Static on XM?! (Factory installed JBL Premium Solar Roof Pkg)

I've searched the forums and seen a lot of discussion of static on the FM and AM dial but that's not my problem; I have static coming through the speakers on the XM module only. FM, CD, AUX all come in crystal clear-- it's just the XM sounds terrible. The treble is crunchy, there's hiss behind silence, and when the satellite signal actually cuts out, there is audible static coming from all speakers.

That said, has anyone else experienced this problem? Is there anything I can do short of taking the car back to the dealership for repairs? When the XM cuts out in a garage or wherever, does anyone else hear static come through their speakers?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Yeah, I think I should just take it in. I don't even have 100 miles yet and I'm totally floored that I've already got a couple problems. Thanks for the feedback though, at least I know I'm not just being nit-picky.

 

Yeah, the problems roll on for me, and I think that this may be a much bigger issue than just one bad stereo...

OK, my stereo definitely has an issue and I bet yours does too. That said, the issue only seems to affect the XM module and people who are totally obsessed with audio-- for most, I imagine that the problem doesn't even phase them as the problem is pretty subtle until you experience a side-by-side comparison. I just so happen to own a portable Sirius unit (a Stilletto 2) which shares a lot of the same programming content with XM and I've been able to play crystal clear quality audio from my portable unit through the AUX-in jack in my Prius, and then for comparison sake, I switch to the same station on the JBL... The portable unit, even connected through a lousy headphone plug, simply puts the built in XM to shame.

So, I took the car into the dealership and after I played my little demonstration for them, they agree that there is a problem, but their solution is to replace the whole in-dash unit. At this point, I'm wondering if I should let them-- I have a hunch that the XM receiver isn't in the head unit and that letting them replace the whole unit will not improve anything.

At this point, I'm fairly certain that I've discovered a design flaw in the Premium Sound System, and maybe one that is isolated to cars with the solar roof option at that. As an AV professional myself, I think that there may be a problem in the system's grounding. That would explain everything...

My next step will be to go on to a Toyota lot and test out a couple other systems in new cars to see if they suffer the same problem. I also just so happen to work in Torrance, CA-- right around the corner from Toyota of America, if I can't get the dealership to fix this, I'm going to go to the source. So next time you are listening to your XM, ask yourself, is this really CD quality? It's especially exaggerated in treble and in talk radio... If you are having these issues too, I'd love to know, and if you're interested in what's happening, please stay tuned-- I'll be sure to update this thread my results along the way.