C8 Corvette Owners Swoon Over the Bose Speaker System
C8 Corvette Owners Swoon Over the Bose Speaker System
C8 Corvette features two different Bose speaker systems and most early owners are very happy with both.
The new C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has received glowing reviews since the first models reached dealerships. Owners love the look, feel and performance of the long-awaited mid-engine Chevy sports car. It is the quickest, fastest and most powerful “base” Corvette to date. Members of the forum who are lucky enough to have gotten one are happy with just about every aspect of the C8 Stingray.
Over the past few months, we have showcased the input of new C8 owners, but we haven’t talked much about the Bose speaker system in the newest Corvette Stingray. Fortunately, “Fritzep” posted a thread in the C8 General Discussion section where he praises the Bose sound system in his Stingray. He loves the 14-speaker “Performance Series” system and so do most other owners. There are even a few members who enjoy the 10-speaker system. While a few folks would prefer an even higher end speaker system, the vast majority of owners are very happy with the audio capacities of their C8.
High Praise for Bose
When the OP first posted his thread to the forum, he shared a story of how he had a few beers and found himself hanging out with his C8 in the garage.
I had a few beers the other night and I found myself sitting in my C8 listening to the system. The sounds dynamics are really good…My wife came in the garage asked me if I was crazy…I said you know this sounds really good…could really spend some time sitting in this thing. I have to say I really like this car!!
Forum moderator “Zymurgy” was the first to comment and he agrees with the OP.
The 14 speaker C8 system is by far the best OEM system GM has put in the Corvette. Haven’t heard the 10 speaker (1LT) system to compare.
“Spamburger Hamburger” shared his views while warning others to prepare for some negativity.
I have the 14 Speaker system in my C8, it’s the upgraded version of the Premium Bose system in my Infiniti. Both sound really great for OEM systems. You’re going to get a thread filled with self proclaimed audio files trashing it, but it’s pretty dang good for what it is.8.5.2
“Liggy” talked about the extreme volume levels of the system.
It’s definitely very good for a factory stereo. It’s also -incredibly- loud. I’ve not been able to go above about 75% volume without my passenger screaming uncle…not that I could hear them!
Knowing some crazy audiophiles it’s not the best I’ve heard, for example at high volumes the midrange seems to fade a bit, but it’s by far the best OEM I’ve heard to date.
While most of the members posting to praise the 14-speaker Bose system in the C8, “Thart53” had great things to say about the basic system in the 1LT.
I have the 1LT 10 Speaker Bose system and am absolutely blown away with how nice it is. I can’t imagine wanting or needed anything more than this. There is nothing ” base” about that sound system – it’s incredible. It sounds as good or better than the system in my Model 3 Performance with premium sound.
Bose C8 Naysayers
As predicted, there are some members who don’t think that the speakers in the C8 Stingray are anything special. The first was “19/C7Z”, who likes the system, but does not think that it is as great as some people are making it out to be.
Anyone who hasn’t experienced a finely tuned hi end stereo usually rants and raves about the bose in their cars because of the lack of first hand experience with any other type of higher end audio. I used to be very into hi end audio and as I got older other priorities took precedent and I find the bose a good compromise. There are way better factory stereos out there imo that do a better job at separation. But the new 14 speaker system is the best so far in a corvette. I also think the smaller cabin and that thick back glass really help. Also very dependent on the type of music you enjoy. But Bose does a lot with less.
The next was “Steve-O”, who would like the speakers to be located closer to his head.
We have the 10 speaker system and while it does sound good, at 50mph+ it is not loud enough with the top off if you really wanna be rockin’ down the highway. I think there should have somehow been speakers placed closer to the headrests.
The Bose system in my Infinity coupe sounded much better and the best OEM system I’ve ever heard was the Nakamichi in my Brother’s Lexus.
“Garycoral” is more impressed by the system in his wife’s BMW SUV.
Sorry guys – I love the car, but the sound system is nothing special. Just bought my wife an X5 and spent $800 on the Harmon Kardon upgrade – That system makes the Bose system sound like it’s got 4 speakers not 14.
I know ya’ll seem to love it – Maybe it’s because it’s such a big improvement? This is my first Vette so I have nothing to previous to compare it to.
Meanwhile, “Vet Interested” hasn’t liked the Bose system in any of the modern Corvettes.
I have yet to hear a Bose system in a Vette worth listening to. The C6 was bad. The C7 only slightly better. Hope the C8 changes my mind. We shall see.
And, lastly, Racer X delivered the Audiophile truth about all car systems.
I have to laugh when these threads come up. First most of the source material people listen to in cars is crap. Compressed digital files, FM radio, XM radio, AM radio. There is nothing audiophile about it. Second, all car systems are crap compared to the best home systems. Third, the acoustics of cars are crap at best. Forth, Most people don’t listen to live acoustic music in a good venue, to even know what it is supposed to sound like. Fifth based on the average age of new Corvette buyers, most don’t have the hearing to discern good systems from fabulous audiophile systems.
All 4-20+ speaker car systems have phase problems. A louder system sounds better to most people. It is trick they use in audio stores, they play the more expensive system a bit louder, so you think it is better. Same kind of thing they do with TVs brighter is perceived as better.
There are no true audiophile car systems. And true audiophile home systems cost more than a new Corvette.
This is an argument about who’s dung heap is less smelly. They are still dung heaps.
That being said, the majority of owners are very impressed with the C8 Corvette Bose speaker systems.
Bose Corvette System Details
During the discussion, “Bluan” asked how you identify the two Bose systems offered in the C8 Corvette.
How one can tell if your car has the 14 speakers system or the basic level of 10 speakers system installed? I have not seen any diagram showing where exactly all the 14 speakers are located.
That question was answered perfectly by “Michael T”. He provided a series of images from Bose which show the location of every speaker in each configuration. He also included a list of features, showing how the 10- and 14-speaker systems differ beyond the number of speakers.
The key visual difference between the two Bose system relates to the speaker grilles on the upper door area. In C8 Stingrays with the 14-speaker Performance Series system, the grilles are silver-painted metal. In 1LT models with the 10-speaker system, the grilles are black plastic. Ultimately, we know that the 10-speaker system is standard in 1LT models while the 2LT and 3LT get the 14-speaker system, but for those who don’t know the trim level, the speaker covers on the door are the easiest indicator.
For those wondering exactly how the two C8 Corvette Bose systems differ in terms of layout, the graphics here list the features of each. If you compare the two graphics, you will see that the Performance Series includes a pair of 1-inch tweeters in the door along with a pair of 3.25-inch “twiddler” speakers that are mounted in the rear side panels. The other 10 speakers are shared between the two systems, but there are some other functional differences.
The 10-speaker system has a 10 channel amplifier system with 400 watts of power. The 14-speaker system has a 16 channel amp with 640 watts of output. The higher end system also has a peak volume level of 125 dB to 118 for the 10-speaker system. Finally, the 1LT system does not have the Advanced Staging Technology feature.
In short, the C8 Corvette Bose system might not outperform every system on the market. However, for a standard offering, owners are very happy with the resulting sound.
Interior images courtesy of GM Media
Speaker system graphics courtesy of Bose
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