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Poor Audio Quality when listening to radio


sambog
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I just bought a Crosstrek XV Hybrid over the weekend  and I enjoying it. I listen to both radio and music via Bluetooth. The audio quality via Bluetooth is amazing and very loud and clear. The audio quality via radio is horrible and very soft and full of static.

 

Does anyone has the same problem or is it just my car having the issue? I don't HD quality audio but it was horrible and not even close my old car.

 

Thanks and appreciate any advice.

 

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I followed the instruction on YouTube to enable "Through Mode" and it sounded so much better. It cannot be the same as CD or BT audio quality but so so much better. So basically, if you don't want to watch the video, press key 1, 4 and audio button together to enable "through mode". It will appear on the screen. Turn it on and you will hear the different in audio quality.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

It's a bummer this isn't even in the car manual, I have the same problem, will be trying this now to see if it fixes.  Mostly I noticed the highs are greatly suppressed.

 

Edit:

I had to watch the youtube video, you have to press one and 4 and the tuner knob when the deck is turned off, with key in accessory position.

Edited by Mr. Carb
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  • 7 months later...

I am having bad reception on the fm with the starlink 7. Seems similar to the complaints mentioned here. Brought it to the dealer. They said they couldn't see a problem. I can't listen to the radio stations I hear well in every other car. Seems like the antenna lacks power. Any suggestions?

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  • 2 months later...

Otterjeanne1, is you Crosstrek a hybrid? I have
the same problem. And no buttons to set as the above posters mentioned. I'm so
discussed, I paid for a premium sound system, and can't use it where all my
friends jam to their standard systems....I have contacted 2 dealer that won’t
even look at it. And A lemon law attorney who says radios are too difficult of
a case. The salesman knew how important the sound system was in my buying
decision....Subaru customer service told me it's very acceptable for me not to get reception where other cars do,
because it's a hybrid. What the Hell are they putting premium sound systems in
a vehicle where it won’t work?

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  • 3 months later...

My 2014 Crosstrek is at the dealer for the 4th time regarding this. I have had loaner cars: another Crosstrek, Forrester & Impreza that have the same sound issues, (static and low volume). Starting to think it is a Subaru problem not a faulty radio. I tried the video mentioned above but it didn't do anything on mine. Anyone have success resolving the static? 

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I found out it's just intentionally bad by design, to encourage people to upgrade to the HD radio for the car.  the 2015 comes with it stock and sounds a heck of a lot better, I wonder how much it would cost to just get the radio and swap it out.  I too have a 2014 with the bad radio quality and given it's worse than pulling teeth to get Carter Subaru in Shoreline to aknowledge any defect in the car, I gave up and started taking it to a third party shop and paying to fix it the issues I had (except the radio).

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I found out it's just intentionally bad by design, to encourage people to upgrade to the HD radio for the car.  the 2015 comes with it stock and sounds a heck of a lot better, I wonder how much it would cost to just get the radio and swap it out.  I too have a 2014 with the bad radio quality and given it's worse than pulling teeth to get Carter Subaru in Shoreline to aknowledge any defect in the car, I gave up and started taking it to a third party shop and paying to fix it the issues I had (except the radio).

 

I have the HD model and it still sounds bad. I am wondering if it is the antennae?

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A lot of this simply sounds like reception issues with the antenna.

 

Today's antennas are so small and insignificant that reception of radio waves is probably not nearly as good as the old-fashioned ones that stuck out straight up rather than being slim and unnoticeable.

 

 

Anyone considering changing their antenna to an old-style one? I personally don't use the radio except for road/weather condition advisories.

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  • 1 year later...

I have a '14 Crosstrek and at 38k miles the screen was flashing white or breaking up. The dealer replaced as a courtesy, now 4 months later the power keeps going out. It justs off then comes back on. I had the wiring checked today and they could find nothing wrong, told me it may be the actual radio but I may have to replace the backup camera too unless there is a harness where they could connect to the new radio??

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