Kia Soul Buzz Car Audio Review

In an automotive landscape, where all the cars tend to look alike, Kia was the first car manufacturer to offer a unique and customized especially for purchase. Very fun, the Kia Soul Buzz we tried was fitted over a sound system and a rearview camera system in series.

A fairly complete installation and set!

Halfway between the mini MPV and mini SUV, the Kia Soul comes out of the ordinary really. Powered by a turbocharged diesel, the model shows Buzz elegant finish with a custom quite sober, and is very pleasant with its fairly comprehensive list of standard equipment. And all for a reasonable budget, since our trial version displays a rate of 20,100 Euros. In effect, the Kia Soul Buzz comes standard with a stereo receiver with a fairly complete and rarer (especially in this price range), a rearview camera system. Note, that radius options, Kia offers a portable GPS Clarion dock built for 815 Euros. This system is mounted above the glove compartment, which is at the center of the dashboard.

Benefits: a rearview camera system in series!

At the center of the dashboard, the Kia Soul Buzz laser receiver receives a double-DIN format. Its CD player is compatible with MP3 and FM tuner is RDS course. 3-band EQ, Bass EQ, storing favorite radios, 4-channel amplifier, basic services are fairly conventional. With its silver finish and red lighting, this unit has a rather nice design. Of course, it has a steering wheel for easy control while driving. But its strength is its compatibility with most mobile sources.

No multimedia handset, but the unit is compatible with many mobile sources

Down the center console, it has a small plate with auxiliary input and USB port. One can thus connect the headphone output of any MP3 player. The USB port can play a key or USB hard drive with MP3 music. The unit manages playlists and displays song titles. But that's not all, via an optional cable, the handset can also control an iPod. We would have appreciated that the cable is supplied as standard with the car.

Via an optional cord, the unit can control an iPod

More original and much rarer, the Kia Soul Buzz series incorporates a rearview camera with video. The camera is integrated into the tailgate on a small base body color. Aesthetic level, we would have preferred something more integrated, the small base of the camera is a bit unsightly. But we can not complain, the reversing cameras are still too rare among automakers. The video screen is embedded in the rearview mirror (inside) on the left side of the mirror. This is a rarely used location, but is rather logical because it falls well within the natural field of vision of the driver.

In the retro interior, a small color screen receives images from the camera back

Finally, for the HP, this Kia Soul has a very traditional setup. The front channels get a kit 2 lane divided 16 cm, while the rear channels using high-range speakers. For HP before, the woofers are placed at the bottom of door, while the tweeters are mounted at the ends of the dashboard. Finally, the rear speakers also settled down doors.

Discover and use: a dynamic pleasant modern music!

Let's start with the originality of the installation: the system backup camera. The screen might be smaller than the 7-inch screen of a multimedia handset, it offers good image quality. The rearview camera is accurate. The location of the screen may seem surprising, but it falls logically into the gaze of the driver, when the eyes of a ride back to the other. Then, the image appears in reverse and the mirror of retro is big. The mirror retains its full function. Apart from integrating camera aesthetic enough, this system of back-up camera is very good. With its many buttons a good size, the radio shows are easy to use: no need to record. In addition, its functions are basic, but since the key is there ...

The Kia Soul Buzz has a conventional 6-HP

However the case of a double DIN radio format, we would have liked a larger display. It is much too small, though still perfectly readable. He has only one line of text to display song titles, which makes research into playlists by very practical. Keys a little smaller would have to earn the surface to the screen. That said, this does not control the sources nomads.

Compatible with major mobile sources!

Although we prefer the catch in the glove box, the plate carrying the USB port and auxiliary input has the advantage of being easily accessible. In addition, Kia has provided a small storage compartment underneath that can easily put an MP3 player or iPod. Whether it's a USB drive or iPod, playlist management is made easy thanks to intuitive menus. The only criticism concerns the display, which does not give the titles in a list (small size requires). Tuner and CD player does not raise particular concerns. It does not compete with the best car radios, but their performance proved satisfactory: good radio reception and CD playback music. The integrated amplifier has been surprised by its good momentum. It was not like a power amp of course, but this attacks are frank and clear.

This unit would have deserved a larger display to display titles in a list

This dynamism makes the music alive and very pleasant. Overall, the speakers timbrent fairly well, and even give good results in the bass. It is now, with good momentum and relative strength. If the front doors were better soundproofed, we could probably win even as a listener. Of course, this serious can not compete with a subwoofer, especially in the lower frequencies. But to listen to music every day so pleasant, the record is above average for a standard installation on a mid-range vehicle. If listening is generally pleasant, it is better suited to modern music.

Listening is fun, dynamic, but lacks accuracy

For music lovers, listening delivered by this system lacks finesse in the treble and even accuracy. When the music is loaded with tools, you feel a definite lack of depth of scene and a lack of definition. This is felt particularly by listening to metal, where it seems that musicians play too much against each other. Overall, the majority will be content every day, but music lovers will be on by a lack of finesse and its not enough ventilation.

In conclusion: 

Since it is included in the price of the vehicle, we will not complain too much. But since we did just the economy of an option (what kind of audio system is often an option in this price range car), we can spend some budget to improve the facility. These are major shortcomings: lack of Bluetooth phones, display too small especially on the radio and listening lacking finesse and precision. Anyway, overall, this installation of series is not bad compared to many vehicles in this category. We particularly appreciate the openness about the sources nomads. To improve this facility, the first thing to do is change the front speakers with two channels a kit more upscale. At the same time, we will take the opportunity to review the positioning of the tweeters, which are too distant from the woofers.

USB, iPod, auxiliary, we can connect the main sources nomads

For Bluetooth, the only solution is to add a hands-free kit as a Parrot for example. If you love bass, you can also consider adding a small amplified subwoofer under the front seat. By cons, we greatly appreciated the rearview camera system, which has proved effective and convenient to park in town. Finally, the GPS option is far too expensive. A loan of 900 Euros, it is better to replace the original car radio with a double DIN multimedia handset with integrated GPS and Bluetooth. We receive substantially higher benefits, without spending a lot more. Even if the installation is not perfectly, one can only applaud the effort from Kia, which offers young car, original and pretty well equipped!

The tweeters lack finesse and precision