[Seek experts' views] Pioneer Z9250BT vs stock HU

[xar_sg]

Hi all

I am on Elantra AD 2018, and have had Nakamichi NBF618S sub, JBL speakers (front 2 only; back 2 is stock) for 2-3 years.

Yesterday I changed my Stock HU to  Pioneer Z9250BT. I have some observations below... hope experts here can help share your views/ explanation! 🙏🙂

 

1. Whereas previously volume on stock HU needs to be around 15-16 for a good (but not loud) listening experience, it is quite loud around 8-9 now... while I can pick up more background vocals and instruments in the music, I get ear fatigue more easily. I could further dial down the volume to reduce fatigue but if the volume is soft it seems to be a waste of the sub/ speaker/ pioneer HU setup since there is not really enjoyment in listening to v soft music. Is there anything I can do to enjoy the music and the increased clarity but yet reduce the ear fatigue? A little embarrassing to say, but slightly miss the old HU where it gave reasonable loudness without fatigue (although vocals and instruments were not as clear).

2. Is there any way to "turn off" EQ? In stock HU it was possible to turn off EQ and listen to music/ vocals in the "original" way, but in this HU seems I have to choose one of the pre-set settings [e.g. Natural, Vocal, Super Bass, etc]. I am slightly reluctant to choose any preset EQ, because it means that when I switch between say, pop and classical music, I will need to remember to change the EQ to another appropriate pre-set choice. Hence normally for any music player I will "turn off" EQ.

3. For "SPEAKER LEVEL" audio setting, the front 2 speakers are set at 4 dB, back 2 speakers are at 0 dB, while sub is at 6 dB. Do you know if this is the default factory setting, or was it "tuned" by the workshop? What is the default factory setting?

What is the impact if I change the 2 speakers and sub to 0 dB? Will it cause audio quality to deteriorate? 

 

Thanks guys 🙏🙏🙏

 

[macrosszero]

Do read up the adjustable parameters of your head unit, you are likely to be able to obtain better quality sound than your factory audio. Else, pay an audio shop to do a quick tune for you?

[Tkseah]

Speaker levels factory default should be 0 across for all.. so the current levels are likely tuned by the workshop.

Me also driving Elantra AD S model.  Thought the stock HU n speakers quite ok actually.  Sometimes a bit itchy hand thought of changing speakers or HU, but resisted so far.. a bit afraid may mess up the balance.

Edited August 20, 2023 by Tkseah

[Watwheels]

Go to an audio shop for them to reduce the noise.

They will plug in a mic and software to tune it out.

[Jamesc]

You can switch off the EQ and see if that helps.

You can turn everything to 0db and see if that helps.

I would actually switch on EQ to "User" and then tune it.

The Z9250BT has a 13 band graphic equalizer you can tune down all the high frequency so you don't have a sharp treble.

You also have time alignment that means you can have the left speaker sound arrive at your driver's seat at the same time as the right speaker.

Z9250BT is one of the best Pioneer head units.

You can tune it to the perfect sound you like.

You also have auto EQ just need to hook up a mic and stick it on your head rest.

The Pioneer will listen to the sound in your car and tune itself to give you the best possible sound!

Enjoy

[Jamesc]

Bring down 4, 8 and 16k

I would set everything to 0

and then move 4, 8 and 16k down until you get the right amount of detail and no ear fatigue.