Revel audio observation

[ljnelson109]

Okay, I hesitate to post this but am trying to figure out if I am going crazy here. We spent some time in the (collection III) '23 Corsair GT that we ordered (and have waited 11 months to receive). We are having 2nd thoughts and have now gone over and looked at it twice.

One of the observations that baffles me is my shear disappointment with the Revel Audio upgrade. First of all, you can barely hear the system in the back seat when the fader is in the default (center) position. This was improved by sliding it back to favor the back seat. I adjusted the 3 band equalizer and played with the "effects" offered but honestly was never able to get this system to sound remotely "upgraded" to me. My HK system in my '21 Chrysler sounds significantly better. And, the '19 Volvo that we sold when we decided to buy the Corsair always upstaged the Chrysler. So, what gives? With my Corsair being the only GT on the lot, I can't easily ask to listen to another vehicle. Is it possible that my expectations were too high? I realize that others have spoken highly about this system. It is not "broken" bad. But definitely not upgraded from anything I have had in OEM stereos in my last 4 or 5 vehicles.

Fire away. I expect to get grief here. But, this stereo is definitely not swaying my decision to take delivery of this vehicle.

 

[DomDoobie]

Honestly, when I had my Taurus and my X wife had the THX radio in her Lincoln I always said jeez my stock radio in the Taurus sounds better. I had the revel in loaners and still thought the stock radio sounded better. However with the right input to the radio it sounds excellent. If there still is a setting to play the revel demo and you play it sounds like a movie theatre. So it seems like you have to have the correct input for it to output great if that makes any sense ?

 

[ljnelson109]

Honestly, when I had my Taurus and my X wife had the THX radio in her Lincoln I always said jeez my stock radio in the Taurus sounds better. I had the revel in loaners and still thought the stock radio sounded better. However with the right input to the radio it sounds excellent. If there still is a setting to play the revel demo and you play it sounds like a movie theatre. So it seems like you have to have the correct input for it to output great if that makes any sense ?

It did have that demo and I was still underwhelmed. But, honestly, what good is a demo if it doesn't sound great on sources that we use every day. We listened to Spotify, SiriusXM, and HD (FM) sources today on the Revel system. We primarily listen to Spotify and SiriusXM on a daily basis.

For the record, back in the 90's, I built, competed, and earned numerous 1st placed trophies in IASCA sanctioned car audio competitions. I have "outgrown" that time in my life, but I do have an idea of what good car audio should sound like. I understand the concept of a front sound stage and fully expect the sound to be focused towards the front seat. But the reality is, I don't expect quite that much out of an OEM system. I would be happy if it compared to my Chrysler and Volvo HK offerings.

Not a deal breaker, just a let down.

 

[DomDoobie]

If you remember back in the 80’s when you replaced your stock speakers with a set of Jensens three way it sounded great. The 6X9 gave great bass and the smaller speakers delivered nice treble and mid range. What I find with these top systems a lot of the speakers are so small it sounds tinny and hissy. I did notice however by changing the occupancy mode to driver it sounds like more bass and louder. I mostly listen to Sirius also and some stations are better than others

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[Pizano]

Okay, I hesitate to post this but am trying to figure out if I am going crazy here. We spent some time in the (collection III) '23 Corsair GT that we ordered (and have waited 11 months to receive). We are having 2nd thoughts and have now gone over and looked at it twice.

One of the observations that baffles me is my shear disappointment with the Revel Audio upgrade. First of all, you can barely hear the system in the back seat when the fader is in the default (center) position. This was improved by sliding it back to favor the back seat. I adjusted the 3 band equalizer and played with the "effects" offered but honestly was never able to get this system to sound remotely "upgraded" to me. My HK system in my '21 Chrysler sounds significantly better. And, the '19 Volvo that we sold when we decided to buy the Corsair always upstaged the Chrysler. So, what gives? With my Corsair being the only GT on the lot, I can't easily ask to listen to another vehicle. Is it possible that my expectations were too high? I realize that others have spoken highly about this system. It is not "broken" bad. But definitely not upgraded from anything I have had in OEM stereos in my last 4 or 5 vehicles.

Fire away. I expect to get grief here. But, this stereo is definitely not swaying my decision to take delivery of this vehicle.

No grief being sent your way from here. To each one's own. The Revel system in our 2022 GT sounds fine to me, but this is such a subjective matter and I'm not an audiophile anyway. Even so, still trying to decide here which effect sounds better, "onstage" or "audience". To me the difference is so slight, but I'm leaning toward "audience"....probably just because of my stage fright.

 

[bbf2530]

Okay, I hesitate to post this but am trying to figure out if I am going crazy here. We spent some time in the (collection III) '23 Corsair GT that we ordered (and have waited 11 months to receive). We are having 2nd thoughts and have now gone over and looked at it twice.

One of the observations that baffles me is my shear disappointment with the Revel Audio upgrade. First of all, you can barely hear the system in the back seat when the fader is in the default (center) position. This was improved by sliding it back to favor the back seat. I adjusted the 3 band equalizer and played with the "effects" offered but honestly was never able to get this system to sound remotely "upgraded" to me. My HK system in my '21 Chrysler sounds significantly better. And, the '19 Volvo that we sold when we decided to buy the Corsair always upstaged the Chrysler. So, what gives? With my Corsair being the only GT on the lot, I can't easily ask to listen to another vehicle. Is it possible that my expectations were too high? I realize that others have spoken highly about this system. It is not "broken" bad. But definitely not upgraded from anything I have had in OEM stereos in my last 4 or 5 vehicles.

Fire away. I expect to get grief here. But, this stereo is definitely not swaying my decision to take delivery of this vehicle.

Hi ljnelson. From the information you have provided, I would recommend two things to try (if you have not already): First...if your Revel system has the Onstage and Audience sound options (I believe those are the descriptives), have you tried using the Onstage setting as opposed to Audience setting? Onstage will surround you with sound as though you were sitting in the middle of an orchestra.
On the other hand, Audience will adjust the sound platform to have the bulk of the sound fired at you from in front of you, as though you were in the audience watching an orchestra. That can have a tendency to make the sound volume in the back seats seem weaker. Hope that description makes sense.
So it is possible that using the Onstage setting may offer more sound to the rear seat area (again, if available on the Corsair Revel system).

Second...when trying to determine audio quality, do not use SiriusXM broadcasts. SiriusXM broadcasts are highly compressed music, and their sound quality is middling at best. To set sound quality settings, either use CD's (if your Corsair has a CD player), or high bitrate music recorded to a USB flash drive from a CD. Do not use SiriusXM when trying to determine audio quality.

I realize these suggestions may not solve your issues, but they may help.

I will only add, that in my younger, less financially set days, I would modify my less expensive factory systems with new components, speakers etc. And now in my older days, I always order the top end systems in my cars. And in the case of the Revel Ultima system in my MKZ, I am extremely happy with the sound quality.

I am sure others will have more advice and recommendations, so keep us updated and good luck.

EDIT- I was typing my reply when Pizano posted theirs, so I had not seen it yet. Sorry for any redundancy.

 

[Pizano]

No problem, bbf. No redundancy on your part here. I should have such knowledge.

 

[greerl]

Okay, I hesitate to post this but am trying to figure out if I am going crazy here. We spent some time in the (collection III) '23 Corsair GT that we ordered (and have waited 11 months to receive). We are having 2nd thoughts and have now gone over and looked at it twice.

One of the observations that baffles me is my shear disappointment with the Revel Audio upgrade. First of all, you can barely hear the system in the back seat when the fader is in the default (center) position. This was improved by sliding it back to favor the back seat. I adjusted the 3 band equalizer and played with the "effects" offered but honestly was never able to get this system to sound remotely "upgraded" to me. My HK system in my '21 Chrysler sounds significantly better. And, the '19 Volvo that we sold when we decided to buy the Corsair always upstaged the Chrysler. So, what gives? With my Corsair being the only GT on the lot, I can't easily ask to listen to another vehicle. Is it possible that my expectations were too high? I realize that others have spoken highly about this system. It is not "broken" bad. But definitely not upgraded from anything I have had in OEM stereos in my last 4 or 5 vehicles.

Fire away. I expect to get grief here. But, this stereo is definitely not swaying my decision to take delivery of this vehicle.

As I post this I'm in back seat listening to "Play Reveal Experience" under Sound Settings. I make no audiophile claims but I think it sounds great.

As you described sounds broken, in which case they should fix it, but otherwise a condition for acceptance?!

We're to believe that you bought this car for rear seat sound quality? Who else has Blue Cruise? Plug in hybrid? 24 way massaging seats? Kick to open lift? Phone as key with remote start? Heads up display? Auto Hold? 360 camera?

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[dk4500]

I have a 23 Corsair with Revel, and as someone who is very picky with their home and auto audio systems… maybe I’m a bit of an audiophile, I was a originally underwhelmed as well… at least at first. I’ve played with all audio settings the system offers, and have simply come to the conclusion that as you play it louder (somewhere around audio level 12-17) the system really comes alive and sounds so much better….it really does a better job of separating the audio from each speaker . At lower levels, it just doesn’t sound much different than my old MKC standard audio system used too. That system wasn’t bad, but for me, the Revel shines at higher volume levels. Of course all our ears hear things differently, but that’s been my experience. Also, I’ve tried both the “audience”setting and “stage” setting and can’t tell the difference from the drivers seat.

 

[bbf2530]

I have a 23 Corsair with Revel, and as someone who is very picky with their home and auto audio systems… maybe I’m a bit of an audiophile, I was a originally underwhelmed as well… at least at first. I’ve played with all audio settings the system offers, and have simply come to the conclusion that as you play it louder (somewhere around audio level 12-17) the system really comes alive and sounds so much better….it really does a better job of separating the audio from each speaker . At lower levels, it just doesn’t sound much different than my old MKC standard audio system used too. That system wasn’t bad, but for me, the Revel shines at higher volume levels. Of course all our ears hear things differently, but that’s been my experience. Also, I’ve tried both the “audience”setting and “stage” setting and can’t tell the difference from the drivers seat.

Hi dk4500. You make a very good point. Like many audio systems, both automotive and home, low volumes are simply not the Revel sweet-spot. However, at higher volume, with a good quality, high bitrate music input, it really does come alive.

I don't blast my music much anymore, but I find what you state to be very true, even at the *middle* volume ranges I sometimes use (by coincidence, at 14-17 or so in my case).

Good point and good luck.

 

[ljnelson109]

Wow everyone, these responses are great. I appreciate the input and also your confirmation that my deaf old ears aren't entirely out of line. The audience vs stage setting will likely resolve the rear seat experience. I agree, from the driver's seat, I did not hear a difference. I didn't think to try that setting instead of fading the volume to the rear.

I did try the higher volume. My family is not a fan of high volume, so I only get to enjoy that when I am in the car by myself. But, that said, I did try it some during my test drive yesterday.

Regarding the sources, I am well aware of the quality loss with streaming and satellite audio. That said, CDs, really? I am pretty sure this vehicle does not have a CD player and if it did, I am not interested in going back 15 years and carrying CDs. I was comparing "apples to apples". Streaming audio (internet or satellite) through the same services (and even same phone for Android Auto) between all 3 cars I mentioned. The sound quality is much better in my 21 Chrysler minivan. To me, that is just sad. The difference seemed so dramatic that I considered pausing the song on Spotify and moving from the Corsair to my van (in the dealer lot) to make sure I wasn't losing my mind.

Thanks again for all of the input and the clarification on the stage/audience setting.

 

[bbf2530]

Wow everyone, these responses are great. I appreciate the input and also your confirmation that my deaf old ears aren't entirely out of line. The audience vs stage setting will likely resolve the rear seat experience. I agree, from the driver's seat, I did not hear a difference. I didn't think to try that setting instead of fading the volume to the rear.

I did try the higher volume. My family is not a fan of high volume, so I only get to enjoy that when I am in the car by myself. But, that said, I did try it some during my test drive yesterday.

Regarding the sources, I am well aware of the quality loss with streaming and satellite audio. That said, CDs, really? I am pretty sure this vehicle does not have a CD player and if it did, I am not interested in going back 15 years and carrying CDs. I was comparing "apples to apples". Streaming audio (internet or satellite) through the same services (and even same phone for Android Auto) between all 3 cars I mentioned. The sound quality is much better in my 21 Chrysler minivan. To me, that is just sad. The difference seemed so dramatic that I considered pausing the song on Spotify and moving from the Corsair to my van (in the dealer lot) to make sure I wasn't losing my mind.

Thanks again for all of the input and the clarification on the stage/audience setting.

Hi ljnelson. LOLOLOL about the going back 15 years comment. In my defense, the CD recommendation was clearly intended merely to check for the sound quality using a good quality, high bitrate audio file source...not to use them all the time. Which was why I also stated "(if your Corsair has a CD player)" and/or to use high bitrate music ripped to a USB flash drive, so you do not need to go back to the stone age.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

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[Big Behr]

My MKX has the Revel Ultima. When it was in for some minor service, I had a 2023 Corsair as a loaner. The Corsair sounded a little anemic to me, even with the settings (bass/treble, position, audience) set similarly (but I enjoyed some of the newer tech features). It was a revelation (pun intended) when I got my MKX back, with a greater fullness and presence without tweaking the volume up.

 

[bbf2530]

My MKX has the Revel Ultima. When it was in for some minor service, I had a 2023 Corsair as a loaner. The Corsair sounded a little anemic to me, even with the settings (bass/treble, position, audience) set similarly (but I enjoyed some of the newer tech features). It was a revelation (pun intended) when I got my MKX back, with a greater fullness and presence without tweaking the volume up.

Hi Big Behr. Yes, definitely. The Revel Ultima audio system is a noticeable step up from the Revel system. Just as the Revel system is a step up from the base "Premium Audio" system.

Good luck.

 

[ljnelson109]

My MKX has the Revel Ultima. When it was in for some minor service, I had a 2023 Corsair as a loaner. The Corsair sounded a little anemic to me, even with the settings (bass/treble, position, audience) set similarly (but I enjoyed some of the newer tech features). It was a revelation (pun intended) when I got my MKX back, with a greater fullness and presence without tweaking the volume up.

Well it sounds like there is some "truth in advertising" here. They don't call it Ultima in the Corsair. But this is the highest offering for the '23 Corsair. Hmmm, seems like a cheap shot to me.

 

[JB IN AZ]

I have a bit of hearing loss due to age...(who doesn't?) A recent previous car was a current generation Acura RDX with the top end audio system (I forget the name, also an age thing! LOL) No question, it sounded better than the Revel system in the Corsair to me. One distinction, it had speakers in the ceiling left of the driver's head and right of the front seat passenger's head, which I am sure, added to the feeling of "being there" and clarity. After owning the RDX, the Corsair's system seems inferior, but I almost almost always listen to SiriusXM, so how much do I really care about how it sounds? haha

By the way, one thing I hated about the RDX was the fake engine sound that was added and not easily turned off. I suspect it was there to hide the fact that the car was noisy. The Corsair is a much quieter car.

Like others have said I rarely listen to music in the car at elevated levels anymore. I am fine with the Revel system, and I take the car as a whole, and try not to let one thing bother me. If I did, the push button piano keys for a shifter is the worst idea ever. I have a '21 Escape Titanium as a loaner this week, and while the knob shifter is not great, to me, it is much better than the piano keys. In fact, there are other things I like better in the Escape, but that is a subject for a different thread. It has a B&O audio system that I haven't bothered to set up. Sorry for off topic.

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[ArizonaJon]

OP on your first post, you said this is the only GT on the lot. I think you will find the Revel auto system also in the Reserve. Maybe they have one with it.

 

[ljnelson109]

OP on your first post, you said this is the only GT on the lot. I think you will find the Revel auto system also in the Reserve. Maybe they have one with it.

Thanks for that suggestion. At this point, I am fairly confident that the system is performing as expected. The input from others has confirmed that my observations are accurate (sadly). I think I just need to take JB's advise to take the vehicle as a whole. This is not a deal breaker but definitely costs the Corsair a few points in my scoring matrix.

 

[C Krohn]

When I was looking at the CPO Corsair that ultimately bought, I was a bit concerned that it didn’t have the Revel audio. After reading this thread, I’m glad it didn’t deter me from buying this gem. I’m happy with the “premium” audio, and really pleased with the car overall.

 

[kingdre]

Im a music guy. My passengers ALWAYS talk about how great the system is. My volume is normally 4-6. It makes JAZZ sound amazing, but that sweeter spot seems to be 8-14.