Planning an Audio Upgrade for this Summer, Could use your Input!

Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
Hey everyone, I'd like to upgrade my audio system sometime this summer and could really use some help. I have a 2005 Trailblazer LS with the standard (non-Bose) audio system. I'd like to upgrade it without going crazy and I'd like it to look like it belongs in the vehicle. Therefore, single height head units are probably out of the question. Also, any amps I'd like to be hidden, and any sub-woofers would be along the walls in the back to maintain the use of the trunk area (after all, this is still a truck).

As it stands, my current (stock) head unit needs to be replaced because I intermittently have no sound out of the right speakers. I'm pretty sure the speakers are fine. I guess I could replace my head unit with an identical one from the junk yard, but that's no fun! Although, I'd appreciate it if anyone knows about how much that would cost, to help me justify the upgrade (hopefully).

I'd like to upgrade the head unit to something that fits seamlessly without being too flashy. I'd like it to look like it belongs in the truck. Auxiliary input or Bluetooth capability would be required. I currently listen to Sirius with a Starmate 5 Radio and a FM Direct Adapter behind the head unit. If I could avoid buying the SiriusXM Connect Vehicle Tuner, I'd like to. I'd like to keep this head unit as economical as I can, but I'm open to spending more if it is necessary.

I'd like to upgrade the speakers and I'd really be looking for recommendations here. Would tweeters be worth the trouble? If I'm not mistaken, they can be installed in a non-Bose truck with a custom bracket. How easy are the tweeters to access? In other words, how much of the upper dash would I have to pull apart?

If an amp is required, which I think it is, I'd like to hide it somewhere, but not sure where. I'd like to build either one or two sub boxes (thinking one) that would look like the JL Audio Stealthbox. My biggest question is, how much sound quality is lost going to a "hidden" low profile box like that?

I think that summarizes what I'm looking to do and I'd really appreciate any advice that you may have. Thanks for helping!
 

Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
I forgot to mention that I mostly listen to Rock and Classic Rock. I like my base, but it doesn't need to measure on the Richter Scale. High quality, great sounding, speakers are really important to me though. :smile:
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
I was looking for the same setup as you. Want more bass, but do not want to lose the function of the rear cargo area. I purchased the Q-Logic sub box for the TrailBlazer from crutchfield to go with my 10" Alpine sub, same concept as the JL stealthbox except I think it has a cleaner look with the plastic to match the interior instead of carpet. You will have to purchase a sub though. I listen to mostly rock as well and based on what I was told and reviews I have read, the Alpine will perform well in that sub box, but it will not produce glass shattering bass. I cannot say how it will sound until Wednesday when I get everything installed.

As far as hiding the amp, I was thinking about installing mine in the storage compartment in the floor of the cargo area, but I am not sure if heat will be an issue in that space. :undecided: Maybe just leave the compartment cover off until I need to haul something.

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Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
dmanns67 said:
I was looking for the same setup as you. Want more bass, but do not want to lose the function of the rear cargo area. I purchased the Q-Logic sub box for the TrailBlazer from crutchfield to go with my 10" Alpine sub, same concept as the JL stealthbox except I think it has a cleaner look with the plastic to match the interior instead of carpet. You will have to purchase a sub though. I listen to mostly rock as well and based on what I was told and reviews I have read, the Alpine will perform well in that sub box, but it will not produce glass shattering bass. I cannot say how it will sound until Wednesday when I get everything installed.

As far as hiding the amp, I was thinking about installing mine in the storage compartment in the floor of the cargo area, but I am not sure if heat will be an issue in that space. :undecided: Maybe just leave the compartment cover off until I need to haul something.

View attachment 13880

I'm not a big fan of the $300 price tag of those enclosures, but I'd definitely consider it. I'd really appreciate it if you reported back after its installed. What about a smaller amp (smaller dimensionally) in the side compartment in the back. i think thats where they put the Bose amplifier. Not sure if you could find one small enough though.

EDIT: I'd like to keep that storage area if I could because I use it for hitch receivers. Do you think there is space under the back seats?
 

Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
A while back I was looking at different speakers for the TB. I was leaning toward the JBL GTO638 6.5-Inch 3-Way Speakers in the front,
View attachment 27606
the Infinity 329CF 105W Peak 3-1/2 Inch Custom Fit Two-Way Speakers in the dash,
View attachment 27605
and I was originally thinking about the JBL GTO628 6.5-Inch 2-Way Loudspeakers in the back.
View attachment 27604
Now, I'm thinking the 2-way JBL's are way overpriced, so I'd be looking for something else. Still completely open to suggestions all around. :thumbsup:
 

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dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Yeah $220 is quite a bit for a sub box, but the JL audio stealth box is $650. That still gives you about $430 to play with for a sub. I will be sure to let you know how it sounds though.

I have the Bose factory system (Non-Nav) and the amp is located behind the rear quarter panel on the passenger side. I have not seen it up close, but I would imagine it is pretty small. When I have the panel off I will be sure to take some pics so you can see the area you will be working with. I thought about going that route as well, but I am sure my Alpine amp will not fit back there. Plus, there might be a heat issue located there as well. I have seen a couple members that installed the amp under their front seat, but the seats were not power. Mine are and there is no room for anything under them. I have not looked into under the back seats, but on the driver's side you have your fuse box there.
 

Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
dmanns67 said:
Yeah $220 is quite a bit for a sub box, but the JL audio stealth box is $650. That still gives you about $430 to play with for a sub. I will be sure to let you know how it sounds though.

I have the Bose factory system (Non-Nav) and the amp is located behind the rear quarter panel on the passenger side. I have not seen it up close, but I would imagine it is pretty small. When I have the panel off I will be sure to take some pics so you can see the area you will be working with. I thought about going that route as well, but I am sure my Alpine amp will not fit back there. Plus, there might be a heat issue located there as well. I have seen a couple members that installed the amp under their front seat, but the seats were not power. Mine are and there is no room for anything under them. I have not looked into under the back seats, but on the driver's side you have your fuse box there.

Yeah, I just used that box as an example of the form factor I was looking for. I was throwing around the idea of building my own box considering I have the means to do so. Of course, I can't do plastic though.
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Yeah making your own box would definitely be cheaper. Even though you cannot do plastic, at least you could color match the carpet. Door and in-dash speakers are next on the list after the sub. Personally, I am not impressed with the Bose speakers. I have always used Pioneer in all of my other vehicles, but I am either going with Alpine or Infinity this time.
 

TollKeeper

Supporting Donor
Member
Dec 3, 2011
8,281
Brighton, CO
If you have your avatar area setup correctly, it appears you have a SWB.. If so, there is a nice side mount subwoofer case in the classified section that is suppose to fit right into the unused area on the passenger side of your cargo area.

(posted link, but it isn't setup correctly)

Past that I would suggest the AVIC Pioneer systems. But I think there have been a few members that have installed the Kenwood, and have had good luck with them.
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Jimbo052 said:
I'm not a big fan of the $300 price tag of those enclosures, but I'd definitely consider it. I'd really appreciate it if you reported back after its installed. What about a smaller amp (smaller dimensionally) in the side compartment in the back. i think thats where they put the Bose amplifier. Not sure if you could find one small enough though.

EDIT: I'd like to keep that storage area if I could because I use it for hitch receivers. Do you think there is space under the back seats?

Here are a few pics behind the quarter panel trim on passenger side. Looks like you could put an amp in there, but you would have to fabricate a mount for it.
 

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triz

Member
Apr 22, 2013
746
How about one of the new Pioneer App2 Radios? They are compatible with Android and Ipod. I would think that you would also be able to use a navigation app with it as well. Its a double din as well.

For speakers I would go with some Polk DB6501 components up front. No need to the rears. And a sub box. When I did my system in the TB I did components up front and what a difference in clarity. You might be able to get away with a powered sub like the Infinity Unit so you wont have amps laying around.
 

Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
dmanns67, thanks for the photos. That really helps. Anyone know how important heat dissipation is? That compartment probably should have air circulation, right?
 

TollKeeper

Supporting Donor
Member
Dec 3, 2011
8,281
Brighton, CO
There is a Cabin Positive Air Circulation panel in that portion of the body, its lower, and vents out behind the rear bumper, but air circulation should not be an issue.
 

Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
triz said:
How about one of the new Pioneer App2 Radios?

That radio looks pretty tempting but I'll probably be looking for something with a CD player still. Although, I'm not sure why I need a CD player because I don't remember the last time I played a CD. :undecided:
 

Jimbo052

Original poster
Member
Feb 29, 2012
38
TollKeeper said:
There is a Cabin Positive Air Circulation panel in that portion of the body, its lower, and vents out behind the rear bumper, but air circulation should not be an issue.

Great! :wootwoot:
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Agree. Also, behind the small piece of sheet metal in the picture is the factory Bose amp. If if your truck is non-bose then you will have more room to work with.
 

jimmyjam

Member
Nov 18, 2011
1,634
TollKeeper said:
There is a Cabin Positive Air Circulation panel in that portion of the body, its lower, and vents out behind the rear bumper, but air circulation should not be an issue.
That is on the opposite side of the body unless you are talking about something else i don't know about
 

triz

Member
Apr 22, 2013
746
Jimbo052 said:
That radio looks pretty tempting but I'll probably be looking for something with a CD player still. Although, I'm not sure why I need a CD player because I don't remember the last time I played a CD. :undecided:

I use a mini USB drive for music now. Those are available in 32gb versions. Music for months on that. Plus you can also stream Pandora. Who needs CD's now unless your a real audiophile. I rip my CD's at the highest level so I'm not really missing much.
 

jimmyjam

Member
Nov 18, 2011
1,634
Ps... google 12" stealthbox trailblazer, you'll see some things...
 

TollKeeper

Supporting Donor
Member
Dec 3, 2011
8,281
Brighton, CO
jimmyjam said:
That is on the opposite side of the body unless you are talking about something else i don't know about

I thought there was one on both sides?
 

jimmyjam

Member
Nov 18, 2011
1,634
Nah, the compressor goes there for air ride trucks so it would probably add too much cabin noise

My truck has spent a lot of time with the bumpers off... :sadcry:
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Jimbo052 said:
dmanns67, thanks for the photos. That really helps. Anyone know how important heat dissipation is? That compartment probably should have air circulation, right?

Not a problem. Since I was doing the install I figured I could help rather than having to take the panel off just to look around then put it back on. By the way here are pics of the finished product. Still have plenty of cargo space. I have to say that my 10" Alpine hits harder than I thought it would. Outside of the vehicle you can hear the music clearly without any rattling, but once you open the door or roll down the window you can hear/feel the bass. Very impressed for its compact design.

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5280_Blazer

Member
Mar 13, 2013
16
dmanns67 said:
Not a problem. Since I was doing the install I figured I could help rather than having to take the panel off just to look around then put it back on. By the way here are pics of the finished product. Still have plenty of cargo space. I have to say that my 10" Alpine hits harder than I thought it would. Outside of the vehicle you can hear the music clearly without any rattling, but once you open the door or roll down the window you can hear/feel the bass. Very impressed for its compact design.

View attachment 14088

View attachment 14089

no problems with the amp over heating?
 

illy

Member
Jan 2, 2014
33
5280_Blazer said:
no problems with the amp over heating?

I had my mono block amp there pushing 2 12in type r's in my first TB and the amp had no over heating problems. I am putting it there again in this TB, you shouldn't have any issue
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
5280_Blazer said:
no problems with the amp over heating?

I have not had any issues at all over the past 9 months. When I first installed the amp I would pull the cover up on the cargo space to see how much heat was building up after long road trips, but even through the summer months I never had any heat issues. You have the option to leave the hatch cover off and only put it on when hauling cargo.

I was looking for more bass without losing my cargo space. Installing the amp under the hatch and going with the Q-Logic box definitely helped. The box is Trailblazer/Envoy specific so the color matches my interior perfectly, almost looks factory. :thumbsup:

I will be upgrading the sub from a 2-Ohm to a 4-Ohm so I can push more power through it. I will see if that causes more heat from the amp.
 

Snailblazin'

Member
Dec 9, 2011
164
I also have no issues with over heating, 4 channel and mono in that cubby and pushed hard for long road trips has lead to no thermal shutdowns, just damage to my hearing.
 

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