Non-BA Speaker Upgrade

[USAFS197]

Yeah, I could have searched and scoured but, I didn't get any further than page 4, here so, I figured I'd ask.

I have a 2014, 1SS, with the base stereo system. I do not want to replace the head unit but I would like a bit more umph and clarity. From what I can gather, Kicker's are prolly the best bang for the buck but, if there's something I'm overlooking, please let me know. I don't listen to my radio often but when I do, I prefer for it to sound crisp and refined but not at the expense of other car parts. This is so far down on my list of priorities with the car but, it would be good to know. Thanks.

[CCC80]

You can upgrade your speakers... I did with Alpines. You will need this:

http://www.installdr.com/harnesses/gm-wiring.asp

And these adapters for the front door speakers"

http://www.amazon.com/Metra-82-3010-.../dp/B0099Z8KNG

Your rear speaker replacement brackets will have to be custom made a custom shop or you can DIY. No one makes them

[USAFS197]

Ah cool. First response was actually legit. Too bad about the rear speakers. I spose that's a bit too much trouble for me. I guess I'll just replace the fronts.

[CCC80]

I just went to a shop that installs car electronics and they cut out some 1/4" wood ones. They sprayed them with some coating. worked good. FYI getting to the rears is a major b****! you practically gut out everything from the seats to all rear plastics.

These speakers are ridiculous:
http://www.amazon.com/HCX-165-Hi-Ene.../dp/B003VCK7WK

[Dega Man]

These guys make the best car speaker adapters that I've seen so far front and rear. Car-Speaker Adapters.com

http://car-speaker-adapters.com/items.php?id=SAK075

[CCC80]

do not order from that guy!!! . i ordered from that guy. He billed me ASAP,a month went by and he never shipped or responded to any email. I found his real name and used a people finder and called every number associated with him, he never responded.'

Thank god it was a paypal purchase... I had to file a claim through paypal. After a couple weeks paypal refunded my money. Major nightmare!!

[yzark99]

Just replacing the speakers alone probably isn't going to sound much better. The stock HU has almost no power. If you crank it up, you run the risk of blowing your new speakers from clipping.

What I did was to add a 12" sub and separate amp for it first. This doubled the apparent output. Next was better Pioneer tweeters that really helped with highs and clarity.

I then added an amp for the front speakers only, and finally replaced the mids with MB Quarts. It is much clearer now, and I can really crank it up without risk of doing any damage to anything (besides my ears).

See my mods journal below for specifics.

[Graphicsgod]

Has anyone tested or think this would be a good way to add an amp to a factory 2015 Camaro?? Thinking about getting this... The reviews are good, but no one is using in a Camaro.

http://amzn.com/B004M4WHHE

[Dega Man]

Originally Posted by CCC80

do not order from that guy!!! . i ordered from that guy. He billed me ASAP,a month went by and he never shipped or responded to any email. I found his real name and used a people finder and called every number associated with him, he never responded.'

Thank god it was a paypal purchase... I had to file a claim through paypal. After a couple weeks paypal refunded my money. Major nightmare!!

I just ordered the 6X9 adapters for the rear two weeks ago and had them five days later, I have also ordered the 6.5 door adapters also with never a problem.

[Dega Man]

You will notice a big difference by adding a replacement amp such as a Alpine PDR-F50 or a JL XD400 (there are other amps choices also, I just happen to have these in each car) in addition to your speakers to notice a big difference in sound quality. Your amp is definitely the weak link. Also you will need a FARK and amp mounting board from sub-thump to make the installation simple without having to cut and splice wires.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by USAFS197

Yeah, I could have searched and scoured but, I didn't get any further than page 4, here so, I figured I'd ask.

I have a 2014, 1SS, with the base stereo system. I do not want to replace the head unit but I would like a bit more umph and clarity. From what I can gather, Kicker's are prolly the best bang for the buck but, if there's something I'm overlooking, please let me know. I don't listen to my radio often but when I do, I prefer for it to sound crisp and refined but not at the expense of other car parts. This is so far down on my list of priorities with the car but, it would be good to know. Thanks.

You will have better luck using the advanced search option for "Non-BA" in the thread topic only. The very first hit is a complete DIY with pictures and near perfect walk through on how to upgrade your stock non-ba system. As others have mentioned, if you upgrade your speakers and attempt to use your stock head unit for power then you will eventually damage them.

DIY: Non-BA Full Sound System Install w/ Stock Radio

Originally Posted by Graphicsgod

Has anyone tested or think this would be a good way to add an amp to a factory 2015 Camaro?? Thinking about getting this... The reviews are good, but no one is using in a Camaro.

http://amzn.com/B004M4WHHE

Unclear what you are referring to with "no one is using it in a Camaro". The PAC AA-GM44 has been the standard adapter for non-BA systems since 2009 and works quite well. It retails for $60 and widely available for under $30 these days. If you are worried about it not fitting your specific model then I would contact PAC or a local professional/experienced installer. Most retail shops will install your amp and speakers for "free", after bending you over on component pricing.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Dega Man

These guys make the best car speaker adapters that I've seen so far front and rear. Car-Speaker Adapters.com

http://car-speaker-adapters.com/items.php?id=SAK075

Originally Posted by CCC80

do not order from that guy!!! . i ordered from that guy. He billed me ASAP,a month went by and he never shipped or responded to any email. I found his real name and used a people finder and called every number associated with him, he never responded.'

Thank god it was a paypal purchase... I had to file a claim through paypal. After a couple weeks paypal refunded my money. Major nightmare!!

Originally Posted by Dega Man

I just ordered the 6X9 adapters for the rear two weeks ago and had them five days later, I have also ordered the 6.5 door adapters also with never a problem.

The McGinnes family have had serious issues recently and while family is family, business is still business. Metra offers inexpensive front and rear adapters at reasonable pricing and no nonsense ordering experience.

Originally Posted by Dega Man

You will notice a big difference by adding a replacement amp such as a Alpine PDR-F50 or a JL XD400 (there are other amps choices also, I just happen to have these in each car) in addition to your speakers to notice a big difference in sound quality. Your amp is definitely the weak link. Also you will need a FARK and amp mounting board from sub-thump to make the installation simple without having to cut and splice wires.

Neither of those amps would be a bad, however the single solution leader in sound quality, cost vs. performance and reliability is the Alpine PDX-V9. Expect $475 average and occasionally as low as $400.

The FARK is only useful with the upgraded stock sound system and not compatible with the basic system. There is also a technical wiring diagram stuck in this forum (if you are electrically inclined) that will also allow you to bypass the use of molex connectors.

[760bowtie]

OP, I used that PAC harness also just like in the DIY, worked like a charm. I also did the rear speakers and I regret doing that. Too much work to go through just to get that speakers out. Get a good set for the front and a sub and you'll be good to go. You won't win any audio competition but it'll be a big improvement over what you have now.

[Dega Man]

Originally Posted by Snoman

The McGinnes family have had serious issues recently and while family is family, business is still business. Metra offers inexpensive front and rear adapters at reasonable pricing and no nonsense ordering experience.




Neither of those amps would be a bad, however the single solution leader in sound quality, cost vs. performance and reliability is the Alpine PDX-V9. Expect $475 average and occasionally as low as $400.

The FARK is only useful with the upgraded stock sound system and not compatible with the basic system. There is also a technical wiring diagram stuck in this forum (if you are electrically inclined) that will also allow you to bypass the use of molex connectors.

Thanks for the correction, He did state that His system was a base system and not the BA which the FARK will not work with. I know nothing about the speaker-adapter.com family problems but definitely hope the best for them if that is true, but I can only speak from my experience and I have made a number of orders with no problems at all one as recent as two weeks ago and the adapters are high quality second to none.