In my current car, I have a DVD-Audio system with 6 ch discreet power amp and awesome sub. It sounds amazing and I can adjust every level, including the sub. I can drown out the hip hop guys in the cars next to me with some good rock bass easily.
I know there has been some discussion of the Sub etc, but I was wondering if there are any hard rock/metal FJ owners out there who really crank their music?
I was lucky to be listening to Rush "Tom Sawyer" very loud on FM today during my test drive, I would disengage the sub, and could not really hear much difference. I was wondering, do you get more sub if you increase the bass in the EQ? Or is there a discreet volume adjustement for the sub?
Also, when cranking the system I heard a lot of rattling and buzzing... it may have been bad FM radio reception but I was wondering if anyone has cranked up a rock CD and if the '9 speaker' system held up ok.. was it crystal clear and high volumes?
I am just trying to figure out if I should keep my DVD-A system before I sell my other car, and install it in the FJ. Or if the current system will play CDs/mp3's sufficient to my taste. I am used to cranking it and feeling the bass.
In my current car, I have a DVD-Audio system with 6 ch discreet power amp and awesome sub. It sounds amazing and I can adjust every level, including the sub. I can drown out the hip hop guys in the cars next to me with some good rock bass easily.
I know there has been some discussion of the Sub etc, but I was wondering if there are any hard rock/metal FJ owners out there who really crank their music?
I was lucky to be listening to Rush "Tom Sawyer" very loud on FM today during my test drive, I would disengage the sub, and could not really hear much difference. I was wondering, do you get more sub if you increase the bass in the EQ? Or is there a discreet volume adjustement for the sub?
Also, when cranking the system I heard a lot of rattling and buzzing... it may have been bad FM radio reception but I was wondering if anyone has cranked up a rock CD and if the '9 speaker' system held up ok.. was it crystal clear and high volumes?
I am just trying to figure out if I should keep my DVD-A system before I sell my other car, and install it in the FJ. Or if the current system will play CDs/mp3's sufficient to my taste. I am used to cranking it and feeling the bass.
In my experience with DVD-A, the stock system will make you miss what you have now. DVD-A is the nearest to "live" I've ever experienced in an automobile
You are indeed correct, but there are so few DVD-Audio releases that I mainly play CDs in the player. (I think I own almost every DVD-A title produced! In fact, I authored some of them, hehe) It is nice for CDs because it does a kind of 'faux' surround matrix, and you get the low frequencies filtered off and sent to the sub. So it has been mainly used for CDs, and the DVD-A, DualDisc, formats etc, are dying,.. so I am hoping the JBL-sourced stock system in the FJs is decent, if not comparable, for CD playback.
You are indeed correct, but there are so few DVD-Audio releases that I mainly play CDs in the player. (I think I own almost every DVD-A title produced! In fact, I authored many of them, hehe) It is nice for CDs because it does a kind of 'faux' surround matrix, and you get the low frequencies filtered off and sent to the sub. So it has been mainly used for CDs, and the DVD-A, DualDisc, formats etc, are dying,.. so I am hoping the JBL-sourced stock system in the FJs is decent, if not comparable, for CD playback.
The DVD-A is standard on the 2007 GMC Yukon SLT, and is included in the new "toad" green xB "special release" edition. I hope it makes it, it sounds like nothing else; like you're siting on stage with the musicians!
That is great they are coming stock in some cars. I know Acura installs one as well in some of the TL's. Unfortunately, DVD-Audio releases have really tapered off. However, the new format DualDisc, where a CD basically has either a DVD-Audio, SACD, or DVD-Video glued to the other side... that format is still cruising and injected a bit of life back into the hi rez formats. They sell the DualDisc right in the CD section, kind of a 'sleeper' approach of marketing.. you buy the CD, and then look at the packaging and realize it has this other format attached.. in hopes you will rush out and buy a player, hehehe.
Anyway, Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD are coming out now.. and both of those formats will support all these hi resolution surround audio codecs. Though, the music industry seems to believe consumers are satisfied with mp3 quality for the main market, so there has not been a lot of talk about music-centric titles coming out on those formats. I am sure some will though, for the audiophile market.
I am with you, I want the best possible listening experience... and am bummed DVD-A did not blast off like crazy. It is true, some mixes make you feel like you are sitting front row!
my 1st impressions of the stereo were ok but not great to be honest.
I have to reserve judgement till I get my fj this coming week (can't wait!) and try the ipod aux in. I put a dylan cd in that I like (and am used to) after the test drive and thought it was a little 2k heavy (high end). the roof speakers I guess? have no adjustment options.
I guess replacing the door speakers could be an option, as they are the main sound source. But again, I have to give the system a more fair try out.
Would be curious to get other stereophile geeks opinions.
That is great they are coming stock in some cars. I know Acura installs one as well in some of the TL's. Unfortunately, DVD-Audio releases have really tapered off. However, the new format DualDisc, where a CD basically has either a DVD-Audio, SACD, or DVD-Video glued to the other side... that format is still cruising and injected a bit of life back into the hi rez formats. They sell the DualDisc right in the CD section, kind of a 'sleeper' approach of marketing.. you buy the CD, and then look at the packaging and realize it has this other format attached.. in hopes you will rush out and buy a player, hehehe.
Anyway, Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD are coming out now.. and both of those formats will support all these hi resolution surround audio codecs. Though, the music industry seems to believe consumers are satisfied with mp3 quality for the main market, so there has not been a lot of talk about music-centric titles coming out on those formats. I am sure some will though, for the audiophile market.
I am with you, I want the best possible listening experience... and am bummed DVD-A did not blast off like crazy. It is true, some mixes make you feel like you are sitting front row!
When I mention the DVD-A to a prospective customer, they look at me with the "deer in the headlights" look. I forget that these format decisions are ultimately made due to available software. Kinda like the demise of the superior Beta videotape to VHS years ago.
The system is just okay. I agree it may rattle a bit when cranked, but playing with the fader, e.t.c. seemed to minimize vibratrions. The sub is controlled only through the EQ. No sepperate sub volume control. Mine thumps just fine thanks, however it's all in what your use to.
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Thanks for the replies. folks.. I am gathering that the system is not the best, even with the JBL branding.. but a bit over the average stock car system with the sub, etc.
I think I may need an aftermarket for the detail and volume I am used to.
RoverGGM, regarding DVD-Audio... your analogy to Sony beta is a good one... a classic example of how standards become adopted and how it has more to do with timing, positioning, and partnering in business than the best technology. In the case of DVD-Audio, it happens that that the music industry was very nervous about security and totally distracted and focused on the internet piracy.. they were desperately looking to find a way to get back in control of the market and to a large degree, superior audio formats were overlooked. They just wanted to patch that hole in the damn, which is still hemoraging. And were further convinced that the consumer did not care about quality and surround.. when it could have been sold to them as the 'true' way to experience the music they are serious about, then mp3s and downloading would have been the cassette tape alternative.. good for portability and the gym, etc. but you really need to own the "DVD-A" or album.
Anyway, that was the sense in the industry, and as a few of the content holders began considering DVD-A seriously, someone broke the DVD-Video copy protection. When that got hacked, the studios went into total paranoia even though the DVD-A copy protection could not be hacked or pirated by any practical means. This occurred at the same time the DVD-Audio players were being released, and since there were hardly any titles going to market it resulted in a 'soft launch' of the format. Then around 2003, some of the labels began getting back on board and producing some titles. Unfortunately it was too little too late.
The industry never understood or cared enough about the formats to educate themselves much less the consumer.. most consumers think you are just talking about 'regular DVD" when you mention it (hence the deer in the headlights). They don't realize, that the space on the disc for a DVD-Audio is used up by super high res, surround audio and there is no bandwidth left for simultaneous video.. but you get the best possible audio. Whereas on a DVD-video disc, the audio is compressed and therefore is often less than CD quality, even if it is in surround. The consumer needed to have the advantages spelled out for them, this is another place where the industry failed.
Still, if I want to blow someone's mind and see them cry and go berserk wondering why the whole world isn't listening to DVD-A, I put them in the center of my living room and simply put in the Queen "Night at the Opera" DVD-Audio.
Or the Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" SACD... which is uncanny.
They are still trickling out, along with SACDs.. ! Enjoy that player and know that you are listening to the best possible audio available and are light years ahead.. because by the time the beauracracy gets out of the way.. who knows where we will be.
Hopefully Blu-ray or HD-DVD will take off, and those discs have the space to not only include the highest resolutions of multi-channel digital audio - but it can also carry video.
Thanks for enduring my rant! I am still bummed we are listening to inferior audio on antiquated formats... and that music that is meticulously recorded actually has to be degradated to be distributed to the world!
RoverGGM, regarding DVD-Audio... your analogy to Sony beta is a good one... a classic example of how standards become adopted and how it has more to do with timing, positioning, and partnering in business than the best technology. In the case of DVD-Audio, it happens that that the music industry was very nervous about security and totally distracted and focused on the internet piracy.. they were desperately looking to find a way to get back in control of the market and to a large degree, superior audio formats were overlooked. They just wanted to patch that hole in the damn, which is still hemoraging. And were further convinced that the consumer did not care about quality and surround.. when it could have been sold to them as the 'true' way to experience the music they are serious about, then mp3s and downloading would have been the cassette tape alternative.. good for portability and the gym, etc. but you really need to own the "DVD-A" or album.
Anyway, that was the sense in the industry, and as a few of the content holders began considering DVD-A seriously, someone broke the DVD-Video copy protection. When that got hacked, the studios went into total paranoia even though the DVD-A copy protection could not be hacked or pirated by any practical means. This occurred at the same time the DVD-Audio players were being released, and since there were hardly any titles going to market it resulted in a 'soft launch' of the format. Then around 2003, some of the labels began getting back on board and producing some titles. Unfortunately it was too little too late.
The industry never understood or cared enough about the formats to educate themselves much less the consumer.. most consumers think you are just talking about 'regular DVD" when you mention it (hence the deer in the headlights). They don't realize, that the space on the disc for a DVD-Audio is used up by super high res, surround audio and there is no bandwidth left for simultaneous video.. but you get the best possible audio. Whereas on a DVD-video disc, the audio is compressed and therefore is often less than CD quality, even if it is in surround. The consumer needed to have the advantages spelled out for them, this is another place where the industry failed.
Still, if I want to blow someone's mind and see them cry and go berserk wondering why the whole world isn't listening to DVD-A, I put them in the center of my living room and simply put in the Queen "Night at the Opera" DVD-Audio.
Or the Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" SACD... which is uncanny.
They are still trickling out, along with SACDs.. ! Enjoy that player and know that you are listening to the best possible audio available and are light years ahead.. because by the time the beauracracy gets out of the way.. who knows where we will be.
Hopefully Blu-ray or HD-DVD will take off, and those discs have the space to not only include the highest resolutions of multi-channel digital audio - but it can also carry video.
Thanks for enduring my rant! I am still bummed we are listening to inferior audio on antiquated formats... and that music that is meticulously recorded actually has to be degradated to be distributed to the world!
Actually, the first time I was introduced to it was in the TL you mentioned, and I believe the Pink Floyd disk was the one used to demo.
Being in "MUSIC CITY" (Nashville) it bums me out too, I have Monsoon planar media speakers on this PC that are fine enough to display the audible difference in the MP3 sampling rate. Most ipod addicts will, unfortunately, never know the difference!
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