After reading an article on ANC or Active Noise Control and the problems it may cause with the bass on the ELS, I tried to see if I could get into diagnostic mode to turn off ANC.
To my surprise as I sat in the car in Accessory Mode, the radio sounds fantastic. The bass and treble sound great. I guess I have only listened to the stereo/XM with the engine on. In any case, I would like to see if disabling ANC will result in a better sounding stereo.
I have read that the ANC reduces low frequency sounds in the car to reduce engine noise.
Granted ANC makes the car sound quieter and I can understand and appreciate that but I wonder without it, will the ELS sound better? I thought people that were complaining might be too much of an audio nut, but I did feel that the bass was weak, till tonight in Accessory Mode.
Here is the technical information provided by Honda.
Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC)
Key contributors to the TLX's quiet, refined interior are Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC). The two systems are comprised of dual overhead microphones, an ANC/ASC electronic processor, and the audio system's speakers. ASC/ANC operates whenever the engine is running, even if the audio system is turned off.
ANC is designed to reduce low frequency sound in the cabin caused mainly by the roughness of the road surface. The overhead microphones pick up sound waves and send them to the ANC/ASC processor, which creates and sends a precisely timed "reverse phase" audio signal to a special amplifier. In turn, the amplifier drives the door speakers to cancel the original noise signal.
ASC is a related technology designed to improve the engine sound quality by making the sound pressure level more linear as the engine revs increase. Typically, engine noise doesn't increase in a linear way with rising revs; instead there can be many resonances that create peaks and valleys in the sound pressure level and an uneven sound. ASC helps smooth out the engine sound by creating a same-phase or reverse-phase sound signal as needed and sending it to the speakers.
Though the system offers benefits from idle to redline, it makes the largest difference in the range between 1400 and 2400 rpm (V6) and 1000 and 1800 rpm (4-cyl.), where it lowers the sound pressure level with a reverse-phase audio signal.
ASC is part of the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS). When the IDS is in ECON or Normal mode, the ASC system is tuned for a smooth, unobtrusive engine sound. When the IDS is switched to Sport or Sport+, the TLX's interior engine sound takes on a more aggressive note.
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Some believe that ANC is cancelling out the bass. I am beginning to agree with them. What do you think? Does anyone know how to access the Diagnostic Mode? Seems this issue was reported in the ILX. Some have said to remove the glove box and disconnect the ANC, but I would rather take the easy way to disable it. If I decide I like the ANC better, I can re-enable.
There is a whole lot of technology in this car!
Here is the link. Go to almost to the bottom of the page and look for ANC.
2015 Acura TLX: Interior - Honda.com
To my surprise as I sat in the car in Accessory Mode, the radio sounds fantastic. The bass and treble sound great. I guess I have only listened to the stereo/XM with the engine on. In any case, I would like to see if disabling ANC will result in a better sounding stereo.
I have read that the ANC reduces low frequency sounds in the car to reduce engine noise.
Granted ANC makes the car sound quieter and I can understand and appreciate that but I wonder without it, will the ELS sound better? I thought people that were complaining might be too much of an audio nut, but I did feel that the bass was weak, till tonight in Accessory Mode.
Here is the technical information provided by Honda.
Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC)
Key contributors to the TLX's quiet, refined interior are Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC). The two systems are comprised of dual overhead microphones, an ANC/ASC electronic processor, and the audio system's speakers. ASC/ANC operates whenever the engine is running, even if the audio system is turned off.
ANC is designed to reduce low frequency sound in the cabin caused mainly by the roughness of the road surface. The overhead microphones pick up sound waves and send them to the ANC/ASC processor, which creates and sends a precisely timed "reverse phase" audio signal to a special amplifier. In turn, the amplifier drives the door speakers to cancel the original noise signal.
ASC is a related technology designed to improve the engine sound quality by making the sound pressure level more linear as the engine revs increase. Typically, engine noise doesn't increase in a linear way with rising revs; instead there can be many resonances that create peaks and valleys in the sound pressure level and an uneven sound. ASC helps smooth out the engine sound by creating a same-phase or reverse-phase sound signal as needed and sending it to the speakers.
Though the system offers benefits from idle to redline, it makes the largest difference in the range between 1400 and 2400 rpm (V6) and 1000 and 1800 rpm (4-cyl.), where it lowers the sound pressure level with a reverse-phase audio signal.
ASC is part of the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS). When the IDS is in ECON or Normal mode, the ASC system is tuned for a smooth, unobtrusive engine sound. When the IDS is switched to Sport or Sport+, the TLX's interior engine sound takes on a more aggressive note.
---End---
Some believe that ANC is cancelling out the bass. I am beginning to agree with them. What do you think? Does anyone know how to access the Diagnostic Mode? Seems this issue was reported in the ILX. Some have said to remove the glove box and disconnect the ANC, but I would rather take the easy way to disable it. If I decide I like the ANC better, I can re-enable.
There is a whole lot of technology in this car!
Here is the link. Go to almost to the bottom of the page and look for ANC.
2015 Acura TLX: Interior - Honda.com