Standard Sound System Fault

Clunge · Dec 21, 2015

So I've had my A3 for a few months now and the sound system is faulty... One day I get in and it's fine... Next journey it's all distorted... Took it back to Audi and they admitted there is a fault Audi are aware of and working on... Anyone else have the same issue?

S32B · Dec 21, 2015

Faulty when doing what? Radio, CD, SD card???

RichardT · Dec 21, 2015

I don't see anything like that.

Clunge · Dec 21, 2015

S32B said:
Faulty when doing what? Radio, CD, SD card???

The content doesn't make a difference... One day I get in a play a particualar song from SD card and it's all fine... The next day I get in play the same song on the same SD card and it's all distorted. Software fault apparently! Not overly impressed after spending 26k on a new car.

RichardT · Dec 21, 2015

To be honest, it doesn't sound like a software fault to me. If it was, why isn't every one seeing it? Sounds more like a loose connection or faulty component.
Is there any other factors involved? eg - only when the car is particularly cold, iwhen you get the distortion and you switch to radio for example, is it still distorted. What makes the problem go away? - time, bumpy road?

I can understand you being annoyed about this.

S32B · Dec 21, 2015

RichardT said:
To be honest, it doesn't sound like a software fault to me. If it was, why isn't every one seeing it? Sounds more like a loose connection or faulty component.

Exactly what I thought, if it was a software fault it would be 100% of the time not intermittent.

Clunge · Dec 21, 2015

Na it happens in all weather conditions... One day I nipped to the shop, was fine on the way playing a song on SD. When I got back in and same song was all distorted

Guy at the dealer said he would call when Audi have released the fix.

Bandicoot51 · Dec 21, 2015

I had the same problem with distortion on all media, audi took it in to check it and a few days later they said they had replaced the mmi, no problems since then

S32B · Dec 21, 2015

Think it's time to call Audi UK to give your local dealership a boot up the ***, I've dealt with them before and they were fantastic!

Basically your local dealership are saying "Live with it until they release a fix"....wow what a fob off.

RichardT · Dec 21, 2015

You have a new car and the radio doesn't work properly. If they insist it needs a software fix, then you should insist on a date. Its simply not satisfactory to just say wait for a fix.
The sound system is faulty - replace it. They surely can't say that a replacement would have the same fault - what about all the other A3's.
If they continue, insist on a proper explanation of what the fault is.

Clunge · Dec 22, 2015

Thanks all.... Audi UK it is. I'll keep you posted.

Mr.G · Feb 14, 2016

How did you get on. I have the same issue.

Clunge · Feb 15, 2016

Well Audi UK have given me the same response as dealers. Which was 'Yes Audi are aware of the fault and are working on a fix"

I left it until last week and have emailed the dealer again for an update. His disappointing reply was no update as yet so I've replied with a very abrupt email stating I wanted this issue sorted ASAP and my car had been booked back in again. Needless to say I won't be collecting it this time until it's sorted!

Let me know how you get on. Good luck.

RichardT · Feb 15, 2016

I still don't fully understand why, if there is a fault and a fix is needed, it doesn't affect everyone?

Ignition1 · Feb 15, 2016

Chase it up the tree - see if you can get to a manager, or just send letters to VAG managers etc.

Seems unusual that this hasn't been reported by anyone before. Hardly seems like a software fault but more of a fault with your cars - which is all the more reason to complain to Audi!

Mr.G · Feb 15, 2016

I'm fed up of the distortion that I hear around 75% of the time. Happens on all sources.

The worst thing is that while driving I find the Stereo far to quiet even when it's turned up fairly high, ridiculous that such a highly spec'd car at the (almost) top of the A3 line has such a poor standard stereo.

I'll write to Audi to complain. Hoping for a B&O to be fitted free of cost is a far fetch, but i'll be asking for it.

G

Scottyg · Feb 15, 2016

No issues at all with mine in near on a year of ownership. The only thing that's annoying is the sound from 24 to max is exactly the same. Doesn't get any louder at all. Although, I'd take this over distortion.
Tend to agree with the above. Software up dates tend to be rolled out across all cars in that model/year. Sounds like only two affected that we know of so is not be settling for a fix is 'expected'. The last time I waited for a SW update on a previous car it was longer than 14 months. No idea when it actually came out as I sold the car. Don't take no for an answer. Your stereo is gubbed. Get them to change it.

RichardT · Feb 15, 2016

I agree. My standard sound system is fine - no distortion in over 12 months of ownership.

gamegenie · Feb 15, 2016

Ignition1 said:
Chase it up the tree - see if you can get to a manager, or just send letters to VAG managers etc.

Seems unusual that this hasn't been reported by anyone before. Hardly seems like a software fault but more of a fault with your cars - which is all the more reason to complain to Audi!

This has been reported before, it's been described as "B&O Crackling" but this crackling/hissing noise distortion is not Bang & Olufsen related it's caused by the components in the MMI Navigation Plus system not being able to handle 44.1 kHz sampling frequency. The worse case scenario is this glitch can cause you to lose sound completely, like it did for me which forced my Audi dealer to contact Audi to get the component in my MMI Navigation Plus unit replaced.

There is a workaround found on this if Audi doesn't do anything for you and that is to re-encode any audio files you have from mp3s audio files or video files to use 48 khz sample rate.

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/b-o-crackling-noises.210006/

RichardT · Feb 16, 2016

I thought he said it happened on all sources, including radio.

Mr.G · Feb 16, 2016

Correct.

It happens regardless of what I listen too.

It's not crackling and I don't have B&O although this has proved to be the biggest mistake I've made with the car. It was already in stock so had little choice and didn't think it would be as bad or as poor as this to be fair.

Fed up is an understatement. Music is no longer enjoyable in the car. Previously had B&O so enjoyed everything that was played on it.

Audi are yet to look at it as the next window for a courtesy car is March. Disappointed maximus...

G

Ignition1 · Feb 16, 2016

Mr.G said:
Correct.

It happens regardless of what I listen too.

It's not crackling and I don't have B&O although this has proved to be the biggest mistake I've made with the car. It was already in stock so had little choice and didn't think it would be as bad or as poor as this to be fair.

Fed up is an understatement. Music is no longer enjoyable in the car. Previously had B&O so enjoyed everything that was played on it.

Audi are yet to look at it as the next window for a courtesy car is March. Disappointed maximus...

G

I don't think not spec'ing B&O was a mistake on your part. The Audi Sound System should work fine regardless. I didn't spec the Tech Pack but I'd still expect the standard screen to work without issues!

Hopefully they sort the issue out, and sort you out with some sort of good will gift.

gamegenie · Feb 16, 2016

As I said, you do not have to have B&O, the issue affects the regular Audi Sound System too (that's what I have) the issue is the MMI Navigation Plus unit.

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