Have a '12 A4 Prem Plus with B&O system including Sirius and HD radio. The sound of the system is so fine, except when the HD and Sirius cut in and out. If i drive next to a tall tree, cuts out. near a tall building, cuts out. in a tunnel, cuts out (ok, my expectations there are that it would cut out).

Spoke to dealer and after a quick check, says it's working to spec. He said that HD is notorious for cutting in and out, but that the Sirius should not. Called Audi consumer advocate and they said take it back to dealer who will perform 'deeper tests'. Plan to do that soon.

My question: Anyone else experiencing poor performance from Sirius and/or HD radio?

thanks,

 

Sirius will almost always cut out when your car goes under a tree or overpass. its sattellite radio, the antenna needs a clear path to the sattellite 80% of the time to run smoothly. Sometimes there will be random dead zone. You can't avoid that.

 

Thanks OCaudi. this is the third car I've had with Satellite radio, but my first Sirius; previous were XM only (I guess pre-merger?) Anyway, XM had ground-based repeaters that filled in so many gaps for me in the DC area. We have lots of trees, buildings, etc. and I rarely experienced the gaps in coverage/cut outs that i have on my new A4. Perhaps Sirius does not use these or have any?

What's been your experience with HD? this is my first HD radio and altho the sound is good, it also cuts out a bit, or sometimes sounds like the station is broadcasting from under the ocean. Frankly, I'm pretty disappointed and had hoped that Audi would be more upfront about it.

thanks,

Allen

 

it's normal. the system just doesn't buffer enough to prevent the cutting out under thick trees