Sirius; poor quality??

Peter_C,

We might be having the same problem. I was using the S50 with the antenna inside, and the FM on a pretty empty frequency. That sounded fine. Then I switched to the plug-in (in the AUX adapter) and boom - lots of noise. The noise only happens with the engine on and the electric motor under a bit of load. Backing off the throttle, it quiets down, but is still there (more than with the FM connection). I'll be experimenting with a bit of filtering and shielding over the next week, and post results. There is no good reason why the direct connection should have more noise.

Rick

 

With your S50, are you doing the true FM broadcast or have you purchased the optional Sirius FM Relay? This piece plugs into where the FM antenna plugs into the back of the factory radio. Small box, then plugs into the back of the S50 tuner.

This has made my signal quality great.

BTW, where have you mounted your S50? Right now I have my antenna inside, on the center speaker. The tuner is to the right of the center kick panel.

Ken

 

I bought the Sirius Kit from Metro as well. I did not use the stock "inside antenna" that came with it. I bought a low profile antenna to mount on the outside. Everything sounds great...Howard Stern, the music, etc. When I first installed the unit...the preview channel sounded like garbage, but once it was activated the music and everything sounds great. It's probably the antenna. I mounted the unit in the right rea quarter panel.

 

I just installed the FactoryInteractive kit and have problems with the Sirius sound. I get static and it is terrible. I called Sirius and they blame it on the equipment, but I think it could be the antenna itself. I'm going to try repositioning it to another location, but so far it isn't as great as I thought it would be. - Joe

 

I wish I could tell you...it's probably the receiver. I have the same exact unit from that Metro/Facotry Interactive and it works fine....so I would call them and say you want to return it and get another one.

 

I got a free dealer install of a Sirius system, and I get a nasty crackling/popping sound in my right front speaker. Plus, the overall quality is poor; it's no better than AM radio. The technician said that there was a problem with the JBL Nav systems, but not the Package 3 system. So I am taking it in this weekend for them to look at it. I will report back with what I find.

 

Okay. I'm afraid I'm going to be able to add nothing but more problems...After suffering the same kinds of problems you all have faced (crackling speakers), I swapped units, and got a fresh unit from Metro...which they didn't want to do. The same guys - who have done Priuses before - put in the frest unit. And...same problem. The antenna was also swapped out to make sure that wasn't the culprit. The tech who did it says it could be the harness (he doubts it highly) or the factory radio (doubts it even more.)

So now, I'm stuck with $250 worth of stereo equipment that doesn't work. I'm going to try and return it, but I don't think they'll take it back. I mean, I'll escalate it to the general manager, but I have a feeling ebay is going to be getting some business soon...

Does anyone know something I don't? Advice? If not, then plug-n-play, here I come! And I guess I'll have to chalk this up to experience...

 

Peter,

I feel for ya.

I'm still struggling with my S50 installation. I ended up putting the antenna in the spoiler / deck over the motor for the rear wiper (i'm not planning on listening while wiping, apparently, besides i live in CA and it doesn't get used anyway). I think this is going to turn out to be a bad, bad, location. It was working fine yesterday afternoon, poorly this morning.

I juryrigged an inline noise filter in the power outlet. $15 Radio Shack item, extended on both ends with cig lighter adapters for now. That improved, likely eliminated a 400Hz (apx) popping sound. There is still a 3KHz (apx) hum, but its much less - on par with noise from really good AM or medium quality FM reception. Still annoying.

I'm pretty sure the aux input is part cause, and the power outlet certainly was.

Where I go from here is a question...

a) Isolate the lines to the power outlet by running something to near-battery.
B) Remount the antenna (which isn't a noise source, it just drops out)
c) Isolate and run new lines between AUX and the head unit.
d) try another unit, just for chuckles.

Rick

 

I installed my Audiovox Sirius receiver in my 2006 last week. Initially, listening to it through the FM, I had some crackling in the music, no matter what FM frequency I tried. But, as soon as I plugged it in through the AUX audio input, it plays perfectly clear.
How does the Solaris' Sirius audio get into the audio system? Through the FM, or an auxilary input? I've heard this complaint several times now lately, and it makes me wonder if there isn't an impedance or level mismatch??

 

I Just got my Prius yesterday and I want to know the best sirius
radio to use with my Prius? I had in mind the S50 but if there is to many problems
I might try that Audiovox.

 

Let me put it this way...I am printing out a lot of these testimonials from people who have had problems with the Solara kit that Metro is selling that runs through the auxilary input in the back in hopes that I get my money back, though I'm not hopeful...stick to a plug-n-play unit.

 

So, you have a 2004 or 2005 Prius, and are using an auxilary input port on the back of the radio, right? Does the volume seem any different on the Sirius than when you switch over to the FM or CD? The fact that Toyota doesn't offer this same kit for the Prius makes me wonder if they know an incompatability issue that we don't? Did you examine the Sirius kit before the installation? Did you notice any way to control the output levels? How do you switch the audio over to the AUX, by toggling the MODE button? And, the AUX input just shows up now, since the installation?
I'm curious, because I noticed on the schematic for a 2006 that the AUX input has an extra wire, and I speculated that it is a connection that tells the head unit that there is a viable input to the AUX jack. And, that appears to be true. Before I plugged my Sirius into the AUX jack, it would not toggle to the AUX MODE. But, as soon as I plugged a miniature stereo plug into the jack, the input became available on the head unit. The extra wire must get switched to ground when you are jacked in, FYI.

 

Any fix for this yet? I just got my Sirius installed on my 06 Prius from the dealership, it sounds horrid. I don't like listening to it. I thought a speaker had blown or something but then I turned on FM and it sounded great. It's really annoying.

 

I wanted a portable unit, so I got the sirius One (plug and play) Its the size of a radar detector. w/fm transmitter. I have had no problems to report, occasionally I run into a little static but thats becuase theres a radio station brodcasting on the same frequency and is close by.. I even hear it in stereo..

I just wanted to beable to switch car to car, Its been great and you dont have all the commerials like XM , I never listen the free FCC regulated radio anymore...