Is it me or is the RDX's non-tech package sound system isn't as loud as it should be? I mainly listen to my Creative Zen being plugged into the AUX input and I only get decent loud music with my Zen volume almost full...and the car volume above 24. Is there anything that I should be doing to increase the sound? Anything specific in terms of fiddling with the settings? ..I feel like my factory premium sound system that came in my 2001 accord was louder with my Zen and that was through the tape-deck connection..maybe its just me? Please share your experiences

 

1. theres no way the accord was louder than the RDX, the RDX has more than 200 watts more power. I think the 01 accord was around 100 total.
2. I have not used the aux port, there could be a set line-in volume in the system that would keep the level down - not sure tho
3. It may not be the Zen or the system, my best guess is that the sound level of the mp3 is way off, too low, or just a bad quality rip. If you arent playing 192 or a 320 kbs mp3, chances are its not going to sound good. Main thing, check your levels/master copy (if you can)

 

Thanks for the info.. ya I figured there was no way the accord system is louder.. might be the crappy Mp3's i have.. thanks

 

yea..i would start with the mp3's and go from there, just make sure you are playing good rips and you should be fine

 

I've had the same problem with MP3 going through AUX. I have one MP3 (iRiver) that can't even be heard...the other (Sansa) is listenable, but only with volume up to 25 (and MP3 volume high).

From every other source, the system is fine - in fact, I rarely turn the volume above 7 or 8....

 

While I do believe the RDX system is louder when comparing 'volume number' to 'volume number' against my wife's accord, it's not really accurate to base a statement like that on the amp power rating. That's like saying my car goes faster than yours because the speedo goes to 160 and yours only goes to 130. Total amp power does not equate 1:1 to perceived volume.

Keep in mind that our RDX has a 6 channel system, and the Accord only has a 2 channel system. In addition, our subs are separately amped (I believe). Here's another way to look at it. Let's say the Accord has a 100W system. Generally (and oversimplified for clarity), that would mean 50W per channel. In order to support 50W per channel with the RDX, we'd need a 250W amp to support 50W into each of the 5 channels - and that excludes the sub. Generally subs draw a ton of current for fairly little perceived volume. Then there's speaker sensitivity to deal with, and a bunch of other factors. The bottom line is that being able to say that 'mine is louder than yours' is not merely a matter of comparing overall amp power ratings.

Edit: I guess I should add my experience rather than just trying to act like I know what I'm talking about. I have an iRiver 20G player, and I run Rockbox firmware. The Rockbox firmware uses actual db values for the volume rather than a simple 1-10. The iRiver does not actually amplify the signal - the max is 0db. I do find that with my RDX, I need to keep it all the way up to 0 in order to equal the radio volume. On other systems I've used, this would be way too loud. I do think the AUX input on the RDX is 'at a lower level'.

Mike

 

I have a Tech package and I totally agree that the sound through the Aux is softer than from the radio or disc source. I have a Cowon D2 - which supposedly has one of the loudest amplifiers for an mp3 player - and I still have to crank it pretty high to get the volume to a good level.

 

anyone noticed the sub doesn't hit very hard/deep? i wish it had better highs and a deeper bass. any suggestions on aftermarket?

 

yea, i am considering upgrading my sub

 

That's why my Civic has 1000W of pure fun, I believe the RDX has adequate power and on the same token I will never use it's AUX input - I have no need.

 

When you do, please post which you chose.

 

The RDX has 270 watts to the mains and a seperate 90 going to the sub. Either way you slice it, its much more powerful and louder than any accord. the new accord has 270 watts total, including the sub. still not as powerful. the 160 watts is not a x2 system, its at a minimum of x4 (not sure how they wire up those tweeters in the dash), 4 mids and 2 tweeters. Your break down of power is not correct. the total 160 watts of power is being broken down as at least a x4, my guess as x6, thus being much less powerful, in totality and overall than the base RDX system.

and like i said before, there is a line level on the aux input that sucks...if you guys out there use 90% ipod in the RDX, may i recommend writing your mp3 over with a +gain on the overall db's before you get into distortion.

 

Regarding the +gain you spoke about I sometimes increase the volume of individual songs through iTunes so they sound a bit better. Are we talking the same thing there as far as +gain goes?

 

well...it depends how ur increasing the volume. If you are using the equilizer and raising the bar for the db's on the equilizer, then yes, we are talking about the same thing...this control is independent of the computers volume, a shitty mp3 is usually the result of someone making a recording where the gain is set very low...the result is a low volume mp3 even when u try to crank up your stereo.

before i got a mac, i would run all my mp3's through winamp, and rewrite them with the equilizer set to on, so that you can tune them up and juice em up if they need it. im not yet too familiar with iTunes, i just really dont like it, i manage my music myself

 

I agree. When listening to MP3's through the AUX jack it seemed that I would have to always turn the volume up a bunch higher than any other source (The volume on the Ipod was up as high as it would go). This weekend I burned an MP3 CD with the exact same MP3 files and the CD played them at a much higher level. Now I'll admit I'm no expert, but I would guess that since the same MP3 file is being played that the volume should be close to the same no matter what source you use to play it from. So I also in the camp that thinks it is the Aux jack. Of course, I could be wrong (to borrow a like from Dennis Miller).

 

I've had my RDX for a month now. The subwoofer is definitely weaker than what I'm used to. Has anyone upgraded the sub yet?