High-end Lexicon Sound System - Anemic Bass?

[nearwater]

Yup! This just happened to me the other day. But what I think happend in my situation and possibly yours has to do with the adaptive volume control. For some reason when I do what you mentioned above, the volume comes back nice and loud. Then once I hit the volume down button, it sounds has if I had hit the down button like 4 times. (but i really only hit it once)

So it seems like there is a glitch with possibly the AVC when a phone call comes in.... I usually keep it on volume 10 and when I come back from a phone call its like at volume 13 or 14.... I never looked to see how fast I was going or if this happens when I'm parked or not moving.

I'm glad you brought this up Dan.

Thanks for confirming, ASHDUMP.

I didn't know there was an adaptive volume control feature on our system.
I guess I'll check it out today.

But yesterday was different.
I was playing an MP3 file through my USB jump drive when I received a call.
After hanging up the call, I noticed the bass was pounding much harder than what I used to hear.
When I turned the volume a notch down(steering wheel control), the bass went away as if I turned OFF the subwoofer all together.
That much different.
And when I went into the audio settings menu to boost up the bass, even the +10 setting won't go that high in bass.

I think there's a very strange issue going on with our HU and/or amplifier.
I'm very anal when it comes to audio systems and sound quality, and this is starting to bug me a little.
Not the fact that I have to have boosted bass after hanging up the call, but the fact that I don't have a clear, full control of all the EQ settings.
Because after hearing that heart pounding bass, I know this system can play the lower frequency with much more authority.
I think Harman International tuned this system very conservatively.

Dan

 

[ASHDUMP]

Thanks for confirming, ASHDUMP.

I didn't know there was an adaptive volume control feature on our system.
I guess I'll check it out today.

But yesterday was different.
I was playing an MP3 file through my USB jump drive when I received a call.
After hanging up the call, I noticed the bass was pounding much harder than what I used to hear.
When I turned the volume a notch down(steering wheel control), the bass went away as if I turned OFF the subwoofer all together.
That much different.
And when I went into the audio settings menu to boost up the bass, even the +10 setting won't go that high in bass.

I think there's a very strange issue going on with our HU and/or amplifier.
I'm very anal when it comes to audio systems and sound quality, and this is starting to bug me a little.
Not the fact that I have to have boosted bass after hanging up the call, but the fact that I don't have a clear, full control of all the EQ settings.
Because after hearing that heart pounding bass, I know this system can play the lower frequency with much more authority.
I think Harman International tuned this system very conservatively.

Dan

I actually confirmed that when I get a phone call while driving the music returns much louder. Then once you hit the volume on the steering wheel it goes back to normal... Now, maybe I'm confusing the actual "Volume" with just more bass.... not sure. What kind of music were you listening too when it happened? Also, I think the first time I noticed it I was tuned to SiriusXM and the second time was the USB.

I think there is mention of the adaptive volume control somewhere in the manual... actually.... maybe even on the website. It was mentioned here in this forum somewhere if you want to do a search.

Let me know if you come across this again. I'll try to troubleshoot myself.

 

[Yama1yzf]

Hi All--

I'd posted the following to a similar thread back in January. There's a factory defect (in my opinion) in the 14-spkr. Lexicon system that, when the car is shut down, and ultimately re-started, the system responds just as it was when the car was shut down. However, when adjusting the volume, a re-set of the EQ occurs. According to Hyundai, it's a factory design, and nothing can be done to change it. You'll get like I do--when I get in the car, I start her up, fasten my seat belt, and go to the EQ settings and make a quick manual adjustment to the bass response so I can enjoy whatever program material is my choice for the day.

I should note that this is the only thing I don't particularly enjoy about the car--everything else is great! I've got over 35K miles on her already, numerous oil changes, and now a 2nd set of tires--and STILL love getting in and driving her!!

Here's the response I got from Hyundai:

I received a reply this morning (Friday, 1/15/10). The reply is as follows:

______________________________
Dear Daniel:

Thank you for contacting Hyundai Motor America.

This email is in response to your inquiry on the bass frequency level in your 2009 Hyundai Genesis's radio. We have researched your inquiry and found that with the standard radio (Non-DIS) bass setting does reset back to the default position with volume change or key cycle. We sincerely apologize, but there is nothing that can be done to make the radio operate differently.

We have documented your inquiry in our system. Your case number is 3795570.

Thank you for contacting Hyundai Consumer Affairs.

________________________________

Now we know...it's out of our control to change.

Dan :>)

Dan, I have been living with this issue as well but I found a somewhat easier way of changing it, especially when you are driving. When you first turn on the system the settings will be fine from whatever source you were playing last but the minute you touch the volume control the EQ's pre sets fail. Once you have touched the volume control select a different source (XM, Aux, etc) and that source you will notice will be fine and the presets correct. Now switch back to the source you ultimately wanted to hear and the presets will be be at where you set them. It sounds a hell of a lot more complicated that it is but it saves you from having to go into the EQ settings every time you turn on the radio.. I got the same BS when I raised it as an issue.

 

[nearwater]

I actually confirmed that when I get a phone call while driving the music returns much louder. Then once you hit the volume on the steering wheel it goes back to normal... Now, maybe I'm confusing the actual "Volume" with just more bass.... not sure. What kind of music were you listening too when it happened? Also, I think the first time I noticed it I was tuned to SiriusXM and the second time was the USB.

I think there is mention of the adaptive volume control somewhere in the manual... actually.... maybe even on the website. It was mentioned here in this forum somewhere if you want to do a search.

Let me know if you come across this again. I'll try to troubleshoot myself.

My call was for about 3~4 minutes, so I can't say for sure that the volume stayed the same.
But when I turned the volume down one notch, the bass dropped significantly where as the overall volume sounded like it did go down 1 notch.
After that, I can't make the music sound the same no matter how much I play with the EQ settings or the volume.

I was listening to pop/R&B stuff, btw.

Dan

 

[Gambler]

I hadn't seen this thread before. My wife keeps telling me the Genesis has great bass, but I don't hear it. I'll have to do some more in-depth tinkering to see if I can figure out the issue.

 

[Gambler]

I tried it out tonight, and no setting can get the sub where it should be. Sure, I can hear it, but it is a little on the light side.

 

[MichaelOne]

Pop this one in and you shouldn't have any more complaints about the bass:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Tracks-Frank-Proto/dp/B000003CT8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1274873838&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.com/Star-Tracks-Frank-Proto/dp/B000003CT8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1274873838&sr=1-1[/ame]

 

[Gambler]

Here is the problem as I see it. The subwoofer is capable of playing loudly--IF you turn up the bass all the way, push it to the rear and crank the volume, but then it unbalances the rest of the speakers. If they had a control for the subwoofer volume, I would have no complaints. Sure some tracks are so bass heavy that the subwoofer sounds through, but for most music it needs help. Adding an amp to a new sub allows that control.

 

[nearwater]

Here is the problem as I see it. The subwoofer is capable of playing loudly--IF you turn up the bass all the way, push it to the rear and crank the volume, but then it unbalances the rest of the speakers. If they had a control for the subwoofer volume, I would have no complaints. Sure some tracks are so bass heavy that the subwoofer sounds through, but for most music it needs help. Adding an amp to a new sub allows that control.

I agree. Bass output difference between the DVD and cd/mp3 formats are very noticeable.
I have no complaints when I'm playing DVD-A discs.
It's when I'm playing the CDs or mp3 files that I want more punch.

Dan

 

[MichaelOne]

My example above was from a CD with serious low frequency content. I didn't have the bass cranked up, either. I wouldn't expect much out of MP3s, due to the compression.

I think it's more a phenomenon of the media than the amp.

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[hvarsov]

this is really interesting
I am having the same problem on my "base unit" sound system with the 7 speakers including a 2 ohm sub woofer......The speakers in the front are decent but the sub woofer barely performs.....I had a pro sound guy look and listen to the sub woofer, and he agreed that it was not putting out very much, considering it was a 2 ohm sub.......Any advice on what amps and sub woofer to replace, if even possible???????

 

[nearwater]

this is really interesting
I am having the same problem on my "base unit" sound system with the 7 speakers including a 2 ohm sub woofer......The speakers in the front are decent but the sub woofer barely performs.....I had a pro sound guy look and listen to the sub woofer, and he agreed that it was not putting out very much, considering it was a 2 ohm sub.......Any advice on what amps and sub woofer to replace, if even possible???????

I think it'll be easier for you to add an aftermarket sub plus an amp.
I added a cheap sub+amp on mine to add more bass and am pretty happy with the result.
It's not as 'balanced' as the stock system, but I like the ability to boost the bass frequency at will.
Especially when I'm listening to mp3 formats which lacks bass compared to DVDs.
Good luck.

Dan

 

[itsjustmatt23]

Does anyone have pictures of their upgrades? I'm checking out my options and don't know what I should do. I like the idea of replacing the stock sub with a more powerful one that will run on a separate amp. My biggest fear is that adding a sub to my factory system it wont sound balanced.

 

[bradyb]

I do not currently own a Genesis but have completed four test drives now and hope to own one soon. In one of the test drives I drove a V8 with the Tech Package which includes the upgraded Lexcion sound system. After hearing so much around this sound system I had high expectations but came away disappointed. I thought I might share a little bit here to see if others are having similar experiences. Obviously the owners (as opposed to me) have had much more time to fully critique the sound quality.

Personally, I don't think I look for too much in a car sound system but unfortunately I find most don't meet my requirements. First, I wish car companies would place more emphasis on amp quality and speaker sensitivity (db/watt). What I find is that many car stereos sound good when all the windows are rolled up but when you roll one down many don't have the volume to hear the music well. I'm not sure whether the Genesis falls in to this category or not. Secondly, I feel the sound system should allow you to broadly balance all the frequencies across the range. Adjustment of bass and treble on most systems will allow you to do this but here is where I feel the High-end Lexicon system has fallen short. Let me elaborate.

In my 2003 Honda Accord I have the bass set to -3. No one would consider me to be someone that is a "bassaholic." It sounds fine when all the windows are rolled up but doesn't have the volume when a window is rolled down (not too surprising given the system). Recently I drove a V8 Genesis with the Tech Package which included the high-end Lexicon system. I thought the mids and highs sounded great. What I could not believe was the lack of bass. I had it at +10, had the fader set to the middle of the car, and ran through every sound option I could find. Nothing seemed to be set incorrectly and yet the bass was far less pronounced than what I hear in my 2003 Honda Accord set at -3.

To be honest, I just don't get it. Are others hearing the same from their sound systems? Where is your bass currently set? Is there a trend toward people really having to turn the bass up?

My hope was that something was either broken or a setting wasn't correct on the Geneis I drove because I just don't see how a system that has a subwoofer could have far less bass than one that doesn't but I'm certain what I heard. Ultimately, I never thought a stock stereo system wouldn't have enough bass for me, again, because I'm not a bassaholic, but I'm starting to wonder about what my options might be for the Genesis in this case and that depresses me a bit since I'm someone that mostly likes to keep a car completely stock rather than customizing anything.

Any opinions or thoughts appreciated.

bass can be very subjective. what some ppl think of as great bass is mearly muddy bass notes flopping around with a loose Q around 60-70hrtz.

for controlled play back there are factors that need to be considered such as the music program and the source ( hi fidelity or low bit rate sample), system q, damping factor, f3 of lower frequencies, and in an automobile there is something called cabin gain.

testing the lexicon the f3 level seems to be at 30.5 hrtz with out any noticeable drop off. Cabin gain seems to be at 35htz, the sub and amp seem to have a high level of Q I would guesstimate it in the area of .700. i would also think the damping factor to be around 110 bc of the level of control the amplifier maintains over the loudspeakers. I have not tested the individual loudspeakers for small-thiel or SPL. i do know that the system will play at 105 db!

 

[2013 RSPEC SEDAN]

Just had installed in my 2013 Genesis RSpec Sedan:

2 JL Audio 12W6v3
1 JL Audio HD1200/1 amp
1 LC2i (Audio Control)

I had them make a "sealed" box with a custom front trim panel to cover the subwoofers and amp in order to save some trunk space, have a clean look, and still be able to get to my spare tire if ever need be. It sounds super clean down to 40Hz (it starts to roll off sub 50Hz). I listen to a lot of Rock so the punch from 40-60Hz is excellent for my taste. I disconnected the factory sub but left it in place for now. The ski port is open and air is moved through there. I will most likely be removing the factory sub altogether in the near future.

You can go with a ported box for that really deep bass (if you're willing to give up your entire trunk) you will definitely be able to go sub 30hz and be heard from 10 blocks away. you'll need to heavily dynomat your trunk at this point.

This was not cheap by any means but I didn't want to cut any corners on this car.

If you're on a tight budget the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 is an excellent alternative. It takes up very little space and can be easily removed.

 

[ppern]

im sure the rolls royce lexicon stereos used is a higher end model than the genesis units