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

[jrhaze]

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.

Definitely strange - the complaint I get in the Ford is that it sounds like I'm in a wind tunnel. All windows up at normal highway speed. The Toyota is apparently nice and quiet when it comes to background noise.

iPhone5 in both.

 

[Dongbeiren]

I also have a limited with the JBL NAV head unit, never received a complaint about the call quality.

 

[Bay33saw]

I have a 12 LE and I have the same problem, people I call say it sounds like I am on speaker phone (I mean I am ) but people I call say it sounds like I am 10 feet away from the phone.
I thought it was normal until I noticed this post, Oh I use a HTC EVO 4g LTE on the sprint network, I think I may have trhe dealer look at it if it continues.
I may get my wife to call me from the car and see how it sounds before I do.
To the OP, let us know what the dealership says if you take it back.

 

[DannyLlama]

I have a 12 LE and I have the same problem, people I call say it sounds like I am on speaker phone (I mean I am ) butn people I call say it sounds like I am 10 feet away from the phone.
I thought it was normal until I noticed this post, Oh I use a HTC EVO 4g LTE on the sprint network.

What that makes me thinks of is maybe its the phone and/or Bluetooth version.
Maybe try someone else's phone. Wife's iPhone seems a smidge better than mine

 

[Bay33saw]

What that makes me thinks of is maybe its the phone and/or Bluetooth version.
Maybe try someone else's phone. Wife's iPhone seems a smidge better than mine

Yeah Danny your right b4 I go down the dealership road I'll give my wife's phone a go, although she still uses a Blackberry :hand:

 

[diverscale]

I have a 12 LE and I have the same problem, people I call say it sounds like I am on speaker phone (I mean I am ) butn people I call say it sounds like I am 10 feet away from the phone.
I thought it was normal until I noticed this post, Oh I use a HTC EVO 4g LTE on the sprint network, I think I may have trhe dealer look at it if it continues.
I may get my wofe to call me from the car and see how it sounds before I do.
To the OP, let us know what the dealership says if you take it back.

Got an iphone 4s and mine does the same

 

[Bay33saw]

So anyone else got any ideas???

 

[///AIRDAM]

the microphone is inside the overhead map light console. its pretty much dead in the center of the console behind the plastic. the overhead console is very very tight behind the cover everything is super compact. you MAY be able to pull the microphone out of its current location in the center of the console and move it but there aint a whole lot of options as to where to put it. the wires that plug in for it are only about 2inches long so it cant go far, unless you are willing to cut and splice the wires longer. but on a 2013 machine, i would be asking the dealer to update it with a new one first, and as others have stated try and link another phone to it to see if it could possibly be your phones bluetooth system.

 

[mlarinde]

I've tried 3 different smart phones, a Blackberry and the iPhone 4s and 5, and have seen no difference in my voice quality using the LE Bluetooth system. I think it's the LE mic and how it reacts to your voice pattern, pitch, volume, etc.

The only thing I can think of at this point is to either find a better mic and install it in place of the existing OEM mic, or forget it and go back to my Jawbone in-ear BT mic.

 

[///AIRDAM]

i know i see alot of mixed views, some love theirs and some dislike it. i have had bluetooth in 3 of my recent vehicles, this 4runner being the 4th i had with bluetooth. all of the first 3 were absolute crap. used them each a week and everyone complained about how bad it sounded so i never used the option on any of them. this 4runner i have is actually better than my past dealings, so in my personal experiences, this 4runner is the best i have had. i dunno how good "good" really is, but i have not had any complaints with mine yet so i can only assume its good.

if it makes any difference i am using a galaxy S

 

[Okki]

ya'll just using the wrong mic....

now there's a mic upgrade we can all agree upon! LMAO
:frog:

Okki

thank you.. I'll be here all week.. don't forget to tip your waitress!

 

[DannyLlama]

ya'll just using the wrong mic....

now there's a mic upgrade we can all agree upon! LMAO
:frog:

Okki

thank you.. I'll be here all week.. don't forget to tip your waitress!

There he is! Was starting to wonder if something happened to you.

 

[mlarinde]

I get the same complaint, just got it again this evening, that my voice breaks up, sounds like static, etc.

I'm in a 2013 LE with the upgraded Nav/JBL system using an iPhone 5. I would assume it can't get any better then that.

You would think Toyota would get this right in one of the premium 40k+ cars in their line.

My only alternative is to get the Dealer to figure this out, they have already said they have no idea, or find an after market mic and change out the OEM one.

 

[IHeartE30s]

I thought my wife was pretty clear when talking to her, I used it for the first time and she said I was clear as day. (2011 TE)

 

[msommers]

When I got my 4runner, I actually paired my phone right there, and I called it from the guy's house phone to hear it. The G35's mic is pure garbage, the 4R was a welcome change and crystal clear. I don't even have to adjust my level of voice. Maybe something is up with it?

 

[///AIRDAM]

I get the same complaint, just got it again this evening, that my voice breaks up, sounds like static, etc.

I'm in a 2013 LE with the upgraded Nav/JBL system using an iPhone 5. I would assume it can't get any better then that.

You would think Toyota would get this right in one of the premium 40k+ cars in their line.

My only alternative is to get the Dealer to figure this out, they have already said they have no idea, or find an after market mic and change out the OEM one.

how did you get the JBL system in a 2013 limited?

 

[Bay33saw]

I think it is an option

Automatic running boards [KG] | $4,020
Add PackageOptions included:
•50 State Emissions [FE]
•Limited Package [LT]
•Voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system 5 with integrated backup camera 7 display, JBL® AM/FM 4-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability, 15 speakers including subwoofer, SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability with NavTraffic™ 1 (includes three-month trial subscription to XM Select Package and NavTrafficTM 1), USB 2 port with iPod® 3 connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® 4 wireless technology [NV]
•Leather-trimmed 50/50 split fold-flat third-row seat and sliding second-row with passenger-side one-touch access to third row [TS]
•Automatic running boards [KG]

 

[mlarinde]

I think it is an option

Automatic running boards [KG] | $4,020
Add PackageOptions included:
•50 State Emissions [FE]
•Limited Package [LT]
•Voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system 5 with integrated backup camera 7 display, JBL® AM/FM 4-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability, 15 speakers including subwoofer, SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability with NavTraffic™ 1 (includes three-month trial subscription to XM Select Package and NavTrafficTM 1), USB 2 port with iPod® 3 connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® 4 wireless technology [NV]
•Leather-trimmed 50/50 split fold-flat third-row seat and sliding second-row with passenger-side one-touch access to third row [TS]
•Automatic running boards [KG]

What he said... it's an option.

 

[Mganut]

I have a 2012 limited with the JBL Nav head unit, and have never received a complaint about the call quality using my Samsung Galaxy S3...only compliments as to the clarity.