Became very upset today...I need help! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LS3 SS · 06-19-2012, 09:04 AM

Dropped my 2010 SS off at the dealership today to get some transmission work done, and they gave me a 2012 Chevy cruze as a dealer loaner.

I started messing with the audio system, and I am amazed at the refined quality of the system in the newer GM models, and very dissapointed in the crappy quality of the BA system in the early model 5th Gens.

I know I am beating a dead horse, but I don't really want a loud sound system. I want something similiar to a system like the cruze, where the bass, the mid's and high's are crisp and clear.

What would be my best option?? I still haven't decided if I want to get an aftermarket subwoofer. Can this be achieved through replacing the speakers?

darkrider01 · 06-19-2012, 09:08 AM

Start by replacing the Boston Amp. It's beyond terrible. You'd be amazed at how much better it sounds with just a quality amp.

Another option would be a JBL MS-8. It's a system integration processor. It's also an amplifier. I have heard some mixed reviews, but most people love it. I have also read some stellar reviews online for it. I was impressed enough to buy one myself, and I have already replaced all of the speakers and amps in my car.

LS3 SS · 06-19-2012, 09:15 AM

Pm sent

Iwantone2 · 06-19-2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkrider01

Start by replacing the Boston Amp. It's beyond terrible. You'd be amazed at how much better it sounds with just a quality amp.

Another option would be a JBL MS-8. It's a system integration processor. It's also an amplifier. I have heard some mixed reviews, but most people love it. I have also read some stellar reviews online for it. I was impressed enough to buy one myself, and I have already replaced all of the speakers and amps in my car.

This.

My audio shop also told me to get a processor, and that it would greatly enhance the system.

jeepguy_1980 · 06-19-2012, 05:04 PM

I listened to a BA system once, and felt that the stock system sounded better. The BA system did have more bass, but worse sound quality overall. I know most people attribute the bad sound quality to the center speaker.

strych9 · 06-19-2012, 05:36 PM

I don't think my BA has bad sound quality.

jeepguy_1980 · 06-19-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strych9

I don't think my BA has bad sound quality.

I only listened to it for about 2 minutes in another Camaro. There was noticeable distortion. It was one car, and it wasn't new on the lot. It is also well documented on this forum that the center speaker sounds terrible, and I'm sure that is what I was hearing.

I test drove a new Ram the other day, it had the base audio system. It was one of the worst audio systems I've ever heard. Far worse than the base system that the Camaro has.

atma · 06-19-2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strych9

I don't think my BA has bad sound quality.

from what I've been lead to believe, there's two reasons for that. one is that the '12s came with a different amp. maybe not necessarily better, but more appropriate? the second is that it's tuned way different. the center channel is now turned way down and acts more as enhancement for the stereo channels, rather than sitting loud and proud out front as one would on a home theater system.

this information is stuff i picked up along the way on this forum and did not come from any source which i can confirm as credible. take it for what you will, but I certainly have noticed apretty marked improvement in the 2012 when A/B'd to a 2010 or '11.

Obzen · 06-20-2012, 11:17 AM

Go on crutchfield, buy new front component speakers, install. Enjoy better sound. Simple as pie.

Mach · 06-20-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strych9

I don't think my BA has bad sound quality.

Mine sounds great. I am happy with it.

Iwantone2 · 06-20-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obzen

Go on crutchfield, buy new front component speakers, install. Enjoy better sound. Simple as pie.

As well as, change the stock BA amp to get WAY better sound

strych9 · 06-21-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atma

from what I've been lead to believe, there's two reasons for that. one is that the '12s came with a different amp. maybe not necessarily better, but more appropriate? the second is that it's tuned way different. the center channel is now turned way down and acts more as enhancement for the stereo channels, rather than sitting loud and proud out front as one would on a home theater system.

this information is stuff i picked up along the way on this forum and did not come from any source which i can confirm as credible. take it for what you will, but I certainly have noticed apretty marked improvement in the 2012 when A/B'd to a 2010 or '11.

You might be onto something here. I frankly can't even tell it the center channel does anything. I listen to popular music at higher volumes, and I must say, it does sound solid.

akCamaross · 06-21-2012, 02:35 PM

ya i was saying the same thing. expecting a little more out of a 35k car. i wish gm went back to bose in all there cars.

darkrider01 · 06-21-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akCamaross

ya i was saying the same thing. expecting a little more out of a 35k car. i wish gm went back to bose in all there cars.

A lot of people hate on the Bose systems, but my 04' Avalanche (with factory Bose subwoofer in console) sounds awesome. It's head and shoulders above the Boston system that was in my Camaro. It has excellent low end, midbass, mids, highs - it's been fantastic.

(Disclaimer - I replaced my factory Bose amp with the Bose amp and navigation head unit from an Escalade - it added DSP functions and just sounds better.)

akCamaross · 06-21-2012, 03:02 PM

Thats weird! The bose systems always sounded good to me!

Iwantone2 · 06-21-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkrider01

A lot of people hate on the Bose systems, but my 04' Avalanche (with factory Bose subwoofer in console) sounds awesome. It's head and shoulders above the Boston system that was in my Camaro. It has excellent low end, midbass, mids, highs - it's been fantastic.

(Disclaimer - I replaced my factory Bose amp with the Bose amp and navigation head unit from an Escalade - it added DSP functions and just sounds better.)

I've heard a lot of people call it the "Blows" systems

DeAdMiKe187 · 06-22-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strych9

You might be onto something here. I frankly can't even tell it the center channel does anything. I listen to popular music at higher volumes, and I must say, it does sound solid.

From what I hear, Chevy fixed something with the center speaker on the '12 models. Apparently, they lowered the volume on i so it's not overpowering the other speakers. I guess that's why us people with the '12 cars like our BA system.

I went into the settings and turned the Midrange to -8, and the Fade to -8, and it sounds waaaaaaaaaaaay better. Give it a shot and let me know what you think.

IROCanSS · 06-22-2012, 06:51 AM

Don't equate cost of the car with quality of the stereo. Ever heard the stereo in a Ferrari or Lamborghini? Let's just say they aren't the best. And if you dare complain about it in those cars you will seriously get laughed at. Some cars you just don't buy for the stereo.

When I had the BA equipped SS, I thought it sounded great but I didn't want a mobile sound stage either. If that's you thing, gut it and start over. The BA system is good for the typical person.

06-19-2012, 09:04 AM	#1
LS3 SS Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ft. Campbell, KY Posts: 1,287	Became very upset today...I need help! Dropped my 2010 SS off at the dealership today to get some transmission work done, and they gave me a 2012 Chevy cruze as a dealer loaner. I started messing with the audio system, and I am amazed at the refined quality of the system in the newer GM models, and very dissapointed in the crappy quality of the BA system in the early model 5th Gens. I know I am beating a dead horse, but I don't really want a loud sound system. I want something similiar to a system like the cruze, where the bass, the mid's and high's are crisp and clear. What would be my best option?? I still haven't decided if I want to get an aftermarket subwoofer. Can this be achieved through replacing the speakers?

06-19-2012, 09:08 AM	#2
darkrider01 Deaf Audiophile Drives: 2010 IBM 2SS/RS, 2013 Avalanche LTZ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 541	Start by replacing the Boston Amp. It's beyond terrible. You'd be amazed at how much better it sounds with just a quality amp. Another option would be a JBL MS-8. It's a system integration processor. It's also an amplifier. I have heard some mixed reviews, but most people love it. I have also read some stellar reviews online for it. I was impressed enough to buy one myself, and I have already replaced all of the speakers and amps in my car. __________________ My amplifier pop/click/thump solution thread Power Mods * K&N Typhoon CAI, Flowmaster American Thunder cat-back exhaust, Hurst Short Throw Shifter Visual Mods * Black Phantom Grille Audio Mods * Stinger SPP 2250 Battery * Pioneer AVH-P8400BH * Scosche Dash Kit * Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.3 * Rockford Fosgate Power T1000-1bdCP * 2-JL Audio 13W6v2 * Rockford Fosgate Power T800-4AD * Focal 165KRX2 Power (active) * Rockford Fosgate Power T400-4 * Rockford Fosgate Power T1692

06-19-2012, 05:36 PM	#6
strych9 U can't handle the truth Drives: 2012 2SS/RS/TF3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 1,678 View My Garage	I don't think my BA has bad sound quality. __________________ SP 1 7/8" LT Headers \| Cat Delete \| Flowmaster AT Cat-back \| CAI Intake \| JRE Scoop \| Jannetty Tune --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 of 371 total TF3 SS 6-speeds built Build Journal

06-21-2012, 02:35 PM	#13
akCamaross Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Huntingtown, Maryland Posts: 422	ya i was saying the same thing. expecting a little more out of a 35k car. i wish gm went back to bose in all there cars. __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS - SIM - M6 + Mods haha

06-21-2012, 03:02 PM	#15
akCamaross Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Huntingtown, Maryland Posts: 422	Thats weird! The bose systems always sounded good to me! __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS - SIM - M6 + Mods haha

06-19-2012, 09:15 AM	#3
LS3 SS Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ft. Campbell, KY Posts: 1,287	Pm sent

06-19-2012, 05:04 PM	#5
jeepguy_1980 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newport News Posts: 1,286 View My Garage	I listened to a BA system once, and felt that the stock system sounded better. The BA system did have more bass, but worse sound quality overall. I know most people attribute the bad sound quality to the center speaker.

06-20-2012, 11:17 AM	#9
Obzen Pull up Cougar! Drives: 2011 SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,859	Go on crutchfield, buy new front component speakers, install. Enjoy better sound. Simple as pie.

06-22-2012, 06:51 AM	#18
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,521 View My Garage	Don't equate cost of the car with quality of the stereo. Ever heard the stereo in a Ferrari or Lamborghini? Let's just say they aren't the best. And if you dare complain about it in those cars you will seriously get laughed at. Some cars you just don't buy for the stereo. When I had the BA equipped SS, I thought it sounded great but I didn't want a mobile sound stage either. If that's you thing, gut it and start over. The BA system is good for the typical person.