Should Loudness Be Turned On or Off?
3 Answers
Loudness should be turned on when the volume is relatively low and turned off when the volume is high. The loudness function primarily enhances bass and treble, making it advisable to activate it when driving at high speeds or when the sound is faint. Loudness adjustments should ideally be based on actual loudness levels, but amplifier circuits can only make relatively fixed adjustments based on the position of the volume potentiometer, which may lead to slight discrepancies when used with speakers of varying sensitivity. The purpose of loudness control is to boost the volume of high and low-frequency components at low volumes, ensuring that the loudness proportions of low, mid, and high frequencies remain consistent with those at higher volumes. The actual loudness of sound and the perceived loudness by the human ear are not entirely linear. At lower volumes, the human ear experiences physiological attenuation of mid-to-high frequencies, which becomes more pronounced as the volume decreases. There are two types of loudness control circuits in principle. The first is a fixed loudness control circuit, which is relatively simple and typically includes a loudness switch that can be pressed when needed. The second is an advanced linear loudness control circuit, where the amount of loudness compensation varies with the volume level to achieve the most linear effect. Such circuits often do not have a loudness switch and are instead controlled linearly by the volume potentiometer.
I think the loudness function is quite practical in car audio systems, mainly because it automatically compensates for the lack of sound quality at low volumes, making the music sound richer. However, I usually choose to turn it off because when it's on, the bass and treble can be a bit excessive, making the sound distorted and unnatural. For example, when driving in the city where ambient noise is already high, turning it off actually makes the sound more balanced and clear. But if you're on a quiet night drive or a long trip, keeping it on can add some atmosphere. The audio settings can be found in the menu, and switching it on or off is very simple. Remember to test it a few times to feel the impact of different modes on sound quality, but don’t let adjusting the audio distract you from driving safely. Overall, turning it off makes the driving experience more comfortable and smooth.
From driving experience, whether to turn on or off the loudness function depends on personal preference. This feature boosts low and high frequencies at low volumes to compensate for auditory differences, but prolonged use can make the sound muddy and unrealistic. I prefer to keep it off for stable sound quality that's easier on the ears. Try disabling it in the audio settings—you'll notice a big difference. Additionally, it's related to volume control: turning it off at high volumes delivers more balanced sound, while keeping it on at low volumes adds fullness but can be noisy. Keeping audio settings simple helps maintain focus on the road and avoids unnecessary distractions. Safety comes first—audio is just the icing on the cake.