Why does the sound from my cd changer sound great but the radio is crap?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 519
Likes: 125
From: Ohio/Florida
2023 GLC 300 4MATIC
Why does the sound from my cd changer sound great but the radio is crap?
Playing through my cd changer the tone is nice and full and deep. However, using the FM, my radio sounds thin, like a freakin transister radio. Why? Is the radio itself to blame?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
I believe the evolution of HD Radio would help if you had an HD Radio ready head unit...and is supposed to be at the level of CD audio.
Jon
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 278
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1997 s320, 1997 e320
2 things affect the sound quality: 1) signal to noise ratio (snr), 2)frequency response (fr). snr for cd is around 100dB, while for fm tuner is around 60dB, that's why cd sounds better. also cd has better fr than radio, for cd is around 10k Hz, whereas for radio is around 30k Hz.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_n..._Dynamic_range
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_response
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_n..._Dynamic_range
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_response
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
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From: Lewes DE
'99 E320 4matic Wagon
Are the "Audio" settings independent for each source? Check bass, treble, etc. w/ a CD then w/ radio on.
I don't think this can be the problem, however -- and I don't have this problem. Radio sounds fine (w/in limits of FM frequency response).
I don't think this can be the problem, however -- and I don't have this problem. Radio sounds fine (w/in limits of FM frequency response).
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 463
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From: Long Island, NY
01 E320
I noticed that also. The CD quality is dramatically better then the FM radio. Much more noticable then in other cars. I'm used to it now. Some stations do sound better then others though.
