What's the LOUD option on headunits do?

**ketchup318** · 04-07-2005, 03:53 PM

i'm been having a problem i can't seem to resolve. I've got rid of my head unit a while back and am using a PG 5.1 Amp along with my SB Audigy. For some reason, i can't get my music to play with as much bass as before. With my head unit, i used the LOUD option, and it sounded great. now it doesn't really sound as great.

i'm just wondering what the LOUD option does... at least that way i can try to mimic it with the SB's EQ. Thanks

**Scouse Monkey** · 04-07-2005, 03:59 PM

I think it boosts the gain on the HU andmakes the sound fuller!

a simple search might get some results..hint hint.. (loud, loundess, HU)

**Will Albers** · 04-07-2005, 05:17 PM

The loud button significantly boosts the low and high range of the audio spectrums at low volume. Due to road noise and and power requirements, most sounds in these ranges sound muted compared to moderate levels where they begin to equalize. At low volumes they are fine. The problem is people use them at high volumes which causes those ranges to clip sending DC spikes to the speakers.

All and all, if you are using an amplifier, NEVER turn the loud button on, NEVER turn the bass boost on, and never raise the bass or treble above the setting of zero. If you find that there is not enough bass, or whatever, lower the opposite tone to equal it out. The other option is that you may need more power to get the volume you want. Using the Loudness as a band-aid will just cause your amplifier or speakers to eventually have a heart attack

If you raise it above zero you are pushing the limits of clipping. Look up "setting your gains" in google for more info.

**BenjaminS** · 04-07-2005, 05:19 PM

The modern stereo's loudness function "boosts the low and high frequencies when listening at low levels so that the ear perceives an overall flatter sound pressure level. In other words, if the loudness contouring control is not enabled at low volume levels, bass and treble appear to be lacking. "

This might not apply to ALL stereo equipment though. I know that some manufacturers curves do not decrease as the volume increases. The big bass thing happens to be popular in cars so I am sure that they adjust the curve accordingly.

There are a few things you should try. First play with the eq and cross over settings. It takes a fair amount of time to properly tune these things so be patient. The loudness curve looks like a ski jump, the high part being the bass(60hz @ +8db), gradually moving down(3000hz @ -3db) and then back up(20khz @ +3db). That is the approximate curve, but then again, loudness really can't be done with an eq, its more of a dsp effect now.

If you still can't get the desired sound, check out a Phoenix Gold Bass Cube. I have used them in a few installs, the can amplify the bass significantly and they also have some more knobs to play with while your driving...like a computer isn't enough :P