'09 RTL Navi XM volume level....

I recently traded my '07 RTL in on an '09 RTL Navi. My issue is that the volume level of the XM radio is lower than AM,FM or CD. This is the exact opposite of my '07 where the XM volume was louder at the same level.
I have gone to the dealer and had it looked at. At first they said there was nothing wrong. I showed them what I was talking about and they called the tech line. They were instructed to change the XM receiver and they did with no change. We have pursued this further with no results.
I want to know if anyone else is experiencing this problem and if they have done anything about it. Any help would be appreciated.
If you have this problem and haven't done anything maybe I can urge to take it up with Honda and make them aware of it. Thanks in advance.

Doesnt necessarily sound similar, but just in case. From July 09 Service News

XM Sound Cuts Out; OK
After Cycling Ignition Switch

Currently Applies To: ’08–09 Accord, ’07–09 Civic,
’07–09 CR-V, ’07–09 Element, ’07–09 Odyssey, and
‘07–09 Ridgeline
A bad XM receiver can cause the sound to cut out
when you quickly surf through channel selections,
yet the audio display continues to work normally. The
sound comes back when you cycle the ignition switch
to LOCK (0) and then to ON (II).
An updated XM receiver is in the works, so if you get
a vehicle in your shop for this problem, don’t replace
the XM receiver at this time. We’ll let you know when
the updated unit is available in an upcoming S/B.

The XM volume on my '09 RTL Navi is noticeably lower than the FM/CD as well. It's especially annoying when driving with the windows and sunroof open that I have to crank it all the way up to 30 just to hear it....

they probably tried leveling it out after the issues on the previous models and went lower.

Yeah in my 08 my XM is a lot quieter than CD as well. Really annoying when I wanna rock out and it just doesn't go high enough for me...

I recently traded my '07 RTL in on an '09 RTL Navi. My issue is that the volume level of the XM radio is lower than AM,FM or CD. This is the exact opposite of my '07 where the XM volume was louder at the same level.
I have gone to the dealer and had it looked at. At first they said there was nothing wrong. I showed them what I was talking about and they called the tech line. They were instructed to change the XM receiver and they did with no change. We have pursued this further with no results.
I want to know if anyone else is experiencing this problem and if they have done anything about it. Any help would be appreciated.
If you have this problem and haven't done anything maybe I can urge to take it up with Honda and make them aware of it. Thanks in advance.

Same problem here....I didn't even try the CD or regular FM. I'm going to stop by the dealer and see what they say. I'll update with new info when I can.

Anybody know a work around?

Yeah same on my 09. Actually tried a work around this weekend but side effects were bad. I actually used a Phoenix Gold line driver, hacked into the factory XM signals and boosted them from the xm box in the back. Worked perfect for XM, nice and loud like it should be, problem came when I switched back to CD, the deck some how recognized the impedance difference and lowered the CD volume. So the CD volume was were the XM was before and vice versa. So that was frustrating and just put it back to factory and put the wiring back to stock. So unless someone has a better idea might be stuck with what we got. Not sure if a different brand of line driver with different output impedance would help so the deck wouldn't recognize it but not looking to purchase a bunch to test and try. Oh well, can't have it all. lol

Yeah same on my 09. Actually tried a work around this weekend but side effects were bad. I actually used a Phoenix Gold line driver, hacked into the factory XM signals and boosted them from the xm box in the back. Worked perfect for XM, nice and loud like it should be, problem came when I switched back to CD, the deck some how recognized the impedance difference and lowered the CD volume. So the CD volume was were the XM was before and vice versa. So that was frustrating and just put it back to factory and put the wiring back to stock. So unless someone has a better idea might be stuck with what we got. Not sure if a different brand of line driver with different output impedance would help so the deck wouldn't recognize it but not looking to purchase a bunch to test and try. Oh well, can't have it all. lol

Do you think if the XM Tuner and any other XM specific equipment were to be swapped out and replaced with the Sirius equipment we would still have the same problem? Is the limitation being imposed by the XM tuner output? I'm not an electronics geek so I may be speaking foolishly.

I picked up an 09 RTL / NAV on Monday

Its hard to say whether Honda had the level adjusted in the CD changer(since XM feeds into that then back out the changer) or if they lowered the output on the XM receiver. It definitely gets nice and loud and doesn't clip the input section of the changer but the side effect stinks since it caused the CD volume to drop substantially. I think we might just be stuck with what we have. Only thing else that could be tried would be to feed the XM feed into the Aux input instead and see if the effects the volume of either XM or the CD.

My 07 RTL w/nav has always had the low volume with the XM. As others have stated it is so much lower then everything else that the radio must cranked all the way up at highway speeds and you can forget about it with the windows down. Because of this i never got the subscription to the service. I sure wish it would work better though.

My 07 RTL w/nav has always had the low volume with the XM. As others have stated it is so much lower then everything else that the radio must cranked all the way up at highway speeds and you can forget about it with the windows down. Because of this i never got the subscription to the service. I sure wish it would work better though.


I have a Portable Sirius receiver and I'm going to try it through the wireless FM transmitter and see what the sound level is. I currently have this setup in my Accord where I have an inline connection through the antenna lead. If the wireless works well I'll just install a dock in the Ridgeline and use a portable player. I'll let you know how it works.

I too was experiencing the same problem as many of you with the volume between XM and all other modes. While driving the other day I cycled through all the modes (CD, AM/FM, etc..) using the mode button on my steering wheel. Upon returning to my original XM station my volume was considerably higher. The bass, in particular, was the most noticeable. After shutting the vehicle off and then re-starting the XM volume was low again. I did this several times and noticed a change in volume every time I cycled through the modes. Has anyone else tried this?

lpd28, you are right. I tried this on the way home from work. Atleast 5-6 notches louder and the bass came back. Also the funky overcompression sounded to be reduced. I just cycled thru using the steering wheel mode button. I then played with the deck buttons trying to get the sound to drop off but couldn't. Basically flip thru using the mode button on the wheel and the volume issue is solved until you turn the RL off. I can take that for now, maybe honda can listen up and see what the connection is with this and the volume.

I have the same problem with my '09 RTL/navi. XM volume is significantly lower than AM/FM. I have to crank it to about 25 to hear it on the highway. I would dearly love a way to adjust the sound levels to even things out.

Glad it worked for you dzorn. I just might keep my XM subscription after all. I'll re-post if my dealership is able to repair the problem.

I too was experiencing the same problem as many of you with the volume between XM and all other modes. While driving the other day I cycled through all the modes (CD, AM/FM, etc..) using the mode button on my steering wheel. Upon returning to my original XM station my volume was considerably higher. The bass, in particular, was the most noticeable. After shutting the vehicle off and then re-starting the XM volume was low again. I did this several times and noticed a change in volume every time I cycled through the modes. Has anyone else tried this?

I tried this and it works....Amazing!!! Thanks for sharing the tip with us LPD28, I can now enjoy XM radio and fresh air through the open windows at the same time :D

update, you can do the same thing instead of toggling thru the wheel controls, just press the CD button then go ahead and press the XM button and you get the same effect. Makes it faster. Definitely something funny with the CD player causes this but hey, atleast we have a work around.

I really never gave it any thought as I believed XM compressed their audio feed resulting in lower volume. When I had my aux adaptor installed I asked about that issue and the fact that turning the volume up to 25-30 was necessary to really hear is, bass was dropped, but going over 28-30 meant the volume suddenly went wacky (technical assessment). That said, now that it seems to be an issue I am unsure what to do. It sounds like Honda doesn't know what to do with it at all. I will try the mode cycle to see what happens. I use my iPod more than my SAT anyway, I pay for the sub for the sake of having it when whatever is on my iPod bores me. Oh and NPR. :)

Just picked up a 2010, and I can confirm the same issue. By cycling through the "mode" button the steering wheel the volume, depth of the sound, and clarity improves. I'm no longer missing my bass and mid base, as well as the perceived volume is much louder.

For those who have tried this and haven't notice a change in sound quality make sure you have a cd loaded in the player. I found that a cd must be loaded in order for this to work.