New Speakers

AirForceAngler · January 31, 2003

Has anyone replaced the stock speakers in a 99-03 Silverado/Sierra? If so, what did you install and did it make a big difference even with the stock stereo system?

Firetiger(MN) · January 31, 2003

I know you asked about speakers, but I can tell you that by replacing the head unit with a high power Alpine CD player really made a huge difference in my truck.

I would suggest going that route first, then upgrading the speakers. The factory speakers don't sound that bad when you put some power to them and use the built in crossover to remove some of the bass. :thumb:

KMT15 · January 31, 2003

I have Alpine 6 1/2's in my 99 Silverado. I also have an Alpine CD, 2 JL Auido W3's, Planet Audio 800W amp. Both my Tahoe and Blazer have the Bose so I left them alone

-KMT15

elboberino · January 31, 2003

I would highly reccommend Boston Accoustics for mids and highs. I've had lots of success with them. Even the base model speakers pack a punch. I've had them sooo #### loud that it hurts when I listen to it. Just my $.02. MB Quartz is also a good speaker, but now that they are owned by Rockford, I might stray away from them. I only trust the rockford amps.

oogabooga · January 31, 2003

I've added Digital Designs 6.5" midbass speakers ( http://www.ddaudio.com/caraudio/woofers.asp?series=W6.5 ) in the front doors, and MB Quart Q series 5.25's and tweeters in kick panels. Simply put this beats the pants off the factory system. For the 6.5's I highly dampened the doors and these things rock. Really clean, powerful and accurate. The MBQ's however, not so great. Pretty clean, can get loud, but not so accurate. MBQ makes one heck of a harsh tweeter. They were great for what I wanted when I got them years ago, but now they are just not cutting it. I am going to replace them sometime in the future when I get the money. If you want a very neutral, clean, and accurate system, look towards Dynaudio ( http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/car/car1.htm ). These are excellent speakers, and they are on the top of my list for replacements. The MBQ's (even though they are overrated and harsh) and Digital Designs are definitely a great improvement over the stock speakers (of course they are being powered by external amps).

Since you're talking about just using the stock system, I assume you don't want to spend a lot of money. A budget would be very helpful for any recommendations. But for a "lower" budget I would reccomend anything JL Audio. They make pretty darn good speakers, especially for the money. If you want to make a huge difference, it's gonna cost ya some money, there's no way around it (unless you steal it, and we all hope that doesn't happen).

AirForceAngler · January 31, 2003

Thanks for all the info! I am on a bit of a budget, but not penny pinching. I want to keep the stock head unit mostly because it still works good and I like the stock look. Also keeps the sticky fingers away! In my Tahoe, I had a Crunch Amp (not the best) hooked up to a Rockford Fosgate box system with 10" woofers and Mid/High horns. This sounded awesome in conjunction with the stock speakers. I just didn't want to eat up a lot of space with that box inside my ext cab pickup this time. I also don't need tons and tons of base, I listen to rock and country so I like a nice rounded out system. Thanks again!

P. S. Moderator- I just realized we had a Sound system forum, sorry. Probably got more attention here, but you can move this is you need to. Thanks.

MarkD · January 31, 2003

Infinity Kappa Plates in the rear ROCK! ($110)

MattDewalt · January 31, 2003

I replaced the front speakers (because one was blown when I bought the truck) with some 6-1/2" Infinity Kappas I had laying around. I left the factory tweeters in and still have them connected. Not enough base, so I bought a Pyle 12" sub (on clearance for $20), built a box to go under the rear seat, and hooked it up to a really old amp I had around. Now I got a system that sounds great at a cheap price!

City_Slicker · January 31, 2003

I was told that the original speakers were a match for the factory stereo. I tried to put better speakers in my wifes jeep with the factory stereo and it sounded even cheaper that the stock paper cones. Pulled em out and got my money back!!

MTmace · January 31, 2003

The best way to improve a stock system when your on a budget is to add an powered sub woofer.

The difference you gain by adding a new head unit is not worth the money if you are not going to upgrade your stock speakers.

Upgrading your stock speakers is usually not worth the money unless you want to spend the money to relocate them.

Adding a sub will actually make your other speakers sound a lot fuller and more dynamic by bring out the mid and low end.

MTmace

points · January 31, 2003

I'm thinking putting Boston Accoustics in my truck. Would I need an amp? If so, how much power? I still want to keep the factory head unit.

Points

2k2TahoeSS · January 31, 2003

Boston accoustics. Awesome speakers. It helps to amp them, but you dont need to. They sound amazing either way. If you amp them, they will stay clear at higher volumes though.

Ben

akjay · February 1, 2003

I replaced mine with kicker 6.5 midbass in the doors, infinity q tweeters above them, and the infitiy kapaa plates in the back. At the same time I re-wired and added the pioneer deck that's a perfect fit. I cared less about the quality of the deck then I did with the fit. Everything I did fit perfectly and other than running new wires through the doors (which was a slight pain in the ass getting them through the rubber boot) it was a very simple install.

I had a small 100 watt 2 channel amp laying around from Rockford Fosgate so I used that to power the midbass. It sounds 20x better than the stock setup, and it's still cheap. I think I spent around 400 for all the speakers and wires and amp kit, and 300 for the deck.

I'm very happy with mine, but I agree if you are going to replace the speakers you really do need to up the head unit even the cheapest aftermarket are generally better than something you get from the factory. The factory one just doesn't put out any juice that good speakers would require.

cyrylyn · February 1, 2003

adding a powered sub without some kind of crossover won't do much for you at all. The stock head unit is crap. replace it, and you'll notice a HUGE improvement in the way the stock speakers sound.