7-channel BA amp replacement - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

wastepile · 07-19-2020, 01:29 AM

I've seen multiple threads saying an aftermarket amp is a good audio upgrade, even if you're still using the stock BA speakers. The amps they talk about are 4 channel or 5 channel if adding a sub. This is confusing to me - the BA system comes with 9 speakers and the BA amp has 7 channels. How are people wiring for 4-channels (so three less) and what am losing by not having those three channels?

I drive a 2010 2SS - thanks in advance for educating me

lemontwist · 07-19-2020, 10:47 AM

i just don't see 7 channels i took the speakers out and the rear are coax that means they have a built in crossover i channel the fonts are kinda the same the tweeter is just separate from the woofer but no on it's own channel.when you look at the wiring diagram for the amp it's a 5 channel. the center channel is junk IMO. i guess you could do a 5 channel with the 5th being the sub dump the center. there is a guy selling what you kinda need on the forum.unless you want to cut or run your own wires.
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578811

Pearlj10 · 07-19-2020, 12:02 PM

Yeah, it’s not a 7-channel amp. I fell for the reviews that said to just run an upgraded aftermarket amp with stock BA speakers. I did that and still didn’t think It sounded that great. If you like sound, I’d replace the amp and speakers. I went with Infinity components in the front doors and Infinity 6x9s in the back. The center channel is useless. Sounds pretty darn amazing that way. The $#@!thump guy has converter harness and amp mounts to make it easy. Just a heads up that removing the 6x9s is a lot of removal of interior. I paid a reputable shop $100 or something in labor to do it and it was well worth the money.

mkmgraham · 07-19-2020, 12:07 PM

If you are good with a soldering iron it is not bad at all to splice into the factory pre-amp signal, add four RCAs and grab the remote wire and add a 5 channel amp (4 in 5 out including a sub). Delete the center speaker it is worthless. If you need help splicing in PM or check out my post when I added my sub. Amp and speaker replacement are next. The pre-made harnesses are pretty pricey. DIY is easy and costs basically nothing. Also check out parts express for the amp wiring kits. Super cheap and very nice.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pearlj10 · 07-19-2020, 12:15 PM

Or, for simplicity, https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578811

mkmgraham · 07-19-2020, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearlj10

Or, for simplicity, https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578811

I just saw that, not a bad price at all! STs was $100 or so which I thought was high.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Valkyrie14 · 07-19-2020, 04:25 PM

I started by adding a four channel amp and a FARK harness. Two channels run the door speakers and the other two run the 6x9s. Still didn’t have bass, but did sound better. The FARK harness deletes the dash speaker.

A month later I added a sub, sub amp and replaced all of the speakers. My system now sounds amazing. If you do it yourself the amps and speakers (w/ sub box) for about $2K. Don’t skimp on the amp.

lemontwist · 07-19-2020, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkyrie14

I started by adding a four channel amp and a FARK harness. Two channels run the door speakers and the other two run the 6x9s. Still didn’t have bass, but did sound better. The FARK harness deletes the dash speaker.

A month later I added a sub, sub amp and replaced all of the speakers. My system now sounds amazing. If you do it yourself the amps and speakers (w/ sub box) for about $2K. Don’t skimp on the amp.

you can do it yourself for WAY less than 2k. and still sound great.
this list is less than 600 you still need a set of rca'a and a speaker box. i always dump the rear speakers i wish you guys could hear it with out rear speakers and good power on good components.6x9's are a waste of money.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...language=en_US

https://www.amazon.com/10-V-3-D4-Sun...ronics&sr=1-55
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Infinity-Ka...sAAOSwBO1eFOVX
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IMC-AUDIO-7...72.m2749.l2649
https://www.amazon.com/Design-Engine...bap_d_rp_1_8_t
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KnuKonceptz...EAAOSwnK9ZXYRu
y

Leo72793 · 07-19-2020, 09:03 PM

the oem amp technically is 7 channels. how?

Left door is 1. (Woofer and tweeter are one amplified channel)
Right door is 1. (Woofer and tweeter are one amplified channel)
Center dash speaker is 1. (Single Midrange speaker)
Rear Left Low is 1 (Single 6x9 woofer)
Rear Left High is 1 (Single 2" Mid-tweeter. Active crossover inside the amp 250hz)
Rear Right Low is 1 (Single 6x9 woofer)
Rear Right High is 1 (Single 2" Mid-tweeter. Active crossover inside the amp 250hz)

Total 7ch. Not the most efficient though. Personally, Ditch the 6x9 i nthe rear for something better (or all together like i did and do front stage) and add a subwoofer setup. A good 6.5 component set up front, coaxial 6x9 and a good sub setup. Can easily be done for under 1k with amp, speakers, wiring and all.

Leo72793 · 07-19-2020, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemontwist

you can do it yourself for WAY less than 2k. and still sound great.
this list is less than 600 you still need a set of rca'a and a speaker box. i always dump the rear speakers i wish you guys could hear it with out rear speakers and good power on good components.6x9's are a waste of money.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...language=en_US

https://www.amazon.com/10-V-3-D4-Sun...ronics&sr=1-55
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Infinity-Ka...sAAOSwBO1eFOVX
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IMC-AUDIO-7...72.m2749.l2649
https://www.amazon.com/Design-Engine...bap_d_rp_1_8_t
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KnuKonceptz...EAAOSwnK9ZXYRu
y

I agree. I have a 3 way component setup up front, and a sub in the back. no rears. I used my DSP to take in the oem signal into one channel and sent it to the center speaker for 1 thing. Signals and calls. USe my own BT adaptor and send it straight to the DSP. Not needed but can be done. Front stage and sub

lemontwist · 07-20-2020, 08:58 PM

Valkyrie14 said don't skimp on the amp there is some truth to that for sure. i pointed out a inexpensive amp that WILL sound much better than stock and power a sub nicely but i didn't skimp on my amps. i got them 20 years ago paid around a dollar a watt and have had them in every car since but at that time china amps were really junk and now they are okay plus asia makes 99% of the worlds amps for about a penny a watt or less.so they are kinda hard to get away from.
MADE IN THE USA is out there but expensive and not really common.
i run old school rockford and have built up a small (hord) collection over the years."handcrafted in the usa"
600a4
400a4
3-500a2's
power 500a2
powerbd1000a1
powerbd1001
power551
i switch from time to time between the old and the newer set but still both sets are pretty old

wastepile · 07-20-2020, 10:10 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. If I wanted one amp to power everything (including a sub in the trunk), and I didn't use the rear and center speakers, then I would need at minimum a 3 channel amp, correct? 1 channel for the left door (woofer+tweeter), 1 channel for the right door (woofer+tweeter), and 1 for the subwoofer = 3. So, a 4ch amp should have me covered and I have one extra in case I want to add a second sub or for some other future purchase. Is my math right?

BTW -- what is a comparable aftermarket speaker to what is already there with BA? I'm not talking ohm wise, but sound "quality" wise. That is likely not a reasonable question considering speakers sound different and and people have different tastes in what sounds good to them. Or, perhaps to put it in $, how much would speakers like the stock BA likely cost as an aftermarket speaker? (again, not a completely reasonable way to compare because most $ does not always mean the best quality).

is there any reasonable comparison of the BA 6.5 speakers to an aftermarket speaker?

VeeGeeTea · 08-17-2020, 02:02 PM

You may want to take a look at this.
Alpine products are designed for the Camaro.
Alpine also have a DSP with built-in amp (PXE 0850s) that handles the replacement of the factory amp, so you can retain your speakers and customize the level output to them.

http://www.alpine-canada.com/alpine-...ct-fit-camaro/

'10CamaroDude · 08-18-2020, 05:04 PM

It is a 7-channel amplifier, but the power output on that BA amp is @ 2-ohms.
The BA speakers are 2ohm.

So, if you were to just upgrade the speakers, 10 to 1 you will be using 4-ohm speakers,
which will cut your volume by almost 50%. That's why it would now sound "bad."
You would need to find 2-ohm speaker replacements to retain the level the factory
amp is providing. There are not many 2-ohm speakers , but they are out there.

You can chose to amp the speaker outputs AFTER the BA amp, which is fine, use
the high-level inputs on the amplifiers you choose to use.

07-19-2020, 01:29 AM	#1
wastepile Drives: 2010 ABM Camaro SS M6 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: USA Posts: 90	7-channel BA amp replacement I've seen multiple threads saying an aftermarket amp is a good audio upgrade, even if you're still using the stock BA speakers. The amps they talk about are 4 channel or 5 channel if adding a sub. This is confusing to me - the BA system comes with 9 speakers and the BA amp has 7 channels. How are people wiring for 4-channels (so three less) and what am losing by not having those three channels? I drive a 2010 2SS - thanks in advance for educating me Attached Images

07-19-2020, 12:07 PM	#4
mkmgraham Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 115	If you are good with a soldering iron it is not bad at all to splice into the factory pre-amp signal, add four RCAs and grab the remote wire and add a 5 channel amp (4 in 5 out including a sub). Delete the center speaker it is worthless. If you need help splicing in PM or check out my post when I added my sub. Amp and speaker replacement are next. The pre-made harnesses are pretty pricey. DIY is easy and costs basically nothing. Also check out parts express for the amp wiring kits. Super cheap and very nice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2013 2SS Blue Ray Metallic/Silver stripes, black Interior. Halo conversion, Diode Dynamics grill lighting, LED interior and fog lights. Sundown 8" DVC, Altrend 300.1 Amp, Handmade side-mount box. Soon to be BBK Headers and hi-flow cats.

07-19-2020, 04:25 PM	#7
Valkyrie14 Valkyrie14 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Posts: 962	I started by adding a four channel amp and a FARK harness. Two channels run the door speakers and the other two run the 6x9s. Still didn’t have bass, but did sound better. The FARK harness deletes the dash speaker. A month later I added a sub, sub amp and replaced all of the speakers. My system now sounds amazing. If you do it yourself the amps and speakers (w/ sub box) for about $2K. Don’t skimp on the amp. __________________ 2014 SS LS3/LSA Supercharger, 10% Super Damper, 2.55 upper, AGP Dual Pump, ID 1050 injectors, Pegasus solid rear cradle bushings, LT Headers, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite E2 catch can, E85 corn fed, 160 Thermostat, Monster Twin Disk, MGW Short Throw shifter, Tick Clutch Master Cylinder, HP Tuners, JL Audio system.

07-19-2020, 09:03 PM	#9
Leo72793 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 1,228	the oem amp technically is 7 channels. how? Left door is 1. (Woofer and tweeter are one amplified channel) Right door is 1. (Woofer and tweeter are one amplified channel) Center dash speaker is 1. (Single Midrange speaker) Rear Left Low is 1 (Single 6x9 woofer) Rear Left High is 1 (Single 2" Mid-tweeter. Active crossover inside the amp 250hz) Rear Right Low is 1 (Single 6x9 woofer) Rear Right High is 1 (Single 2" Mid-tweeter. Active crossover inside the amp 250hz) Total 7ch. Not the most efficient though. Personally, Ditch the 6x9 i nthe rear for something better (or all together like i did and do front stage) and add a subwoofer setup. A good 6.5 component set up front, coaxial 6x9 and a good sub setup. Can easily be done for under 1k with amp, speakers, wiring and all. __________________ •2011 Camaro SS 2SS/RS A6 •MRR M017 1le Replica Wheels •Vararam Ram Air Intake •Speed Engineering Longtube Headers w/ Magnaflow HF Cats •Bo White PnP Stage 2 TB •GPI SS2 VVT Cam w Cometic thin gaskets 10.69 compression •Xpipe w/ Res Delete and NPP Exhaust •Tuned By Anonymous Calibrations •Gen5DIY Mylink Conversion W/ Backup Cam •Morel 3 way custom speakers, Infinity 860w Subwoofers in trunk baffle •Helix P6 6ch amp w/ 8ch DSP and P1 Sub amp

07-20-2020, 08:58 PM	#11
lemontwist Drives: 12 2SS/RS L99,11 2SS/RS LS3totaled Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: mooresville nc Posts: 1,048	Valkyrie14 said don't skimp on the amp there is some truth to that for sure. i pointed out a inexpensive amp that WILL sound much better than stock and power a sub nicely but i didn't skimp on my amps. i got them 20 years ago paid around a dollar a watt and have had them in every car since but at that time china amps were really junk and now they are okay plus asia makes 99% of the worlds amps for about a penny a watt or less.so they are kinda hard to get away from. MADE IN THE USA is out there but expensive and not really common. i run old school rockford and have built up a small (hord) collection over the years."handcrafted in the usa" 600a4 400a4 3-500a2's power 500a2 powerbd1000a1 powerbd1001 power551 i switch from time to time between the old and the newer set but still both sets are pretty old Attached Images

07-19-2020, 10:47 AM	#2
lemontwist Drives: 12 2SS/RS L99,11 2SS/RS LS3totaled Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: mooresville nc Posts: 1,048	i just don't see 7 channels i took the speakers out and the rear are coax that means they have a built in crossover i channel the fonts are kinda the same the tweeter is just separate from the woofer but no on it's own channel.when you look at the wiring diagram for the amp it's a 5 channel. the center channel is junk IMO. i guess you could do a 5 channel with the 5th being the sub dump the center. there is a guy selling what you kinda need on the forum.unless you want to cut or run your own wires. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578811

07-19-2020, 12:02 PM	#3
Pearlj10 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Az Posts: 369	Yeah, it’s not a 7-channel amp. I fell for the reviews that said to just run an upgraded aftermarket amp with stock BA speakers. I did that and still didn’t think It sounded that great. If you like sound, I’d replace the amp and speakers. I went with Infinity components in the front doors and Infinity 6x9s in the back. The center channel is useless. Sounds pretty darn amazing that way. The $#@!thump guy has converter harness and amp mounts to make it easy. Just a heads up that removing the 6x9s is a lot of removal of interior. I paid a reputable shop $100 or something in labor to do it and it was well worth the money.

07-19-2020, 12:15 PM	#5
Pearlj10 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Az Posts: 369	Or, for simplicity, https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578811

07-20-2020, 10:10 PM	#12
wastepile Drives: 2010 ABM Camaro SS M6 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: USA Posts: 90	Thanks for the feedback everyone. If I wanted one amp to power everything (including a sub in the trunk), and I didn't use the rear and center speakers, then I would need at minimum a 3 channel amp, correct? 1 channel for the left door (woofer+tweeter), 1 channel for the right door (woofer+tweeter), and 1 for the subwoofer = 3. So, a 4ch amp should have me covered and I have one extra in case I want to add a second sub or for some other future purchase. Is my math right? BTW -- what is a comparable aftermarket speaker to what is already there with BA? I'm not talking ohm wise, but sound "quality" wise. That is likely not a reasonable question considering speakers sound different and and people have different tastes in what sounds good to them. Or, perhaps to put it in $, how much would speakers like the stock BA likely cost as an aftermarket speaker? (again, not a completely reasonable way to compare because most $ does not always mean the best quality). is there any reasonable comparison of the BA 6.5 speakers to an aftermarket speaker?

08-17-2020, 02:02 PM	#13
VeeGeeTea LEXi is Sassy and Classy Drives: 2012 Camaro 2LT RS Boston Acoustic Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 510 View My Garage	You may want to take a look at this. Alpine products are designed for the Camaro. Alpine also have a DSP with built-in amp (PXE 0850s) that handles the replacement of the factory amp, so you can retain your speakers and customize the level output to them. http://www.alpine-canada.com/alpine-...ct-fit-camaro/ __________________

08-18-2020, 05:04 PM	#14
'10CamaroDude Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Pgh Posts: 738 View My Garage	It is a 7-channel amplifier, but the power output on that BA amp is @ 2-ohms. The BA speakers are 2ohm. So, if you were to just upgrade the speakers, 10 to 1 you will be using 4-ohm speakers, which will cut your volume by almost 50%. That's why it would now sound "bad." You would need to find 2-ohm speaker replacements to retain the level the factory amp is providing. There are not many 2-ohm speakers , but they are out there. You can chose to amp the speaker outputs AFTER the BA amp, which is fine, use the high-level inputs on the amplifiers you choose to use.