Increasing power without changing speakers

[OHIOSS]

I have the standard BA system in my 2010 SS and am relatively happy with it. I had a sub installed w/ 1100W amp so I have plenty of bass now.

I would like to increase the wattage of the base system but not interested in replacing the factory speakers. Has anyone upgraded their wattage but kept the factory speakers? If so, are you happy about the sound? How much better does it sound? What wattage amp did you replace the factory unit with?

Russ

[red_johnny]

I have replaced my factory speakers and put in a Fosgate 600.4. I would say be very careful with factory speakers and aftermarket amps. You can easily blow the speakers as they are designed for their rated power. Typically factory speakers are not designed to be powered more than they are already being powered with. It is possible they allowed for some tolerance and you may be ok with adding some more. Just some food for thought for you. Maybe someone will chime in who did this with success.

[vtxretro02]

I have just installed a JL Xd 400/4 amp and kept the factory speakers. So far they are holding up and I have played it pretty loud. Only time will tell though as there are too many variables. (Everyone has a different listening preference) and amp gain to the speakers will be the determining factor. I also have the JL 600/1 and a stealthbox. Plenty of base and highs at a louder listening level but kind of muddy sound at lower listening levels.

[Iwantone2]

Same as above, I started with just replacing the stock BA am with a JL xd400 while keeping the stock speakers. It enhanced the sound and I was pretty happy with it...all the stock speakers have been replaced now

[OHIOSS]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to buy the amp and leave the factory speakers in for now. If one gets damaged I will simply replace them all.

What's the story about the speakers in the doors being so hard to replace? Are they an odd size or something? Were you guys able to buy and install standard off the shelf speakers? If so please let me know what speakers you purchased.

Russ

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

word to the wise..


never put more into the amp that you do the speakers.. the speakers are the end of the line where the sound comes from, I would focus on the speakers long before worrying about an amp, or at the very least do them together..

factory speakers are cheap as they come crap, why spend good money for a nice amp and pump it into crap?

[Iwantone2]

Originally Posted by OHIOSS

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to buy the amp and leave the factory speakers in for now. If one gets damaged I will simply replace them all.

What's the story about the speakers in the doors being so hard to replace? Are they an odd size or something? Were you guys able to buy and install standard off the shelf speakers? If so please let me know what speakers you purchased.

Russ

They are not difficult to remove/replace. Steve @ ******** sells the door adapters that will allow you to install your aftermarket speakers. I have Alpine Type-R 6.5 components for the fronts and used the speakers adapters to mount them.

[OHIOSS]

Originally Posted by Mr. iNCREDIBLE

word to the wise..


never put more into the amp that you do the speakers.. the speakers are the end of the line where the sound comes from, I would focus on the speakers long before worrying about an amp, or at the very least do them together..

factory speakers are cheap as they come crap, why spend good money for a nice amp and pump it into crap?

Why spend good money and pump power into crap? I didn't know the BS speakers were considered to be crap. That's why I asked if anyone had increased their power and kept their factory speakers. Sounds like a couple guys have and were relatively happy with them.

I'm not a stereo expert, and that's an understatement. That's why I ask questions before I do something to try to avoid making a mistake.

Russ

[OHIOSS]

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

They are not difficult to remove/replace. Steve @ ******** sells the door adapters that will allow you to install your aftermarket speakers. I have Alpine Type-R 6.5 components for the fronts and used the speakers adapters to mount them.

What do the door adapters consist of? Do they make the face of the speakers stick out from the door farther than the original speakers? Or is the adapter to basically cover the hole like a filler plate?

What do these door speakers cost w/ the adapters?

Thanks for the info.


Russ

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Originally Posted by OHIOSS

Why spend good money and pump power into crap? I didn't know the BS speakers were considered to be crap. That's why I asked if anyone had increased their power and kept their factory speakers. Sounds like a couple guys have and were relatively happy with them.

I'm not a stereo expert, and that's an understatement. That's why I ask questions before I do something to try to avoid making a mistake.

Russ

IMO they are crap, I have yet to own a vehicle that had a decent OEM sound system, the Bose in my Avalanche was pretty good, but far from great.

but it is my opinion, I am not Tone Deaf, I and my family are full of musicians, I myself play guitar and piano, my daughter plays piano and violin since she was 3 and my wife plays guitar and piano, and 3 of her uncles are all professional musicians.

sound is subjective, of course, but to my ears the stock system is junk, hell the sub woofer isn't even a true sub, it has vocals that play thru it, in the 200 to 250k Hz range, it should only play lows below the 100k Hz range, and yes I put a meter on it and tested it.

again it is just me, but the rule of thumb has always been get the best speakers you can afford and work backwards to the head unit.

[Iwantone2]

Originally Posted by OHIOSS

What do the door adapters consist of? Do they make the face of the speakers stick out from the door farther than the original speakers? Or is the adapter to basically cover the hole like a filler plate?

What do these door speakers cost w/ the adapters?

Thanks for the info.


Russ

Door adapter info:

http://********.com/Chevrolet-GMC-Su...-Adapters.html

The existing BA speakers in your car also have adapters. The adapters that ******** sells are available so that you don't have to rip out the old speaker and mess with the old adapter.

I bought my Alpine speakers from http://www.dynamicautosound.net/

But, check out ********'s line of component speakers here:

http://********.com/Chevrolet-GMC-Su...er-Accessories

Steve carries Hybrid Audio, which is a pretty decent brand. However, you will also hear about Focal and Hertz...pretty good brands as well.

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by Mr. iNCREDIBLE

IMO they are crap, I have yet to own a vehicle that had a decent OEM sound system, the Bose in my Avalanche was pretty good, but far from great.

but it is my opinion, I am not Tone Deaf, I and my family are full of musicians, I myself play guitar and piano, my daughter plays piano and violin since she was 3 and my wife plays guitar and piano, and 3 of her uncles are all professional musicians.

sound is subjective, of course, but to my ears the stock system is junk, hell the sub woofer isn't even a true sub, it has vocals that play thru it, in the 200 to 250k Hz range, it should only play lows below the 100k Hz range, and yes I put a meter on it and tested it.

again it is just me, but the rule of thumb has always been get the best speakers you can afford and work backwards to the head unit.

What sub did you test? Are you talking about the $1000 MTX upgrade box or the woofer portion of the rear components?

I think you and I are on the same page (I like the Bose in my Avalanche, but I swapped out my Bose amp for the Escalade Bose amp - made a world of difference). I will say however, that the speakers are not the big weak spot in the factory Boston system. The factory amp is beyond terrible. Replacing the factory amp with a GOOD amp does wonders for the speakers. I ran an old school Alpine 3527S to the front components and the rear woofers and I was impressed. It had a nice, warm sound - I would have been OK with it if not for that speaker pop, but that is the head unit's fault.

As for the OP, remember that the Boston speakers are 2 ohm and plan accordingly. I wouldn't recommend an amp with more than 100W RMS per channel. I believe that the 6.5's up front are rated at 50W and the tweeters are rated at 20W.

[OHIOSS]

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

Door adapter info:

http://********.com/Chevrolet-GMC-Su...-Adapters.html

The existing BA speakers in your car also have adapters. The adapters that ******** sells are available so that you don't have to rip out the old speaker and mess with the old adapter.

I bought my Alpine speakers from http://www.dynamicautosound.net/

But, check out ********'s line of component speakers here:

http://********.com/Chevrolet-GMC-Su...er-Accessories

Steve carries Hybrid Audio, which is a pretty decent brand. However, you will also hear about Focal and Hertz...pretty good brands as well.

Thanks for the info, I'm checking out the links right now.

************************************************** ***

As for the OP, remember that the Boston speakers are 2 ohm and plan accordingly. I wouldn't recommend an amp with more than 100W RMS per channel. I believe that the 6.5's up front are rated at 50W and the tweeters are rated at 20W.

Thanks for this info, I was trying to find out what the speakers were rated for. You just saved me the time to try to find out!



Russ

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Originally Posted by darkrider01

What sub did you test? Are you talking about the $1000 MTX upgrade box or the woofer portion of the rear components?

I think you and I are on the same page (I like the Bose in my Avalanche, but I swapped out my Bose amp for the Escalade Bose amp - made a world of difference). I will say however, that the speakers are not the big weak spot in the factory Boston system. The factory amp is beyond terrible. Replacing the factory amp with a GOOD amp does wonders for the speakers. I ran an old school Alpine 3527S to the front components and the rear woofers and I was impressed. It had a nice, warm sound - I would have been OK with it if not for that speaker pop, but that is the head unit's fault.

As for the OP, remember that the Boston speakers are 2 ohm and plan accordingly. I wouldn't recommend an amp with more than 100W RMS per channel. I believe that the 6.5's up front are rated at 50W and the tweeters are rated at 20W.

I have a 10" sub behind the rear seat of my convertible, just part of the boston system far as I know,

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attach...1&d=1299982375

I've only had the car for 2 weeks, but the system is crap IMO. I have a few other mods to do first then will tackle the sound system.