Stereo sucks
02-12-2018, 03:43 PM
#1
Stereo sucks
15 Vette Z512Lt. Can’t believe that a Bose system with 9 speakers sounds so tinny! Took it to dealer just after I bought it to see what was wrong with the sound. They told me with 7 speakers up front and only two in rear creates that sound and that the bass was up front instead of rear. Had a friend that understands trebles, mid ranges and bass agreed it sound terrible. Had him adjust the settings and brought mid range way down, improve somewhat. Should sound like a concert hall. Thoughts please !
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vdavenp802 (02-15-2018)
Popular Reply
02-13-2018, 08:58 AM
I just ordered a GS so I can't speak as to the quality of the sound system but not really concerned, that's not why I ordered the car. If I truly want to listen to high fidelity music I'll head to to man cave and spin some old vinyl while sipping some scotch. 
02-12-2018, 03:50 PM
#2
The stereo system in the C7's do indeed suck. I've got a '16 Stingray Z51 and it sounds terrible. The stereo system in my '01 Z06 was way better. From the research I've done it seems like you'd have to spend roughly a grand to get the sound to respectability. I'd much rather spend that on other mods.
02-12-2018, 03:54 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
I'm in agreement, the stereo sucks'ish...but not tinny as you explained. More BASS than anything at low levels (even if its off). I found a solution: play it louder, things even out.
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malexand123 (02-12-2018)
02-12-2018, 04:09 PM
#4
You need to put in a good clean audio signal, with low compression and high bit rate. Also, it depends on the quality of software and codecs that were used to create the music.
MP3s are now commonly compressed to 320kbps which tosses out alot of data, thus the music sound is lacking. Putting those thousands of songs on one usb stick has a cost.
MP3s are now commonly compressed to 320kbps which tosses out alot of data, thus the music sound is lacking. Putting those thousands of songs on one usb stick has a cost.
02-12-2018, 04:26 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Radio and Bluetooth are going to sound bad. Try loading music onto a USB stick. My 2LT sounds fantastic IMO. Bass is overkill at low to medium volume and needs to actually be turned down a bit. Treble and mid adjustments are more than adequate for it to sound good.
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02-12-2018, 06:03 PM
#7
Mine didn't sound so great when I listened to it with the factory settings. I found the graphic equalizer in one of the audio menus and made some adjustments. I turned up the treble to about 3/4 to full, turned the mid-range about 3/4 of the way down, and kept the bass at about the half-way point. It sounds much better now. It still doesn't have the best sound I've ever heard, but when I turn it up, the speakers deliver clear high notes and acceptable low-and mid-range sound.
In all honesty though, I didn't buy the car for the stereo, and I wasn't expecting it to have an audiophile system. I bought the Corvette because I wanted a sports car. If I wanted a luxury touring coupe, I would have went with a BMW 650 with the M package. I am sure the Harmon-Kardon system in that car is fabulous.
In all honesty though, I didn't buy the car for the stereo, and I wasn't expecting it to have an audiophile system. I bought the Corvette because I wanted a sports car. If I wanted a luxury touring coupe, I would have went with a BMW 650 with the M package. I am sure the Harmon-Kardon system in that car is fabulous.
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02-12-2018, 06:29 PM
#8
Even with good source I'm finding the stock system pretty underwhelming. The mid bass is boomy and the highs aren't very realistic. (un)fortunately the road noise is pretty effective in making the limitations moot.
I'm thinking of new amp/speakers if I can get the road noise under control. If I can't, well I cross off long road trips and stick to local stuff.
Oh, and if you're listening to FM or satellite the OEM systems is fine. They're so compressed and gain ridden/bass boosted there's no system that can make them sound good, so the stock system's weaknesses are immaterial.
I'm thinking of new amp/speakers if I can get the road noise under control. If I can't, well I cross off long road trips and stick to local stuff.
Oh, and if you're listening to FM or satellite the OEM systems is fine. They're so compressed and gain ridden/bass boosted there's no system that can make them sound good, so the stock system's weaknesses are immaterial.
Last edited by DWillys; 02-12-2018 at 06:32 PM.
02-12-2018, 07:27 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
hmmm, not sure what settings you have it on, but my 2016 C7 2LT vert blows away the transistor radio sound of my 2007 C6 vert. I have the treble all the way up, the bass about 3/4 of the way up and the mid range about half way. Only issue is that the bass is really deep at low volumes and overwhelms the rest mainly on Sirius. Of course, the 2LT comes with a subwoofer and the 1LT does not, but I can't imagine it makes that huge of a difference. It's not the best stereo I've heard but compared to the C6, it's a leap forward.
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02-12-2018, 07:33 PM
#10
02-12-2018, 07:46 PM
#11
15 Vette Z512Lt. Can’t believe that a Bose system with 9 speakers sounds so tinny! Took it to dealer just after I bought it to see what was wrong with the sound. They told me with 7 speakers up front and only two in rear creates that sound and that the bass was up front instead of rear. Had a friend that understands trebles, mid ranges and bass agreed it sound terrible. Had him adjust the settings and brought mid range way down, improve somewhat. Should sound like a concert hall. Thoughts please !
Their reliance on sh!tty Bose systems is aggravating, to say the least.
Hell, they even put them in Cadillacs.
02-12-2018, 07:54 PM
#12
Race Director
That’s why I listen to a new station while in the car.
02-12-2018, 08:55 PM
#14
Race Director
Did you buy your C7 to drive or listen to music?
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; 02-12-2018 at 09:56 PM.
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Kent1999 (02-15-2018)
02-12-2018, 08:57 PM
#15
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
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St. Jude Donor '13
To my ear, the sound system in our (2017 Z51 2LT, music on iPod) isn't bad, in fact it's pretty good when standing still. But the tire/engine/wind noise ruins it.
I would much prefer a quieter interior over a better sound system.
I would much prefer a quieter interior over a better sound system.
02-12-2018, 09:55 PM
#16
Bose blows!
02-12-2018, 10:21 PM
#18
The HK (Harmon Kardon) system in my Hellcat is light years ahead of the Bose system in my Vette.
Last edited by malexand123; 02-12-2018 at 10:21 PM.
02-12-2018, 10:57 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
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Hey guys. I am curious. Does playing your music through say an ipod classic sound any better? I replaced the head unit in my (C6) which obviously made a difference but playing music through an ipod really helps. Just a suggestion.
02-13-2018, 01:39 AM
#20
Le Mans Master
I have always found the music from a Bose system to be music dependent - by that I mean not all types of music sound good through Bose systems.
The one exception was Bose's first systems - Bose Series I with 9 high-end drivers and tuned equalizer of 40 years ago. Wish I'd never sold mine - I've been into high-end audio since 1960.... have had more expensive speakers (up to 15X the price) that were great, but not as musical as the original system.
But, road noise will always be an issue with sound in Vettes. There's so much road noise in the Vettes that quality sound isn't an issue anyway.... just, as others have said, crank it up to kill the road noise and go drive the car.
59K miles on my C7 and climbing....
The one exception was Bose's first systems - Bose Series I with 9 high-end drivers and tuned equalizer of 40 years ago. Wish I'd never sold mine - I've been into high-end audio since 1960.... have had more expensive speakers (up to 15X the price) that were great, but not as musical as the original system.
But, road noise will always be an issue with sound in Vettes. There's so much road noise in the Vettes that quality sound isn't an issue anyway.... just, as others have said, crank it up to kill the road noise and go drive the car.
59K miles on my C7 and climbing....