Stereo upgrade

[FFMedic6]

I'm looking to upgrade the sound system in my '99 Tahoe LT, but I don't necessarily want to replace the factory deck if I don't have to. I'm looking for a little more "umph" from maybe a subwoofer, and possibly some enhanced highs from a 3 ways speaker or some component tweeters. If possible I want to keep the uniform look of the factory deck in the dash, and I don't want to have to cut, tear out, or break anything to make it fit. Any and all suggestions would be much appreciated!

- Mike

[AUTOSTYLEINC]

Well in the chevys the weakest link is the stock head unit. You can get a replacement deck and a trim peice that will make it look fine. As far as upgrading. Most component sets are designed to get more power than your stock head unit or any aftermarket head unit can put out. On avg a head unit puts out 22 watts rms a stock one much less than that. If you want to upgrade your system your best bet is to decide what you want to spend total for a system. You could get a 3 or 5 channel amp and get a nice set of components and a small subwoofer and a new deck and be amazed at the difference. It really just comes down to what do you want to spend.

[kaskillah]

I don't like to change the stock look of anything if I can help it.
I added a Kenwood 10 mp3 changer to my Tahoe that simply uses the antenna input off the stock head unit. I put the changer under the front passenger seat since it doesn't have a power seat on that side. In my '93 Silverado I added a couple of amps to the stock unit and they work great with the stock equalizer.

[typicalsituations]

You can always use amps with stock eqipment. Get some speaker to line output adapters. Available at good old wal mart. It converts the speaker outputs to RCA outputs... then connect your amps and replace the speakers... I agree with you on the stock look... I've ALWAY had massive systems in all my cars, but for some reason I think after market looks like cRAP in a tahoe....

[bc4wheel]

You guys seem to have some knowledge of how the sound system in these cars are set up. I too like the stock look. Can someone answer this question. What is the ohm rating for the amp and speakers. I purchased some infinity component speakers that are rated at 4 ohms. When I went to remove the factory set, they read 8 ohms. I was told I had to bypass the stock amp...and run the infinity thru a 4 ohm rated amp. All I wanted was to smooth out the highs and mids. Thank you in advance for any help. The set up is in a 2001 Yukon.

[typicalsituations]

Hey,
You CAN do that. It's not going to hurt anything with such a low powered amp. If I were you, I would just get the output converter and use an external amp. You will get MUCH better sound. With a low powered amp like the one in our headunits, and a pair of those speakers, you are going to get some distortion. Then somthing is rated at 120 Watts, and you feed it 12 watts, its gonna sound like CRAP at high volume. If you feed 120 Watts to a 120 watt speaker, you are going to have some GREAT sounding speakers. You can add those speakers to your current set up, but I don't think it will sound better than stock... The highs might sound better at LOW volumes, but the bass/mid will sound worse than stock at any level. I've installed audio for about 7 years, I've seen people some back pissed because they didn't amp their speakers. They always say that what they had before sounded better. Start off with what you have.... then upgrade the AMP if you feel the need to.

[bc4wheel]

Thanks for the advice, I think I am just gonna leave the system as is. Although, I might start searching for the Bose system that came as an ugrade. That might be a better solution. I'll resell the Infinitys on Ebay. Thank again guys.

[djmann02]

I, too, am disappointed in the stereo system in the newer model Tahoes. They made the speakers easy to get to but that is about it. Yes, the door speakers are rated at 8 ohms which makes life difficult if you are trying to match ohm to ohm. I put a set of 4 ohm 6 3/4's in the back door only and it made a vast improvement. I would recommend going with a speaker that is 2 or 3 way with a SPL no lower than 91 or 92 db if you are going to leave the stock amp in. Also, FYI, the sub in the back is a 2 ohm sub. If you change out subs, I highly recommend the addition of an amp to that sub using the high level inputs on the amp. Also, replace the speaker. Cheap!!! The small 3 1/2" speakers in the rear pillars are 8 ohm and they are wired in a series circuit. Meaning, they are not wired in stereo. I don't know who designed this setup but they need to be smacked around. Hope this helps!!

[bc4wheel]

My understanding is that you kept the 8 ohms in the front and installed 4 ohms in the rear doors. How did the amp handle the difference in ohms and was the sound level balanced. I have a pair of Infinity 4 ohm component speakers 6.5 for the front and a pair of 4 ohm 2way 6.5 for the rear. I was leaving the sub and the 3 1/2 pillar speakers as is for now. I am concerned about running different ohms speakers and how balanced the system would sound if it was safe

[92rs25th]

Are the rear speakers in the 99' tahoe 6.5's ?

[djmann02]

The amp is doing fine. NO overheating or cutting out. I would highly recommend a face lift on the sub, however. If you are looking for a great improvement at a low cost, I would recommend the Rockford Fosgate 3408 sub. I have it in my truck and it is wonderful. It calls for .88 cubic feet of air space with a 3" x12" port. If you go with a sealed box, you can get away with about .6 cubic feet and still get great sound. I would, however, advise you get a mono or two channel bridgable amp with no less than 300 watts in order to do the speaker justice. I did all this and it is outstanding and will take up very little room. It is hooking it all up that is tedious. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

[limesmj]

The rear doors are 6-3/4" while the rear roofs are 4"x10"s. For my system, I used A/D/S front components (1" for the tweets/6.5" mid-range) and A/D/S 6.5" 2-way rear doors. I was told that with my dual 15" subs that the rear roof speakers wouldn't make a difference, so I just cut the speaker wires.

[92rs25th]

Coo cool , What's the depth of those 6-3/4 ?

[92rs25th]

Oh , mine doesn't have the roof speakers either or whatever , Only in the doors O.o

[limesmj]

My rear doors are a top mount 1-7/8"... not sure of the maximum depth tho since I was recommended my speaker sizes.