Different tone settings per source?

[aboulfad]

I miss a small feature from my previous BMW, where you can set the tone controls (volume, treble, bass, ...) differently depending on the source: CD, radio, ... I've tried with our cars, but it seems it is the same setting for all sources.

I find with the HK radio that i need to turn the volume close to 70% to start enjoying my music (guitar, big band, ...), then when i switch to Radio it is too loud. is there a setting that i missed ?

[Technic]

Your MP3 songs are burned at a lower volume. You can fix that by either using iTunes or something like MP3Gain.

Originally Posted by aboulfad

I miss a small feature from my previous BMW, where you can set the tone controls (volume, treble, bass, ...) differently depending on the source: CD, radio, ... I've tried with our cars, but it seems it is the same setting for all sources.

I find with the HK radio that i need to turn the volume close to 70% to start enjoying my music (guitar, big band, ...), then when i switch to Radio it is too loud. is there a setting that i missed ?

[Miamiboyca]

I have the same issue with Spotify. I find I have to turn volume way up to really enjoy the music. Maybe 70% is the targeted "optimum" sound target...

I thought the H&K would be louder.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

I miss a small feature from my previous BMW, where you can set the tone controls (volume, treble, bass, ...) differently depending on the source: CD, radio, ... I've tried with our cars, but it seems it is the same setting for all sources.

I find with the HK radio that i need to turn the volume close to 70% to start enjoying my music (guitar, big band, ...), then when i switch to Radio it is too loud. is there a setting that i missed ?

Especially with Sirius. The SQ is so bad I'd like to completely restructure the entire EQ for that source.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Technic

Your MP3 songs are burned at a lower volume. You can fix that by either using iTunes or something like MP3Gain.

Thanks for your suggestion. But My MP3 are WMA lossless , direct rip from CD with no post processing whatsoever. Issue is not the source material rather the source itself. I know I can apply gains to my music but that are sources where you can't as illustrated in posts above.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Miamiboyca

I have the same issue with Spotify. I find I have to turn volume way up to really enjoy the music. Maybe 70% is the targeted "optimum" sound target...

I thought the H&K would be louder.

Nah, unless I am deaf the HK amp and speakers are a big disappointment too. To really enjoy the music I have to dial up the volume to 60-70%. Hence why even HK owners are upgrading their system too. I plan to do it in the next year waiting for some more options.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Thanks for your suggestion. But My MP3 are WMA lossless , direct rip from CD with no post processing whatsoever. Issue is not the source material rather the source itself. I know I can apply gains to my music but that are sources where you can't as illustrated in posts above.

There's nothing you can do about those sources output levels... the same happens sometimes watching TV channels.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Technic

...

There's nothing you can do about those sources output levels... the same happens sometimes watching TV channels.

Yes you can, if you have an AV receiver equipped with Audyssey dynamic volume. Just saying that problem is a thing of the past.

http://www.audyssey.com/technologies/dynamic-volume

[Technic]

I have a Denon receiver with that Audyssey "Dynamic Volume" feature and it is disabled for a reason... the volume normalization makes everything sound less dynamic. The same happens with iTunes "Sound Check".

Whatever these normalization processes do sounds (no pun intended) to me like they force all sources/songs to sound at the same level as the quietest source/song.

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Yes you can, if you have an AV receiver equipped with Audyssey dynamic volume. Just saying that problem is a thing of the past.

http://www.audyssey.com/technologies/dynamic-volume

[dmnc02]

Yup, more dynamic sources must be recorded at a lower average level to avoid compression. This is exactly the reason why the SACD reference level is 6dB below the CD reference level and highly compressed digital radio tends to be broadcast at high volume levels. It is also the reason why audiophiles object to the loudness war.

[aboulfad]

Ok we have digressed but I like my Audyssey pro features even multeq 32 ! In summary we can't do what I originally asked about.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Technic

I have a Denon receiver with that Audyssey "Dynamic Volume" feature and it is disabled for a reason... the volume normalization makes everything sound less dynamic. The same happens with iTunes "Sound Check".

Whatever these normalization processes do sounds (no pun intended) to me like they force all sources/songs to sound at the same level as the quietest source/song.

That is correct. As I mentioned my lossless music although originated from iTunes did not use any post processing such as Sound check which absolutely reduces the level to the lowest album/song in the group.

[dmnc02]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Ok we have digressed but I like my Audyssey pro features even multeq 32 ! In summary we can't do what I originally asked about.

There is a function in HU_NBT called UPDATE_MIXER_LEVEL. The comment states "level detection parameter / update of mixer level if loudness changes more than xxh decibel". I would give that one a try just in case.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by dmnc02

There is a function in HU_NBT called UPDATE_MIXER_LEVEL. The comment states "level detection parameter / update of mixer level if loudness changes more than xxh decibel". I would give that one a try just in case.

Thanks. I'll try this weekend. Default on my car is 2dB. But given this is under AUDIO_TUNER_TRAFFIC could it be related to something w traffic? And not necessarily to audio sources?

[dmnc02]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Thanks. I'll try this weekend. Default on my car is 2dB. But given this is under AUDIO_TUNER_TRAFFIC could it be related to something w traffic? And not necessarily to audio sources?

Everything is possible, since I haven't tried it: however that section also contains the general audio volume settings.