Bearbrooke

Not sure why my sound system volume changes from switching to AM/FM to Satellite. I don't recall my MDX having a volume change. Does anyone else have that issue?

Droid13

The volume setting number itself changes, or the Sat volume is different at the same volume level? I find the XM radio significantly quieter that any of the other inputs (FM, CD, USB, Bluetooth) on my '10 450h. In fact, I'd have to say I'm generally not impressed with the sound quality of the XM radio. It's ok when its up loud, but at casual listening levels it really sucks compared with the other input choices.

Cruiter

You're right, the sound level on Sat and USB from your iPod for example will be lower than AM/FM bands, same on my 2010.

RE: Sat quality, if you have really good quality from your music on iPad, it won't be the same on Sat. It's a compressed signal that comes in packets. On some radios it sounds a little better depending on tuners, speakers, etc., but it's still a compressed packet and can't sound as good as a good recording from your own source. The greatness in satellite is traveling cross country with the ability to listen to the same station/channel. But the quality DOES lack.

Droid13

Yea, I noticed the super high levels of compression. XM gave me a free 3 month subscription a few weeks ago and this is my first experience with Sat radio. I've had experience with Sat TV and figured the quality was going to be similar (and I guess I read too many XM ads about the superior quality of digital sound), but as you say, its highly compressed. I like to listen to the comedy channels sometimes and since these are mainly people speaking you can really hear that tinny almost echo-like sound like they've knocked it down to about 4kbps.

Makes me miss the pure analog of a couple of tin cans connected with a high quality string sometimes :-)

Bearbrooke

I met with a Lexus technician specialist yesterday to go over the car etc. I am now sent up on Pandora through my cell phone, which the sound quality is good. Also asked why I didn't notice any volume difference with my MDX in regards to using satellite vs. AM/FM, and was told that that can happen depending on if the actuall radio component was built by Sony or Panasonic etc. Basically, the MDX had a different radio manufacturer than the Lexus I guess.