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Poor audio quality, 2018 Prius Three

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Phil Barry, May 17, 2018.

  1. Phil Barry

    Phil Barry Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2018
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    Location:
    Chicago area
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Music, especially orchestral music, sounds electronic through the FM radio of my Three. I listen to WFMT, which I believe has a clean signal. In general, the sound I get from the sound system is much more electronic than I got from my previous car, a 2008 Elantra with the base sound system. What's the usual evaluation of the Prius sound system?

    Does mine have a problem, or is it just not very good?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 Phil Barry, May 17, 2018
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Have you fiddled with the sound settings (bass/treble/fade/balance) to see if it will improve?

    How does it go with a quality CD, or an MP3 on a USB stick
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, May 17, 2018
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
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    Plug-in Base
    not very good. time to read up on better systems, there may be a progression of speakers, amp, h/u, not necessarily in that order.
     
    #3 bisco, May 18, 2018
  4. priusman09

    priusman09 I used to be a TDI

    Joined:
    May 23, 2010
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    Location:
    wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    On my past Prius and now on my ‘17 Prime I have likes the stereo best when I adjust the Automatic sound levelizer (ASL) all the way to high. It provides a much richer sound no matter where I have the base and treble etc set. It is a speed sensitive adjustment I believe. Otherwise the stereo is kind of flat and lacking depth.
     
    #4 priusman09, May 19, 2018
  5. Drhyed

    Drhyed Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2016
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the tip, just yesterday I was thinking mine sounded flat just as you mentioned. Im also having an issue that music sounds alright (I listen to EDM and 80's 90's 00's and todays Top 40 so its a mix lol) and also some sports radio and when radio talkers have heated discussions there voices will make it seem like the bass is to high or is overwhelming the speaker but I dont have the issue with music at all... very frustrating
     
    #5 Drhyed, May 23, 2018
  6. RoadNoise

    RoadNoise Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
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    Location:
    Huntsville, AL
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two Eco
    I made this adjustment and it does seem to improve the sound (or maybe just louder?). Thanks for the tip!

    Most if not all radio stations (Public Radio mostly excluded) use heavy compression and EQ the bass on the mics, Makes for a more manly sounding man.
     
    #6 RoadNoise, Jun 21, 2018
    KilgoreTrout likes this.
  7. atterbury90

    atterbury90 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2017
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    Location:
    SE Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    NPR could use some more manly sounding men for sure. I find the speakers and sound system in my 2017/2 to be tinny and just figured it was an area to cut cost to meet a price point. No feel of power to the system. I would like to upgrade the system if it is practical.
     
    #7 atterbury90, Oct 22, 2018
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