[MX5Racer]

Originally Posted by Msquared

Both the base and Bose have no tweeters. Bose-equipped models add a center dash speaker (another 2.5" twiddler), plus rear deck subs for the coupe. I don't doubt that the Bose system plays way louder than the base system: that's why it uses 2-ohm speakers. But I do doubt the sound quality: Bose practically invented the "boom and tizz" tuning that allows very cheap hardware to capture people's attending for a 30-second audition but isn't actually very realistic or musical. The problem is that very few people know what good sound quality or live music sounds like, so they think high SPLs and "boom and tizz" is the shit.

I don't claim to be an expert but I'm pretty picky with home audio stuff.
I've sure enjoyed my Martin-Logans for the past couple decades.

[GAbobcat2ss]

I have the 2SS and I think the Bose system is just ok. Really depends on what you like but for me the Bose system has good base and ok high range but mid range is weak. Seems to sound best when playing MP3s from my phone or from a USB stick. Best advice would be to listen to the system with the music you like. Big difference in Rock versus classical etc.


BTW the system in my Jeep Grand Cherokee trailhawk by comparison sounds way better to me plus it has HD radio that I really like. I wish GM would add HD radio the standard FM in the 2SS is just Meh.


Also to me XM/Sirrus sounds so bad these days since they dropped the audio quality to pack on more channels. Can't stand to listen to it anymore on any car. MP3s or streaming like Pandora sounds better to me.

[cdrptrks]

Originally Posted by Msquared

1SS comes with an amp in the trunk (different than the Bose amp) but a standard six-speaker system.

I will say that you can certainly upgrade the amp and speakers that come with the 1LT for less money than the price difference between the three trim levels.

I have experienced both in rental Camaros and I have the regular stereo on my SS 1LE. I found that the Bose system was able to be turned up louder but I didn't notice the actual quality being any better. The regular stereo volume already goes loud enough for for me.

Adding an amp and subwoofer box in the trunk with the regular stereo would be the the biggest improvement you could get IMO if you care about bass.

[nancygrl]

I've got a '23 convertible 1LT with the bose and this is way better than the bose that came in the 2016 I had back then.

[jamala00]

Originally Posted by nancygrl

I've got a '23 convertible 1LT with the bose and this is way better than the bose that came in the 2016 I had back then.

I have a 2016 with Bose... I'm curious.. What did GM change from the Bose system in a 2016 vs 2023?

[nancygrl]

Originally Posted by jamala00

I have a 2016 with Bose... I'm curious.. What did GM change from the Bose system in a 2016 vs 2023?

Don't know what they changed, but from what I recall in my old 2016, I'm able to turn up the volume higher and keeping everything sounding good without it being clipped. I always was wanting more and just couldn't get the right sound.

[Aragorn]

Not to get off topic from op, but now a days, I like keep volume low go mid, but still need to hear the bass. Pretty much need a sub with amp for that.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by nancygrl

I've got a '23 convertible 1LT with the bose and this is way better than the bose that came in the 2016 I had back then.

If his 2016 was a coupe instead of a convertible, the Bose system is different. For sure it lacks the rear-deck subs in the convertible, but who knows what else is changed to account for that?

[ckt227]

The Bose in my 95 Z28 had 5 speakers if I remember right. It sounded better than the Bose I have in my 22 ZL1. I had a 2002 with the Monsoon if I remember correctly. 500 watts of nothing special.

[Bob RS]

I have the Bose sound system and all I can tell you is this that this is by far the best sounding stock sound system and any vehicle I have owned.

[digitalfutur]

Bose systems are known more for their sound image than huge bass. My '16 Malibu daily driver has the 9 speaker Bose system and it sounds great, with decent but not car-shaking bass.

I have the stock stereo in my Camaro and it sounds fine, though it does need to be turned up close to half volume to get decent bass...I only listen to my Spotify playlists on Apple Carplay while driving. The Bose system in the Camaro doesn't sound $800 better than the stock system and the extra inch of screen size that it comes with it is too tiny a change for the money GM wants for it.

In any case I have Borla Atak catbacks so I always shift the A8 manually for optimum engine and exhaust sound (3000+ rpm). That's the kind of music my Camaro does best.

[MX5Racer]

Originally Posted by digitalfutur

Bose systems are known more for their sound image than huge bass. My '16 Malibu daily driver has the 9 speaker Bose system and it sounds great, with decent but not car-shaking bass.

I have the stock stereo in my Camaro and it sounds fine, though it does need to be turned up close to half volume to get decent bass...I only listen to my Spotify playlists on Apple Carplay while driving. The Bose system in the Camaro doesn't sound $800 better than the stock system and the extra inch of screen size that it comes with it is too tiny a change for the money GM wants for it.

In any case I have Borla Atak catbacks so I always shift the A8 manually for optimum engine and exhaust sound (3000+ rpm). That's the kind of music my Camaro does best.

I had Borla ATAK on my 2017 Mustang GT and it sure does snarl

As for the BOSE/Screen upgrade, I look at the 900 bucks this way: The better sound is easily worth 700 to me, and the bigger screen easily worth 200. If nothing else it just looks better with the shiny screen extending to the edges rather than being recessed in a flat black plastic frame. My Mustang had it even worse, not having the bigger screen my backup cam was literally business card size. Drove me nuts and irritated me every time I drove the car for 2 years. So divide that 900 clams out over how many times you will drive the car over how many years, and it sure seems like a bargain to me. If they'd offer a CD changer for another $900, I'd be all over it.

[jamala00]

Originally Posted by nancygrl

Don't know what they changed, but from what I recall in my old 2016, I'm able to turn up the volume higher and keeping everything sounding good without it being clipped. I always was wanting more and just couldn't get the right sound.

I tried to find documentation on if GM changed anything with the Bose system in the Camaro from 2016 - present in the same style car. (aka Coupe vs Coupe) Can't find any documentation that says anything was changed.

[Allez]

My Bose system is fine for me.

I don't turn my music way up. I usually crack my window open so I can hear my exhaust better. My music is secondary.