New SEL 2015 Stereo Problems

[austin06]

Just bought a new 2015 after 2010 Kia Soul was totaled in an accident. Have driven Subarus, Volvos, and the Kia and so far liking this car a lot. 

 

However, so far I have never driven anything with such a horrible stereo system. We have the supposed Sony 9 speaker system, and after driving in the back seat for the first time this past weekend, it's clear that the back speakers are not functioning. 

 

In fact it sounds like all of the sound is coming from the console speaker. We have adjusted all of the settings, albeit there are really only a few, and that does nothing. 

 

Now, as I'm reading through this forum I realize that the radio is not turning off properly when the car turns off. 

 

I'm about to call the dealer, but am also thinking of doing a master reset of the audio system that I read about here. 

 

Anything else I should try? This is very disappointing for a new car that has an upgraded system. Really, my basic Kia Soul had a far better sounding system than this car. In fact my husband refuses to even turn it on it sounds so bad. 

 

Hope there is an easy fix for this. Any feedback is appreciated. 

 

[fbov]

I find the sound system more than adequate, but I think I've heard your problem.

 

Master reset is a good idea.

 

I've had an issue that I think you might find sounds familiar. The key feature is the radio switches to the nasally mode and won't turn off when you turn the car off. The fix to this problem is pulling the radio fuse, located in the passenger-side foot well, under a panel. See the owners' manual for location. I don't recall the fuse number off hand...

 

HAve fun,

Frank

[rjam]

Hi

Not just you. You can turn the bass all the way and back off the mid and trebble and it still sounds hi and abnoxiouse You can run a speaker test to make sure all speakers are working.

Speaker check Turn the audio system on and set it to AM or FM mode

Press and hold the eject button. Then within one second, press the "Seek up" button and hold for about 5 seconds.

The diagnostics will start and do a walk-around speaker test by playing a tone in each speaker. You can cancel that and go into the main diagnostics menu.

There is an option for screen calibration. I haven't done it, but I believe it prompts you to touch the screen in multiple locations to do the calibration.

[austin06]

Thanks for the replies. 

 

My radio does turn off when I open the door so no problem there. (I'm still getting used to how things work). 

 

I played with the stereo more and got it to sound a bit better - to get sound in the back I needed to turn the balance more toward the back - having it in the middle the sound comes primarily from the front. 

 

That's the exact issue - it sounds thin compared to other stereos I've had. My Subaru Outback's stereo spoiled us. Subwoofers in the front and just a really great sound. 

 

I'll run the diagnostics as well, but am thinking it's just not the best stereo system. Really like driving the car so it's something we can live with. 

[markd]

My old Focus ztw with the blaupunkt and sub sounds ten time better than this Sony.

[rjam]

I turned the bass up, trebble and mid down but what really made the most desirable effect was putting the fade way up to front basically turning the little tweaters in the back down. Not the best but it did get rid of the high trebble that really sounded lousey.