2003 Silverado Speakers

BigCypress · July 17, 2008

Hello,

I have a stock system. The sound from the front speakers has started to sound bad (rattleing). I have no experience with car audio installation.

When my truck was new, I thought the sound was awesome. Should I just get the same speakers from the dealer or can someone suggest aftermarket?

I am pretty handy, I feel confident I can do the install, as long as I don't have to do additional wiring, soldering, etc. I want to keep the price down, so a shop would be last resort.

Please help!

tekkitan · July 17, 2008

Hello,

I have a stock system. The sound from the front speakers has started to sound bad (rattleing). I have no experience with car audio installation.

When my truck was new, I thought the sound was awesome. Should I just get the same speakers from the dealer or can someone suggest aftermarket?

I am pretty handy, I feel confident I can do the install, as long as I don't have to do additional wiring, soldering, etc. I want to keep the price down, so a shop would be last resort.

Please help!

Aftermarket always sounds better. I would go to Crutchfield's web site and plug in your truck, see what size speakers you will need an what not. If you can swing the money, I would buy an aftermarket head unit as well too. But if you have the factory XM you most likely won't be able to hook it up to the new head unit, if you have/use OnStar you will need a special adapter that Crutchfield does sell (only $50 with radio purchase).

BigCypress · July 18, 2008

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out Crutchfield. I don't have the $$$ for a new radio. It works, so I can't justify that purchase.

There are alot of choices..... does more $$$ mean better?

Also I do not have OnStar or the Bose system.

tekkitan · July 18, 2008

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out Crutchfield. I don't have the $$ for a new radio. It works, so I can't justify that purchase.

There are alot of choices..... does more $$ mean better?

Also I do not have OnStar or the Bose system.

Usually the more money you spend of course the better the system can be. I am not sure how much the dealer would charge for replacing the speaker(s), but it may be less than just replacing the speakers yourself with aftermarket and keeping your stock head unit.

In my opinion and experience, Infinity seems to be a great choice of speaker. I have also had $50 Kenwood speakers though that weren't that bad.

BigCypress · July 22, 2008

Thanks tekkitan.....I guess my concern with aftermarket would be the ohms, wattage etc....I think I will stick with stock(http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/), but I may check with a shop just to get an estimate.

Thanks again. Anyone else care to chime in?

GasHog369 · July 22, 2008

What ever you do , do not go with stock. The stock speakers are just cheap paper speakers.....

When i replaced them on my colorado i was very suprised as the cheap quality... heres a pic on the back of the speaker... check out the high wattage

Go to crutchfield... put in your truck info, they will tell u what speakers u need that will fit and give you all price options... all u need is some decent but not too high of power handling speakers ... nicer ones will have a built in directional tweeter so u can aim the sound to your ears.

I always had great luck with Polk audio (had them in my old s10)...

in my colorado i had kickers... they were awesome too..

heres a pic...

they sounded great and the max watt handling was like 90.. so the stock radio sounded great on em and didnt have to worry bout too much power.

Also, if you priced out the factory speakers, you would be suprised at how much they want for that junk..

One more thing bout crutchfield. i always liked them because they give u free direction on how to remore your door panel w/ detailed instructions on where screws are and where to pull from so u dont break it.. plus they give u the wire harnes adapter so u dont have to mess with soldering new speaker wires...!

rbiggers277 · July 22, 2008

I would suggest going with Infinity Reference speakers. It's what Crutchfield suggested for me when I was looking to upgrade. And the Infinity's are perfect if you are not going to amp them. And it sounds like your not. They have a high sensitivity rating. I replaced all 4 door speakers with them and was very impressed.

thecraft · July 22, 2008

What ever you do , do not go with stock. The stock speakers are just cheap paper speakers.....

Also, if you priced out the factory speakers, you would be suprised at how much they want for that junk..

+1

Aftermarket always sounds better.

Not if you buy crap. I had a pair of Blaupunkt speakers that didn't sound any better than stock.

There are alot of choices..... does more $$$ mean better?

I wouldn't bother with expensive speakers if you're only going to be using them with the factory radio. Before you start spending lots of money on speakers, you need to worry about an amplifier and sound deadening first.

BTW, Crutchfield is a great place to buy from (free install gear, instructions, etc.) but they are also overpriced. I've had good luck with SonicElectronix.com and OnlineCarStereo.com, check them out too.

Can you give us a price range to work with?

BigCypress · August 1, 2008

All I want are some basic speakers-front/rear...I don't want to solder, modify wiring or get extra amps, crazy bass, enter a stereo contest....... I'm just keeping it simple. My stock speakers are getting worse....

Budget is $150.

Thanks!

thecraft · August 1, 2008

All I want are some basic speakers-front/rear...I don't want to solder, modify wiring or get extra amps, crazy bass, enter a stereo contest....... I'm just keeping it simple. My stock speakers are getting worse....

Just so you know, unless you buy an additional bracket and adapter, you will have to drill holes in your door and will have to cut off the factory speaker wire terminal. Normally, I'd be against cutting factory wiring, but since you most likely won't put the stock speakers back in and the new terminals will fit most aftermarket speakers, it's not such a big deal to me.

If you buy through Crutchfield, you will get these adapters for free though. However, I recommend you drill the holes in your doors anyways because the plastic adapter brackets don't hold the speakers securely at all and make a terrible seal.

If you were fine with the stock speakers and just want some good replacements, I recommend these Pioneer speakers at Crutchfield, SonicElectronix, and OnlineCarStereo.com. They will offer a slight improvement over stock and won't complain about being run off of a factory stereo. Not to mention, it doesn't blow your entire budget. IMO, it would be pointless to blow $150 on nice speakers and then connect them to a factory headunit.

BigCypress · August 3, 2008

Thunderstruck-Thanks for taking the time to lookup those speakers for me!

Will/should I use the same speakers for the rear? Or do you suggest something different.

Also, I noticed the front door seems to have 2 speakers for each side. These single Pioneer speakers do what 2 of the stock speakers do?

Thanks again!!!

04silverz71 · August 3, 2008

BigCypress let me know what you go with and how the new ones sound if u dont mind that is. i have an 04 and am looking at speakers for my truck as well but i dont have the cash to spend on a new head unit yet, because i want to keep my steering wheel controls. if it will help i wouldnt mind a good combo of an amp and door speakers so of course and suggestions would be helpful.

thecraft · August 3, 2008

Will/should I use the same speakers for the rear? Or do you suggest something different.

Do you have a regular cab, extended cab, or crew cab? Regular and extended cabs use 4"x6" speakers for the rear, while crew cabs have 6-3/4" speakers like the front speakers.

I personally have stopped running rear speakers. They make the sound seems like it's coming from behind you, I like the sound to come from in front of me. You wouldn't turn your back to the stage at a concert would you?

They aren't always good for passengers either because they are usually mounted in terrible locations. I have a OBS extended cab, and when I still had rear speakers my passengers always complained about how the rear speakers were right next to their ears.

Also, I noticed the front door seems to have 2 speakers for each side. These single Pioneer speakers do what 2 of the stock speakers do?

The smaller stock speaker is a tweeter. You really don't need it anymore because the Pioneer has it's own tweeter mounted in the center. However, you can leave the stock tweeter connected if you like.

BigCypress · August 4, 2008

Thunderstruck:

I have the extended cab. Again thanks for the advice. I want to get the speakers you suggested this week. I want this to go smooth, so, I am going to use Crutchfield, especially since they provide connectors (right)?

I am going to keep the rear speakers hooked up for now. I enjoy the sound of the stock head unit/simplicity and I ride solo most of the time. If I did want to replace the rears, can you suggest a 4x6?

Once again I really appreciate youre help.

Silverz71: I am following Thunderstrucks advice.

I will definitely let everyone know how the install and sound is when I get these guys installed.

Once again, THANK YOU.

thecraft · August 4, 2008

Glad we could help.

Thunderstruck:

I have the extended cab. Again thanks for the advice. I want to get the speakers you suggested this week. I want this to go smooth, so, I am going to use Crutchfield, especially since they provide connectors (right)?

Crutchfield should give you the connectors so you don't have to cut factory wiring.

I am going to keep the rear speakers hooked up for now. I enjoy the sound of the stock head unit/simplicity and I ride solo most of the time. If I did want to replace the rears, can you suggest a 4x6?

These will work fine as a factory replacement: http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Ite...4642&tp=105