[tankbeans]

Hello all -

I've been curious about something since I got my car in March. When I have the radio on MAX volume I still have trouble hearing it on the freeway. At some point I'd like to put in better speakers, but I was wondering if there is a setting that can be adjusted so that the stock speakers can kick out a little more sound?

I'm not interested in subs because I've had them before and never turned them up enough to justify the expense (cops around here are very ticket happy when it comes to noise violations) so I just want something that I can turn up on the freeway and still hear and then turn down once I get off the freeway. I'm also not interested in replacing the head unit because this one plays MP3s as I wanted and I don't want to give up Bluetooth even though I only use it infrequently.

 

[tankbeans]

maybe you should be going to a hearing specialist instead of turning it all the way up huh?

While I know you were being facetious, I have been under the care of a hearing specialist for 7 years. I had to have my ear drum removed and lost 2 and a half of the bones in my inner ear due to chronic ear infections.

This is part of the reason I am asking about ways to get some more sound out of the system without having to go all out and upgrade the piss out of the car.

Don't worry, I've taken no offense to your statement.

 

[tankbeans]

Are you driving with the windows down? Even then I can't see how max volume wouldn't be loud enough. I've never turned my radio up past 20 on all roads including the freeway and never have a problem hearing the music.

Lately I have driven with the windows down most of the time since the weather has been above 60 for the most part. I don't know if the music I listen to is too quiet for the system to pour out very loudly (GNR, Everclear, Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Metallica - black album only, and other similar music, I really listen to just about everything though. Country is rare and Ra- is even more rare - don't like the content of most rap). I've worked on adjusting the bass and treble, but with only three settings - bass, mid-level, and treble - there doesn't appear to be a lot I can do.

 

[tankbeans]

Hmm that doesn't sound right - the stock radio seems PLENTY loud for me and I think others have said the same.

Anyone with an SPL meter you can borrow?

I don't believe anybody has an SPL meter that I can borrow. I'm sure the stock radio is performing to specifications, but it seems a little quiet to me. Maybe I'm being irrational or asking too much, but I figured the Forte community could help if there is anything that can be done.

 

[tankbeans]

I didn't read through the whole thing but what are you using to play you mp3's?

I have large amounts of MP3 discs and listen to them mostly, since I won't be buying an iPod or the proprietary cable for connection of such. I don't know if the encoding on the disc could be causing problems, but it seems to happen with store-bought CDs as well.