I believe on a 2015, you need to adjust each mode of usage separately. Ipod, tuner, USB, Pandora, XM all have separate settings for bass/middle/treble. Try it.

 

Thanks, I'll look into that. Here's hoping....

 

I've been into high quality sound for 40+ years. here is the list in my sound room:
2 Crown Micro-Tech 1200
4 Ps-200,
2 PS-400,
DC300A SeriesII
DC150A SeriesII
Power-Line III
Power-line IV
SL-II Pre-amp
FM-III tuner
800 series pro 10" open real deck
Rabco ST-8 Linear Tracking turntable
Empire 598 turntable
JBL-L150,
JBL-L150-a
3 pairs JBL L-100 a

Bose has always attempted, with great commercial success, to trick the customer into believing their product is superior. They do this with BS design. The 901 was nothing more than 9 .9ohm cheap speakers in series and they had the novice believing that could produce 20-20k high quality sound. Nothing has changed in the past 45 years. They cannot compete with JBL or other high end speakers and their amps.....well, put a .1 ohm load on them and see how they hold up.

If you like their stuff, fine. just don't call it 'high-end' or 'high quality' sound reproduction.

 

I've been into high quality sound for 40+ years.

The 902 was nothing more than 9 .9ohm cheap speakers in series and they had the novice believing that could produce 20-20k high quality sound.

If you like their stuff, fine. just don't call it 'high-end' or 'high quality' sound reproduction.

LOL, what is it with audiophiles that they must censor how folks express their opinions about sound reproduction? I shoulda' known from past experience that I was lobbing a grenade even opening up this thread. FWIW, I've never liked the sound of their 900 series, or any Bose offerings for in-home sound. But some folks do and that's fine with me. But that's all a bit off-topic.

The point is, I loved the sound in my 2012 Volt -- a unique success for Bose IMHO (please note the "H" there). I was looking for some elucidation as to what has changed since that time. In the hours since my original post, I found a thread where several other posters have echoed my same sentiments. Lots of folks liked the 2011 Volt sound and were disappointed when they moved to a newer Volt.

I checked my EQ settings and they are all flat. That's how I had it in my 2012 and it was great. I think it's fairly conclusive that GM "improved" the Bose since then -- in particular, improved its profit margin. Alas, it looks like I'll just have to make due. For the time being I'll be listening to less music and crossing my fingers for the sound in the Gen 2 or other upcoming EREV offerings.

 

I loved the Bose in my 2011, the Bose in my 2013 underwhelms. I'm fairly certain that it has to do with the different center stack than the 2011-2012 models, and the quality of the pre amp signals coming out of there. Nothing else could really be different. Just my opinion/guess.

 

Thanks, CC. If the drivers are the same, then there's hope. Maybe I can diddle with the Volt's EQ and my iPod EQ with some success. The problem is, filling a midrange hole that deep with an EQ may really mess up the phase versus frequency, which can really tint the percussion. OTOH, the phase is probably already so fubar that it couldn't be any worse.

 

Maybe you're just getting old...


I agree with you though I don't even know what the sound in a 2011 sounds like

However, I have stated here MANY times, they after 2012, Chevrolet has cheapened out the VOLT without being so obvious. I thought I was losing my mind about the seats being different until I did the research. The earlier cars were simply built to attract customers so many things were built to the nines... Once its out and the sales didn't reach expectation ( gee i WONDER why GM??) they began the cutting... Makes me sick. Seriously.. it makes me ill.

 

Maybe you're just getting old...

... and CRANKY! BTW, I use the USB cable and plug the iPod directly into the center armrest, so we can't blame the problem on Bluetooth or whatever wireless link. Thanks for the inputs.

 

You might also check to see if the part numbers are the same on the components between the years.

I do know that they went to a MYLINK in 2012 ( late) so that might have something to do with it. It might not even be anything to do with the BOSE system..

 

I've already replaced by front speakers with Audison Voce. Will be running those active through a digital processor with Audison Voce coaxails in the rear, Alpine PDX amplifiers (or JBL MS amps, haven't decided), and Hybrid Audio Clarus 10" subs.

If you want to do an economical improvement to the Bose system, here's what we suggest at Sound Sensations in Marietta, GA. (1) Replace the tweeters with Audison Voce or Audison Prima tweeters. We'd cut a hole where the stock tweeter is and it fits right in there like a glove, looks cool too. (2) Add bass blockers to the door speakers (done at the amp in the trunk) and cross them over at 80Hz+ so they don't produce subwoofer-level bass and rattle everything silly. (3) Go home happy. Replacement a-pillar trim is about $25 per side if you are worried about holes being drilled and resale value.

 

I agree the factory Bose system is mediocre. I bought a 2015 last week. Love the car. The audio is so-so. The manual says it is a low power system so maybe that is a reason here.

It is also true that my equalizer settings were messed with at the dealer before I bought it. Somebody punched the treble way up on the XM and CD settings and wow did that sound awful. To my ear, the system sounds much better with just some bass boost, leaving the mid & treble flat. I also listen at low to moderate volume. The sound falls apart at higher volume.

I need to study the manuals more. I'm annoyed I can't easily change the XM channel, other than using voice control, when the screen is in split Nav/Audio display. Whose bright idea was it to have the tuning knob adjust Nav zoom in that mode? Seems like the way-lesser-used function versus radio tuning. And no Favorites touch-strip in that split-screen mode? Ugh.