2016 canyon SLE deisel sound system

dsaenz · May 8, 2016

SLE Sound Quality

dsaenz · May 8, 2016

Picked up my fantastic 2016 Canyon Deisel SLE. Great truck but the six speaker system sounds more like a one speaker juke box. Cannot hear the rear speakers at all. All the sound appears to be coming from the front center of dash,no stereophonic affect at all. The front/rear adjustment only incrementally mutes the tinny front speakers until the last adjustment until the very last adjustment at which point I can finally hear the rear speakers but just barely and the sound is as through its passing thru 6 inches of memory foam first. A profoundly disappointing listening experience:-(

Took it to Cavender here in San Antonio and the service manager says he "thinks it was designed that way"! I've never heard of a $40,000+ vehicle designed to sound horrible. But overall I love the truck. I may however be forced to shell out some more bucks for a new system a real system.

MattFL · May 15, 2016

I test drove the diesel yesterday and played with the radio a little. It was the basic audio system, no upgrades, but I had the same experience you did. It was "OK", but not at all impressive, and with very center focused sound. No staging at all. Please post back if you find any way to improve it.

Does your truck have the $500 Bose upgraded speakers, or the base audio system?

dsaenz · May 15, 2016

2016 Canyon SLE deisel sound system

I took the vehicle to a local Best Buy and they told me there is no amp and the setup basically sends much more power to the relatively decent front door and dash tweeters but underpowered the rear speakers, eliminating the 'surround' sound that typifies and six speaker system. I am communicating with the selling dealership and hope for some resolution. It's a shame a great truck has such poor sound quality in which to enjoy the ride:-(

dsaenz · May 15, 2016

Oh...no I do not have the upgraded Bose, which DOES have an amp that correctly calibrates sound to the speakers. Thanks for your reply be I think the more GMC hears about this issue the better it may bode for at least future buyers!

MattFL · May 16, 2016

Please correct me if I'm wrong (I didn't research it much), but I THINK there is a $500 Bose "speaker upgrade only" audio package, and a package that includes an amp that costs more. I might have to go listen to a truck with a Bose system and see if it sounds $500 better. ;)

And yes for $40k even the base system should be pretty sweet. How are you liking the truck otherwise?

dsaenz · May 16, 2016

Yes I'm pretty sure the SLT package has the BOSE system standard. I have heard it and it sounds wonderful and does have the 'surround sound' effect one would expect with six speakers. I also 'think' you can do a $500 BOSE upgrade on the SLE but I'm not sure. Other than the audio it is a great truck. Averaging about 29 on the hwy and 24 in town. In Texas the speed limit is 75+ on the hwy, so the mileage would be higher in states with a lower speed limit, assuming one abides by them:-) I only have about 2,000 miles on it.

dsaenz · May 18, 2016

And so the dealer, Everritt Buick, tells me what it is it is. They admit the sound system has muffled speakers in the rear and that is that! So the lesson is to pay attention to all the features that you find important, however it still burns me GMC puts such a subpar sound system in such a great truck. I only hope there are no other surprises awaiting me:-)