2006 xB, stock stereo.

Is it just me, or does the bass get louder once you accelerate from an idle?

 

No, it's not just you. I noticed that, with my stock stereo, the volume was lowered when I slowed to 25. Personally, I thought this feature was annoying. I have also read threads on this site that discuss this as a "feature" of the stock stereo. I would assume there is some way to turn this "feature" off.

 

If anyone knows how to turn this "feature" off on a stock stereo please post up.

Thanks!

 

Automatic Sound Leveler (ASL). Hit the volume **** a few times till you hit the ASL. Turn the **** till it shows "OFF".

 

The ASL doesn't just turn up your bass level, it raises the sound output of the entire system to offset the noise of the vehicle as your speed increases. It brings the sound back down as you slow the vehicle. There is a microphone/monitor mounted somewhere in the cab that "listens" to your interior noise level. You can set it to Low, Medium or High by cycling through the menu. I think it's a cool feature and miss it since I've changed out my head unit.

 

this isn't on the older ('04s), is it? I don't think so, because I missed that feature that was in the Safari.

 

Thanks!

 

This could be from power variations in your car's battery/alternator output too. If nothing else works, get a voltage regulator for your battery terminals.

 

ASL is a feature of Pioneer stereos. The higher end Pioneer stereos gives you adjustable features when it comes to the ASL but I'm guessing on the stock stereo you dont get any of that. Personally, I think the feature is great and I love my DEH-P860MP

 

Taken directly from the Scion website:
Every xB comes standard with a 160 watt maximum Pioneer Stereo and these features:

MP3/WMA disc playback with text display
A mini-jack for your MP3 player (you must use your MP3 player's interface to navigate and play your collection)
6 speakers (including two tweeters)
Scion Sound Processing (SSP)
Built In Digital Sound Processing (DSP) Sound Equalization
Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) that adjusts the volume level to keep the sounds pumping when the cabin noise picks up during higher driving speeds
Satellite radio ready (XM and Sirius Satellite radio requires the installation and purchase of separate tuner)
Customizable screen
SRT

SSP is a digital sound processing feature that offers three settings. SSP Neutral keeps the music in the background. SSP Hear enhances the sounds with crisp highs and lows. SSP Feel goes all the way, utilizing a sound curve that lets passengers not only hear the music, but feel it, too.

 

Wait let me get this straight. When you set the asl on high does it make it louder during higher speeds than the low setting?
Sorry I'm a noob. I just got my xb two weeks ago.

 

Yes, as you increase your speed and the cabin noise increases the volume level of the stereo goes up. As you slow down the volume goes back down as well. Your owners manual will explain it all to you.

 

The off, low, high settings on the ASL are how much you want the sound increased when road noise is heard. Off is self explanatory. Low is minimal volume increase and High provides a louder increase. I usually keep mine on High so I can listen for sirens when I'm at a stoplight and resume damaging my ears while I'm at normal speeds :D

 

One mass defect in putting subs in a 06 with stock radio is that if you notice if there is too much bass at one time (like in all rock music) it auto lowers the bass so if you put subs its gonna lower the output to the subs so it will sound like CRAP!!!

 

Are you sure about that one? I've never heard about it or seen that in the manual. I ran my stock with subs and it did as well as could be expected, no drop in bass.