FM reception
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 49
From: Mt. Juliet TN
FM reception
I haven't seen any talk here about the dismal FM reception in the C7. Far and away the worst of any car I've ever owned, including my C6. Dealer says it is because they now use the rear window heater wire as the antenna. I know... why do I want to listen to FM anyway?! I don't much, but the local sports talk station, 25 miles or so away, is desired on game days and days after and I hate listening to the station flutter in and out. Anyone have a magic fix??? I've wondered if an amplifier would help, but I really don't want to take the console apart to get to the antenna connection. Guess we're just screwed??? 
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
You have a bad receiver or antenna maybe both, tell your dealer you want it fixed. My 2014 with HD, now my 2017 have excellent FM reception (do miss the HD on the 2017). Worst car radio I ever had, 1990 Corvette Coupe, that radio only received a signal if you were sitting on the transmitting antenna. I tried all the update mods that were available but never got that radio to work properly.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 110
Likes: 22
That wouldn't exactly be a surprise. Audio quality of bluetooth is horrible.
If you want the best audio quality in your car, connect the usb to your phone. And make sure the "quality" on your streaming service is at 320kbps.
So many people complain speakers suck, and never look at the quality of the source material.
If you want the best audio quality in your car, connect the usb to your phone. And make sure the "quality" on your streaming service is at 320kbps.
So many people complain speakers suck, and never look at the quality of the source material.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 937
Likes: 223
From: South Carolina
local FM radio delivers the highest sound quality source of music for stock C7's. MP3, satellite, or streaming services are all obviously lesser quality sound mediums. A CD player would probably be near equal to the FM sound quality, but is still not an avail option in the C7.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,516
Likes: 4,843
From: One Hour From Boston!
local FM radio delivers the highest sound quality source of music for stock C7's. MP3, satellite, or streaming services are all obviously lesser quality sound mediums. A CD player would probably be near equal to the FM sound quality, but is still not an avail option in the C7.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 392
From: Long Island New York
Stupid question, i know the Pandora works well in my wife Equinox using the usb cord with her iphone. I have an Android phone, will that stream Pandora as well as my wifes iphone?? I was thinking i could only use bluetooth with an Android?
Last edited by BlueDevilZ51; Jun 29, 2017 at 03:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
I can honestly say I've never even tried the FM tuner in my Stingray, as I got tired of FM's constant dropouts and inconsistent signal at least a decade ago and switched to XM/digital media.
Now its XM or iPod only for me. When we drive my wife's car and *try* to listen to FM, it drives me batty.
Now its XM or iPod only for me. When we drive my wife's car and *try* to listen to FM, it drives me batty.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 110
Likes: 22
local FM radio delivers the highest sound quality source of music for stock C7's. MP3, satellite, or streaming services are all obviously lesser quality sound mediums. A CD player would probably be near equal to the FM sound quality, but is still not an avail option in the C7.
You are also way off on a CD being near equal to FM sound quality.
CD's are the highest standard. The closest you can come is 320kbps which is the highest streaming quality, that is
close to what a CD is as far as audio quality, but still not quite.
Last edited by macdizzle; Jun 29, 2017 at 04:57 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 937
Likes: 223
From: South Carolina
May want to do your research. Because HD radio is nowhere near 320kbps.
You are also way off on a CD being near equal to FM sound quality.
CD's are the highest standard. The closest you can come is 320kbps which is the highest streaming quality, that is
close to what a CD is as far as audio quality, but still not quite.
You are also way off on a CD being near equal to FM sound quality.
CD's are the highest standard. The closest you can come is 320kbps which is the highest streaming quality, that is
close to what a CD is as far as audio quality, but still not quite.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
FM frequency rate is 540 to 16 kHz. A CD is 20 to 20 kHz. You miss a lot of base and treble with FM radio. Of course most of older drivers can't here anything over 1500Khz anyway. But the base we can hear if it is there. 
Last edited by joemessman; Jun 29, 2017 at 06:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
OP: if you have a 14, try taking the radio out of HD mode.
when HD locks in and stays in, its great, but cutting in and out...not so much...and the 2 FM channels i frequent in other cars drift in/out in HD on the 7. It only happens between 97 and 102. Which is odd, b/c some of the channels that work without issue broadcast on the same tower as ones that dont
when HD locks in and stays in, its great, but cutting in and out...not so much...and the 2 FM channels i frequent in other cars drift in/out in HD on the 7. It only happens between 97 and 102. Which is odd, b/c some of the channels that work without issue broadcast on the same tower as ones that dont