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Hyundai Elantra Audio Questions

77 messages,  Last post on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:20 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Audio, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 9 of 9

#72 of 77 Re: Hyundai Elantra: Audio Questions [backy] by humshark

Sep 19, 2011 (9:54 am)

Replying to: backy (Oct 22, 2006 7:13 pm)
I have just purchased a 2012 Elantra Limited with Navigation. The sticker also shows that we have the Premium Audio package with the external digital amplifier.
 
Can someone please tell me how to verify that this is indeed installed on our car. As of now, the radio sound quality is barely acceptable, especially in XM mode as the signal level is very low.
 
I thought that the external amplifier would be mounted in the trunk area, yet I do not see one. Is it possible that the premium package was not installed? ( I hope so, or else Hyundai needs to redefine premium )
 
The car I traded in had similar options and the devices were easy to see. Large amplifier mounted under the rear deck with heat dispersion fins, etc..

#73 of 77 Re: Hyundai Elantra: Audio Questions [humshark] by mweathers

Oct 19, 2011 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: humshark (Sep 19, 2011 9:54 am)
I also have a 2012 Limited with Nav. To get the Nav, you should have the Technology Package, which also comes with the better audio system. That's the reason I bought the Technology Package. I wanted to have the best audio system they offered. You do have the external digital amp. I haven't found mine yet either, though I'm told it's in the right rear of the trunk area, behind a removable panel. I am curious about the barely acceptable statement in your post. I've also noticed that XM mode is noticeably lower in volume than the CD mode. I don't listen to regular radio, so I can't comment on that. I've found the best sound can be had (imo) by setting the balance to the rear by one notch. The bass should be turned up to 1 or 2 notches above center. Midrange should be set the same way. But to my ears, the best treble is 4 notches from minimum setting. If not, the treble is ear splitting! I listen to CD more than anything and that's the setting I've found is best for CD......By the way, XM sounds bad no matter what you have your system set on (though the above settings seem best to me). XM sound quality has gone WAY down since Sirius bought the company a few years ago. The sound is so compressed, there's no way to make it sound very good at all.
 
Hopefully the above suggestions will help. I do wish there was a subwoofer in this sytem, though I've heard it's not too hard to add one.....I've yet to check into the specifics, though. Hope my suggestions help you with your sound....

#74 of 77 Re: Hyundai Elantra: Audio Questions [mweathers] by humshark

Oct 20, 2011 (5:44 am)

Replying to: mweathers (Oct 19, 2011 8:11 pm)
You are right about the Sirius/XM. The "articles of compression" are terrible on the highs and make nearly everything sound like it is coming from behind a tin can with aluminum sealed across the opening.
 
Do you have speakers in the rear deck? I'm surprised that a system, calling itself premium, relies solely on the door speakers. I do have a more critical ear than most, but this is the first time I have been SO disappointed with a package that touted itself as premium. I should have been aware when after searching, there is NO real information on the system to be found. My dealer couldn't tell me a thing about it, only assuring me that it did have an extra amp most likely behind the dash.
 
I, like you, thought is was in the trunk area, but that was when I thought it might actually have extra speakers, or minimally, upgraded ones. I haven't found it yet.
 
Overall, after tweaking the EQ in a similar manner, Trial and error, I have found the best quality from the usb port, when running very high bit-rate songs from file. I rarely use CD's anymore since we have completely digitized our collection.
 
I do love the integration of technology, but love more, my widely varied and often demanding audio.

#75 of 77 Re: Hyundai Elantra: Audio Questions [humshark] by mweathers

Oct 20, 2011 (7:33 am)

Replying to: humshark (Oct 20, 2011 5:44 am)
Believe it or not, the system has 6 speakers. 2 tweeters high in the front doors, 2 mid/bass speakers in the front doors and 2 barely on speakers in each back door....I guess for ambience. No speakers on the back deck. And no sub, which I thought it would have. I'm disappointed as well, but not extremely so. I had a top of the line Bose system in my 2003 Mazda 6 that didn't sound as good as this one. It had the same amount of speakers and a sub, along with an external amp. It also relied very heavily on the front speakers, with the rear door speakers barely on. The sub was so low I had to check by touching it to make sure it was actually on. So, this system is better....just not where you and I want it to be. I complained about it on my questionaire I received by email a few days ago. Won't help us, but maybe in the future they will have a better system. I've heard adding a sub isn't too hard, so I'll search on line for that choice to see if it improves the sound any.

#76 of 77 Re: Hyundai Elantra: Audio Questions [mweathers] by humshark

Oct 20, 2011 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: mweathers (Oct 20, 2011 7:33 am)
I came from the premium Bose system in an Altima. It was loud, heavy bass, but not balanced real well. A major step above this however.
 
I agree that adding a sub should not be very difficult. I'm not sure it will take care of the whole problem, especially if you can't roll of the lows to the other speakers and balance the output across them. But it would be better than what it is now. My wife will have a heart attack knowing that we need to spend more to make the NEW system sound ok. ( She actually complained about the quality of the sound )
 
I'll let you know what I decide. - Cheers

#77 of 77 Re: Hyundai Elantra: Audio Questions [humshark] by mweathers

Oct 26, 2011 (10:20 am)

Replying to: humshark (Oct 20, 2011 1:22 pm)
I was listening to a CD this morning on the way in and notice just how MUCH bass I have. There's one thing I forgot to tell you about my settings on the premium audio in the limited. I have the auto volume (I think that's what it is called) on all the time. Being a purist I usually HATE those features (the Bose was awful and I never used it). And I did notice a lack of bass BEFORE I turned this feature on. It was then that I had to turn bass to midway.....Try it if you haven't already. This may help.

Messages Page 9 of 9

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