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2010 Overall Audio Quality

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by beejay, Jun 23, 2009.

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  1. beejay

    beejay New Member

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    Again, thanks to ALL who have replied to my post. I'm making some headway in getting the FM issue figured out and hopefully resolved. Here's the issue:

    The FM antenna in the 2009's and earlier was the tall thin roof-mounted mast. In the 2010's the shorter stubby mast is the satellite antenna. The AM/FM antenna is built into the rear window glass, and is clearly not doing its job properly.

    Toyota does not yet have a fix for this as they don't have enough information and complaint-cases yet. So, if you are experiencing the same problem - very staticky FM and losing stations on your 2010 Prius - PLEASE - go to your dealer AND call Toyota's Customer Experience Line, 1-800-331-4331. The more of us who file case reports, the quicker they'll find a fix.

    This is a problem with the design and configuration of the 2010 tuner/antenna system; changing speakers, using an iPod, listening only to CD's, etc. will not correct the issue. Please share any other experiences, solutions here.
     
    #21 beejay, Jul 14, 2009
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  2. Tuon

    Tuon New Member

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    In general, I am absolutely loving the audio system. I am admittedly not a audiophile but in general its a amazing improvement over the 2004 system I had previously.

    The only complain is, when I'm bluetooth streaming from my iphone is when I shut off the car it resets my audio books!!! :mad2:

    I tried stopping it before turning the car off, and it will still reset it when the bluetooth connection is disabled. Grrrrr
     
    #22 Tuon, Jul 14, 2009
  3. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    Hummm, my 2010 was shipped without the antenna mast and I'm waiting on it. However I currently have XM reception (without the mast) but no FM/AM (unless the stations are really close.)
     
    #23 wvgasguy, Jul 15, 2009
  4. beejay

    beejay New Member

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    Wierd, I'm gonna unscrew the mast and see what changes...
     
    #24 beejay, Jul 15, 2009
  5. duraace

    duraace New Member

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    I noticed a large difference in quality between FM and Satellite. Sat is suberb.
     
    #25 duraace, Jul 15, 2009
  6. beejay

    beejay New Member

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    ...and the results are - nothing changes. When I take the mast completely off, I still have AM, FM and satellite. What does the darn thing do?
     
    #26 beejay, Jul 15, 2009
  7. lauren80ryan

    lauren80ryan New Member

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    :bump: I wanna know too! No major issues but definitely NOT the quality I was expecting. Trying to get my MP3 player to work so I can test that one.
    And as for someone's comment on here....I would LOVE to listen over my iphone....But I refuse to EVER go back to AT&T (cingular...whoever the heck they are:p). I'm verizon and love it. And why should I have to spend another $300+ on another piece of equipment when I just spent $27k on a brand new car!?! :D
     
    #27 lauren80ryan, Jul 15, 2009
  8. cdw

    cdw New Member

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    I've only had my Prius for one day, but so far am satisfied with the base audio system. Radio reception is fine -- as clear as my other cars on stations 50+ miles away. CD quality is fine too -- no hiss or buzzing even at moderately high volume, and the bass is actually better than on my old Infiniti's Bose system.

    At this point, I am glad I did not spring the extra $$$ for the JBL audio system in the Prius III.
     
    #28 cdw, Jul 16, 2009
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  9. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    The FM antenna is the diversity type with the mast and embedded rear glass antenna type.

    I agree that FM is more prone to static in this car, but I don't spend much time there (only for local news). Satellite reception is just fine in my area with the amount of terrestrial repeaters in the area.
     
    #29 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 16, 2009
  10. beejay

    beejay New Member

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    Do you know why is there no difference in FM or satellite when the antenna is removed? Can it be replaced by a better mast antenna for FM (like my 2009 Prius had?)

    I don't like the audio quality of the satellite, but, more important, I prefer FM, like real-time, local DJ's, have worked in radio and have friends at the station I listen to. Never even considered "test-driving" the radio - I've never had a bad one before.
     
    #30 beejay, Jul 17, 2009
  11. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Satellite antenna is embedded in the base of the FM antenna on the roof. Unless you've removed the entire thing, there's little difference.

    I'm certain that the overall size reduction of the FM whip antenna didn't help performance. While windings may keep overall "length" (or orders of length), I'm pretty sure a longer antenna would perform better.
     
    #31 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 17, 2009
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  12. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    My antenna was missing and had to be backordered. Got it today. However for the past week I have been getting XM but the only FM I get are certain stations where they are close by transmitting. So there is a difference. Maybe not in quality but certainly range.
     
    #32 wvgasguy, Jul 17, 2009
  13. jim256

    jim256 Member

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    The diversity circuit on the antenna probably makes a lot of difference when you don't have nearby stations, but I bet it makes little difference in metro areas.
     
    #33 jim256, Jul 18, 2009
  14. Earman

    Earman CDN Prius III Technology Blue

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    I have a Prius III with basic stock radio. It has terrible reception with lot of static. Only a few stronger stations are received properly. It does look like the antenna is not connected properly but from what I read above it is likely a poor quality system! I am wondering if the Prius has an inline antenna amplifier already or if I could improve things by adding one. If so, where can I get a schematic to kwow where to insert it?

    If you have a Prius III with the basic radio, can you comment on the quality? What I read above was mainly for the JBL or for Prius II.

    On a related subject, how do you set the Prius to be on Accessory mode only so you can test the radio in a garage without having the engine start? I tried pressing start immediately followed by Parking but the engine still started...

    Thanks!
     
    #34 Earman, Jul 22, 2009
  15. jim256

    jim256 Member

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    Press the start once with you foot off the brake. My radio (JBL) has reception equivalent to my past and current cars, just fine.
     
    #35 jim256, Jul 22, 2009
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  16. Earman

    Earman CDN Prius III Technology Blue

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    If you live in Canada, the phone number for the Canadian Toyota Customer Experience Line is 1-888-869-6828.
     
    #36 Earman, Jul 22, 2009
  17. L8rnr

    L8rnr New Member

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    I too have found the same issue in my 2010. Impossible to balance the frt to backwithout loosing something. No soundstage whatsoever. Also, found the sat radio horrendous in lousy weather. Iphone tunes do sound great though..
     
    #37 L8rnr, Jul 22, 2009
  18. rrainwater001

    rrainwater001 New Member

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    We just upgraded from a 2006 Prius with the 6 speaker system to an 2010 with the JBL system. The audio quality of the new car is much better, but I agree that the radio reception is not as good. I am a public radio listener and notice that the low power stations are a bit harder to receive. Maybe an antenna upgrade is the answer.
     
    #38 rrainwater001, Jul 22, 2009
  19. Sphyrna

    Sphyrna Priusite

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    Audio Quality? What Audio Quality?!

    Just got my Prius yesterday and the radio just underwhelms. Compared to my basic GMC Envoy, (no Bose, no satellite) the Prius JBL Radio sounds noticeably inferior. Messed around for a while with the fader and treb,mid,bass with not much in results. I'm not about to spend money or anything so I'll live with it!
     
    #39 Sphyrna, Jul 25, 2009
  20. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Interesting...

    I find mine great, good soundstage for both the driver and passenger (you share half the dash), surprisingly clean treble for a JBL, good bass, a little midbass heavy but actually reproduces sub-bass unlike the 09 base system.

    For background I design and build my own tube audio equipment for home so I have a pretty high standard for sound.

    The only reception that sucks is my favorite morning radio show but it was that way with our explorer too so I am not surprised.
     
    #40 billnchristy, Jul 25, 2009
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