Stereo Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 267
Stereo Question
I have the factory Bose system in my '11 GS. I've been noticing an abnormal amount of background 'hiss' at lower volume levels. I also own an '11 Silverado and '15 Impala, - neither one of them have the issue. So I'm thinking of pulling the unit out and sending it in to be checked. I'm wondering if anyone knows how GM services their stereos? There must be 'certified' service suppliers around the country. I'll check with the local dealer on Monday but thought I'd try to tap into the collective knowledge of this group first. Thanks in advance.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
I doubt the dealer services radios. If it is bad, they just order a new one.
And if yours isn't under warranty, they aren't going to do anything but offer to order you a new one. I guarantee you won't like the price. If you suspect it is bad, just buy a used one. If it is a NAV radio, you will have to take the car to the dealer or someone with a Tech II to have it activated, otherwise it won't work. It's to protect from theft. Expect to pay up to $150 for that.
And if yours isn't under warranty, they aren't going to do anything but offer to order you a new one. I guarantee you won't like the price. If you suspect it is bad, just buy a used one. If it is a NAV radio, you will have to take the car to the dealer or someone with a Tech II to have it activated, otherwise it won't work. It's to protect from theft. Expect to pay up to $150 for that.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 267
I doubt the dealer services radios. If it is bad, they just order a new one.
And if yours isn't under warranty, they aren't going to do anything but offer to order you a new one. I guarantee you won't like the price. If you suspect it is bad, just buy a used one. If it is a NAV radio, you will have to take the car to the dealer or someone with a Tech II to have it activated, otherwise it won't work. It's to protect from theft. Expect to pay up to $150 for that.
And if yours isn't under warranty, they aren't going to do anything but offer to order you a new one. I guarantee you won't like the price. If you suspect it is bad, just buy a used one. If it is a NAV radio, you will have to take the car to the dealer or someone with a Tech II to have it activated, otherwise it won't work. It's to protect from theft. Expect to pay up to $150 for that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
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From: Left Coast, San Diego
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
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From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
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St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
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Most dealership uses aftermarket company certified to repair radio units or replace, or upgrade.
They are GM certified, cause GM pays them for warranty.
They are GM certified, cause GM pays them for warranty.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 209
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Do you have after market led fog lights installed? I was looking into a set a while back that looked to be a very bright/quality light but in reading their description they say they have been know to cause radio interference on some cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
If you replace the radio, hopefully it is the radio causing the issue. I don't know if it could be one of the Bose amps causing the problem. I don't know how to trouble shoot that but just wanted to throw it out there for consideration.
Also, what Tefer said. Have you done any mods recently related to the cars electrical.
Also, what Tefer said. Have you done any mods recently related to the cars electrical.
Last edited by TorchRedFred; Aug 6, 2017 at 02:11 PM.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 267
dont have led's but did change to higher color temp (4000k?) headlights and driving lights. But my background noise is noticable with lights off or on. Could they cause a problem when not on?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 209
From: Lincoln Nebraska
I really doubt just changing the head and driving lights to a higher color temp whether on or off would cause the problem but I couldn't say for sure.The only time I have heard of this issue was with the led Fog lights that I had looked into so I thought it might be worth mentioning.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 267
Before you pull it, can you check for the dreaded 'hiss'? You would hear at the first volume setting above off. Faint but noticable if listening for it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
No offense intended but sounds like you won't be happy with anything, are we a little OCD?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 267
probably. But I do notice it at higher levels too. Turn up the volumn and the background noise increases too. It craps up the music. And I don't hear it on my other GM vehicles.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 24
From: New Jersey
I have an 08 and have noticed the same thing. I think it has something to do with the amps, maybe related to some sort of gain control built into it. When you hear the hiss, momentarily quickly raise the volume up loud, then a second later back low where you had it. The hiss in mine goes away for a few seconds before returning.
I think at low volume the amp increases gain and amplifies noise. Just my $.02.
I think at low volume the amp increases gain and amplifies noise. Just my $.02.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
.You could though check the antenna connection in the rear deck area and make sure it did not come loose a bit.
Last edited by ls1121; Aug 6, 2017 at 08:53 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 616
Likes: 193
From: Gilbert AZ
Assuming you are referring to the high noise floor observed regardless of source, (radio, XMSirius and CD)... the hiss is caused by the relatively poor signal to noise ratio of the specific Bose amplifier used in the Corvette. It's 7 to 10dB noisier than a typical aftermarket amp. The OEM radios S/N performance isn't stellar either. Replacing the radio with another OEM radio will not help. If you are wondering how I know this, I own an independent audio engineering company, I design audio components, and I measure about 100 car audio amplifiers annually.
If you want significantly improved audio performance you'll need to go to the aftermarket. A good solution is not cheap, and it involves replacing at minimum, the OEM amp and all the speakers.
This high noise floor was only one of the many reasons the Bose system immediately got replaced in my '11 GS.
Garry
If you want significantly improved audio performance you'll need to go to the aftermarket. A good solution is not cheap, and it involves replacing at minimum, the OEM amp and all the speakers.
This high noise floor was only one of the many reasons the Bose system immediately got replaced in my '11 GS.
Garry
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 267
Assuming you are referring to the high noise floor observed regardless of source, (radio, XMSirius and CD)... the hiss is caused by the relatively poor signal to noise ratio of the specific Bose amplifier used in the Corvette. It's 7 to 10dB noisier than a typical aftermarket amp. The OEM radios S/N performance isn't stellar either. Replacing the radio with another OEM radio will not help. If you are wondering how I know this, I own an independent audio engineering company, I design audio components, and I measure about 100 car audio amplifiers annually.
If you want significantly improved audio performance you'll need to go to the aftermarket. A good solution is not cheap, and it involves replacing at minimum, the OEM amp and all the speakers.
This high noise floor was only one of the many reasons the Bose system immediately got replaced in my '11 GS.
Garry
If you want significantly improved audio performance you'll need to go to the aftermarket. A good solution is not cheap, and it involves replacing at minimum, the OEM amp and all the speakers.
This high noise floor was only one of the many reasons the Bose system immediately got replaced in my '11 GS.
Garry
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 86
From: Rocheport Missouri
Also, I am not sure if there are any aftermarket amplifiers that "drop in" to replace the Bose amp.
Please keep us posted on what you do and how it works. I am interested.
