Factory radio sucks!
 

Hi all,

The radio in the factory fitted audio system really sucks. A RF covertor has been fitted by the importer in order to receive our local range of redio frequencies. The reception is really bad. The back wind-screen antenna is no help. Am sure members here may have the same experiences.

Would really appreciate any suggestions on a solution. :)

Just to add on.

Do any one as any experience, that the Volume of the Radio becomes LOUDer everytime u Accelerate to a Higher RPM?

And Volume came Down (become softer) when the car is at a STOP

Does that means that the Alternator that is charging the Batt is going to fail soon?
Cos as far as I know the Alternator will produce a higher Voltage when ever the car is moving or at a higher rpm.

Please help

Hi morganoh, just lower your auto pilot setting to 1 or OFF. :)

bro, it has to do with the setting of your factory unit..... you have to switch it off. if not, if your noise within the cabin is loud, the unit with automatically turn on the volume louder......

let me see wat button is it then i get back to you.

It's the audio/text button. If you press it once, it shows the settings. Then you just change it to off or lower level. It's actually a feature and not a problem. I like it coz it automatically raises the volume when I speed and it's especially useful if you wind down your windows coz the volume will increase with the wind noise (speed).

K-Mobil, my exact sentiments when i bought me car.

You have only one option IMO. U can install a brand new head unit like some of the forum members did. (think they installed theirs in the cup holder center compartment or anywhere u deem fit for ur ride) and henceforth will control all audio outputs i.e. FM/CD/MP3/VCD/DVD from it and only use the original set for cabin control and stuff. Of coz, not forgetting the stock CD/MP3 options which are also available for a price:)

I replaced every damn audio equipment in me ride less the stock built-in head unit and so far its much better in terms of sound quality n Zee Bass, but the ralio stil sux... -_-)p

Thanks I will try it tmr and see if it will turn off the "auto increase of volume mode"

Hi guys,

Like everyone else, I think the factory unit is none too impressive. The CD quality is so-so, while the radio reception is really terrible. I think there's nothing much I can do with the CD quality, unless I change the head unit which spoils the look of the central console. But there's a weird phenomenon... the sound jumps from ok at level 2 to loud at level 3, and uncomfortably and unbelievably loud at level 4 onwards. Just wondering if this is normal (cuz I bought my RX-8 2nd-hand). The previous owner installed an amp and changed the speakers, which might have affected the sound levels... Quite disconcerting to jump from level 2 to level 3... hoping to have decent sound levels and ability to hold a conversation... somewhere at level 2.5?

Also, for the atrocious radio reception, is there really no way to improve it? How about installing the generic DAB radio unit?

come for the meetups, the experts will advise u accordingly.... hard to explain over words.

Try to install some Multimedia Manager and you could add on other 3 party stuff, and keeping the same factory fitted unit. It enhanced all the sounds (of coz, provided you have fitted extra amps, and some really cool speakers)
Like what u have said, if u got the car 2nd hand, and those ICE stuff has already been fitted, then perhaps you might need to re-tune it to your liking.

Installing DAB Radio Unit? Are you refering the REvio or something (cant really rem the name) ...

Hiya Bro Watoke,

Yup! Looking at the Revio unit... really reluctant to spend $800 bucks on a radio! :mad:

But if the DAB reception is perfect compared to the lousy reception now, I guess I'll have no choice...

Hi Coupe07,

Thanks... I think I'll just do that! :)

Anyone wants to order? Able to put in a 2 DIN...

http://www.feast-power.com/rsf/parts/rx8_audiokit.htm

About the reception, was thinking of getting an external antenna, the one using car battery power to boost reception, but still stuck at the windscreen.

I think you meant Audiopilot. If he turns of the autopilot, he might land at a different airport ;)

Oh! unless u wan to drill a hole on top of your rx8 to fix the external digital antena, if not then dun bother, coz still quite a number of places u cant receive the signal.
Oh by the way, it needs to use one of the channel on our factory HU, so to say, digital signal receive, goes to the HU, output still analog :p (but abit clearer)
Anyway, the item dun cost 800 (dun rem so exp), probably ard 550-600 only.
(Take note, some of the batches of WRX was fitted with this by the Motor Image, and many of them remove it, you might get some 2nd unit for probably 300-400)

Hope this help. :p

I'm keen on the console... but wat's that silver box thingy?? :)

My guess is that the silver box contains some of the PCBs taken out from the original HU which includes the Air-con controls...

I tried translating it using babelfish and it says something like we have to ship the original HU to them and then they will take it out apart and send the modified item back? Or is there some sort of a trade-in program. :confused:

I'm actually thinking of taking it apart myself and do the modification at my workplace where I have the tools to do it... Just need someone who can fabricate the panel.

Hi Watoke,

Thanks for the advice! It's a relevation to know that the so-called digital DAB Revio is still analogue, due to the process you described. I don't really like the way its stuck onto the panels though...

Anyway, I was considering fixing those sharks fin antenna, but heart pain to drill into the RX-8, so in the end still LL, got to put up with the lousy reception... :mad: