2017 Chevy Sonic Premier Audio Upgrade

SonicSouz · May 2, 2019

So, I just finished the amp install. Stock door speakers are amped. Warning chimes did get louder, but they are still tolerable and no where near as loud as I thought they would be, however the gain on the PBR300X4 is still at the factory setting

Also, the ability to auto turn on without a remote wire works like a charm.

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ScarabEpic22 · May 2, 2019

SonicSouz said:
So, I just finished the amp install. Stock door speakers are amped. Warning chimes did get louder, but they are still tolerable and no where near as loud as I thought they would be, however the gain on the PBR300X4 is still at the factory setting

Also, the ability to auto turn on without a remote wire works like a charm.

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Awesome! Now you can swap the door speakers out when you get a chance!

SonicSouz · May 5, 2019

Working on front speakers now and all I can say is GM, this is some F$#k Sh$t. Why put a damn connector, under the rubber boot, that blocks the whole hole to lead wire through in stead of just running the wires through without a useless connector and making everyone's life easier?

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WattHTD · May 5, 2019

So is it possible to hook the MyLink my the 2017+ to my 2015? I want apple car play and ability to use apps.

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Styck · May 15, 2019

I am in a similar situation. I have a full blown stereo upgrade in my 2017 Sonic. The only thing I don't have is an aftermarket Headunit due to lack of support for this car. The Pioneer DMH-C2550 NEX looks promising as it has a separate screen and box. I am currently using a JL Fix to clean up the signal but I would love to replace the radio for a better signal. Do you think we could use wiring harness from the Cruze or Trax? What about the dash panel for the radio? There are no aftermarket kits for this car.

SonicSouz · May 15, 2019

Styck said:
I am in a similar situation. I have a full blown stereo upgrade in my 2017 Sonic. The only thing I don't have is an aftermarket Headunit due to lack of support for this car. The Pioneer DMH-C2550 NEX looks promising as it has a separate screen and box. I am currently using a JL Fix to clean up the signal but I would love to replace the radio for a better signal. Do you think we could use wiring harness from the Cruze or Trax? What about the dash panel for the radio? There are no aftermarket kits for this car.

Lol. Are you trying to compete? The stock HU doesn't sound bad. Is it still not great even with a DSP in your setup?

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Styck · May 15, 2019

SonicSouz said:
Lol. Are you trying to compete? The stock HU doesn't sound bad. Is it still not great even with a DSP in your setup?

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It sounds great but I know it could be better. The signal from the factory headunit does not put out a flat signal. The bass and treble are accentuated. Instead of being flat it looks like a smiley face. The JL Fix corrects this but its still not as flat as what you get from a quality aftermarket headunit. My 2017 Sonic uses the factory radio signal from the front speakers into the JL Audio Fix. From the Fix goes optical into an Audiocontrol DM-608 DSP then onto the amplifiers. I have a three way front stage and a subwoofer. I don't compete but it is competition quality.

SonicSouz · May 15, 2019

Styck said:
It sounds great but I know it could be better. The signal from the factory headunit does not put out a flat signal. The bass and treble are accentuated. Instead of being flat it looks like a smiley face. The JL Fix corrects this but its still not as flat as what you get from a quality aftermarket headunit. My 2017 Sonic uses the factory radio signal from the front speakers into the JL Audio Fix. From the Fix goes optical into an Audiocontrol DM-608 DSP then onto the amplifiers. I have a three way front stage and a subwoofer. I don't compete but it is competition quality.

Wow. Sounds like you're really serious about your sound system. Do you have any pictures? Also what exactly did you mean when you asked about the Cruze and Trax harness? Did you mean an aftermarket T harness designed for them?

Oh and what did you use to find out that the audio signal wasn't flat?

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Styck · May 16, 2019

I will get some photos posted tomorrow. The Audio control DSP has a built in RTA. That's how I know what the signal looks like. When I get some time I will post a picture of the rta showing the smiley face vs. The signal the JL Audio Fix 82 produces. I'm currently in the process of revamping the system. I just purchased a couple of JL amps with a built in DSP and another 12 inch sub and new midbass speakers. Hard to find time for this hobby though.

Styck · May 16, 2019

How do I post a picture by the way? Lol

Styck · May 16, 2019

Styck · May 16, 2019

There is a Harness for the radio and steering wheel controls that work for the 2017 Cruze and 2017 Trax that may work for our cars so that we can use an aftermarket radio.https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120OSLAN10/Axxess-GMOS-LAN-10.html?search=axxess_gmos-lan-10

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120ASWC1/Axxess-ASWC-1-Steering-Wheel-Control-Adapter.html?search=axxess_aswc-1

SonicSouz · May 16, 2019

Styck said:
There is a Harness for the radio and steering wheel controls that work for the 2017 Cruze and 2017 Trax that may work for our cars so that we can use an aftermarket radio.https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120OSLAN10/Axxess-GMOS-LAN-10.html?search=axxess_gmos-lan-10

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120AS...eel-Control-Adapter.html?search=axxess_aswc-1

Oh yeah. I found this before, but the damn thing was like $70 just for the harness and I had already cut into my factory harness when I found it. I think it should work though, long as it's got wires for each pin, in case the Trax and Cruze use them differently.

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SonicSouz · May 16, 2019

Btw those A-pillars are sick. did you fabricate those yourself? Also is that a mid driver you added next to your tweeter?

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SonicSouz · May 16, 2019

WattHTD said:
So is it possible to hook the MyLink my the 2017+ to my 2015? I want apple car play and ability to use apps.

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I'm sorry. I meant to reply earlier, but the reply never got posted.

You wont be able to swap head units from what I've read, though. I believe the radio has to be reprogrammed to work with your car. the different connectors are an issue too.

If it is possible you'd have to figure out what every wire does in your 2015 wire harness, pull them out, and resolder them to the same style 20 pin connector that the 2017+ HU has and in the correct order too.
But the dealer probubly won't even program a 2017 HU to a 2015 Sonic, so then you'll just be doing all that work for nothing.

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Styck · May 16, 2019

SonicSouz said:
Btw those A-pillars are sick. did you fabricate those yourself? Also is that a mid driver you added next to your tweeter?

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Thank you. I did make those myself. It was my first and only a- pillar pods. I made them out of fiberglass. Thats a midrange (dayton Audio rs-75) and tweeter (Scanspeak 3004). I'll post a few more photos in a little while.

WattHTD · May 16, 2019

Styck said:
Thank you. I did make those myself. It was my first and only a- pillar pods. I made them out of fiberglass. Thats a midrange (dayton Audio rs-75) and tweeter (Scanspeak 3004). I'll post a few more photos in a little while.

Did you take out the airbags behind the pillars?

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SonicSouz · May 16, 2019

WattHTD said:
Did you take out the airbags behind the pillars?

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He shouldn't need to. I didnt have to take mine out when I replaced the tweeters, just disconnect the black clip on the A pillar when removing it.

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SonicSouz · May 16, 2019

Styck said:
Thank you. I did make those myself. It was my first and only a- pillar pods. I made them out of fiberglass. Thats a midrange (dayton Audio rs-75) and tweeter (Scanspeak 3004). I'll post a few more photos in a little while.

That's sick! I wanna do fiberglass enclosures for my subs when I have the time and money. Howd you match the shape so well? Now you've got me wondering about the same thing.

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Styck · May 16, 2019

WattHTD said:
Did you take out the airbags behind the pillars?

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the air bags are still in there. I kept them anchored in so that I don't have flying speakers in case of an accident.

2017 Chevy Sonic Premier Audio Upgrade

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