CD volume is not the same as radio volume ...

Dan_78 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2004, 11:17 AM

I have a new '05 DC Tundra and I've noticed that the volume I get when playing CD's is not as loud as the volume when the radio is playing. This is of course most noticable when I switch from the CD to the radio and then need to immediately drop the volume 5 to 10 notches to get to a comfortable level.

I have the 8 speaker JBL setup with cassette and 6 CD changer. I haven't tried any cassettes yet, so I don't know if I have the same problem there or not.

Is there any way to increase the CD output volume independently of the radio so I can balance the two? Or drop the radio volume while leaving the CD volume untouched?

Thanks,
Dan

P.S. Love the Tundra!

Agent WD-40 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2004, 03:42 PM

There are quite a few different head units that do this. My factory one did, my Alpine does too. I have seen this same thing in lots of other vehicles too. I don't know of an easy way to do what you want though.

dezert_rida · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2004, 10:29 AM

[quote=Dan_78]I have a new '05 DC Tundra and I've noticed that the volume I get when playing CD's is not as loud as the volume when the radio is playing. This is of course most noticable when I switch from the CD to the radio and then need to immediately drop the volume 5 to 10 notches to get to a comfortable level.

I think you will have to live with it. An FM radio station has alot of power. Nothing beats a clear FM signal.

tamu1996 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2004, 10:40 AM

[quote=Dan_78]I have a new '05 DC Tundra and I've noticed that the volume I get when playing CD's is not as loud as the volume when the radio is playing. (snip)

Is there any way to increase the CD output volume independently of the radio so I can balance the two? Or drop the radio volume while leaving the CD volume untouched?
QUOTE]

Sorry, but "no", at least not with your factory head unit. What you're experiencing is the relative signal-to-noise differences between each source on your stereo.

Think of it as the relative volume of each source. CD S/N ratio is normally greater (louder, in very basic terms) than FM, FM greater than AM, and Tape fits somewhere in there, probably below FM and above AM.

What you're experiencing is normal, and I don't know of any way to account for the relative differences on a stock head unit.

Pioneer, and I'm sure some other brands, do offer an option on some of their radios which allow you to adjust the relative volume of each source using the FM signal as the reference. Meaning, you can decrease the CD relative volume, raise the AM/tape/etc. to match the volume of the FM signal. Pioneer calls this the Source Level Adjustment (SLA) and it's a nice feature.

Hope this helps. If you really want to eliminate having to grab that volume knob every time you change sources, you may want to look at an aftermarket replacement with source level adjustment.

Good luck!

--Ryan

JnEsPappa · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2004, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamu1996

Meaning, you can decrease the CD relative volume, raise the AM/tape/etc. to match the volume of the FM signal. Pioneer calls this the Source Level Adjustment (SLA) and it's a nice feature.

Hope this helps. If you really want to eliminate having to grab that volume knob every time you change sources, you may want to look at an aftermarket replacement with source level adjustment.

Good luck!

--Ryan

Thanks for the input, Ryan. I use a Pioneer P1R head unit which has that SLA feature. As I read the posts above I found it strange that the radio was "louder" than the CD. In my own truck it was the reverse, where the CD is much louder than the FM radio. I have the CD attenuated a bit and can swith from one to the other with very little noticeable difference.

...and I'm sorry to agree that a new Head Unit might be your best bet, if it annoys you enough.

Dan_78 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 10:12 AM

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll just deal with it for awhile to see how much of an annoyance factor it becomes.

I don't know anything about "head units" though. Can someone recommend a good tutorial that will show me the basics?

Dan

JnEsPappa · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_78

Can someone recommend a good tutorial that will show me the basics?

Dan

You bet!

Scroll down on the right hand side until you see article No. 22 here: **LINK**

That site has just about anything you will need to know, and frankly more than I can handle. Good stuff...goooooood stuff.

tamu1996 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_78

I don't know anything about "head units" though.

"Head Unit" is simply another term for your radio, CD player, Mini-Disc, receiver, etc. etc..........

It's the generic term for all of these. I think it became cumbersome to always specify what source types, in addition to a receiver, that come with today's stereos, so "head unit" fits them all.

Sorry for any confusion.

And JnEsPappa is right on with that link reference, great site, the same one I would have reccommended.

Best of luck!

--Ryan

Supraman93 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2004, 02:02 PM

I have pretty much the same occurance on my 2002. Except on mine the cd player is a few notches louder than the radio. I don't really think that there is much you can do. This is the first stock cd player I have ever owned and I haven't ever noticed this on aftermarket ones.
Ryan