Less bass when turning up volume?

Posted on Aug 02, 2008 04:26 pm
peterparker
The Beat Keeper
Member Since: Dec 16, 2004

I was just wondering if this was normal. Ill burn a rough mix to cd and play it in my car at a low volume and the kick sounds punchy. But if I turn the volume up the kick loses its punch.

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dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Aug 02, 2008 04:43 pm

your car speakers may just be less efficient in those ranges at higher volumes...

CynicEidolon
I tune down down...
Member
Since: Jun 11, 2007

Aug 02, 2008 05:01 pm

I know in my Scion, the eq is effected when I turn it way up. Either that or it's just being pushed so much that some anamoly happens with the frequency that I'm payin attention to.

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Aug 02, 2008 11:01 pm

It could also be the frequency of other instruments interacting with it once the volume come up. It is probably there all the time, but becomes more noticeable once the volume becomes louder.

But odds are good it could be a combination of that and as dB stated that the car stereo system may not be as efficient in those particular ranges once the volume comes up. It then causes other frequencies to take over and drown out the kick drum.

Have you tried the mix on other systems, like home stereo or boom box to see what happens then?

Herb Utsmelz
Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006

Aug 03, 2008 03:27 am

Sounds like the unit has loudness compensation, which adjusts the EQ curve to compensate for the ear's relative insensitivity to low frequencies at low volume levels. As you turn up the volume, it decreases the lows (makes the curve flatter). At least that's the idea. Yours may be engineered for a more extreme low-level boost than other units.

Is there a button or setting on the unit called loudness, loud, low boost, or something similar? If not, the feature is unswitchable.

Walt
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002

Aug 03, 2008 09:49 am

Yup, that's a little wierd. Especialy since you mentioned "punch". Most speakers do not deliver good punch until at higher volumes in the bass range. It's a function of the distance the cone noves.