05XLRtoC7_San Diego

As a recent purchaser of a 2015 2LT C7 convertible, I'm thrilled with everything except the Bose stereo.

In general, I know a lot of you have bashed Bose- especially the lows. However, the 9 speaker Bose stereo on my 2005 Cadillac XLR sounds FANTASTIC. The bass, treble, and mid-range are rich, crisp, full, and clear. It just sounds amazing top up and top down whether I play CD, iPod, or radio. The sound quality is incredible on low volume and high volume.

When test-driving the C7, I didn't even bother cranking up the radio because I assumed that it would be as good (if not better) than the XLR.

I just don't understand how an expensive car with 10 speakers and Active Sound Management Technology can sound worse than a 1988 Toyota Corolla?!

I've tried all 3 settings (Centerpoint, Driver, and Normal) and have tinkered with the limited EQ, but the sound just is very compressed, muddy, and hollow. The bass is too boomy, even at low settings.

From the threads I've read on here, it seems like each speaker has its own amp, and the headunit has proprietary cables- so it's pretty much impossible to mess with it.
Have seen some threads where FatMat helped a bit with the boomy sound of the rear bass box. Does this help in the convertible?

Has anyone come across a cost-effective way to improve the sound?
Seems a bit extreme to replace the head-unit just to add an amp and replace the speakers.

It would be nice if GM offered a downloadable amp that would allow more adjustments to the EQ/tone.

And yes, I do realize I can turn down the volume and just enjoy the exhaust note. I primarily leave it in "track mode" for that reason.

SPEEDGT

I have a 2013 ford focus with great sound compared to my 2015 100 plus grand vette, what a sin

Kracka

The Bose stereo in the Volt sounds good, and that radio is designed with energy efficiency in mind! Why the Corvette one sounds so horrible is beyond me.

05XLRtoC7_San Diego

Yeah- I just don't get it.
My 1990 Miata with 1 paper cone speaker in each door sounded better.

c7mike

I think my Bose stereo sound very good

Larry/car

I am happy with mine, too! Highs are crisp and clear with more lows than I will ever use.

frankb

I must be tone deaf.

BigJoe

I have no problem with mine, but then I don't expect concert hall sound in a sports car...

1KULC7

Mine is just fine....not a concert hall, but its good enough for my tin ears...

HogwildC7

It is awful I wish GM would look at other companies like Bang Olufsen

Dads dream

Corgidog1

I like the sound system in my C7 and my wife recently out of the blue said the sound is great. We are both not audiophiles.

05XLRtoC7_San Diego

For those of you who think it sounds good- what are you listening to? Talk radio?

And yes, with Z06s being $100k+, we expect higher-end sound. They need to ditch Bose.

If it makes you guys feel any better, the base Meridian stereo in the Jaguar F-Type is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. Even worse than ours. I rented one for a day, and turned the radio off. It was that bad. Like listening to a fuzzy AM radio station or old tape player.

I'm thinking the XLR has a lot more sound-deadening materials, so will try adding FatMat (80 mil thickness) to see if that helps.

lgodom

Here's a link to a older thread about a stereo swap. A member swapped his out keeping the original head unit, but spent some $$$ making the upgrades.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tereo-yet.html

seel2000

Can't imagine spending $5k on what he put in. I bet it sounds fantastic but in my opinion he got whacked over the head.

TennisFreak

My C7 stereo sounds great.

I came from a 2013 Scion FR-S with the premium BeSpoke Pioneer audio. It sounded like ****.

gwalsh88

I'm fine with the radio.

My heavy metal sounds great!

thrilled

The only think I listen to is the exhaust and Howard Stern.Don't believe I've listened to any music.The radio works ok for me.

hawkgfr

Op what is your music source?

C2367

Mine is fine but what do I know, I am deaf in one ear.