488/458 Sound Comparison

I have read and watched most every review of the new 488. Obviously, each review touches on the very controversial issue of the sound. Still, I have not heard one review that says the car doesn't sound great. Rather, most all of them describe the 488 sound is just different compared to the 458. So, my question is, for those who know conclusively (ideally those who own both, or have experienced driving both) is the 488 actually "quieter" than the 458 or does it just sound different than the naturally aspirated tone we know?

 

Just as loud just deeper, no wail.

 

No, 458 is definitely louder. Not at low RPM, as in the 488 the exhaust valves open much earlier. But with increasing RPM the 458 sounds way better 😉
And is also louder...

 

does not Matter what the press write.... we know very well how they are..... there is not comparison between 458 sound and 488. 458 is mouch louder than 488 and 430 scuderia Much more !!LOL

 

Agreed plus 488 max rpm is less than 458 hence the wail

 

Correct. I have driven all three on a limited basis and it was fairly obvious to me.

 

It's not about the loudness, but the quality of the sound. I stood beside a revving 488, and its actually as loud as stock 458. But there is no screaming. It sounds better than 911 turbo, but it doesn't sound like a race car. And if you modify the 458, then 488 will sound like an economy car. Forget about 430, it's even much louder than 599 GTO, and with ear piercing scream.

 

No sound enhancements or effects have been used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-fLy5jf0As&feature=youtu.be

 

I love the way 430 drives, how raw it is. But the 430 interior and overall needed an overhaul. The 458 did that. The 488 wasn't a major overhaul, looking at the interior, body design, etc. Speed difference and handling is better on the 458 vs 430...

The 488 styling is more aggressive, the back is better looking, the front etc. Aero features are more modern and small items like Bluetooth audio made it enough for me!

 

488 sounds like just about any exotic turbo car. 458 sounds way better. 488 just has a long rumble. 458 gets higher frequency.

 

Thank god it at least sounds AMAZING in a tunnel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqwC1mx9_-o&spfreload=5

 

Not according to my ears. The 488's tone at low revs sounds a whole lot better and surprisingly, higher pitched than my Speciale, which was nothing but low bassy crap. The 488's tone still has that nice Ferrari character, albeit not as high pitched as 458s with aftermarket exhaust. Considering that most people spend most of their time in low revs, I feel u won't feel shortchanged most of the time. Yes, it lacks that high rev rush to the tacho, but that can also get tiring. Without an aftermarket exhaust, stock 458s don't sound all that great either unlike the F12.

 

I totally feel you on the speciale comment. That's an honest assessment bro.

 

I guess bliss is in the ear of the beholder

 

Whaaa? Bassy crap, no scream???

Gotta do the right mods guys, TURN UP THE VOLUME and listen to that EPIC SOUND!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lyYmd6edJQ

 

So true. Looking forward to driving a 488 spider so l can hear what the driver hears.

 

While I respect all views, this is really a discussion about comparing the stock sounds of the cars.

 

+1, anyhow imho the more you mod the 488's exhaust the more whine you seem to get..

 

I was talking about the 458, not the Speciale. I think standard car sounds different and much better than the Speciale, but that's just my opinion.

 

Yea exactly, dunno why he keeps referring 458 when the 458 and speciale sound different stock but that's just my opinion

 

Earlier this afternoon I was able to finally experience the sound of a 488 for myself. I must admit, after reading the passionate posts on this thread and others about how the 488 sounds, I was expecting to be very disappointed. Reading many posts one would think the car sounds like a Honda Civic with aftermarket exhaust. I was actually extremely blown away by how awesome the 488 sounds. Yes, it is different than the 458, but I loved it. It's throaty and mean. True, it doesn't have the high pitched whining of the 458, but I was very impressed with its deep, intense and guttural roar. I'm not necessarily saying I like it better than the 458, but I'm also not saying I don't. So, in my opinion, the demise of the great sounding Ferrari 8 has been much exaggerated merely because the car isn't naturally aspirated. The 488 sounds amazing.

 

This is my opinion for what it's worth (which is less than zero)

458 at 9 grand: amazing.
488 at 8 grand: very good, but different

Its not that the 488 is bad. It's just that Ferrari made the 458 too good. But I could say the same about the 355 vs 360. The 355 sounds better than the 360. So, was the 360 a failure?

 

488 doesn't sound as good but it sounds GOOD ENOUGH. There's more to a car than sound.

 

your reaction to the Speciale tone is exactly what Ferrari wanted. The Speciale exhaust tone was intentionally made to sound worse "low bassy crap" so that the transition to the 488 would not be so extreme. also didn't the latest software update for the 458 worsen the exhaust tone as well.

 

Drove the Speciale...saw a bunch of 488 and 488 spiders being delivered...Speciale all the way, love the sound, the looks etc