Best factory audio system ever?
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LOL. Best Chevy Bose system, maybe. Best overall? Not even close. Unless your definition of "best" is artificial, boomy mid-bass, no real low end, and volume more important than accuracy or low distortion. Yes, it's LOUD. But that's not the measure of "good."
For a Bose system, it's pretty good. But that's the best can be said about it.
That "review" reads like he was just parroting Bose's press release.
For a Bose system, it's pretty good. But that's the best can be said about it.
That "review" reads like he was just parroting Bose's press release.
Thread Starter
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MP3? what the heck is that? :-) Only lossless FLAC files from ripped CD's and hi rez downloads are played in my C8 via thumb drive....
I will say that Bose has come a long way since the stock system in the C5-OMG what a loser. I am not a Bose fan in any way. But, I do agree that the 14-speaker system in my 2LT is the best stock system I have had as well.
I do wish there was more low-end oomph, but what can they do-there is not enough depth anywhere in the car to put in a bass driver that can truly move some air.....
I will say that Bose has come a long way since the stock system in the C5-OMG what a loser. I am not a Bose fan in any way. But, I do agree that the 14-speaker system in my 2LT is the best stock system I have had as well.
I do wish there was more low-end oomph, but what can they do-there is not enough depth anywhere in the car to put in a bass driver that can truly move some air.....
Last edited by Harlaquin; Sep 22, 2021 at 09:35 PM.
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From: Atlanta Georgia
Pro
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this. My wife’s XC90 with the B & W is next level. Adjusting the settings is a PITA and cannot be done on the fly, but truly a great sound. Even my non-audio loving friends notice it.
Safety Car
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I have heard that it’s not good at all. With my age they all sound similar, That is probably the last reason that I bought the C8. I didn’t buy it for sounds. I guess I’m old fashioned. 14 speakers really?
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One fun thing I have noticed about the 14 speaker Bose in the C8 is that the "subwoofers" in the doors vent to the bottom of the door and if it's turned up pretty loud, my pant legs flutter.
Melting Slicks
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From: Minnesota
I agree, my music sounds great at 70 MPH with the HTC top down and in max Z mode exhaust volume, LOL!
Seriously, it does sound decent with the motor shut down and the music on for a few seconds before I open the door.
Seriously, it does sound decent with the motor shut down and the music on for a few seconds before I open the door.
Race Director
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From: NJ
His M8 system is good but again the newer Bose concert series I've heard so far is very good and definitely better than the system in that car as well. Maybe car vs suv.
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Burning Brakes
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The C8 Bose system is good for those who like the bass loud and boomy, which probably happens to be most people. It is not so good for a critical listener that prefers an accurate frequency response, such as those accustomed to listening to high quality sound reproduction.
I found the best settings for me are to set the system to "normal" mode and drop the bass down 3 or 4 notches. It is fine for some music, but still is not very good at reproducing the vocals in some songs - the vocals sound suppressed. In some songs where the vocals should be front and prominent, they are drowned out to an extent. I especially notice it on some of the songs by Dire Straits and Chris Isaak, for example. In Chris Isaak's "Blue Spanish Sky" even the trumpet gets a little lost.
I found the best settings for me are to set the system to "normal" mode and drop the bass down 3 or 4 notches. It is fine for some music, but still is not very good at reproducing the vocals in some songs - the vocals sound suppressed. In some songs where the vocals should be front and prominent, they are drowned out to an extent. I especially notice it on some of the songs by Dire Straits and Chris Isaak, for example. In Chris Isaak's "Blue Spanish Sky" even the trumpet gets a little lost.
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From: Long Island NY
The C8 Bose system is good for those who like the bass loud and boomy, which probably happens to be most people. It is not so good for a critical listener that prefers an accurate frequency response, such as those accustomed to listening to high quality sound reproduction.
I found the best settings for me are to set the system to "normal" mode and drop the bass down 3 or 4 notches. It is fine for some music, but still is not very good at reproducing the vocals in some songs - the vocals sound suppressed. In some songs where the vocals should be front and prominent, they are drowned out to an extent. I especially notice it on some of the songs by Dire Straits and Chris Isaak, for example. In Chris Isaak's "Blue Spanish Sky" even the trumpet gets a little lost.
I found the best settings for me are to set the system to "normal" mode and drop the bass down 3 or 4 notches. It is fine for some music, but still is not very good at reproducing the vocals in some songs - the vocals sound suppressed. In some songs where the vocals should be front and prominent, they are drowned out to an extent. I especially notice it on some of the songs by Dire Straits and Chris Isaak, for example. In Chris Isaak's "Blue Spanish Sky" even the trumpet gets a little lost.
Last edited by kbreese; Sep 23, 2021 at 10:15 AM.
Burning Brakes
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Kinda like the Logitech 2.1 system I bought for my computer that had a big sub. It had great reviews, people loved it. It didn't last long at all before I gave it away and bought some JBL studio monitors to replace them. HUGE difference in SQ. Gone was the deep boomy bass, but it was replaced by clean, smooth, beautiful rich & accurate sound. Totally agree with you most people simply judge SQ but how loud it can play and how much booming bass their is. BTW, love Chris Isaak, and that song too.
That's also why Bose has been such a successful company over the years. There always have been much better sounding speakers at a fraction of their cost, but the typical consumer wants the artificial sounding boom, boom.
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Safety Car
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Anytime this topic comes up there’s always gonna be those that can swear they can’t hear a gnat fart in the Bose in a moving sports car over all the exhaust, traffic, wind and tire noise like they can in their home sound booth.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Virginia
In the 90's my brother got a new Lexus (forget the model) with a Nakamichi system in it, and it was quite awesome, at least that's how I remember it being a teenager back then.
I've had a Bose in my Audi and now in this one. This one is really nice and probably one of the better ones. Hard to say best though.
I've had a Bose in my Audi and now in this one. This one is really nice and probably one of the better ones. Hard to say best though.
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From: East Coast Traveler
Funny, that was just but one example that came immediately to mind. I'm still shocked at how great those systems were in a car! It also makes me sooo cringe each time people have the words "Bose" and "best" combined in any sentence that doesn't have the word "not" in it. But hey, if they like Bose, then great! Live and let live. If they are happy with the "blue" pill, then why should we mess with it. Otherwise, if they want to know better, the red pill would show them what "best" really would sound like and it will alter their perception forever.
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Funny, that was just but one example that came immediately to mind. I'm still shocked at how great those systems were in a car! It also makes me sooo cringe each time people have the words "Bose" and "best" combined in any sentence that doesn't have the word "not" in it. But hey, if they like Bose, then great! Live and let live. If they are happy with the "blue" pill, then why should we mess with it. Otherwise, if they want to know better, the red pill would show them what "best" really would sound like and it will alter their perception forever.
Last edited by Majestic94; Sep 23, 2021 at 05:46 PM.
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From: East Coast Traveler
Just to give you an example, when I'm shuttling my kids around I am subjected to their music and them singing along to it. They have commented at how the singer's voice is sooo much clearer in the AMG's Burmester and Volvo's Bang & Olufsen compared to the Bose in the C8 and Porsche. These are 10 and 12 year olds hearing this difference. The Bose's bass is "boomy" and not tight like a drum compared to the others. Up until you hear these things back to back to back, can you only truly appreciate that this difference is not subjective. It's very objective. And then once you get to listen to truly higher end audio is when it becomes subjective.
Last edited by theclutch; Sep 23, 2021 at 06:09 PM.