2013 V6 Tech/Premium with Fuzzy Audio

[ifonline]

I purchased a new 2013 V6 tech/premium Genesis sedan about a month ago and have been struggling to determine if there really is an issue with the sound system in this car or not. Sometimes I hear an issue, and sometimes I don't, so pinpointing the problem has been frustratingly difficult. I can say that within the first day or so I noticed a definite difference in quality between the audio in the 2013 and the audio in my previous 2011. I never experienced what I would call degraded audio quality in the 2011 like I am in the 2013.

What I am hearing is a sound that I would describe as crackling or fuzzy. It's difficult to hear as it is somewhat quiet and only seems to appear when the song is "thick" versus "thin" (as in full sound versus single instruments or vocals, for example), and at the moment I feel like it is tied to the mids although I don't feel entirely confident in that determination. My local deal had their "audio guy that installs million dollar sound systems in houses" listen, and he said that everything is just fine. I will say that I don't believe he has any specific skills or experience that warrant the title "audio guy that installs million dollar sound systems in houses" but I don't know that for sure. All I know is that the sound quality is frustrating me to the point that, while I am glad I upgraded from the 2011 in all other aspects, the audio issue is making me regret my decision to trade up.

So, anyone have any advice? Anyone have a similar experience? Here are the concerns I have at the moment in trying to determine what might be wrong"

1. Is it the head unit in the car?
2. Is it one or more speakers?
3. Is it the wiring?
4. Is it the amp or related components?
5. Is it specific to the iPod interface and related components?

I can say that the iPod itself is not likely the culprit as the audio from the iPod (using the dock connector) is fine on other systems, and the issue I am experiencing has manifested itself in my 2013 with two different iPods. I also hear the issue with CDs, although not as noticeably. I should point out that in the month I have had the car, twice the backup camera video signal has been blocked with a warning that video can't be shown while the car is in motion as if the head unit thinks I am trying to watch a DVD when I am actually trying to use the backup camera. Perhaps it's as simple as a bad head unit? I'm not sure I would be that lucky.

So... what's a good course of action considering that the dealership has already suggested that there isn't anything wrong (although I haven't pushed them about the issue yet, either)?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Mark_888]

I would a good DVD-A disc (not necessarily of music you like, but one that has good clean audio) and compare how it sounds on your car to a demo Genesis on the dealer lot.

 

[ifonline]

I thought about that. Hm... Amazon, here I come.

 

[tunderd]

I also have a feeling my system is doing the same thing. I have a 2013 R-Spec and I hear this crackling noise usually coming from the passenger side speakers usually when I am on a call, or when certain frequencies are played. One song I can always duplicate it on is from DMX, titled What's My Name. It happens right in the first 15 seconds for the song so its really easy to duplicate and hear it. Unfortunately when I took it to the dealer at first, I had not found a way to duplicate it, so off course they told me they didnt hear any issues. Now that I do, I will take it back and show them. I will post back my results

Let me know if you have any success as well.

 

[ifonline]

I have never been able to convince anyone of what I swear I hear, and I'm left feeling like I may just be imagining it. So, please follow-up if you make progress. I am indeed interested.

 

[wchettel]

I also have a feeling my system is doing the same thing. I have a 2013 R-Spec and I hear this crackling noise usually coming from the passenger side speakers usually when I am on a call, or when certain frequencies are played. One song I can always duplicate it on is from DMX, titled What's My Name. It happens right in the first 15 seconds for the song so its really easy to duplicate and hear it. Unfortunately when I took it to the dealer at first, I had not found a way to duplicate it, so off course they told me they didnt hear any issues. Now that I do, I will take it back and show them. I will post back my results

Let me know if you have any success as well.

If you can always duplicate it at a specific spot in the same song, couldn't it be a defect in the music source?

 

[King Mitch]

Guys, were either of you able to get your issues resolved? I'm having the same issue in my late production model 2015. I know it's a different body style but they both have the same lexicon systems. I have the 17 speaker version.the day I purchased the car I drove it from Texas to MS and in that ride I discovered a crackling, not that sounded like a blown speaker. I immediately took it to a nearby dealer the next week in Atlanta and they didn't find any blown speakers. At that moment I thought the speakers were just not capable of handling my taste in music which is bass heavy. $12,000.00+ later with an aftermarket system the noise is still present only this time its easier to hear because it's being amplified more. Now it sounds more like distortion or white noise from the tweeters which only occurs with bass notes around 80 hz and lower. It's really irritating because it's ruining my listening experience. I can't get the dealer to help me with it all. They see aftermarket and throw their hands up. they don't know how to bypass the system. They want me to remove my speakers lol. Even though I complained about a noise before they still won't touch it. Customer Service and even Corporate aren't any help at all, everything is at the discretion of the dealership.

 

[Ambush]

Guys, were either of you able to get your issues resolved? I'm having the same issue in my late production model 2015. I know it's a different body style but they both have the same lexicon systems. I have the 17 speaker version.the day I purchased the car I drove it from Texas to MS and in that ride I discovered a crackling, not that sounded like a blown speaker. I immediately took it to a nearby dealer the next week in Atlanta and they didn't find any blown speakers. At that moment I thought the speakers were just not capable of handling my taste in music which is bass heavy. $12,000.00+ later with an aftermarket system the noise is still present only this time its easier to hear because it's being amplified more. Now it sounds more like distortion or white noise from the tweeters which only occurs with bass notes around 80 hz and lower. It's really irritating because it's ruining my listening experience. I can't get the dealer to help me with it all. They see aftermarket and throw their hands up. they don't know how to bypass the system. They want me to remove my speakers lol. Even though I complained about a noise before they still won't touch it. Customer Service and even Corporate aren't any help at all, everything is at the discretion of the dealership.

Well, I have been experiencing less that happy noises coming from my speakers. As a producer/dj, I am not 100% impressed of the way the sound of Lexicon is. I could careless if Roll Royce has these speakers or not. After some research, JBL owns Lexicon and the amplifier in our cars are JBL amps (correct me if I am wrong). To add an aftermarket amplifier/system you must install it after the amp and not before (which would be at the receiver level). I work part-time at my friend's audio shop and there is a brand I would like to try to replace each speaker + amplifier, AD Designs - http://www.adcaraudio.com. They are the most wonderful sounding speakers I have heard in a LONG TIME. The genre of music is a full spectrum with no regrets. They are EXCLUSIVE and a bit pricey. They are WORTH it especially if you are a music head like myself. I might have posted this before somewhere but I do not mind saying this 2x.


The best representation of replacement speakers for our cars is the WONDERFUL work from simplicitycound - http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...cal-illusion-2012-genesis-sedan-600-pics.html


Thanks for letting me rant!


-Ambush

 

[King Mitch]

Lol no problem. If you're having issues with your audio get it fixed before changing anything or they will never fix it. Oh and Lexicon is made by Harman Kardon.

 

[Ambush]

Harmon Kardon = JBL and others....

Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, Harman maintains major operations in the Americas, Europe, as well as Asia and markets its products under more than twenty brands — including AKG Acoustics, AMX, Crown Audio, Harman/Kardon, Infinity, JBL, JBL Professional, Lexicon, dbx, DigiTech, Mark Levinson, Martin, Revel,

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