Low FM Stereo volume on stock system

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Low FM Stereo volume on stock system

Postby leeepa » Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:23 pm

Hey guys,

Recently purchased myself an '05 Lib and have a question to ask you guys with models 2004 and up, excluding the upper models with the McIntosh system.

When listening to FM radio, I find the sound is muffled and muddy, even when the bass is turned down through the EQ. Nothing extreme but muffled none the less. More importantly when driving around with the windows down, I have the volume in the high 20's, just to hear it nicely.

What gets me thinking is when I switch to playing a CD the system comes alive and sounds fantastic, nice and crisp. It is also thumping if I dare push it up past 20, which is much louder then listening to FM.

Of course CD's are going to sound better then radio, but the difference is so huge I'm starting to think that I'm getting poor FM reception causing it to sound muddy and have a lower volume.

Is this normal for all of you?

All thoughts greatly appreciated. :)
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Postby jp928 » Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:47 pm

Whats AM radio like? Sounds a bit like the rear mounted amp is not doing its job...is this an integrated radio/single cd/ac controller unit? The tone controller doesnt help?
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Postby leeepa » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:03 pm

AM radio is just as bad, and the tone controller doesn't help much. It's just the stock integrated unit that comes standard. Not sure about it being an amp issue as wouldn't that affect CD's as well?
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Postby Subie Boy » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:14 pm

maybe take it back to the dealership and get a second look!
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Postby leeepa » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:23 pm

yeah sounds like the way to go, pity my warranty ran out 12 days ago :(
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Postby Ric » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:50 pm

leeepa wrote:.... Not sure about it being an amp issue as wouldn't that affect CD's as well?

It's an RF amplifier on the antenna he is referring to, not an audio amplifier.
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Postby leeepa » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:51 pm

Oh that makes a lot of sense then, cheers.
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Postby jp928 » Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:03 pm

Sorry I wasnt clearer - there is an aerial signal amp up the back somewhere to boost the signal coming off the window trace aerial stuff, which I have never liked - driving in some areas at certain angles to the transmitters gives very poor reception. I replaced the whole facia & HU with a JDM unit, which is now the for sale section....
jp
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Postby leeepa » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:16 am

Yeah I am interested in replacing the fascia, but it does seem like a lot of hard work.

Any idea's where the best place to take a look might be? Dealer or an audio shop?

Thanks for all the replies too. :good:
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Postby jp928 » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:44 pm

Took me ~ 15 mins to dismantle my JVC out of the outback and put the std facia back in.....check out pics of the install at
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... 513&page=2

The only slow part is connecting a new HU fitting to the Subie adapter plug, although the std colour coding makes it difficult to screw up.

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