Interior, Exterior, Underhood Bling - Red Jewel Stripes & Full Body Clear - Lexani LX15 Wheels - JRE Fuel Rail Upgrade & Tune - Heartthrob XPipe - Elite Catch Can - Pedders Cradle & Front Arm Bushings - Hotchkis Strut Brace - MSD Wires - Whats Next?

02-19-2013, 06:45 PM	#312
emtae001 Drives: 2011 SS RS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 43	OK I did it and be forewarned. Two broken clips and one fell into the dash. I am not new at this either. I have installed stereos, taken door panels apart etc. I used a plastic tool as well. After first removal one clip cracked on one side of it. Put it back in place. Put the grill back on. didn't go into place very well so had to remove it again. That when the clips broke. One whole plastic piece broke right off. Sheared at the flush mount part of the grill. Was the sound difference worth the damage? NO ! Now I need a new speaker grill. Cheap plastic crap.

03-09-2013, 08:09 PM	#314
nightshift Drives: Victory Red 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 278	I guess it's a matter of preference. I unplugged mine, then plugged it back in. I'm no audiophile, but do have a pretty good ear and it sounds good to me with the center speaker plugged in.

03-09-2013, 09:41 PM	#315
rocknRllr Drives: 2013 2LT Crystal Red Metallic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: virginia Posts: 192 View My Garage	I read a previous thread a few months ago and unplugged the speaker and what a difference! There's a previous thread from Racer X that recommends the best settings for my ear anyways

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