When Did Detroit Start Getting Car Audio Right?

[RockJustRock]

most of the 'upgrade' stereos don't sound terrible with an amp upgrade and a subwoofer.... but Harmon Kardon it is not.

with that said, since most people listen to MP3 music, which already cuts some of the sound out, what difference does it make? I think that's the manufacturer's reasoning (if you'd get them to admit it).

Ohhhhh.... SBG is one of the 'PHILE guys that knows of dynamic range and auditory masking. Like me do you also reel at idiots that have NO IDEA of what video picture quality is, watch cable TV at 480p with the WRONG aspect ratio selected yet still LUST for the new 4K TV? Just asking....

[SuperBuickGuy]

most of the 'upgrade' stereos don't sound terrible with an amp upgrade and a subwoofer.... but Harmon Kardon it is not.

with that said, since most people listen to MP3 music, which already cuts some of the sound out, what difference does it make? I think that's the manufacturer's reasoning (if you'd get them to admit it).

[silver_bullet]

I like good music with quality sound....it used to be a Pioneer Super Tuner with better quality speakers in factory locations....never got into the whole thing of subs and amps.... figured that it my rear view mirror shook from the sound, that was a bit much....my only disappointment is that there isn't a single R&B station in the area....

[RockJustRock]

you mean "when did Detroit realize that rather then make good audio, they could make the most complex, integrated POS that guarantees it won't play with the aftermarket?" you don't change the radio because doing so you lose lots of functionality that is pretty useful... add to this the aftermarket refuses to embrace it, so their bandaids aren't bandaids..... and don't get me started about that stupid warning.

Detroit continues to hate the hot rodder

THAT thought HAS occurred to me..... It ties in with them building the Hot Rods THEMSELVES and charging the BIG BUCKS to boot. Of course overcharging for Car Audio has long been the tradition. Are the ZL-1, GT-500, HellCat and Demon just big Car Stereo systems on wheels designed to go fast instead of play music? THEY get the fun of picking out what goes in?

[SuperBuickGuy]

you mean "when did Detroit realize that rather then make good audio, they could make the most complex, integrated POS that guarantees it won't play with the aftermarket?" you don't change the radio because doing so you lose lots of functionality that is pretty useful... add to this the aftermarket refuses to embrace it, so their bandaids aren't bandaids..... and don't get me started about that stupid warning.

Detroit continues to hate the hot rodder

[Dan Barlow]

I think the factory realised from day one a radio should be easy to operate . A lot of the aftermarket stuff went to each button having several functions depending on which er re some other button was in it 5 different positions .

[68scott385]

The radio in my inherited '04 Yukon is decent for a factory offering.....EXCEPT that it also incorporates the back-up camera and navigation system, which wouldn't be a bad thing EXCEPT the display went south three years ago and the close local dealer has idiots in the service department. Just ask SBG about factory service departments......

Otherwise, I'm at a point in my life that what's played on the local radio stations is redundant and my vehicles haven't quite kept up with the ever-changing music media formats. For those reasons, the engine is usually the tune I listen to most regardless of its ability to project the vehicle.

[pdub]

I have one word for you...GAUGES.

I've got another word as well - Redline.

[68scott385]

I haven't listened to music in the car for maybe 30 years. And once I got an engine that will "run," I want to hear it run. That's the music. Car stereo wore off, it just did. Even in Bubba and Bluebelle, boring as hell and quiet inside the crew cabin, I get distracted, no, turn that off.

I have one word for you...GAUGES.

[RockJustRock]

You mean they weren't parody overkill in the first place???

I'm talking ordering "radio delete" or pulling the factory stuff and buying aftermarket. I still did that on my 80s and 90s cars. Like the truck boxes I had in my '89 S-10.

[elcaminogirl59]

The way my car sounds IS music!!

[pdub]

I haven't listened to music in the car for maybe 30 years. And once I got an engine that will "run," I want to hear it run. That's the music. Car stereo wore off, it just did. Even in Bubba and Bluebelle, boring as hell and quiet inside the crew cabin, I get distracted, no, turn that off.

[silver_bullet]

You mean they weren't parody overkill in the first place???

[RockJustRock]

OR did the after market just go wrong? Nobody talks about upgrading a stereo anymore.. It's like all the big subs and stuff became self parody overkill....