[Chutzpah]

My opinion. The base speakers stink, Bose speakers are a step up, install of an after market amp and speakers is the best option by far… even on the base system. But, it really depends on how tuned in your ears are. I listen to a lot of music, and honestly, I think the Bose speakers are barely acceptable. If you’re going to spend the $, I’d go aftermarket.

[Aragorn]

The reviews on the Bose system are a bit mixed. My strategy has always been to just add on a powered subwoofer to the stock system.

[grgus73]

Agree on the speakers, also they are as good as the source. In my car I listen to SiriusXM and it sounds not so great with even amazing speakers. At home, I listen to vinyl and will spend the money on a great audiophile setup.

[tlr3715]

Has anyone been able to confirm if the base speakers are the same as the Bose setup? (Just missing the two A pillars and center speaker)

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by tlr3715

Has anyone been able to confirm if the base speakers are the same as the Bose setup? (Just missing the two A pillars and center speaker)

They’re not the same speakers…if I remember correctly, the Bose are rated for 2 Ohms and the base are 4 Ohms.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by grgus73

Agree on the speakers, also they are as good as the source. In my car I listen to SiriusXM and it sounds not so great with even amazing speakers. At home, I listen to vinyl and will spend the money on a great audiophile setup.

Yep, I 100% agree on the source. I have a difficult time listening to Sirius, as in its my absolute last choice.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by Saberscar233

Yeah the LT1 can have thr Bose as an option

Understood. I misunderstood your OP. So adding the Technology Package to an LT1 (to get the Bose and the better display) is $900. That's arguably pretty cost-effective. But if it means you don't get the 1SS and you really wanted SS equipment, then I'd say get the SS and do an aftermarket stereo upgrade. The alternative is also viable: get the LT1 with the Tech package and then add aftermarket wheels and summer tires plus maybe the 1LE suspension kit or lowering kit to give it SS or better handling.

Originally Posted by tlr3715

Has anyone been able to confirm if the base speakers are the same as the Bose setup? (Just missing the two A pillars and center speaker)

The Bose speakers are different than the base speakers. The base speakers are 4ohm drivers: IIRC they literally say it on their backsides, and that's how they measured when I took them out. That's actually good, because it makes it a lot easier to get decent results from drop-in replacements. But I agree with the others that say that even a decent aftermarket upgrade will outperform the Bose system. I did a very minimalist upgrade path on my 1SS 1LE and it's a massive improvement in accuracy, musicality, soundstaging, etc. The Bose system probably plays louder, but not better. I'm very much an audiophile in home and I've attended a lot of live performances of all types over the years, so I have pretty good idea what good sound is.

Originally Posted by Chutzpah

Yep, I 100% agree on the source. I have a difficult time listening to Sirius, as in its my absolute last choice.

I mostly agree about Sirius. There are exceptions, though: the Real Jazz and Symphony Hall stations are way better somehow. That has to be intentional, like they allocate more bandwidth for them in some way.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by Msquared

Understood. I misunderstood your OP. So adding the Technology Package to an LT1 (to get the Bose and the better display) is $900. That's arguably pretty cost-effective. But if it means you don't get the 1SS and you really wanted SS equipment, then I'd say get the SS and do an aftermarket stereo upgrade. The alternative is also viable: get the LT1 with the Tech package and then add aftermarket wheels and summer tires plus maybe the 1LE suspension kit or lowering kit to give it SS or better handling.

The Bose speakers are different than the base speakers. The base speakers are 4ohm drivers: IIRC they literally say it on their backsides, and that's how they measured when I took them out. That's actually good, because it makes it a lot easier to get decent results from drop-in replacements. But I agree with the others that say that even a decent aftermarket upgrade will outperform the Bose system. I did a very minimalist upgrade path on my 1SS 1LE and it's a massive improvement in accuracy, musicality, soundstaging, etc. The Bose system probably plays louder, but not better. I'm very much an audiophile in home and I've attended a lot of live performances of all types over the years, so I have pretty good idea what good sound is.

I mostly agree about Sirius. There are exceptions, though: the Real Jazz and Symphony Hall stations are way better somehow. That has to be intentional, like they allocate more bandwidth for them in some way.

I’ll have to try the Real Jazz channel…

[JamesNoBrakes]

Ill say this, the upgraded sound system in my Stinger is noticeably better/clearer. The Camaro is a louder car due to the tires, but I definitely notice the difference in clarity.

[JoeCamaro444]

Last year I sold my 2017 1SS, and a couple of months later I found and bought my 2018 2SS M6 Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Edition. The stereo upgrade was huge. Get the Bose and that’s some electrical upgrades you don’t need to worry about dealing with.

[goata8]

Big difference. Bose sounds great to me. That was one of the deciding factors of me deciding to go 1SS or LT1. I had the regular stereo in my 17 1SS and although I wouldn't call it terrible it definitely was not anything like the Bose in my LT1. And I didn't want to get into modifying anything so its plenty good for me.

[22LT1Camaro]

For better or worse, it’s exactly what I’d expect after buying GM products over the past 30 years. Nothing to get excited over aside from being able to turn the volume up without introducing unbearable distortion.

I think it’s worth the upgrade, but, the base system in my Subaru seems to sound better at normal volume levels.

The Bose system in my opinion lacks brilliance and clarity.

Upside is that it was part of the technology package and the upgraded infotainment screen is one of the best and most responsive I have ever used.

[WhiteMale]

I had them side-by-side so to speak. I had whatever base system in an 18 1LE and then I got this 23 ZL1 with the Bose system and it's quite an improvement, very noticeable in my non-audiophile way. I stopped being about car stereo's 30 years ago and never optioned them in cars, upgrades, but this one was standard on the Z and just saying it's way better than what I had but I'll leave it at that.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by Saberscar223

How good is the Bose upgrade

I'd say it's good enough not to make me want to go out and upgrade it.

If you can't get the Bose upgrade with your car, you can check out Gen5DIY and see what they can do for you.

Originally Posted by 22LT1Camaro

The Bose system in my opinion lacks brilliance and clarity.

IMO that's because the tweeters are not pointed at your head (i.e. A-pillar mount). Most modern luxury cars with upgraded system and lots-o-speakers will perform better than a muscle car system with low-door and rear-deck drivers. My old 2009 Genesis' 17 speaker Lexicon blew away just about anything out there at any price. Man that car made great music. But the sounds my vert makes with the top down are much better, radio on or off