Audio Upgrade In My 2005 2500 XL - Details

[SSandfish]

Hi all,

A lot of info out there and I figured I would post what I did on my XL. This setup allowed me to keep the factory Bose amp.

First, I am an old guy and have been a die-hard rock and metal guy since my older brothers were unwrapping their new Sabbath and VH1 albums! I have been installing systems for a long time in every car I have had and I have never grown out of it.

The factory Bose system in this was in perfect shape! But, I needed to modernize and get phone connectivity. Plus, the sound quality factory system just did not cut it! 20 years ago, maybe…

I was on a mission to spend less than $1k on everything. This is a fishing rig after all! All of the main components below came out to $930ish. I had pretty much everything else (wire/cables, sound deadener, box materials, etc.) on hand.

The setup – all part information for the system is detailed below.

I kept the factory Bose amp and sub in the center console. All factory speaker wires were used. I installed a Pioneer DVD head unit and all connectivity was done through a CRUX interface. Everything worked perfectly!

New speakers vs. the Bose amp ohm issue – The Bose amp has a 2 ohm output. Major issue with most aftermarket speakers being 4 ohms. The NVX front components are 2 ohm, Infinity rear door speakers are 3 ohm and the JBL rear quarter speakers are 2.3 ohm. Sound deadener added to all 4 inner door skins.

I built the sub box to fill the hole between the rear seats and make the area flat from front to back when the seats are down. and started with a 10” sub. Then, realized I could go to a shallow 12” Pioneer. The box volume is perfect and it has worked great. I will re-cover it at some point to match.

While this is not going to win any sort of a SPL contest, the sound quality blew me away! Even with the mis-matched brands! Great lows out of the sub(s). Super clean mids and highs. The rear quarter speakers really add some high end definition.

The sub was very tight when I first installed it. It broke in VERY well and is very musical. Hits great lows and is very punchy. Far better than I expected it to be! Due to the location, the “feel” of the sub(s) is great! The remote volume control helps a lot.

Equipment details:

Head Unit: Pioneer AVH21EX DVD Head Unit ($300)

Front Speakers: NVX VS65KIT2F 6.5 Component set. Recoil BB-T Bass Blockers installed on tweeter. Tweeters in A-pillar OE location. ($120 + $8)

Rear Door Speakers: Infinity REF-5032cfx ($70)

Rear Quarter Speakers: JBL GX328 – 3.5” with Recoil BB-35 Bass Blockers ($ 65 + $9)

Subwoofer: Pioneer TS-A3000LS4 12” Shallow Sub – 1500w max ($115)

Subwoofer Amp: NVX VAD10004 Monoblock Class D w/remote – 1000w ($145)

Interface: Crux CX-GMC2 Steering Wheel Interface ($100)

Sorry - No front speaker pics. I thought I had them, but...

 

[Tonyrodz]

Nice and simple--perfect. I was thinking of getting some NVX components for my Lincoln.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Good job and great writeup.

Enjoy.

 

[S33k3r]

How does voice sound coming through your revised system? I listen to podcasts... Thanks! And awesome writeup.

 

[SSandfish]

Nice and simple--perfect. I was thinking of getting some NVX components for my Lincoln.

Thanks! I am surprised how the NVX components sound. I have Focal components in the Blazer and these NVX easily sound just as good. We'll see how they last. And the sub amp is compact and has been great. Zero complaints!

How does voice sound coming through your revised system? I listen to podcasts... Thanks! And awesome writeup.

Thanks! Kinda funny that you ask. My wife listens to audio books constantly. She drive it the other day and said "The stereo system sounds like you are on a movie theater. Why is there so much bass?". To me, that translates to SUCCESS!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Thanks! I am surprised how the NVX components sound. I have Focal components in the Blazer and these NVX easily sound just as good. We'll see how they last. And the sub amp is compact and has been great. Zero complaints!



Thanks! Kinda funny that you ask. My wife listens to audio books constantly. She drive it the other day and said "The stereo system sounds like you are on a movie theater. Why is there so much bass?". To me, that translates to SUCCESS!

Sound as good as Focals? That's really saying something.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Sound as good as Focals? That's really saying something.

I just might have to get those NVX component speakers for my doors.

 

[SSandfish]

Sound as good as Focals? That's really saying something.

Agreed! The majority of the improvement is from the Pioneer head unit. Everything is controlled through the head unit (EQ, Crossover, Sub Output). You would not get this level of improvement using the OE head unit. I am shocked at the clarity of the OE Bose amp. The Focals will definitely push harder, but from a sound quality standpoint, it is hard to complain at all. I am actually hearing some additional details that I have not really heard in the past. As crazy as it is, I am linking that to the rear quarter speakers as well. They have a great "fill" effect.

Having the sub right behind the front seats is great. I picked my granddaughter from school the other day and I always torture her with Metallica or something line that. I hit her with some Pantera and she yelled "my butt is shaking"! Perfect!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Agreed! The majority of the improvement is from the Pioneer head unit. Everything is controlled through the head unit (EQ, Crossover, Sub Output). You would not get this level of improvement using the OE head unit. I am shocked at the clarity of the OE Bose amp. The Focals will definitely push harder, but from a sound quality standpoint, it is hard to complain at all. I am actually hearing some additional details that I have not really heard in the past. As crazy as it is, I am linking that to the rear quarter speakers as well. They have a great "fill" effect.

Having the sub right behind the front seats is great. I picked my granddaughter from school the other day and I always torture her with Metallica or something line that. I hit her with some Pantera and she yelled "my butt is shaking"! Perfect!

OK. Good to know. I've got Focals on my Honda Fits for 13+ years (actually installed them in my 2013 Honda Fit and then moved them into my 2015 Honda Fit), and I've got to say that they are without a doubt the BEST speakers that I've ever had. And, I've only got the fairly cheap ones at $600 per pair (in $2013 dollars), so the comparison of the NVX speakers to Focals is really saying something. Unfortunately, when I purchased my new-to-me 1997 Yukon, I could not afford Focal speakers, and when I moved onto my current 2007 Yukon, I simply moved my existing audio system from my old truck to my newer truck. The old school Alpine speakers were quite nice, and far better than the newer quality-reduced Alpine products of today, but they still don't compare to Focal speakers.

And, yes, with a good sound system, you do start to hear 'things' that you never heard before in songs/music that you've been playing for 10+ years. Strange, but absolutely true. Folks laugh at me with my home system comprised of 43 separate drivers in 12 different speaker boxes with 4 additional passive radiators, until they also hear those 'things' that they never heard before with their own audio systems on songs/music that they've played for years.

And, yes........ The upgrade of the head unit makes a HUGE difference. For a long time, I poopoo'd the claim that a better head unit would automatically produce better sound quality, because I knew from my electronics background that the basic electronics hardware (circuit board components) for these head units is purchased out of China, and it is pretty much the same for all head units. But, the software and the features that the software supports, are definitely different across different brand head units and price points. And, that is where the improvement and differences in sound quality and spatial presence actually comes from.

Last, the subwoofer between the 2nd row seats definitely makes a big difference. I love the massage that the subwoofer vibrations give me as I drive. Please disregard the white hair all over the place in my photo, as my Swiss White German Shepherds love to sit/lay on the subwoofer and look over my shoulder out the front windshield when we go for a ride. Subsequent to this photo, I've added a flat carpet covered deck extending beyond the rear of the subwoofer, but still attached to the subwoofer itself, to allow my dogs to fully lie down and literally drive beside me.

 

[SSandfish]

OK. Good to know. I've got Focals on my Honda Fits for 13+ years (actually installed them in my 2013 Honda Fit and then moved them into my 2015 Honda Fit), and I've got to say that they are without a doubt the BEST speakers that I've ever had. And, I've only got the fairly cheap ones at $600 per pair (in $2013 dollars), so the comparison of the NVX speakers to Focals is really saying something. Unfortunately, when I purchased my new-to-me 1997 Yukon, I could not afford Focal speakers, and when I moved onto my current 2007 Yukon, I simply moved my existing audio system from my old truck to my newer truck. The old school Alpine speakers were quite nice, and far better than the newer quality-reduced Alpine products of today, but they still don't compare to Focal speakers.

Did a little "head to head" comparison this weekend. The Focals are definitely a better speaker than the NVX's. Much smoother and efficient. But, not 4x the cost better! To your point above, I have had these Focal's for a long time (10+ years) and they have been great! Not sure the NVX's will last as long.

That being said, I am 100% happy with the NVX's. Especially at 1/4 the price! They mix perfectly with the lower power Bose amp and give a great sound stage. Still 100% recommended if you want to use the OE Bose amp.

 

[S33k3r]

I am looking for a replacement for my Bose AMP; AI reports Bose amps are known for muddying voices. I've also found I could upgrade to later model take-offs and maybe get a little better sound. Not sure what I'm going to do as I am once again unemployed.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I am looking for a replacement for my Bose AMP; AI reports Bose amps are known for muddying voices. I've also found I could upgrade to later model take-offs and maybe get a little better sound. Not sure what I'm going to do as I am once again unemployed.

That has always been my issue with Bose systems, and these statements are simply my opinion on the matter.

They over emphasize the high frequency sounds, and some folks associate higher relative volume high frequency sounds with a high fidelity output and sound. The middle frequency sounds are lower in relative volume, and often lack the sharpness of sounds in the frequency range, making them appear a bit muddy.

Since 90+% of the sounds that our ears are capable of hearing in music and voice, and are actually generated for us to listen to, are located within the middle frequency range, and it is important to have a strong and sharp middle frequency response, but not at a higher relative volume. This has always been the focus of Focal speakers, and that is why I really like them.

 

[E-Force]

Hi all,

A lot of info out there and I figured I would post what I did on my XL. This setup allowed me to keep the factory Bose amp.

First, I am an old guy and have been a die-hard rock and metal guy since my older brothers were unwrapping their new Sabbath and VH1 albums! I have been installing systems for a long time in every car I have had and I have never grown out of it.

The factory Bose system in this was in perfect shape! But, I needed to modernize and get phone connectivity. Plus, the sound quality factory system just did not cut it! 20 years ago, maybe…

I was on a mission to spend less than $1k on everything. This is a fishing rig after all! All of the main components below came out to $930ish. I had pretty much everything else (wire/cables, sound deadener, box materials, etc.) on hand.

The setup – all part information for the system is detailed below.

I kept the factory Bose amp and sub in the center console. All factory speaker wires were used. I installed a Pioneer DVD head unit and all connectivity was done through a CRUX interface. Everything worked perfectly!

New speakers vs. the Bose amp ohm issue – The Bose amp has a 2 ohm output. Major issue with most aftermarket speakers being 4 ohms. The NVX front components are 2 ohm, Infinity rear door speakers are 3 ohm and the JBL rear quarter speakers are 2.3 ohm. Sound deadener added to all 4 inner door skins.

I built the sub box to fill the hole between the rear seats and make the area flat from front to back when the seats are down. and started with a 10” sub. Then, realized I could go to a shallow 12” Pioneer. The box volume is perfect and it has worked great. I will re-cover it at some point to match.

While this is not going to win any sort of a SPL contest, the sound quality blew me away! Even with the mis-matched brands! Great lows out of the sub(s). Super clean mids and highs. The rear quarter speakers really add some high end definition.

The sub was very tight when I first installed it. It broke in VERY well and is very musical. Hits great lows and is very punchy. Far better than I expected it to be! Due to the location, the “feel” of the sub(s) is great! The remote volume control helps a lot.

Equipment details:

Head Unit: Pioneer AVH21EX DVD Head Unit ($300)

Front Speakers: NVX VS65KIT2F 6.5 Component set. Recoil BB-T Bass Blockers installed on tweeter. Tweeters in A-pillar OE location. ($120 + $8)

Rear Door Speakers: Infinity REF-5032cfx ($70)

Rear Quarter Speakers: JBL GX328 – 3.5” with Recoil BB-35 Bass Blockers ($ 65 + $9)

Subwoofer: Pioneer TS-A3000LS4 12” Shallow Sub – 1500w max ($115)

Subwoofer Amp: NVX VAD10004 Monoblock Class D w/remote – 1000w ($145)

Interface: Crux CX-GMC2 Steering Wheel Interface ($100)

Sorry - No front speaker pics. I thought I had them, but...
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you said the 2 ohm was a major issue, but I didn't read how you overcame that. (?)

 

[S33k3r]

He has front speakers that are 2 Ohm. The rear, door speakers are 3 Ohm, so those are going to not push as much volume. The rear quarter speakers are 2.3 Ohms. They will be less loud than stock, but unlikely to be noticed. It looks like he added an additional amp to drive his subwoofer.

 

[SSandfish]

He has front speakers that are 2 Ohm. The rear, door speakers are 3 Ohm, so those are going to not push as much volume. The rear quarter speakers are 2.3 Ohms. They will be less loud than stock, but unlikely to be noticed. It looks like he added an additional amp to drive his subwoofer.

This is correct. The ohm levels of the speakers that I installed pretty much align with the channels on the factory Bose amp and will not over-drive it. Not a lot of options out there, but very happy with this setup.

I installed a small 500 watt NVX mono sub amp. Cheap, but drives the Pioneer sub very well. This is controlled through the Pioneer head unit and runs independently at 4 ohms.