Improving Stock Stereo Sound Quality

blairlee · September 15, 2011

I'm not a big audiophile, and I like the appearance and functionality of the stock (non-Bose) stereo setup. I do have an issue with the sound quality, though; I feel like there's way too much bass output, even with the equalizer completely flat. With the music at a moderate volume, the bass is just too heavy and muddy for my tastes. Not sure why GM thought it would be a good idea to do this.

Anyway, would installing an aftermarket amp help to clean things up a bit? Would it make "flat" output from the head unit truly flat, or would it just make everything worse?

Superperv23 · September 15, 2011

Amp would make everything worse

greentourismo · September 15, 2011

aftermarket headunit

aesalazar · September 16, 2011

I would start by replacing the speakers first. Then the HU, and then the amp if you are so compelled but that is just my preference.

If you are going to go through the trouble of adding an amp, might as well change out the speakers. You can keep the orginal HU if you want to keep a stock look but you will need line out converters.

Ernie

jimbrown1 · September 16, 2011

I'm doing that today, replacing the speakers, tweeters and adding an amp while keeping the head unit. If you want to keep the stock head unit, there is an issue with keeping OnStar and the fact that your door chime will be amped so you have to make some modifications for OnStar and door chime to come out a separate speaker, say a 3.5 inch installed under the dash or something. Looking forward to dumping these stock speakers and getting more clarity in the music. When I bought my truck the dealer told me he could let me listen to a truck with the Bose system and one with the stock system and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. That was a line of BS. Good luck with your decision.

Cloudsplitter · September 29, 2011

I'm doing that today, replacing the speakers, tweeters and adding an amp while keeping the head unit. If you want to keep the stock head unit, there is an issue with keeping OnStar and the fact that your door chime will be amped so you have to make some modifications for OnStar and door chime to come out a separate speaker, say a 3.5 inch installed under the dash or something. Looking forward to dumping these stock speakers and getting more clarity in the music. When I bought my truck the dealer told me he could let me listen to a truck with the Bose system and one with the stock system and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. That was a line of BS. Good luck with your decision.

I knew about the issue with the door chime, but I wasn't aware of problems with OnStar... can you give some more details? I'm doing the a similar upgrade; keeping my stock head unit by using a PAC audio adapter that gives you the RCA outs for your amp, single JL Audio 5 channel amp mounted behind the rear seat, replacing all factory door speakers and driving them from the amp, and a single 10 inch sub in custom made center console.

So at this point I'm assuming that I should pull the factory speaker wire from the front driver door and use it to ad a small speaker under the dash... that takes care of the chimes... what's the deal with the OnStar?

jimbrown1 · September 29, 2011

I'm doing that today, replacing the speakers, tweeters and adding an amp while keeping the head unit. If you want to keep the stock head unit, there is an issue with keeping OnStar and the fact that your door chime will be amped so you have to make some modifications for OnStar and door chime to come out a separate speaker, say a 3.5 inch installed under the dash or something. Looking forward to dumping these stock speakers and getting more clarity in the music. When I bought my truck the dealer told me he could let me listen to a truck with the Bose system and one with the stock system and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. That was a line of BS. Good luck with your decision.

I knew about the issue with the door chime, but I wasn't aware of problems with OnStar... can you give some more details? I'm doing the a similar upgrade; keeping my stock head unit by using a PAC audio adapter that gives you the RCA outs for your amp, single JL Audio 5 channel amp mounted behind the rear seat, replacing all factory door speakers and driving them from the amp, and a single 10 inch sub in custom made center console.

So at this point I'm assuming that I should pull the factory speaker wire from the front driver door and use it to ad a small speaker under the dash... that takes care of the chimes... what's the deal with the OnStar?

I did put a 3.5 speaker under the dash to that the Bluetooth could be heard and not have to be amped up and it works fine. OnStar works fine as well with how it was installed, with no other issues. It seems there are two different volumes for the stereo and OnStar/bluetooth. Even though you may be jamming it out in the truck and you get a call, it's not at the same volume as the music was playing.

bigbeds · October 2, 2011

I'm not a big audiophile, and I like the appearance and functionality of the stock (non-Bose) stereo setup. I do have an issue with the sound quality, though; I feel like there's way too much bass output, even with the equalizer completely flat. With the music at a moderate volume, the bass is just too heavy and muddy for my tastes. Not sure why GM thought it would be a good idea to do this.

Anyway, would installing an aftermarket amp help to clean things up a bit? Would it make "flat" output from the head unit truly flat, or would it just make everything worse?

Bclee...I agree 100 percent about the sound output of that stock unit...it is a disgrace .I have had 11 months to test this radio, and get get the equalizer set.

I will follow this thread hoping for some answers.

A warning to everyone interested in buying a new truck, chevy or GMC...the stock radio is horrible! The only vehicle I owned, that had a worse sound system than my '11 Sierra, is my Harley Davidson...cause it don't have a radio at all !

music · October 3, 2011

A warning to everyone interested in buying a new truck, chevy or GMC...the stock radio is horrible! The only vehicle I owned, that had a worse sound system than my '11 Sierra, is my Harley Davidson...cause it don't have a radio at all !

I disagree, and I'm picky about my tunes. I suspect that folks are listening to different types of stuff, and that some does better than others... *or* ... GM has changed the setup (different speakers?). I had not trouble getting the bass balanced, but it *is* dialed back relative to the treble/mid (maybe one/two clicks below mid point, and treble at two/three clicks above... have to check). It's not a hoss of a radio, but it's tons better than in the Tundra's I test drove, and almost as good as my old Accord. It's better than the Bose system in my last GMC.

rfh1030 · October 7, 2011

I would do a new head unit first. I put a new HU in one of my cars a few years ago and it did wonders for the factory speakers. If you do stock HU and new speakers they aren't going to be as good as they could be. Since you like the factory HU then I guess speakers would be better for you.