I know the other thread deals with the Bluetooth and stuff like that. But what I want to know from those of you that have them already is how is the sound from the system? Particularly in the upgraded 6 speaker system. I know the bass is never sufficient in most factory systems, but how's the rest?
Hows the sound?
- Thread starter Sonic
- Start date
jlslatton
New member
I have the LTZ so I assume I have the "upgraded" 6 speaker system. I have to say, I'm somewhat disappointed at the mids and lows of the system. It's all just really flat. If you like talk radio (I do) then you're golden. Otherwise, you'll have to fiddle a bit to get something halfway tolerable.
But, I'd imagine it's different for everyone. That's just my subjective, unprofessional opinion.
As a side note, my USB port stopped reading my usb drive. It worked perfectly for about a month now I can't get it to work. Next step is to see if the thumbdrive works in a computer.
But, I'd imagine it's different for everyone. That's just my subjective, unprofessional opinion.
As a side note, my USB port stopped reading my usb drive. It worked perfectly for about a month now I can't get it to work. Next step is to see if the thumbdrive works in a computer.
laborsmith
New member
I am thinking about the Audiocontrol LCQ1 as it works with the OEM sytem, speakers included, and allows for adds if one later is so inclined.
I had looked at the JBL MS8, which has the advantage of its own amp and works with OEM and allows for later upgrade if desired.
I too use XM for talk radio, both sports and politics, but there are times a truly desire the clear sound of a good audio system. But my standards are not too strict as I definitely enjoy the BA system in my Camaro, but it did take several months to get it dialed in.
Laborsmith
I had looked at the JBL MS8, which has the advantage of its own amp and works with OEM and allows for later upgrade if desired.
I too use XM for talk radio, both sports and politics, but there are times a truly desire the clear sound of a good audio system. But my standards are not too strict as I definitely enjoy the BA system in my Camaro, but it did take several months to get it dialed in.
Laborsmith
GhettoHippie
New member
I think the radio blows in my new sonic. It has the 6 speaker with XM & all. Doesn't get no where near loud enough. I'm gonna have to do something about this soon. Really the only complaint I have about the car. With the radio at 45(max) I can still hear the car =-( No Bueno! Is there aftermarket radios for these yet???
laborsmith
New member
GM has so much go thru the head unit, I look for ways to keep it, which is why I am looking at AudioControl and JBL, both of which are designed to decrease the bass rolloff. But changing head units does allow one to get HD radio, a marked improvement in sound quality, which GM will not offer because of its partial ownership of XM. There are after market head units for the Camaro so I wonder if one of those might work in a Sonic.
Laborsmith
Laborsmith
jlslatton
New member
I was using a SDCARD to usb adapter and the adapter somehow stopped working. New adapter and everything works.
For anyone else that uses the USB, have you noticed any mixing up of the Tracks? Like Track 1 on the album doesn't show up first when navigating the album through the sonic interface?
Speaking of navigating tracks, it's not that great. It works, I suppose but could use a few improvements:
1. The steering wheel control (up and down control) when pushed in should allow the up and down control to navigate folders instead of switching sources.
2. When pressing the menu knob, the first option should be folders. In order to change folders on the usb device, you have to push the menu knob and "scroll down" two clicks to get to the folders option. Very annoying. Especially because the menu knob for me is not too ergonomically placed.
3. There is an issue with first plugging in the usb device and having it detected. I had to have the car off and key in the first position to get it to detect the first time. Was fine after that.
I'm personally a big fan of the USB device option. I have a 32GB microSD card in an adapter with all my music, audiobooks, sermons, etc on it. It's also very well hidden in the upper glovebox.
Don't get me started on the XM station navigation. It could use a few improvements as well. Luckily I don't use it that much.
My thoughts:
Regarding HD radio, I have an aftermarket HU that includes HD radio. The whole idea of digital radio seems to forget that driving a car is an analog experience. As you go under bridges and around buildings, you lose signal, and unlike analog radio that can fuzz in and out a little, digital radio just cuts out. Or worse, it connects to the analog signal of the same station, and the timing of the song you are listening to might be ahead or behind the digital timing. As a result, you can be listening to a song that jumps ahead and falls behind in timing. It's really annoying. If you have a strong signal, you're golden, and the quality is more like CD. But I wouldn't go out of my way to have the capability. The XM technology seems quite superior, yet much more expensive.
Regarding bass, I wondered if this Infinity unit from Crutchfield would be easy to interface with the Sonic's OEM system? The don't have any information about what fits or doesn't for the Sonic as of yet.
Infinity BassLink Powered subwoofer: 200 watts and a 10" sub at Crutchfield.com
Regarding HD radio, I have an aftermarket HU that includes HD radio. The whole idea of digital radio seems to forget that driving a car is an analog experience. As you go under bridges and around buildings, you lose signal, and unlike analog radio that can fuzz in and out a little, digital radio just cuts out. Or worse, it connects to the analog signal of the same station, and the timing of the song you are listening to might be ahead or behind the digital timing. As a result, you can be listening to a song that jumps ahead and falls behind in timing. It's really annoying. If you have a strong signal, you're golden, and the quality is more like CD. But I wouldn't go out of my way to have the capability. The XM technology seems quite superior, yet much more expensive.
Regarding bass, I wondered if this Infinity unit from Crutchfield would be easy to interface with the Sonic's OEM system? The don't have any information about what fits or doesn't for the Sonic as of yet.
Infinity BassLink Powered subwoofer: 200 watts and a 10" sub at Crutchfield.com
jlslatton
New member
Well the trunk certainly has plenty of space to mount it
I think someone on here had the dash apart and the HU out. Does anyone know if there is an AUX OUT on the HU?
I'm not looking for a lot of bass either. I just need a little "foundation." As much as I love hatches, without that trunk to resonate a good 6 x 9 speaker, you just don't have much bass.
Would be interesting to hear if the stock HU has Aux out.
The Audiocontrol LCQ1 is pretty impressive, but for my needs, I think I'd be happy with a passive control.
Would be interesting to hear if the stock HU has Aux out.
The Audiocontrol LCQ1 is pretty impressive, but for my needs, I think I'd be happy with a passive control.
Adding speakers, alone, isn't going to do much in the way of bettering sound.
I've been a musician all of my life, have put in countless hours of studio time, and I've never heard an audio system bettered adding speakers alone... unless speakers were inhibiting an already quality system.
An AudioControl piece, or something along those lines, would do more to increase quality than adding new speakers.
Not trying to push my opinion here... just trying to save people money, based on personal experience.
I replaced my wife's [flat-sounding] Chrysler system not long ago with a new Pioneer HU. I left the crappy stock speakers just to see if the new HU alone would make any difference... the resulting sound blew me away! I decided new speakers weren't even needed.
Having said the above, that's my opinion/experience... for what it's worth.
BTW, I'm kinda' bummed hearing the "6-speaker sound system" (usually a catch-phrase aimed at making the average consumer believe it's a "Premium" system
) may not be all that great. The term "FLAT" from a forum member and reviews I've read speaks volumes. Especially considering what GM is charging for this supposed "inexpensive" sub-compact.
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I think the AudioControl piece would be great to try with the stock speakers, but it seems to me that the stock system is simply missing the ability to create the super low bass notes. I would be curious to add that capability in the form of a woofer and start there. We all have different music tastes and backgrounds. I'm a video editor, and I get critical in ways that are different from other listeners, I'm sure. But I've always been a bass freak.
Well, I like bottom-end too... but it has to be tight. Bottom-end simply for the sake of bottom-end is irritating and not musically pleasing. (picture the wanna-be rapper who pulls up at the stop light, rumbling every car around him, rattling all of the screws out of his doors and interior, making the traffic lights bounce overhead... trying to impress everyone with his loud "bass".
I think you get the point.
(picture the wanna-be rapper who pulls up at the stop light, rumbling every car around him, rattling all of the screws out of his doors and interior, making the traffic lights bounce overhead... trying to impress everyone with his loud "bass".
I think you get the point.
LOL I'm the kind of person who turns down the music at the stoplight so I won't bother anyone.
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