Radio 9 - A Disappointment - What to Do

[HGB]

Model 9 has excellent reception on both bands with stock antenna.
The AM sounds distorted when compared to other radios!

[robotbill]

I've noticed this in my car as well. I plan to upgrade to better speakers. If that doesn't work then replace Radio. Polk Audio makes a nice set.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by radaroriley

I [...] do not understand "aux cable into the port in the glove box". This must be a feature in smart? How does it work?

Can you share photos? How difficult was the power adapter install?

Thanks for sharing.

Check thread: Ipod nano (and other mp3)

Lots of pictures, explanations, etc...

[Beachy]

Mine, too, has great reception on both bands. I am in a metropolitan area - Baltimore - so I expect the reception to be good.

We will be taking our first "road trip" to the beach this weekend. It's only about 140 miles, but our other cars need to change stations about half way there. So we'll get to see just how the smart fortwo radio 9 does heading down Route 50. (I'll try to remember to post our observations next week.)

[Wile E. Coyote]

I have the base radio in mine. With my mp3 player it sounds great, but when I switch to Aux and listen to my Sirius Sat radio it sounds "Tinney" like the bass gets dropped in 1/2. I'll actually be lookin to pick up a set of speakers for the rear before I go switching the head unit. Also, I love being able to set the Sat Radio in the cubby hole next to the steering wheel and being able to just put the antenna on the dash. With the fabric, it doesn't move.

[Frankenstein_Casanova]

I'm pulling my Radio 10 out in the next few days, upgrading to an AVIC-D3 using a double din dash kit from Smarts-R-US. If anyone wants to buy my 10 let me know- It's a nice unit, I'm just a gadget/audio geek.

Johnny

[msjohnson1974]

Originally Posted by radaroriley

I currently have XM, but no Smartie yet. Just getting prepared. I use the cigarette lighter adapter currently, but do not understand "aux cable into the port in the glove box". This must be a feature in smart? How does it work?

Can you share photos? How difficult was the power adapter install?

I recently purchased a new XM unit in a smaller size just for my smartie. Cost a whole $6!.

Thanks for sharing.

I'll post some photos of the setup when I can. I clipped the power adapter to the accessory power point (cigarette lighter plug) after looking at the fuse box and deciding it wasn't worth the effort. The power adapter comes with clips to piggy back it on to the leads for the power point. I had to remove the cup holder and the trim around the power point to get in there - not too hard, it was the main screw at the cup holder and 1 or 2 more on either side holding the peice in. I mounted the power adapter on the firewall using a 3M adhesive tape.

I put the antenna on the dash using velcro - it works just fine for me there so no need to take the car apart to get it to the roof. To mount on the roof you'll need an adhesive mount antenna.

[HGB]

I'm not happy with the sound of the AM, but reception on both bands is superb.
Unscrew the antenna and look to see if both threads are clean. Then tighten the antenna moderately so the thread doesn't get stripped.

[Petutti]

Our radio 9 works great, too great. My husband is irritated that it turns on everytime he starts the engine. He is not a radio/music person. He loves the silence of the road. Does anyone else have this "problem"?

[sixcrows]

Originally Posted by Petutti

Our radio 9 works great, too great. My husband is irritated that it turns on everytime he starts the engine. He is not a radio/music person. He loves the silence of the road. Does anyone else have this "problem"?

Yes, Petutti. The radio 9 comes on automatically every time the car is started. Quite annoying, I agree. I combat that by leaving it in AUX mode when I turn off the car.