The stock MS3 non-Bose HU is a mess

[rednofive]

I've had my 08 MS3 for about 3 months and I'm sure I'm not saying anything new, but something is absolutely funky with the stock HU.

Most of my MP3 CD's aren't audible with the windows down and not much better when up. Every part of the volume range (from 1 to 34) is an experiment in EQ distortion. And what is up with Vol 35?

It's pretty obvious they created some kind of bass and EQ management system that tries to adjust the volume level for different frequency ranges to accommodate a suck stock system.

If you haven't noticed, just listen to some clean, repetitive music and slowly increase from 1 to 35 on the dial - it's like playing with an equalizer.
35 is my personal fav. It's when the gain stage actually start playing at a level that rocks, but then the bass mgmt logic kicks in and shuts off all the bass, but the mids and treble keep going until you shut off the HU and turn it on again.
(hand)

So this isn't just a rant - errr, well so far it is, but I'm stuck on this logic:
1. if I keep the stock HU, no matter what amps or speakers I buy, the pre-amp is still FUBAR because of this EQ management SW they have in the HU
2. if I want to go aftermarket, I'll have to install an aftermarket dash kit and so far I haven't found one in my searches that has the same piano-black glossy finish as the stock dash. I suck at painting, so I'm looking for an off-the-shelf kit that is piano-finish-black.

What are you folks doing to get around this?
I'm interested in solutions for approach #1 or #2.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[chief_wiggum]

you have a faulty head unit -- it will be replaced.

Read through these numerous pages;

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123699395

 

[oaklandopen]

i still don't understand how ppl go to 35 in the first place...i can have my windows down, ipod on (full vol on ipod), and at level 20 with ALC3 and i can hear each song clearly. and i have partial hearing loss!

 

[ptrautne]

i still don't understand how ppl go to 35 in the first place...i can have my windows down, ipod on (full vol on ipod), and at level 20 with ALC3 and i can hear each song clearly. and i have partial hearing loss!

I have sat radio that uses the aux connection and the volume is very low. So I only go above 25 in aux. I have also noticed that the volume really does not increase much if any above 25 to 35

 

[Abaddon]

i still don't understand how ppl go to 35 in the first place...i can have my windows down, ipod on (full vol on ipod), and at level 20 with ALC3 and i can hear each song clearly. and i have partial hearing loss!

Depends what year you have. looks like on the 2007 and earlier, 20 was considered "loud".. but on the 2008's it seams like you need to go higher to get the same volume.

I think they just switched Head Unit Specifications, but kept the same front face.

 

[vdubjetta2005]

Stock HU EQ Management Problems

I was experiencing the same problem you were man.... My car was 2 weeks old when i discovered it, and it pissed me off like there was no tomorrow. I am BIG on clean audio, and i had intentions of putting in my 2 alpine type R subs with a Rockford Amp. Of course to do this, i was going to have to buy a line-out converter. Because, like you, i was fond of the stock head unit look. Beyond the problem we were having with the EQ being all weird, my bass (to the factory speakers) would cut out randomly, and wouldnt kick in until i changed the volume one level. So i brought it to the dealer, and of course, they couldnt find the problem. They ordered me a new HU anyway, and now everything is fine. No bass cutting-out, no weird EQ settings.....


Go for that

 

[rednofive]

i still don't understand how ppl go to 35 in the first place...i can have my windows down, ipod on (full vol on ipod), and at level 20 with ALC3 and i can hear each song clearly. and i have partial hearing loss!

Well, you have to understand that is why it is going in to be replaced.

The problem is usually worst with the CD player (a pure digital stream into their audio processing logic). Some days 10-15 is loud enough at highway speeds with the windows up, some days it's like the numbers are "re-weighted" and don't have the same gain value as before. you can turn it 1 more and little happens. 5 more and you get very little more. in fact, it ends up feeling like 10 to 34 have no real value and then you hit 35, it gets really loud. If the music was recorded at a really high level, the bass cuts out after a few seconds.

Some days, this doesn't happen.

ALC is off.

It's pretty standard to have the bass cut out because nowadays, most vendors are shipping with bass mgmt logic that pre-checks the signals digital bass level. If they see clipping, the turn off a low frequency range and no distortion gets to the speakers and no high-amp current draw (no need to drive square waves into your coils).

So that's fine. What isn't fine is that it happens because I can't get normal gain control...

anyway - blah blah blah.

Saturday, I talked to the service guy at Tom Roush here in Westfield, IN.

He says he's had a lot of people complain about the bass and that he'd order me another radio and that that USUALLY fixes it.

wants the whole day so they go nice and slow with the piano black face (they claim it's $750 for them to get more of that stuff if they scratch it).

 

[B-Dirty]

2. if I want to go aftermarket, I'll have to install an aftermarket dash kit and so far I haven't found one in my searches that has the same piano-black glossy finish as the stock dash. I suck at painting, so I'm looking for an off-the-shelf kit that is piano-finish-black.

I installed the aftermarket kit with my 08.5 and while the kits don't match the piano black, it does still flow well with the interior. The gloss black shows too many fingerprints imo.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

So you guys are talking 08.5's. Doesnt your volume go way above 35 in the 08.5? You can get your head unit replaced, a lot of people have becuase of this problem.

 

[builthatch]

man how many times has this been covered lol...

 

[BluMicaR]

Hey I go to Tom Roush too. I wonder, if I was having this issue with my HU, I would just 'know' right? I haven't hooked up an iPod yet - no cabling. Does the problem 'show' itself if you're not using an MP3 player? Like with MP3 CD's or normal CD's or radio?

So THERE is another Indy MS3 owner, btw...

 

[rednofive]

Hey I go to Tom Roush too. I wonder, if I was having this issue with my HU, I would just 'know' right? I haven't hooked up an iPod yet - no cabling. Does the problem 'show' itself if you're not using an MP3 player? Like with MP3 CD's or normal CD's or radio?

So THERE is another Indy MS3 owner, btw...

Cool!
It's funny, but before I bought my MS3, I saw MS3's here and there. For some reason, now I don't see any. It's usually the opposite when you buy a new car, right?

So the problem isn't consistent, at least for me.
On a non-Bose-labeled system in my 08.5 sport-model:
CD: level is sometimes a problem on the same music. I usually play a single MP3 CD that has 10 albums on it and sometimes it is an issue, sometimes not.
Aux jack in center console box: I compensate for the problem when it occurs by turning my Ipod to 11, but I still find myself up in 20-34 trying to get volume
Tuner: last time I used the tuner was 2 days ago and I ended up at 35+ and then the audio uP shut-down the bass, so I turned it off and listened to a CD instead.

For me, the only constant was the constant variability of it all.

Mike at Roush says others have complained and that replacement has always fixed it.

If you haven't noticed anything with the audio that annoys you, I wouldn't bother spending the time on it. I'll be without my car for a day...

BTW - I didn't think there were any 08.5 blue mica's ever manufactured. I thought 08.5 was only red & black (sport) & white & gray (limited or whatever) True?

 

[rednofive]

I installed the aftermarket kit with my 08.5 and while the kits don't match the piano black, it does still flow well with the interior. The gloss black shows too many fingerprints imo.

That looks pretty good, though the pictures a bit dark.
I've seen a lot of the DIN kits on-line but yours had that extra insert below the HU.

where'd ya get it?

 

[paylew]

That looks pretty good, though the pictures a bit dark.
I've seen a lot of the DIN kits on-line but yours had that extra insert below the HU.

where'd ya get it?

x2 I've never seen that one, I like it!

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Cool!
It's funny, but before I bought my MS3, I saw MS3's here and there. For some reason, now I don't see any. It's usually the opposite when you buy a new car, right?

So the problem isn't consistent, at least for me.
On a non-Bose-labeled system in my 08.5 sport-model:
CD: level is sometimes a problem on the same music. I usually play a single MP3 CD that has 10 albums on it and sometimes it is an issue, sometimes not.
Aux jack in center console box: I compensate for the problem when it occurs by turning my Ipod to 11, but I still find myself up in 20-34 trying to get volume
Tuner: last time I used the tuner was 2 days ago and I ended up at 35+ and then the audio uP shut-down the bass, so I turned it off and listened to a CD instead.

For me, the only constant was the constant variability of it all.

Mike at Roush says others have complained and that replacement has always fixed it.

If you haven't noticed anything with the audio that annoys you, I wouldn't bother spending the time on it. I'll be without my car for a day...

BTW - I didn't think there were any 08.5 blue mica's ever manufactured. I thought 08.5 was only red & black (sport) & white & gray (limited or whatever) True?

The base cut out is common on the non-bose 08.5. When you take it in they will know what you are talking about and order you a new Head Unit. Problem solved. They make all 4 colors in either the Sport or the GT, there is no set level for color. You can get a CWP in Sport or GT.

 

[BluMicaR]

Cool!
It's funny, but before I bought my MS3, I saw MS3's here and there. For some reason, now I don't see any. It's usually the opposite when you buy a new car, right?

So the problem isn't consistent, at least for me.
On a non-Bose-labeled system in my 08.5 sport-model:
CD: level is sometimes a problem on the same music. I usually play a single MP3 CD that has 10 albums on it and sometimes it is an issue, sometimes not.
Aux jack in center console box: I compensate for the problem when it occurs by turning my Ipod to 11, but I still find myself up in 20-34 trying to get volume
Tuner: last time I used the tuner was 2 days ago and I ended up at 35+ and then the audio uP shut-down the bass, so I turned it off and listened to a CD instead.

For me, the only constant was the constant variability of it all.

Mike at Roush says others have complained and that replacement has always fixed it.

If you haven't noticed anything with the audio that annoys you, I wouldn't bother spending the time on it. I'll be without my car for a day...

BTW - I didn't think there were any 08.5 blue mica's ever manufactured. I thought 08.5 was only red & black (sport) & white & gray (limited or whatever) True?

Possibly true; I have an '07 blue mica, I got my baby in May 2007. I didn't follow the car after that, I mean I did, but I didn't pay attention to 'offerings' after I bought mine because, well, I wasn't going to be buying one again! I hopw to have this care into perpetuity; I love it!

 

[rednofive]

They got my radio yesterday and swapped out the old one this morning.
On the drive back during lunch it sounded great. No probs so far with tuner or CD or anything else - at least with ALC=OFF
I turned it up to 36 just to see if there were any changes or cut-out and I found nothing.
(2thumbs)
No drama at all so far.

I will say this, though, my listening level the whole ride was with the vol level at 15 to 25.