Stinger GT vs GT1

[Todd Piefer]

Thanks for the reply, that is what i figured that the low end would be weak. How is the clarity and volume otherwise? I don't need crazy loud but do like to listen to rock at a decent level from time to time. My wife has an Acura MDX with the base audio and the speakers sound boomy and cheap. I would be fine with clear speakers that i can augment with an aftermarket stealth sub.

It's the overall richness, especially on the low end that is lacking. I have three other vehicles (2000 Mustang GT, 2003 Dodge Ram, 2007 Mazda3) and this sound system is by far the weakest of the four. It's actually more comparable with the portable radio my wife takes outside to do gardening. I'm wary of adding an aftermarket sub until I hear of others trying it first.

 

[mldavis2]

My opinion is a bit different. A premium sound system in any car is a waste of money unless you want to sit in the car without the engine running, sitting still so there is no road noise. If you get off on big bass, then buy the cheapie and add your own sub.

But I'm an old geezer, and my taste in music is probably a lot different than the heavy metal crowd. And the previous comment about quality was given after admitting they hadn't had time to play with the settings, so I'd take that opinion with a grain of salt. JMHO.

 

[LohungoDave]

I got the base GT because it was clearly the best value for the very reasons you describe but the sound system is certainly unimpressive, mostly because of the pitiful low end. Not sure if I'll look into adding an aftermarket sub or not yet.

About the base GT (or base 2.0, if it applies) - can the smaller center LCD screen between the tach and speedometer display speed? The local Kia dealership didn't have any base GTs nor any non-Premium 2.0s on hand, so I couldn't find this out, but they claimed "that's the same screen used in other Kias and it doesn't display speed".

In the manual it seems to imply that both types "A" (base) and "B" (upgraded/big screen/performance bits) can display the full usual trip/fuel mileage/average mileage/speedo/something else then repeats. The next page with Speedometer on it does not have "(if Equipped)" either.

 

[Luminary]

can the smaller center LCD screen between the tach and speedometer display speed

Yes, my 2.0T Premium does. It is one of the screen choices when switching between screens on the steering wheel. Wow did that make any sense?

 

[Todd Piefer]

About the base GT (or base 2.0, if it applies) - can the smaller center LCD screen between the tach and speedometer display speed? The local Kia dealership didn't have any base GTs nor any non-Premium 2.0s on hand, so I couldn't find this out, but they claimed "that's the same screen used in other Kias and it doesn't display speed".

In the manual it seems to imply that both types "A" (base) and "B" (upgraded/big screen/performance bits) can display the full usual trip/fuel mileage/average mileage/speedo/something else then repeats. The next page with Speedometer on it does not have "(if Equipped)" either.

I most often drive with the "digital speedometer" displayed on my base GT. The speed is displayed in the center and the range (distance to empty) is shown at the top left. If I activate cruise control, that's shown up top as well. I like this mode because the fixed speedometer is blocked by the steering wheel but the digital reading is easy to see.

 

[LohungoDave]

Excellent, thanks guys! The only thing I was worried about on the base GT was being able to see the analog speedo - with the wheel at the position I like about ~40mph+ is blocked by the rim. Center digital speedos are a godsend for me.

Also, never trust a salesman. That 2016 Kia Sportage diesel vid someone else posted had a digital speedo and was definitely not the same display as the Stinger.

 

[MarkyMark]

My opinion is a bit different. A premium sound system in any car is a waste of money unless you want to sit in the car without the engine running, sitting still so there is no road noise. If you get off on big bass, then buy the cheapie and add your own sub.

But I'm an old geezer, and my taste in music is probably a lot different than the heavy metal crowd. And the previous comment about quality was given after admitting they hadn't had time to play with the settings, so I'd take that opinion with a grain of salt. JMHO.

For a few hundred bucks, you can add some nice after-market speakers, without even throwing in an amp, and make the car sound like gold. In 1993, I purchased a $299 Sony deck, and threw in 2 6x9's in the back and two 5x5's in the front and wow, it sounded in credible. Probably $500 overall. A lot of this car speaker stuff is marketing. Pay such and such to have your logo on our 9, 15, 32 car speaker system. Sure, it needs to sound good, but "hey that sounds pretty nice!" is all 95% of people know.

Thus, IMHO, want amazing sound, go aftermarket and you'll get it, otherwise...

 

[Macallan]

FYI, I was able to find a GT1 in Silky silver with black interior. The Kia website is wrong and this configuration is available, so is Panthera Gray in the GT1. I found a GT1 that was priced only 1K over the base GT price so i pulled the trigger. Great car thus far and I am very pleased with the H/K stereo thus far.

 

[MarkyMark]

FYI, I was able to find a GT1 in Silky silver with black interior. The Kia website is wrong and this configuration is available, so is Panthera Gray in the GT1. I found a GT1 that was priced only 1K over the base GT price so i pulled the trigger. Great car thus far and I am very pleased with the H/K stereo thus far.

Congrats Mccallan!

Now, are you saying you picked up a GT1 only $1k above the GT MSRP or what?... Sounds like you got a deal either way?!

 

[Macallan]

Yes. 40,991 + tax for a GT1. I was prepared to pay 39-40 for a base GT and found the GT 1 for only 1k more so I was very happy.

 

[Never thought]

Yes. 40,991 + tax for a GT1. I was prepared to pay 39-40 for a base GT and found the GT 1 for only 1k more so I was very happy.

Congrats! I think the GT1 is the way to go. You also got the adaptive suspension which I believe the GT doesn’t have.

 

[MarkyMark]

Yes. 40,991 + tax for a GT1. I was prepared to pay 39-40 for a base GT and found the GT 1 for only 1k more so I was very happy.

Did you lease or purchase? And that's a great deal if it was a purchase Wow! Are you west coast or east?

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I just saw a review of the GT2 (same sound setup as GT1), and the reviewer's main issue with the car was how poor the sound was. I'm quite disappointed with the sound on the GT, but his description of the issue with the sound of the GT2 was precisely the same issue I have with the GT. For myself, and the reviewer, he problem was in the upper mids and highs. They are fatiguing and hallow. I have to turn the sound down almost to zero not to hurt my hears. If decent sound matters (what that means is going to be different for everyone), then it sounds like modifications are in order regardless of trim. I'm hoping an external EQ will solve the issue I have, because the system has plenty of power, and I assume the speakers are fine. I'm not terribly picky about car stereos, I just don't want them to hurt my ears. Funny thing is, I had the same issue with my 2008 Saab (tinny). My 2006 Saab Premium had great sound, at least by comparison.

Everyone has different ears, though, and preferences, so it's probably great for some. Certainly worth testing both trims.

Skip to 10m50s

 

[Ucinn]

I was messing with my GT 9 speaker setup yesterday. It sounds really good through Bluetooth and USB. If you are listening to Sirius or fM. it is tinny and the highs are too much. I kept going back and forth adjusting the highs until I found the happiest medium where they were both acceptable without having to go in each time and adjust the settings for each source to listen to.

 

[mldavis2]

The general consensus is that the 15-speaker HK is excellent and totally dependent on the sound source. I love mine.

 

[Ucinn]

Well, it seems that the 9 speaker is exactly the same, sound quality depends on the source.

 

[RMA]

Sounds fine in mine, but I did notice a nicer difference on the GT1/GT2's setup but did not want to opt the additional $10k mode just to get LSD which was most important to me at the time.

 

[Weareblondi]

We have the 9 speaker and, yes, it isn't the best sounding system. We test drove the gt2 with the 15 speaker system and it was similar. I am a heavy metal fan, but also listen to classical(as in Bach, Beethoven and orf) the Mrs is into her Broadway show tunes (shudder) and her 70's pop hits. Poor car needs a therapist. I can tell you that any of those musical genres sound the same. Tinny and lacking mid range. After fiddling with the settings, I have come to the conclusion, as many others have, that aftermarket is the way to go. Don't want to bust out a window, but the 1812 overture just doesn't sound right without the booming bass. And Motorhead isn't the same without Lemmy's gravely voice being....gravely.

 

[eflyguy]

I'm with the blondis - aftermarket is the only way to get really good quality sound. If you just listen to talk radio, the "base" or "upgraded" sound systems will suit you just fine. It's so frustrating that you have to pay for the fancy system to get other desirable, driving- or comfort-related features.

 

[Berzerker]

I just saw a review of the GT2 (same sound setup as GT1), and the reviewer's main issue with the car was how poor the sound was. I'm quite disappointed with the sound on the GT, but his description of the issue with the sound of the GT2 was precisely the same issue I have with the GT. For myself, and the reviewer, he problem was in the upper mids and highs. They are fatiguing and hallow. I have to turn the sound down almost to zero not to hurt my hears. If decent sound matters (what that means is going to be different for everyone), then it sounds like modifications are in order regardless of trim. I'm hoping an external EQ will solve the issue I have, because the system has plenty of power, and I assume the speakers are fine. I'm not terribly picky about car stereos, I just don't want them to hurt my ears. Funny thing is, I had the same issue with my 2008 Saab (tinny). My 2006 Saab Premium had great sound, at least by comparison.

Everyone has different ears, though, and preferences, so it's probably great for some. Certainly worth testing both trims.

Skip to 10m50s

I understand what he's talking about, and I felt the same way, until I enabled the "Clari-Fi" and "Audience Mode" surround options, it breathed new life into the system and it sounds absolutely amazing in every situation now.