Get Better Car Radio Reception | Car Audio Q&A

In this Car Audio Q&A Allyn and Brendan answer a question I'm sure many of us have... how to get better reception from your aftermarket stereo!
If you've installed an aftermarket stereo and noticed you aren't getting good radio reception then this Q&A is for you.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sonic Electronix always strives to be the premiere online shopping destination for car electronics and other consumer electronics. Our slogan is "The X-Factor When Shopping for Electronics" and it is our goal to be just that. We're here to help you find solutions and great prices without sacrificing service.
Our Store:
www.sonicelectronix.com/
Our Facebook:
/ sonicelectronix
Our Twitter:
/ sonicelectronix
Our Instagram:
/ sonicelectronix

[@TheCanadaBoose]

0:11 I thought the one guy had his leg on the other dude's knee lmao

[@francisgerald7642]

As helpful as a snowblower in Miami in July....thanks!!!

[@danielk0106]

Any month in Miami.

[@alfa7108]

I learned absolutely Nothing from this video.

[@GnosisMan50]

right...they seem bored and bothered about answering the question.

[@markanthonybergeron3897]

Really!! They said you screwed up putting your aftermarket radio in your car.

[@yohanns6387]

Hey guys, the channel is great, good personality. I like the effort even though some questions are silly. I'm going to upgrade my BMW 325i myself. Nothing huge, there's just no bass. I'll get all my stuff from you which makes you happy. Keep up the good work!

[@kg4wrq]

Thanks Guys! I had the "FM not as good as OEM, and NO AM" problem. I connected the blue & blue/white wires, and now AM & FM reception are great. 2009 Toyota Matrix S, Kenwood KMM-BT525HD.

[@jorgevega238]

To what? Each other? CAN YOU BE A LITTLE MORE DETAIL. I have a 09 Toyota Camry. That has a factory AMPLIFIED ANTENNA. Im starting to think that just connecting the banana plug is not enough. Maybe a power wire needs to run to the AMPLIFIED ANTENNA to make it work.

[@TheCatsa]

Thanks for the heads up. I did not know antennas had to be powered. Well, some. Thanks

[@med.bashasherrif2897]

Hello friend, what you are doing here is very helpful. l bought an aftermarket car DVD radio after installation everything works well but no sound on car speakers what should l do? Chrystler voyager home and country December 2005. thanks

[@raygandavis7707]

hey guys wats up. can do review on which amp is best. 2ch, 4ch or 5ch ????

[@MrTimdtoolman1]

Allen and Brendon, love the "false wall" display it looks tight. I do have a question, I installed a Sony 610 BT (I forget the exact model number) and when I turn my key to the "on" position and pause for a few seconds, then start my truck I only get sound from my sub in the back. I have a small 50w Alpine amp for the radio and I connected the amp. turn on wire for the radio amp. down the amp turn on wire about 12" down the wire from where the rear amp. is connected to the amp. turn on wire. Would doing my wiring that way cause the problem I'm having with the front amp not turning on? The radio works fine if I just start the truck normally without stopping in the on position for a minute or two.

[@mosespanduleni8614]

Hi guys I really like ur Q&A , addition to that I have a problem with my car radio , it has no sound for FM receptions but there's sound with portable device , may you pls help me where probably the problem might be

[@kyleworful5741]

how much rms power and at what ohm would you get when I strap 2 t1.6000dl soundstream

[@Dalegendking]

Ok, i have 2 XFL 12s on a 1500 watts american bass amp, and they sound distorted how can i turn them better

[@stresstested]

can you guys do a video defining once and for all, Sub break-in?

[@metricOIL]

Have a kenwood x704 with HD and terrible reception... are you saying to hook the antenna wire to a power wire?

[@wako1340]

hey guys quick question, i currently have a single kicker solo baric sub S10L7 600 rms in my car and im gonna throw another one in. do you recommend a single amp to power them both or individual amps for each? and if single amp, i should still get something with a minimum 1200 rms rating right? Thanks

[@danielk0106]

2015 Nissan Frontier factory radio gets nothing scanning or manual tuning. Checked and antenna is plugged in. Any help would be appreciated

[@PecanPie1102]

I have stock 2015 Nissan rogue sv with bad xm radio reception (bridges and some buildings) how can I get better reception. It's got a back fin

[@kittykat837]

How do I get better reception from my after market AVH-X7800Bt in my 2005 mini cooper r52 base?

[@ManuelMoctezuma]

hey dudes, i have a 2014 kia optima ex with a basic stereo no nav no infinity and i'm wanting to upgrade speakers eventually but for now i am installing an amp and subwoofer and i'm doing this by way of LOC(audiocontrol lc2i). my first question is can i power all of my speakers including my sub with this loc? My second question is can i run all three sets of speakers (highs,mids,and lows) with different impedence off of the same amp? My sub is a Focal sub p 30 db(2 x 4 ohms dual voice coil) and my amp is an Mb quart onx80.4. like i said i'm keeping the factory door speakers for now but want to amp them and i'm pretty sure they are 4 ohm but i want to run the amp at 2 to get more power to my sub. i've replaced the dash speakers with polk audio db 3.5's and used the resisitors. which are also 4 ohms

[@keithhoneycutt1612]

How to control my tweeters and woofers frequencies separately with a equalizer?

[@lucky71818]

hey guys i love your q&a, im a diy person and your cideos really help me. i have a question i connected my system pioneer headunit clarion eq and two amps. all wiring is done correctly and i separated my power and aignal to the amps but i get the alternator whine through my speakers, can you please tell me how i can fix this. thanks guys and keep up the good work

[@SonicElectronix]

+lucky71818 What kind of car do you have out of curiosity? If everything is installed correctly and you even took the proper precautions to avoid alt noise (running power and signal separately) and you're still getting noise... well there can be any number of issues.... Could be a lot of troubleshooting. Is everything grounded properly? Did the noise start after putting in EQ? Does noise go away if you remove the EQ from the equation? Maybe that unit is defective? Maybe you could eliminate the noise by just installing a capacitor? You may have already seen this video, the guys touch on caps removing engine noise. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYivaJuLhN-jh5om22s If you can't pin point the issue that could be a fix. But these are just a few ideas, you can get some more advice by calling into our tech support (number posted on our site) they should be able to help you out.

[@shurikent]

Hi there both of ya! Am really a fan of your Q&A videos and since I stumbled upon 1 video, I made sure I went through like the whole playlist man! First ever channel to make me do so on KZbin! Anyway, my name is John and I hail from Singapore. Just have a question for you all and I will make sure to include as many details as possible! I am currently running Ground Zero GZUC 650 SQ 2-Way Components off my Alpine W535EBT 2-Din DVD Headunit. Recently acquired 2 amplifiers, the Genesis Profile Four Ultra (intend to run my compos off it) and the Genesis Profile Two Ultra (Intend to bridge it to run a 12" Genesis Audiophile 30.01 Sub also recently acquired!). Due to budget constraints, or not, I am actually in a dilemma whether to add a Alpine PXA-H800 or PXA-H701 to my system. My amps and sub are not in yet, so deliberating whether to run my amps and compo only to hear the system, then maybe add the processor in the future so that I can actually know the difference. Not to mention that the processor adds so many RCA cabling requirements to my system, which also needs like tons of money! My vehicle is actually a Honda Civic FD1 1.8 Manual just in case you needed this to answer my question. Please let me know your input and I'm looking forward to your next Q&A video!

[@SonicElectronix]

+John Yang Hey John! We're so happy you're enjoying our Q&A videos! Always good to hear our efforts are truly appreciated, thank you! And thanks for including so much detail in your question. ;] It sounds like you have a pretty nice system so far, we'd definitely recommend installing everything you have now and see how it sounds. I'm sure it good with a well built enclosure for that subwoofer and everything is installed properly. But if it's not enough and you're going for a true sound quality build then having a DSP with time alignment capabilities is a must to really dial everything in. I'm personally not too familiar with those two DSP's by Alpine. I have more first hand experience with the Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.3, similarly priced 8-channel DSP with time alignment, all the bells and whistles, tuned through a nice PC interface. I assume the Alpine units give you similar control? If so that would be the next logical step for you if you want total control over your sound and really take your system to the next level. But you are right, an upgrade like that comes at a price. But because of your passion for your system we would actually like to help you out with this upgrade, John. We want to give you a special discounted price on the Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.3 and any RCA's you will need to for this upgrade. www.sonicelectronix.com/item_34749_Rockford-Fosgate-3SIXTY.3-360.3.html If you are interested please email me at JJanowski @ sonicelectronix . com (no spaces) Get ahold of me and I will see what kind of pricing I can get for you. :]

[@mrmagic34]

Sonic Electronix my question is that when I turn car from run to acc the radio get better reception and the volume is louder

[@marksaffy991]

Nice video. Except when you call the antenna an am fm antenna and refer to antenna problems when attempting to tune into an am station. Because am receivers use internal Ferrite loop antennas. Am reception is all done internally. 👍🏼

[@john.martin1371]

I replaced the antenna on my mazda b2300 truck the cable was broke so I ran the antenna cable through a firewall I had to add an extention now my reception is not good

[@ThePAshortsChannel]

I have 2 mid bass of 160 rms and 2 tweters, but i want to change it to 2 mid bass of 300 rms and 2 drivers of 100 rms, i dont know if buy another new tweters or go for the drivers, i want to sound loud and clear. Please can someone give me an opinion.

[@ManuelMoctezuma]

i posted my question in the discussion section, hope yall get it.

[@ianaintsaying1625]

In my experience stock radios always have better AM & FM reception than aftermarket stereos. Why is that? Are the tuner sections of aftermarket HU's that bad?

[@vincentfisher5895]

I agree. Going through same problem with new pioneer head unit.

[@ScreenPrintR]

So, make sure or hook up Solid Blue Antenna wire to Red Accessory wire, Check OEM antenna wire connector is the same size. I.e. new antenna receptical (female) is the same size as Antenna Plug (Male).

[@briancichon5349]

Please help. 2003 Towncar, OEM radio. No FM for years, now i'm losing my AM. Radio? Antenna?

[@sherry-ml7zw]

how can i get my truck radio the stock unit to get more station it a 2000 chevy radio casstte player please help......

[@user-zx9tf9jn7j]

Is there a way to get better fm signal from your stock stereo because I have a 2015 Honda Accord none navi and the reception is horrible it's so bad that I don't even listen to the radio because I can't. and it's not just my car it's all off the new Hondas accords it's a known problem

[@jrmbtr]

Where can I submit a question?

[@matthew3073]

I only have poor Bluetooth reception I don’t know if it’s my radio or bad signal

[@Classy24Seven]

I have a 2000 maxima and I don't have any reception on my stock radio

[@teamja1088]

2003 F350 with the OEM stock radio - I could pick up AM & FM stations 60 miles away. However, after installing an aftermarket radio, my reception of the same station is still possible, but spotty, and filled with static. Everything was hooked up properly. The aftermarket radio just does not have the radio capability of the stock Ford radio.

[@playboy0869]

my fm radio stations fades in and out any info on this ?

[@justdoingit.43]

What is the primary wire for

[@JuanHernandez-uw3ku]

how can I return an amp if I order the wrong one

[@justdoingit.43]

Okay here's a question for the radio receiver gurus. I have a 2014 Hyundai Elantra OEM stereo OEM shark fin antenna I primarily listen to AM radio. The one frequency I listen to has a whistle or a squeal. This is not engine noise and I do not get it on any other frequency what can I do to get rid of this squeal and improve my reception

[@coherantbliss3483]

you didn't talk about reception boosters to put in the antenna cable...why not?

[@ThesexyMrX]

I've bought one from China. Garbage.

[@captnjaygreybeard6394]

Maybe my blue wire got disconnected ? thanks !

[@benbowden8177]

Hi Guys This video has helped somewhat in the way I of thinking it be the antenna on my car. What's happening is that every time the amplifier is turned on the FM signal weakens terribly. If its just the head unit powered up on its own without the amp turned on/powered up its fine and I can get all the stations like normal so it's only when the amp its turned on with the head unit I have this trouble of hardly getting any stations. Hope this makes sense? I am running the Alpine IVE-W530BT double din head unit Hertz HDP 4 amp running a set of Hertz 3 way Hi Energy components at the front and two JBL 12inch subs. I will be getting a separate amp for the subs and running this system active when I have some more monies hopefully in the summer. The car I have a 2007/2008 Saab 9-3 estate. I think the antenna is amplified as it has a small shark thin thing on the roof. If you have any ideas of how I could sort this problem it will be much appreciated. Thanks

[@amb3cog]

Ben Bowden I assume that's a class D amp right? I read on one of the car audio forums (DIYMA I think) that class D hurts the reception. My reception wasn't good with factory, then was about the same on my Alpine HU, but it gets much worse on my PPI 900.5 which is a digital amp. The article was about pros VS cons of digital VS class AB type amps. And that was about the only negative. Now I need to find out if there's something that can be done about it, especially as I'm considering changing to a multi classD amp setup too, and I'm guessing if 1 digital amp makes it bad 2,3, or even 4 are gonna make it worse.

[@amb3cog]

Ben Bowden BTW how do you like the 3 way speakers run passive on the crossover? Where do you have them located? I can't decide what to do for my front stage, and was curious because it seems easy to do it that way, but harder to tune if there's issues. Was thinking of going that way then active in the future if I don't like it. Or just run a 2 way active off my HU, and call it a day. But I know a properly set up 3 way will sound better in the end.

[@muygriz5128]

Can you guys show what your talking about ?

[@ozzy2753]

I was told that my stock radio doesn't push out enough amps for an amplifier. I own a Chevy trax 2016, I was thinking of the Alpine with speaker level inputs, would this work? What should I do?

[@paulwest48]

Where do i connect the blue wire too

[@jorgevega238]

According to YOUR SPECIFIC VEHICLE. it will use a SPECIFIC TYPE antenna. As to my 2009 Toyota Camry. It has a AMPLIFIED ANTENNA. YOU SIR, WILL HAVE TO FIGURE IT YOURSELF. I found mine on ALL DATA, CAR REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY. THATS THE WAY THE BALL BOUNCES.

[@fins59]

Is that a banana in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?

[@kathyholtgrefe8567]

how do you ask for a q&a

[@SonicElectronix]

+ppKathy Steen You can ask right here with a comment. We try to get to them as fast as we can, but if it's a question we can directly answer in the comments we try to do that too. :] Let us know what you need help with!

[@michaelenochs5024]

If you're going to allow the audience to ask questions, you should answer them. Disliked your video because of this and these guys sound cocky.

[@josephmadge7610]

Not cocky .. stoned lol

[@klepetar]

didn't your parents tell you to sit straight as kids?

[@bromero88]

I shoulda read the comments before wasting my time w/ the video.

[@ThesexyMrX]

These guys are so cool they got carried away talking common sense. Btw, you talk like a couple teenage girls with ur upward inflection. What r u from california? Smh

[@TheCanadaBoose]

Bull poop?

[@rickallen64]

OMG reception is increased through (GAIN) a motorized antenna doesn't matter its all one wire radio reception. You guys need to stick with "car stereo" advice, cause you radio skills lack in any generalized direction. I like you guys but stick to your audio delivery advice....

[@zekewitz]

I just wasted 4 minutes of my life, good thing i paused or i would have wasted another minute