aftermarket radio difficulties????

It may just be me, but the factory radio shown on the pics will offer difficulties for custom/aftermarket radio replacement. It is oddly shaped and appears to be limited in functions. Everybody knows that camaro factory radios are notorious for being a piece of s*&t. Any thoughts or inside info of what the sound system will be?????

Was there a head unit installed, in those pix? Frankly - it's very difficult to tell. It seems to me, the smart thing to do is to wait until the production cars are out in showrooms before trying to conclude anything.

What's this about Camaro OEM stereos being no good? I beg to differ... IMHO they (especially from about 1997 on) have been pretty doggone good, for the price point the 4gens lived in :shrug:

What's this about Camaro OEM stereos being no good? I beg to differ... IMHO they (especially from about 1997 on) have been pretty doggone good, for the price point the 4gens lived in :shrug:

It's kind of funny, I actually much prefer my 3-speaker Bose setup in my old 1994 Z28 to the Monsoon system in my '01. IMO, they went backwards on that one. :think:

While we don't know what exactly the final radio will be or look like in the 5th gen, I can tell you this beyond all certainty that it will NOT be an easy swap like an old Delco. It will most likely be integrated with the climate controls, be shaped to fit better with the contours of the dash (or be part of the dash itself like the new CTS), and will be packaged in such a way that what's on the dash board is simply buttons, a CD player, and a circuit board. The radio tuner, amplifier, and other components will most likely be integrated into the BCM or other locations in the vehicle. GM has been moving away from the "insert radio here" design for a few years now. Cars like the Aura, CTS, Malibu, Lambda SUVs, and even some GMT-900 trucks have radio designs that integrate into the design of the dash and electronics of the vehicle far more intracately than any of their older radio designs.

I have a similar fear myself, actually. As mentioned, I am waiting for the final production details to emerge, but my plans are up in the air as to what I will wind up doing. As also mentioned, it may very well be integrated into the rest of the vehicle. In that case, I can only hope that the aftermarket will embrace that and offer products that do the same or better. It is starting to get there with that sort of thing, but slowly IMO.

We'll see what happens but it is definitely an area of valid concern for me.

It's kind of funny, I actually much prefer my 3-speaker Bose setup in my old 1994 Z28 to the Monsoon system in my '01. IMO, they went backwards on that one. :think:

I think the same. I had the 5 speaker Bose in my 1996 and the Monsoon in my 2002. I liked the Bose better.

I have a similar fear myself, actually. As mentioned, I am waiting for the final production details to emerge, but my plans are up in the air as to what I will wind up doing. As also mentioned, it may very well be integrated into the rest of the vehicle. In that case, I can only hope that the aftermarket will embrace that and offer products that do the same or better. It is starting to get there with that sort of thing, but slowly IMO.

We'll see what happens but it is definitely an area of valid concern for me.

It's a legitimate concern, especially for an enthusiast car like the Camaro. I believe the aftermarket will respond nicely, if there is demand... and the 2008 aftermarket is MUCH more capable at delivering very nice solutions, compared to say, ten years ago. CAD designs and modern manufacturing make it possible for them to release some very nice fits and products, as appropriate and as the market demands.

My one hesitation though - I think demand will be a big function of the OEM equipment. It's gotten a lot better too, as I'm sure folks here are aware. Once we know the final production specs and features, I've a feeling a huge majority are going to be quite satisfied with the factory stuff as is.

My first new car was a 1983 Citation X11. OEM head units were an utter joke in those days. In the 11 years I owned that car, I installed and blew out three aftermarket stereos and an embarrassing number of speakers :D ...but today, I've not even entertained the thought of fiddling with the 6-disk XM/FM stereo in my GP GXP. Aside from the integration with the HUD (and nav in some variants)... it really does deliver very good sound :cool:

Was there a head unit installed, in those pix? Frankly - it's very difficult to tell. It seems to me, the smart thing to do is to wait until the production cars are out in showrooms before trying to conclude anything.

What's this about Camaro OEM stereos being no good? I beg to differ... IMHO they (especially from about 1997 on) have been pretty doggone good, for the price point the 4gens lived in :shrug:

Yes, having an lt1 means the bose speakers were inferior.

Yes, having an lt1 means the bose speakers were inferior.Sorry but I disagree.

....it was sarcasm.?

Having the Head-Unit tied into the dash design and including Climate Control Functions is nothing new these days, it's actually quite common in 2005+ cars.

JL Audio has come out with the CleanSweep (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=94)

Basically integrates the standard Head Unit into Aftermarket Amp and Speaker setups. I've seen it advertised for around $300 - $325 locally, so not a whole lot more than a decent Head-Unit, and you'll keep the full functionality of the original Head-Unit, while gaining aftermarket sound.:bow:

So no real worries in my mind.:cool:

Yep, that is what I was referring to in my post #5 above...

Here's a decent selection of something like that...
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Group/ProductMenu.aspx?g=318850&tp=6870

Or on a simpler level for the basics...
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=751&i=120GMOS01&tp=3486

MTX, Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, JL audio...yep, no worries! I stand my my repetitive statements that the aftermarket will seriously embrace this car.

Well now that I got an ipod for Christmas, as long as it has decent speakers, amplification and an ipod port, I'll be happy.

I never had a reason to change out the 5-speaker Bose setup in my 95Z. :)

From the look of things They will not have the space to make a built in GPS / Radio unit. I know that I could get a Garmin and put it on the dash but I prefer built in units.

Agreed. The thing that gets me is that GM still seems to be pushing the On-Star option for turn by turn directions. I've yet to see a reponse from anyone that they would use this service. The argument always breaks down into two camps: One that will get a Garmin, and the ones who hate nav systems altogether. There is never a camp for the On-Star option. The other On-Star features are a great service, but I wish GM would drop turn by turn and just make a true nav system an option for the Camaro. Those who want it can get it, those who don't, don't have to.

-Bart

If there is one part of the interior that I think will definitely change before its all said and done, I think its the radio console. It just looks too generic with too much wasted space - I'd be willing to bet what we're seeing is a place holder. Also, I will be shocked if they don't offer a touch screen nav/radio as an option.. I mean come on, it is going to be a 2010 model.

I don't like the idea of the "control center" and the lack of ability to easily swap out audio may be the downfall for my purchase decision :/.

Every single car I have still has the OEM stereo in it.
No bid deal for me.:)

Wasnt the tarus was the first car to attempt this? Car stereo enthusiasts avoided it like the plague untill the aftermarket made a bezel for it, then it just looked like crap.

I guess im the only one who's backlights all go out in my OE GM units.

From the look of things They will not have the space to make a built in GPS / Radio unit. I know that I could get a Garmin and put it on the dash but I prefer built in units.

This is my concern too. I recently bought a $2500 Navigation/Bluetooth unit that will only fit a double-din opening. I'd hate to lose it. GM really needs to think about this. Has anyone heard anything new?

I never had a reason to change out the 5-speaker Bose setup in my 95Z. :)

that was a 3 speaker bose system (at least in the 1994's it was)

I don't even use my radio. I should just take it out. Longtubes and a nice exhaust is music enough for me. The radio is the last thing I concern myself with. For me, who cares!

Radio is only for Bang Bang Camaro!! WOOT!! I agree the best sound is the V8, but honestly when I make a long drive I like to play some music or something that gets me in the mood to drive FAST.

Honestly we will see when the production radio comes out, but I get the feeling this car will take some time to grow on me. If it has some crazy mess of junk I might wait to see if they change it up after a couple of years. like 93,94 and 97?

put some headers exhaust and a cam in it and i could listen to that all day but for a long trip i would need 2 listen 2 a radio

Here's an article from Trading Markets.com specifically detailing the 2010 Camaro's audio system design. Check it out before you dismiss the Camaro's premium sound system.



Aug 15, 2008 -- Visteon Corp. and Boston Acoustics said they will deliver refined performance in the audio system that accents the redesigned 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

The two companies are engineering a premium audio system for the Camaro's re-launch that is tailored to suit the Camaro's legacy -- starting with precision speaker design. Boston Acoustics, creator of The Boston Sound for home stereo systems, is engineering speakers for the Camaro that are robust enough to handle high power and loud play, yet capable of reproducing the finest acoustic details. Powering those speakers is Visteon's high performance and state of the art, DSP amplifier. From there, audio integration engineers from Visteon and Boston Acoustics carefully tailor the equalization to the Camaro's specific interior configurations to accurately reproduce the Boston Sound within the vehicle -- transforming the vehicle into an acoustically ideal soundstage. Fabrics, seat placement and instrument panel materials are just a few of the many variables considered when fine-tuning the quality of sound reproduction for the vehicle's interior.

Offered as an option, the groups noted, the premium Boston Acoustics audio system will allow consumers to hearken back to glory days of Motown or experience the pulsation of today's techno music with digital-signal-processing enhanced sound quality that was unheard of until now.

"Visteon is honored to play such an important role in the redesign of a true classic," said Julie Fream, vice president, Visteon GM customer group. "Using advanced automotive audio technologies, Visteon and Boston Acoustics are creating a polished, dimensional sound stage that will provide as powerful an impact as the re-introduction of this iconic vehicle. This is truly a sports car for the 21st century."

"We are pleased that GM has introduced The Boston Sound to its vehicle in North America, and we know that the Camaro and Boston Acoustics will make beautiful music together," said Michael J. Maloney, president of D&M Holdings OEM, Global Marketing Group, which includes the Boston Acoustics brand. "As consumers raise their expectations for great sound in their vehicles, Boston Acoustics is ready to meet those demands," he said.

So any news on this subject now that the cars are out there?
I would imagine that this would be difficult for the aftermarket because of all the things tied in with the head unit. On my 2004 Cavalier I had to buy a $100 kit to keep the computer happy. It makes it so I still have the chimes and keeps the computer happy. The guys at the audio shop told me that even on my car that the computer needs to think that the factory unit is there to keep things working correctly.

There are so many things controlled by the 2010 Camaro head unit it is not even funny. Everything from choosing to have the horn honk when you lock the car with the remote to the Bluetooth pairing, etc.

It doesn't seem but 5 years ago, in most GM products the radios were nothing more than general "parts bin" after thoughts, now it seems when they design the dashes in these new cars, the radio is designed in to it. Not like before when the radio in a 99 Camaro looks a whole lot like the one you'll find in the same year Vette, Malibu, Tahoe and Blazer.

like how u can make calls from the radio took my lunch break at work today n called work to talk to my supervisor lol

If I were to get a new Camaro I'd probably just buy a new head unit. I know the new Camaro can have Bluetooth, which is nice, but I need a Nav map. I'd try to find one of those ones that hide and flip up.

If I were to get a new Camaro I'd probably just buy a new head unit. I know the new Camaro can have Bluetooth, which is nice, but I need a Nav map. I'd try to find one of those ones that hide and flip up.


I don't think you will have much luck getting an aftermarket radio to work and look good in this new Camaro. I think the stock one is awesome looking and I like all of the features.

I don't think you will have much luck getting an aftermarket radio to work and look good in this new Camaro. I think the stock one is awesome looking and I like all of the features.thats what im thinking. all my past vehicles have had aftermarket jvc or alpine head units installed in them. that was for the simple reason that they sucked and none had bluetooth or ipod/iphone capabilities and sound quality was remedial. i can say this much about the factory gen5 stereo. it kicks ass . only mod i will do to it is adding a piggyback 350 watt jl audio amp and a stealth box with a 12 inch sub to it. as for changing head units i think that would be difficult to pull off with whats available on the market without looking cheesy.