Did you keep your center channel active when you upgraded your system?

[KMeloney]

Hey all,

I replaced the speakers and amp in my '09 Tahoe, but kept the factory nav/radio. I didn't, however, replace my center channel [in the middle of the top of the dash].

I know that it's controlled by the factory amp, and there's no real way to adjust the volume to it. My understanding is that it's either live and kind of dominant (especially in Surround mode, but still in Normal mode), or it can be disconnected altogether. I suppose my third option is to keep it live AND replace it with something aftermaket so that the sound I get from it is better...

What did YOU do? Leave it, replace it, or disconnect it? What do you think the best option is? IS there a way to control its output (a way I don't know about)?

Thanks!

/< / /2 /<

 

[Mgyver1]

Hey all,

I replaced the speakers and amp in my '09 Tahoe, but kept the factory nav/radio. I didn't, however, replace my center channel [in the middle of the top of the dash].

I know that it's controlled by the factory amp, and there's no real way to adjust the volume to it. My understanding is that it's either live and kind of dominant (especially in Surround mode, but still in Normal mode), or it can be disconnected altogether. I suppose my third option is to keep it live AND replace it with something aftermaket so that the sound I get from it is better...

What did YOU do? Leave it, replace it, or disconnect it? What do you think the best option is? IS there a way to control its output (a way I don't know about)?

Thanks!

/< / /2 /<

They make 5 channel surround sound amps. You'd probably have to use line level inputs for your amp since I'm sure the audio adapters for RCAs don't have the 5th channel. I know Alpine makes Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound amps which are 5.1 and I'm sure there's others out there.

 

[KMeloney]

Well, I guess I failed to mention that i've got a JL Stealthbox under the center console, too, so I suppose that's the 5th channel of the 5-channel amp. My installer told me that the center channel is running in "stereo" when in Normal mode. Don't know if that means anything or not.

Anything to add knowing that I have that stealthbox? Thanks for the help!

 

[Mgyver1]

Well, I guess I failed to mention that i've got a JL Stealthbox under the center console, too, so I suppose that's the 5th channel of the 5-channel amp. My installer told me that the center channel is running in "stereo" when in Normal mode. Don't know if that means anything or not.

Anything to add knowing that I have that stealthbox? Thanks for the help!

Nope, it's common to have a 5 channel amp with 4 running your regualr speakers and one running the sub. Like I said though, they do have DOlby Digital/DTS surround sound recievers for mobile video systems that operate like normal when listening to music and when you're watching a movie it's true surround sound in your car. If that's not your thing, then don't use the speaker, or hook it up to the "dinger" for the blinker clicker, etc.