JBL system sound levelizer

[DanSM]

Hello

First post to this forum. Just bought a 2011 Avalon.

The salesman promised the stereo has speed compensated volume control. My understanding is the sound levelizer setting in DSP is supposed to do this. If it is working on my car, the effect seems very subtle.

I understand that the system is supposed to compensate for road noise and speed. So should not when I accelerate to highway speeds, the stereo volume goes up, and conversely the volume drop when I exit the highway?

To clarify, I have the 12 speaker JBL system with nav.

Cheers,
Dan

[Tom in Tacoma]

Can't tell you about the '11 model, but I can tell you that the '07 Limited, with the JBL Synthesis audio system, does not have that feature.

Perhaps a look through the owner's manual?

[Seneca]

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

Can't tell you about the '11 model, but I can tell you that the '07 Limited, with the JBL Synthesis audio system, does not have that feature.

Perhaps a look through the owner's manual?

2011 Avalon Owner's Manual - page 272.

[DanSM]

Thanks for the replies. Did already set according to the manual, which suggests that the "automatic sound levelizer" is supposed to compensate for road noise and speed.

Curious to hear if the system works half decently, or if my unit is defective. I should think going to or from highway speeds, the change in volume should be pronounced. That is, it turns the stereo up appreciably so you can still hear it when you reach highway speeds.

Just got the car last Friday, will be a bit of a disappointment to discover a defect right out of the box.

Cheers,
Dan

[Seneca]

I had to be out this morning, so I did some experimentation.

I set the radio volume at a low comfortable level while at rest, and did a series of test runs. The ASL seems to be speed governed. On my Limited it kicks in around 35 MPH, but the effect is subtle. The sound level remained audible, but it didn't drown out the increasing road noise. This continued as I increased speed. If I hadn't been listening for it, I doubt I would have noticed.The one time I did notice an ASL effect was when I turned it off at speed, and the volume dropped markedly.

This is not a Gee Whiz feature. I don't detect any difference with the windows open or closed, so ambient noise doesn't seem to be a factor, only vehicle speed. I did a TN search, and concerns about the effectiveness of the ASL system are common, so the OP is in good company.

[AML]

ASL doesn't actually increase volume. It increases the treble and bass levels to trick you into thinking it's louder, when in fact you just get more pronounced highs and lows, which tend to get drowned out in road/tire/wind noise.

This is different from the Bose Audiopilot system in my previous Mercedes which actually did increase/decrease volume with speed and ambient cabin noises.

[DanSM]

Thanks folks, I appreciate the replies.

Sigh, my Buick had a crude, but reasonably effective, speed compensated volume control that my wife grew to like, A LOT, and is upset the salesman misled us into thinking the Avalon has a similar function.

I'm not one to believe half of what a salesman says, but had assumed a sophisticated 12 speaker system would have a basic speed compensation setting (that works), so took him at his word.

Hardly a deal-breaker, but something else to get used to with the new car.

Cheers,
Dan