Review on my speaker upgrade

[DmaxBarbie]

On 10/19/2022 at 10:39 PM, GETGONE said:

They're called Blows stereos for a reason! On my base radio in my 21 Custom I replaced the dash speakers with some ribbon tweeters I had laying around and added a bass blocking capacitor and it made a HUGE difference in bringing up the sound stage. I still think it has some mid range missing. I have a pair of MB Quart Reference 6 1/2's to put in the front doors. Depending how they sound I may put them in the back and order the 6x9 version for the fronts or maybe go with the 6x9 component set and replace the ribbon tweeters in the dash with the component titanium tweeters.

Hey, so random, I know ... but say a girl wanted to replace her blows system in her 19 high country 2500 ...what system set up (the whole 9 yards) would I need? I'd appreciate any input

Edited November 28, 2023 by DmaxBarbie

[GETGONE]

22 hours ago, DmaxBarbie said:

Hey, so random, I know ... but say a girl wanted to replace her blows system in her 19 high country 2500 ...what system set up (the whole 9 yards) would I need? I'd appreciate any input

I think there's some other threads on here of people who have done a full replacement of the Bose stuff including the amp. Replacing just the speakers is the easiest route, but you have to find what ohm the stock speakers are as the Bose system uses lower ohm speakers than the standard radios due to the amp. Sorry, I don't have all the details on it for you.

[traderfjp]

Anyone compare the Pioneer TS-A709 with the Kenwood dash speakers?

[KinkyDuramax]

Looking at upgrading my speakers in my 23' non-bose. Sadly they lack all around. 

 

The shop I talked to, recommends I put in a 10" subwoofer, an amp and upgrade the front speakers. He said, to not touch the rears as the fronts will basically wash them out.

 

Never heard of this recommended. Thoughts? 

[Leadf00t]

Digging around for info on improving/replacing the Bose crap, and found this thread. lots of good info here. The biggest issue with Bose, other than it being low quality consumer grade junk, is their DSP being shoved down your throat. The speakers sound like crap, because they're not getting the right information to begin with. Here's a great video on this.

 

 

[Leadf00t]

Sadly, you get left hanging on the build in a second short video, so we're left waiting here for another video to be released, but at least we know fixing the sound issues starts with ignoring/manipulating the Bose output.

[silveradosrule]

On 10/19/2022 at 6:45 AM, capitalst said:

I  took delivery of my 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with the Bose HD system two weeks ago.  I was not very impressed with the Bose system so I decided to start upgrading the speakers first to see how it sound before considering adding an amplifier. So far I have replaced my front door 6x9's and back door 6 1/2's speakers with the JL Audio C1-690x and JL Audio C1-650x speakers. So far using the stock Bose amplifier these speakers sound 100x better. More crisp and adds some more base to the system. These really bring the sounds alive when you turn it up. The only issue which will be handled today is the dash speakers. They overpower these new door speakers at lower volume due to the doors being 4ohm vs Bose's lower OHM.  I did decide to order the Kenwood KFC-X2C speakers to replace my dash speakers over the weekend which come today. These should complete the sound system and give a better balance along with a more crisp sound.   I will add to this review tomorrow once they are installed.  So far the JL Audio C1's are an excellent upgrade using the factory amplifier but If you go this route expect to upgrade the dash since it will not sound right til you crank it plus the dash Bose just ruins the overall sound experience IMO.  Very muffled sound. Sounds like someone put a towel over a great sounding speaker. How they had no tweeter in this speaker basket is beyond me. 

 

The original dash speakers really ruin the overall sound of the system and honestly Bose and GM should be a shamed that they put such crap speakers in these expensive trucks.  I spent $70k on this SLT and have had other vehicles for far less money that sounds better.  This is not an HD system as they call it and other manufactures like Ford and RAM have worked with better companies to put a lot better sound system into their vehicles.  I think Bose is done in my book for speakers.  The fact that this have no tweeters in them at all in this day of age is a shame.  Ether Bose needs to up their game or GM needs to find a better solution with someone else as a upgraded sound system.  I would pay for a HK upgrade or better.  

 

Either way this is my two cents on what I feel so far was a very cheap upgrade given all in cost for 3 sets were under $500.00 and works great with the stock Bose amplifier.  

 

 

UPDATE:

I added the Kenwood KFC-X2C dash speakers and all I can say is wow what an upgrade. Everything sounds sooo much better.  It really completed the system. I feel adding a amplifier to really tune it right is the next step but I would say this is a 8/10 upgrade with the factory HD Bose amplifier.  I highly recommend this setup to anyone looking to send under $500 bucks to upgrade speakers. All in all it took me about 2 1/2 hours to do the setup and Crutchfield gives you all the directions to do so.

 

[silveradosrule]

capitalst, I'm going with the upgrade you suggested.  Any instructions on how to install all 6 speakers in my 2023 Silverado w/ Bose?  I am ordering from Crutchfield... do the instructions come with the speakers?

[Mark Duffany]

Just "upgraded" to kicker 48kss269, components (front door 6x9's and dash 2.75") sounds way clearer and crisp but the fact remains that the volume sucks....to get the sound I want I will definitely have to amplify the speakers all around. Going to install 6.5" components in the rear doors and custom flush mount the tweeters in the door cards. The factory radios output is still crap, high volume = no bass or sound volume cuts out. With an amp to these speakers and the eventual addition of a second amp and 2 subs I'll be where I want but for now it's cleaner. I have the non bose in a 2023 silverado 1500 rst, thus far all speakers removed say 20 watts 4 ohms. I plan on putting a 4 channel at 90 w rms per channel to all existing speaker locations. Also going to use a digital sound processor/crossover to really dial it in.

[sswails]

The key to replacing factory speakers is match the ohm rating and get the highest sensitivity speaker you can get. In some cases you can get a lower ohm speaker if the factory amp is capable. With that said, you can have a 2ohm factory speakers and 4 ohm replacements and the replacements will be same or have higher output if the sensitivity is in that 94-95db range. 
 

Most people will buy a higher end speaker with a sensitivity in the 86-90db and wonder why they lost volume. 

[GETGONE]

If you have a 2ohm factory speaker and go to a 4ohm aftermarket speaker you cut the volume in half. The ohm ratings are matched to what the amplifier supports. You can usually get away with over driving an amp by going the opposite direction, if a stock speaker is 4ohm and you put 2ohm speakers in, they will be louder because the amplifier is driving them harder. You run the risk of overheating/frying the amp depending how loud and how long you listen to them.

[sswails]

Depends on sensitivity. One time they had measurements over at DIYMA. Not just about ohm rating. If you have a 2 ohm speaker with a sensitivity of 85db and a 4 ohm that has 94db. The 4 ohm will be as loud or louder with the same power. 

Edited January 27, 2024 by sswails

[SilverFox13]

Has anybody installed the kicker subwoofer under the rear seat that GM sells Plug and Play I have a 2023 Sierra with the Bose system and I just want to upgrade a little bit any help

[GETGONE]

3 hours ago, SilverFox13 said:

Has anybody installed the kicker subwoofer under the rear seat that GM sells Plug and Play I have a 2023 Sierra with the Bose system and I just want to upgrade a little bit any help

Search. There's a few threads on it that people have installed and some hints and tips for making it sound better.

[Jonpaul]

I replaced my Bose system in my 2022 gmc sierra 2500 Denali with hertz speakers. I also got a 4 channel amp to replace stock amp. I need help figuring out where to tap in at. Can anyone help me?