2007 Prius Audio Limitations

I purchased a 2007 Prius less than a month ago and am still getting used to the different systems. Regarding the factory audio, a couple of questions that I don't find directly addressed in other threads - 1) Should the pretty, shiny radio unit below the main information screen light up at all with radio or bluetooth information? I have not run a CD through it yet but so far, nothing. 2) regarding bluetooth connectivity and music stored on my iPhone 6s - When I plug in both the auxiliary cable and the phone charging cable at the same time, serious static. I am guessing because both cables are so close to each other on the phone? Are there cables out there that will address the static issue? Or just contend with plugging in one cable, then the other. A serious drain on the phone battery when accessing music via bluetooth. There again, I am assuming the music on my phone is somehow accessed through the car's bluetooth pairing 3) Finally - Severe volume restriction(s) on the music coming from my phone through the car speakers. My '01 Tundra has similar volume restriction issues with music from my phone, but the aftermarket Pioneer system in the truck is much newer and is loud compared to the volume I am limited to in the Prius. For example, regular radio volume in the Prius is usually set between 9 -11 and that is a comfortable volume for me on most standard, non-Sirius radio stations. When I plug in the phone for music, I have to crank the volume knob in the car into the 30's, This is audible, but cars going by when I have the windows up or other noises from outside make it so I have to strain to hear the music. This is similar in the Tundra, but maxing out the volume in the Tundra for iPhone music is much louder. It will not blow the speakers by any means but it does allow me the option of choosing between factory radio settings and the iPhone. The audio system in the Prius, no Sirius system, makes the iPhone option not really an option. Again, if these issues are addressed in different, separate threads, I apologize for reposting. Please just steer me in the right direction to research these issues.

 

Thank you gentlemen. I never gave a second thought to the possibility that the 2007 Prius is so behind in technological advancements compared to 11 years later that it cannot be adapted to work seamlessly with our now "everyday" devices, but that may be what I/we are up against. This 2007 is the newest and most technologically advanced car I have owned. I always buy used vehicles and only recently achieved the status of having both my vehicles manufactured within the current century. When I was looking at the car before purchasing it, I noted the "SAT" button choice on the factory radio and I thought, "Excellent! I can get Sirius in this thing without a whole remove and replace scenario regarding the radio." I was somewhat mistaken there too. Out of curiosity, could these vehicles come equipped with satellite ready-ready audio equipment if ordered correctly? Meaning, just subscribe to Sirius and you are done? Anyway, I will press on with my quest. I won't go broke adapting things to fit my wants and needs, but it would be nice to have my car at least match the sound system choices I currently use with the after market Pioneer system in the '01 Tundra - Bluetooth, Sirius, and music from my phone WHILE it charges. Again, thank you for the input.

 

Very good points. I/we often forget the timing of when the tech advancements we take for granted today actually came about. I guess in that respect I am like my kids -"Instant gratification ain't fast enough!"

 

With you on the loss of hearing. It is to the point now that it doesn't bother me that I have to say "what" or "huh" a lot, but it does bother others. I don't like what I hear most of the time anyway, so it's kind of a blessing. When it does start to bother me, I will look into store-bought ears. Regarding my sound system - It is a base Prius, not a Touring model, so I am guessing it is the base audio system as well. I will count speakers later today to see what I have. I don't recall the middle speaker.

 

UPDATE - Counted speakers today, there are 9. Did not see the small speaker on top of the readout display screen. Ordered an Mpow ground loop noise isolator (thank you srellim234) to address the static problem. Should be here tomorrow. Cheap enough to gamble that this may be the fix I need.

 

***Update to the update - Mpow noise isolator in use and cancels out all previous static. I can now listen to music from my phone, albeit as background music because the volume restrictions are still there. At least I don't have to worry about rushing to crank the volume when my favorite song comes around!