2010 Overall Audio Quality

[beejay]

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.

[Tuon]

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!!!

I tried stopping it before turning the car off, and it will still reset it when the bluetooth connection is disabled. Grrrrr

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by beejay

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.

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.)

[beejay]

Originally Posted by wvgasguy

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.)

Wierd, I'm gonna unscrew the mast and see what changes...

[duraace]

I noticed a large difference in quality between FM and Satellite. Sat is suberb.

[beejay]

Originally Posted by beejay

Wierd, I'm gonna unscrew the mast and see what changes...

...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?

[lauren80ryan]

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). 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!?!

[cdw]

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.

[HTMLSpinnr]

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.

[beejay]

Originally Posted by HTMLSpinnr

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.

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.