Mic in 2013 4Runner LTD sucks. How can I upgrade?

[mlarinde]

Hey Guys;

Just got a 2013 4Runner Limited. Awesome car, but the mic used for the bluetooth phone sucks. I say that because everyone I call says the sound quality is really bad. I have Verizon and use an iPhone 5. Tested it out in several locations in the past 2 weeks, both driving and stopped, with no improvement in sound quality.

Went to the Dealer Service Center, and they said basically it is what it is. I bought the upgraded NAV/JBL package, so supposedly I have the best Toyota offers.

Question: Anyone else having this issue, and have you been able to upgrade/replace the OEM mic?

Thanks in advance for any replies to this thread.

 

[DannyLlama]

Sounds like a factory defect. I would push the dealer to get it replaced.

In my opinion the factory mic in 4R is one of the best I have used. It's quite clear, even when I have windows down, I never get complaints.

Doesn't sound right to me.

 

[1engineer]

Sounds like a factory defect. I would push the dealer to get it replaced.

In my opinion the factory mic in 4R is one of the best I have used. It's quite clear, even when I have windows down, I never get complaints.

Doesn't sound right to me.

I concur.

Mine gets no complaints either. you know where the mic is correct?

 

[K O]

I don't know where the mic is, and now you've got me curious!

 

[mlarinde]

I concur.

Mine gets no complaints either. you know where the mic is correct?

Yup. I was at the delaler service center and even had a mechanic check it out. They said "everyones experience can be different". Whatever the hell that means.

I will say, I have a baritone voice, and the service guy said that may be causing some of my issues.

 

[Yogi56]

Same here, great call quality. I've even had my sunroof open going 30-35mph, and didn't think about it until the call was over.

 

[1engineer]

Yup. I was at the delaler service center and even had a mechanic check it out. They said "everyones experience can be different". Whatever the hell that means.

I will say, I have a baritone voice, and the service guy said that may be causing some of my issues.

My voice is deeper than most and I have no issues at all. I would go to the dealer and tell them to change it period. As I said I have had two 4Runners and both mics have been extremely good with no complaints. Even people who talk from the back seat are clearly understood.

 

[mlarinde]

My voice is deeper than most and I have no issues at all. I would go to the dealer and tell them to change it period. As I said I have had two 4Runners and both mics have been extremely good with no complaints. Even people who talk from the back seat are clearly understood.

Good to know. I figured the "voice issue" was BS.

I will push the dealer on this and get it replaced.

 

[DannyLlama]

My voice is deeper than most

Prove it :rofl:

 

[1engineer]

Prove it :rofl:

Ask [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] or [MENTION=49137]Jtraskell[/MENTION] or [MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION] lol.

 

[Antman]

Prove it :rofl:

He sounds exactly like James Earl Jones.

In fact, sometimes I call him up just to here his deep soothing voice.:tape:

 

[q 4runner]

No problems here, talk to your dealer.

 

[DannyLlama]

He sounds exactly like James Earl Jones.

In fact, sometimes I call him up just to here his deep soothing voice.:tape:

haha That was pretty darn funny!

Greg - it's time for a solo wav file :rockon:

 

[Jtraskell]

Who was that deep bass voice in the Kingston Trio? That's Greg. (1Engineer)

 

[motioneffects]

Im going to have to agree with the dealer, The sound quality is going to be terrible just like if someone had you on speaker phone and that what it is essentially, but in a car. My past cars all had handsfree bluetooth, and all of them sounded the same, and the 4runner is no different.

 

[diverscale]

Mine gets the complaint that I'm not talking loud enough sometimes. When using it I now have the reflex to somewhat raise the mouth volume, seems to fix the problem

 

[kenski]

He sounds exactly like James Earl Jones.

I was just reading the top 10 5g thread and now every post by 1E sounds like Darth Vader to me in my mind. Thanks a lot for that Antman.
:vader:

 

[tacobill]

To the OP......it's not a defect in yours alone as others have stated. Compared to my F150 Sync system, the Toyota Mic is total crapola. Sorry devotees, but it's the truth. I could call from my truck and people thought I was on a land line. The toyota sound is so tinny that people complain and have difficulty hearing me clearly. Brought it in and we tried some new cars to compare to mine. Just as bad.

Oh and I used both a Droid and an iPhone 5--both are horrible. I'm thinking that the mic may be in the overhead console behind the grille.

 

[jrhaze]

Funny I have a '13 F150 with Sync and the mic in the 4runner dramatically out performs it. I get zero complaints in the Toyota and my girlfriend won't even talk to me in the Ford.

Obviously there's either differences in the quality of the parts themselves or some other variable at play here...

 

[tacobill]

Wow, that is strange. I've used 2 phones -- Droid3D and the iPhone 5 in the SR5 and they both sound really thin. Used the Droid in my 2010 F-150 and nobody had difficulty in hearing or understanding me.