Unsatisfied with Creta's 8-speaker Bose setup: Time for new speakers?

I believe that our 10-year-old Hyundai Verna fluidic with a new JVC infotainment system sounds better than our 2022 top variant Creta.

BHPian blacksantro recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

We recently bought the top variant of the 2022 Hyundai Creta (SX Optional Dualtone).

Whenever we drive, music is mandatory. The 8 Bose Speakers set up seemed very impressive, and when we had test-driven the car it sounded likewise. After delivery, the music was back on, but it didn’t sound that impressive.

We gave the speakers time to burn in (a period of breaking in before they can perform optimally), but it didn’t seem complete. In fact, I believe the 10-year-old Fluidic Verna we own with a new JVC infotainment system sounds better than the Creta.

The Creta seems like it isn’t rightly tuned, the music seems like it is coming from the front until you move the centre a little behind. It lacks roominess, and it seems a little muffled. Coming from a family that likes to spend time picking the right sound system, this is disappointing.

The Bose webpage for the Creta doesn’t give too much information. So now, we are here debating if it is time to change the speakers. We cannot change the head unit as we would lose a lot of the features. I’ve heard Alpine speakers are usually favoured.

What do you guys think?

Here’s what GTO had to say about the matter:

I found the Creta & Seltos Bose sound system to be “good”, but certainly not “excellent” as the BOSE brand name would have you believe. The MG Hector’s ICE remains my favourite in this segment of cars.

Tips for improving your SQ:

• Try alternating between Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto to see which sounds better. In some cars, very surprisingly, it is the Bluetooth stream which sounds superior.
• If you are streaming from apps like YouTube Music or Spotify, upgrade to premium subscription, then choose “high quality” audio in the settings.

• Play with the equalizer on the head-unit first, then tweak the equalizer on your phone’s music player. I did the same to Rocket Player on my Android and it made a world of difference.
• Consider upgrading the speakers.
• Damping of all doors.

Here’s what BHPian civic-dk had to say about the matter:

I had exactly the same issue with my Seltos GTX DCT Plus (which I bought in Dec 2019). On opening the door pad, I found that the so-called Bose speakers had a very small magnet and the Bose branding was done only with black ink stamping (which indicated that it was made in China). I replaced the front speakers with JBL Stadium GTO 620 and the rear speakers with JBL coaxial speakers. The sound quality now while not being phenomenal, is still a big improvement over the factory speakers.

Here’s what BHPian toiingg had to say about the matter:

Had the same observation in our family Seltos’s Bose speakers. Changed the fronts to Audison components and there was a world of difference.

Here’s what BHPian komalthecoolk had to say about the matter:

I was surprised to see the actual “Bose” speakers that are shown around 0:46 into this video.

It looks like it’s just the cheapest mass-manufactured unbranded speakers that could (possibly) have been made in a Bose manufacturing unit. Granted, it still sounds better than many default car speakers but this is almost a scam. I’m expecting to get my Creta in a month. The first possible and only upgrade I’m planning for is the speaker system. Anyone knows what’s amplifying all 8 speakers?

Keyword: Unsatisfied with Creta's 8-speaker Bose setup: Time for new speakers?