Question for Entertainment: Speed-dependant Volume

[Viscouse]

Entertainment, as our resident expert, do you know why the Speed-dependant volume feature doesn't seem to work as well as expected?

Is it working, as some of us have theorized, but changing audible things (we'll think it's louder but doesn't seem that way)

Is it not implimented? Or maybe on certain models?

What's the scoop? I would hazard a guess that many of us don't feel it's working at all, even when tested on all 4 settings (off, low, med & high).

Here's some previous discussions:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14045
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12394

[ctrlz]

Great question for the Guru!

I agree this feature is either VERY subtle, or vaporware.

[flip_man]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

Great question for the Guru!

I agree this feature is either VERY subtle, or vaporware.

My vector just keep on reset it after a few starts...

[AirTreesWaterAnimals]

Doesn't work at all in my '04 Aero.

[Larakin]

Originally Posted by flip_man

My vector just keep on reset it after a few starts...

I have the exact same problem '03 Arc

[Entertainment]

The Speed Dep. Volume should work perfectly, it did at least when I tested this couple of years ago. I never heard that there would be any problem with this function.
My suggestion is to go back to the dealer and complain, because this should be reported back to Saab immediately.

[orion7144]

I think it does work... But I think it works too well.. In the BMW you can tell at certain speeds that it increasing and on some other models it is just downright annoying. Ours on the other hand adjust the volume smoothly to were you can not tell it is increasing. By using a db meter (One that I use to calibrate my home theater) there is an increase but it is not that big. If I remember correctly my 3 series I got almost a 3db gain when at 50-60mph. That is 3db all at once. On the Saab it is more like 3db gradually hence why some people think it is not working.

[Entertainment]

The 9-3SS has 20 different curves for Speed Dep Volume compensation, while other cars maybe have 2-10 curves and then there is Speed Dep Bass compensation (including Engine On Bass compensation).
So therefore the function is hard to notice in action.

[Viscouse]

Thanks Entertainment!

Hmmmm. Is there any way to test it? I've brought it up to my dealer & they say it is working fine.

[Larakin]

It does work, but only for a few starts (i dont know how many), whenever I notice it is not working I check and the setting has been turned off. This happend very frequiently, not a big deal at all one of the many small annoyances. but I still love my car.

[Entertainment]

Originally Posted by Viscouse

Hmmmm. Is there any way to test it

Yes if you can simulate the Vehicle Speed signal on either CAN or MOST :wink:

The only simple way that a normal customer can test this is by a subjective listening test with the function On and Off. This way you should be able to hear the difference.

[brunp]

Perhaps the only way to test this functionality is to be traveling 100 km/h and stop very quickly....you will notice that the sound volume decreases.

That is how I noticed it on my previous Volvo S40...

Paul

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Entertainment

The 9-3SS has 20 different curves for Speed Dep Volume compensation, while other cars maybe have 2-10 curves and then there is Speed Dep Bass compensation (including Engine On Bass compensation).
So therefore the function is hard to notice in action.

Entertainment,

Do you recall the amount of gain offered by the various curves? Also does the initial volume setting have anything to do with the function of SDV? When I was playing with the settings it seemed to work at low volume. But when I turned up the volume it seemed to do nothing.

ctrlz

[rdenotter]

I've done some careful listening, and I'm convinced that it does work -- especially at low volumes.

What I'd like to know is why does it seem to turn itself off after a while?
- Is this related to time?
- Is this related to on/off cycles?
- Or, (more likely IMO) is it related to my hitting the volume button on the steering wheel?

I can't be sure, because it's hard to reproduce this, but it seems like when I manually adjust the volume when SDV is set, it goes into some kind of polite mode where it backs off, and then shuts off entirely.

Entertainment? Any insights?

[Entertainment]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

Entertainment,

Do you recall the amount of gain offered by the various curves? Also does the initial volume setting have anything to do with the function of SDV? When I was playing with the settings it seemed to work at low volume. But when I turned up the volume it seemed to do nothing.

ctrlz

No I don't remember the gain for the different steps, sorry.
The higher the volume is, the less compensation there will be and at volume step 25 (of maximum 30) there is no more compensation.

Originally Posted by rdnotter

I've done some careful listening, and I'm convinced that it does work -- especially at low volumes.

What I'd like to know is why does it seem to turn itself off after a while?
- Is this related to time?
- Is this related to on/off cycles?
- Or, (more likely IMO) is it related to my hitting the volume button on the steering wheel?

I can't be sure, because it's hard to reproduce this, but it seems like when I manually adjust the volume when SDV is set, it goes into some kind of polite mode where it backs off, and then shuts off entirely.

Entertainment? Any insights?

If the SDV turns Off completely, then it looks like some kind of bug. I've never heard about this fault before.

The problem is that all of the experts that used to work with Entertainment system has left that department (or Saab), including me. So there is nobody who can handle these functions (that good) left at that department.

[CosmicSaab]

Originally Posted by Entertainment

The problem is that all of the experts that used to work with Entertainment system has left that department (or Saab), including me. So there is nobody who can handle these functions (that good) left at that department.

Why'd everyone leave? Do they not need entertainment system designers anymore?

[Entertainment]

Originally Posted by E715

Why'd everyone leave? Do they not need entertainment system designers anymore?

One quit and started up his studies again, one got fired 1,5 years ago, I left 9 months ago when my contract ended and the last one left 5 months ago when his contract ended.

[sbl]

I complained to my dealer about this, and they promised to investigate and get back to me. Haven't heard yet. The SDV definitely does not work for me, or if it does, it changes the volume impercetibly. I always have to raise the volume as I accelerate onto a highway.

[AirTreesWaterAnimals]

Same here. I messed around with it in my car and had no success whatsoever.

If it does work, it's not really serving it's purpose.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by AirTreesWaterAnimals

Same here. I messed around with it in my car and had no success whatsoever.

If it does work, it's not really serving it's purpose.

Try this. Set the SDV to "high." Then drive around with the volume at conversational level or a little lower. That's how I detected it working. It's subtle to almost to the point of being useless. Jari says the gain tapers off at higher initial volume. So maybe at low volume you get 3 dB of gain, and at high volume you get 1 dB. Beats me why they bothered coming up with 20 curves to handle this little adjustment.