GlacierCamaro
Jun 12th, 06, 03:56 PM
Hey fellow Camaro fanatics, I would like to report the result of an upgrade to my stock am/fm radio. Like some of us, we would like today’s sound system without compromising the original appearance or operation of our stock systems.
My mono stock radio works fine but it is just does not have the power to overcome the wind noise and has absolutely no low level bass. Plus, if you cranked it up, the quality of signal from the stock radio to the speaker downgrades and causes distortion. So here was my solution.
First, I installed a small two channel alpine (V12) amplifier on the trunk side brace behind the rear seat. It does not interfere with the top (up or down) and with the rear well liner you cannot see the amp unless you physically lift it up and look for it.
Next, I converted the stock output of the radio to low level RCA inputs to the amplifier. I then ran a set of wires to the dash speaker and the other set to AURA bass shaker speakers mounted below each bucket seat.
The result is a completely stock output that gets real good sound and some reasonable bass response. Since I am amplifying the lower (and better quality) output signal of the stock radio, the dash speaker sound quality has greatly improved. Plus I do not have to worry about burning up my stock unit because the amplifier is doing the work. The bass shakers just thump under the seats and it gives you the feel of the low frequency response. It’s not like having 10” or 12” woofers by any means, but it’s better than I expected.
Oh, as an added plus, I have a pioneer portable XM unit and just tune the radio to FM 88.1 and the sound is even better from the stock unit.
My mono stock radio works fine but it is just does not have the power to overcome the wind noise and has absolutely no low level bass. Plus, if you cranked it up, the quality of signal from the stock radio to the speaker downgrades and causes distortion. So here was my solution.
First, I installed a small two channel alpine (V12) amplifier on the trunk side brace behind the rear seat. It does not interfere with the top (up or down) and with the rear well liner you cannot see the amp unless you physically lift it up and look for it.
Next, I converted the stock output of the radio to low level RCA inputs to the amplifier. I then ran a set of wires to the dash speaker and the other set to AURA bass shaker speakers mounted below each bucket seat.
The result is a completely stock output that gets real good sound and some reasonable bass response. Since I am amplifying the lower (and better quality) output signal of the stock radio, the dash speaker sound quality has greatly improved. Plus I do not have to worry about burning up my stock unit because the amplifier is doing the work. The bass shakers just thump under the seats and it gives you the feel of the low frequency response. It’s not like having 10” or 12” woofers by any means, but it’s better than I expected.
Oh, as an added plus, I have a pioneer portable XM unit and just tune the radio to FM 88.1 and the sound is even better from the stock unit.