Why does it shout at me? (Thoughts on the stereo system)

[LM7Tahoe01]

I’ve got an 01 Tahoe that doesn’t sound all that great.

Here’s the story: non-Bose system, previous owner installed a JVC R540 head unit. Sounded pretty rough, peak in the upper mids, no bass from door speakers, and they rattled. Factory sub worked fine. Yanked the door panels and found factory speakers with rotted surrounds. That explained the bass/rattle issues and I assumed it would also explain the nasty spike in the upper midrange (shouty vocals, overemphasized guitars, etc.).

I went to Walmart (yeah, I know) and bought some cheapo speakers for the doors, and that fixed the bass/rattle issues, but it still shouts at me.

I’m guessing the PO ran the head unit through the factory amp (still have warning chimes, factory sub still worked, etc.) and I’m wondering if that’s where the EQ issue might be? I’m thinking about bypassing the factory amp and just running the door speakers right off the head unit, old-school style. Anyone have any comments on that?

Just for information’s sake I’ve disconnected the factory sub and I’m running a Radio Shack Pro Series 12” sub driven by a Phoenix Gold R500.1 amp. Fun fact: I bought the RS sub brand new probably close to 25 years ago…

 

[iamdub]

Have you adjusted the JVC's EQ? It only has a 3-band, but you can exaggerate the lows at least just to test. It might have a bass boost setting that needs to be turned on. Also, if it's a non-Bose car, wouldn't it not have an amp?

Have a pic of your sub setup? I like old school audio like that.

 

[LM7Tahoe01]

I’ve played with the settings in the head unit, and it helped some, but it still doesn’t sound great. I was under the impression that there was still an amp in the non-Bose trucks, something has to be crossing over and driving the factory sub…

I’ll definitely grab some pictures for you… I know everyone loves pictures!

 

[LM7Tahoe01]

Too dark to get decent pics tonight…

Just in case it helps anyone my truck had the UP0 radio with UK6 rear controls and the UQ3 speaker system…

 

[LM7Tahoe01]

Here’s a quick shot of the sub! The amp is under the seat…

 

[iamdub]

View attachment 380397

Here’s a quick shot of the sub! The amp is under the seat…

Nice survivor! Brings back memories.

 

[LM7Tahoe01]

Just finished bypassing the factory amp, first impression: sounds much better!

 

[02LT]

Hey do you know where the non-bose amp would be installed by the factory in a non-console truck with the UQ3 enhanced audio system?
I'm installing a pioneer head unit in my kid's '02 tahoe and i can't find the oe harness for the amp. Now just 5 out of the 7 speakers are working. Rear door speakers aren't working.

 

[Doubeleive]

Hey do you know where the non-bose amp would be installed by the factory in a non-console truck with the UQ3 enhanced audio system?
I'm installing a pioneer head unit in my kid's '02 tahoe and i can't find the oe harness for the amp. Now just 5 out of the 7 speakers are working. Rear door speakers aren't working.

it's behind the glove box

 

[02LT]

So here is the amp, radio and the big hole i made in the dash. Still can't find the stinkin amp harness. Would it be coming from the right hand side from behind the glovebox door? both of those harnesses off the amp go into a much larger tape wrapped loom. the 20 amp fuse under the hood is good. i got the fuse diagram off this forum.