2013 Outback Harman Kardon radio hiss

[Thai]

Originally Posted by hawkeye252

Thai-you are a mind reader. I have a new 2013 RDX sitting in the garage! Plenty powerful for our mountains and a fantastic factory radio.

I prefer something a bit more rugged looking like the Outback as well as it's AWD for the snowy area that I live in, but the RDX does have excellent clearance. The RDX has excellent visibility as well, something that I find is becoming in more short supply with new car designs. Both of my daughters drive Foresters; now that's car I can see out of.

I know that it is kinda early, but how's the AWD system?? Does it work well?

Did you get the Tech pkg with the ELS system?

[tim3320070]

Originally Posted by qbizzy

I am currently right in the middle of dealing with Subaru on this same issue. I have the Premium HK Radio - non navi + Rear Seat Entertainment. For me, the hiss comes when I attach an ipod to an Aux in cable and play music through the Aux option on the radio. AND, when I play movies through the RSE. I bought my car in Jan 2012 and have been back to the dealership 5 times to fix this issue. They have swapped out head units, amps and connection cables and still the hiss is there. They said, "well, why don't you just not use the AUX port. And you can still watch movies, just use the wireless headsets." I even posted on this same topic on this forum under the subject, " What happens when Subaru can not fix my problem?"

This issue isn't just with my OB. They had compared it with the other OB on the lot with RSE and it turns out it has the same issue. To make matters worse, they basically say that they have no solution and that we'll call you when we figure it out.

At this point I want to take Subaru to court because every time I have to take my car in, I lose 2 hours of my life which would otherwise be spent working. But I am just a little ole customer and my 10+ hours invested (wasted) I supposed goes along with owning a car.

I suppose the lemon law only applies to mechanical issues?

This is all ridiculous though - over a radio? WTF - this is my first subaru experience. Thankfully, I love my car otherwise. It won't be my last subie.

It has nothing to do with wiring or a fault in the head unit- it's cheap amplification, shielding and source like a cheap laptop with headphones- the hiss is ingrained from the get go. Typical and cheap low tech Sub gear but they are getting better and the rest of the car is great I think you would agree.

Old Hondas were the same until recently- terrible quality sound systems.

[hawkeye252]

Originally Posted by Thai

I know that it is kinda early, but how's the AWD system?? Does it work well?

Did you get the Tech pkg with the ELS system?

I haven't had the RDX long enough or in any bad weather to be able to judge the AWD system. It is supposedly basically the same as the AWD on my wife's Honda CR-V which I drove all winter and had no problems with and in some pretty horrible winter conditions. However, the CR-V in the snow is not an Outback by any means. The best cars I've ever driven in snow are Subaru and Audi.

The RDX is a huge jump above the CR-V for being nice inside and it is very solid and quiet on the road and makes the desired "thump" when closing the doors. The CR-V is a great commuter and kid transporter. Like my wife said, when the grandkid decides to stick a pencil into the CR-V seats, it won't hurt as much as with a higher end vehicle.

Yes, it has the Tech package with ELS. For purposes of this thread, the radio sound quality is absolutely superb. Not quite as good as the Bang and Olufsen in Audi's but pretty darn close. I love it.

[souhsko]

so, on topic to the hiss...... I get a hiss when my xm cuts out. Do you guys experience this too?

If so then ouch. I am just guessing now, but maybe all the inputs are via rf modulation?

[Thai]

No hiss with cd or USB.

[iainb]

No hiss in our system.

[Chadder007]

Mine buzzes every once in a while. Anyone else experience that??

[4wheeldog]

Originally Posted by Chadder007

Mine buzzes every once in a while. Anyone else experience that??

I have heard that on occasion.......I tracked it down to the passenger in the front seat.

[gills]

if i purchased a 2013 ob this summer then promptly ripped out the stock sound system and replaced it with something after market, would that void the warranty? if so, would a subaru dealer install any non-subaru/hk stereo equipment? that sounds ridiculous i know but sound quality is of extreme importance to me and hissing from the hk upgrade will literally drive me insane.

[kenlounge]

Zero hiss from my 2012 limited w/ non-nav HK