I think this car is giving me tinnitus.

[HunterGreene]

Well, surprisingly, I can confirm the 80+ dB reading that is in the car, which goes down to 70ish when at idle. I'm totally stock. Really surprising, actually. I don't have any signs of hearing loss or anything, so not sure how serious this problem really is. Also, don't forget to take road surface into account. Asphalt runs more quietly than concrete.

Keep in mind that the dB scale is logarithmic. Each point is a TENFOLD increase in sound (ten times as much). So when the OP is talking about a Rock Concert being an AVERAGE 92 dB, thats actually 120X as loud as cruising in your car. Some real-world reference points (from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/noise/):

30 dB = whisper, quiet library
40 dB = quiet room
50 dB = moderate rainfall
60 dB = typical conversation, dishwasher, clothes dryer
70 dB = busy traffic, vacuum cleaner, alarm clock
80–90 dB = blow-dryer, kitchen blender, food processor
90 dB = subway, passing motorcycle
100 dB = hand drill, pneumatic drill
106 dB = gas lawn mower, snowblower
110 dB = maximum output of some MP3 players, model airplane, chain saw
120 dB = jet plane takeoff, siren
130 dB = jackhammer
140 dB = firearms, jet engine
150 dB = fireworks at 3 feet

So really, our cars are more like a hair dryer

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

Keep in mind that the dB scale is logarithmic. Each point is a TENFOLD increase in sound (ten times as much).

I don't think that's correct. My understanding is that the scale is calibrated to a change of 3dB corresponding to a doubling or halving of the amplitude. A 3dB increase is twice as loud. A 6dB increase is 4 times as loud, etc.

Keep in mind also that we do not actually perceive a 3dB increase as being twice as loud. The reason we have a logarithmic scale is that human perception scales in logarithms. We perceive these increases as linear rather than as a curve with an ever increasing slope.

[Harvey]

I'd be curious to know the exact différences between US and EU GT86 (or SFR). My GT86 (France) has trunk lining and the underpanels and pretty thick floor mats and other stuff that seems to be on the monogram version in US... I'll measure interior sound by curiosity, but with the tube plugged it's pretty nice and comfortable, maybe a very little louder than my 2004 Tiburon (which I consider was particularly quiet).

[Harvey]

Just checked this http://www.scion.com/cars/monogram_series/FR-S/ and from what I can see this matches the GT86 I have. Does this mean that for example the FRS doesn't have the smart key and start stuff by default (or the dual AC) ?

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

I don't think that's correct. My understanding is that the scale is calibrated to a change of 3dB corresponding to a doubling or halving of the amplitude. A 3dB increase is twice as loud. A 6dB increase is 4 times as loud, etc.

Keep in mind also that we do not actually perceive a 3dB increase as being twice as loud. The reason we have a logarithmic scale is that human perception scales in logarithms. We perceive these increases as linear rather than as a curve with an ever increasing slope.

You are correct, and so am I, at least on the logarithmic part. From Wikipedia's page: [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel"]Decibel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

A change in power by a factor of 10 corresponds to a 10 dB change in level. A change in power by a factor of two approximately corresponds to a 3 dB change.

So, going from an 80 to 92 dB level is a 12 dB increase, or an 1100% increase in sound (if my math still works).

[f0rge]

Some good advice here. I know I already have mild tinnitus because I'm also an audiophile and I go to a lot of concerts. This car still hurts my ears though.

Yes I was using my phone, and yes I understand it's not 100% accurate, but it's gotta be at least ballpark. I was using the same phone for my other measurements so at least it's relative.

It's not my exhaust, I cant even hear it when I'm on the hwy.

Is anyone else running PSS's? Can anyone comment on the road noise they're experiencing? The roads around here are pretty crappy, so it wouldn't surprise me if the tires were the culprit.

Interestingly, Car and Driver had similar concerns:

The platform’s minimal insulation channels road and drivetrain noises straight into the cabin.

The tin-shed acoustics—along with the choppy ride—meant that we rarely chose the BRZ for long-distance travel. Only on occasion did our test car venture beyond the Midwest, with six-foot-seven senior editor Jared Gall the first to stretch the car’s legs on a mid-winter vacation to New York with his wife. Aided by a set of Michelin X-Ice Xi2 winter tires ($604 plus installation), the Subaru returned unscathed but with Gall saying he’d require something more refined for his next voyage.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...wrap-up-review

[Tromatic]

Heh. Needs to be added to the "what I hate" thread. Maybe I have an extra-nice FR-S becasue mine does not have what I would call "The tin-shed acoustics—along with the choppy ride".

This shit those clowns complain about (not you, OP).

[mike the snake]

I have Michelin PSS (265/245) and they run relatively quiet compared to the other tires I've run.

I have Tinnitus, really bad. So bad in fact, that I take Benedryl to go to sleep (zonks me out quickly), I have a fan running next to my head, along with a white noise machine, all just to get to sleep every night. Without all these things, I can't sleep because my ears are screaming, ringing very loudly.

I'll say now that IMO, it is the road noise that is triggering your Tinnitus. Certain frequencies set my ears ringing, and road noise is one of the biggest causes for me.

I have a loud exhaust (catless 3'', VTA wastegate) and that doesn't cause any ringing, but once on the road the low rumbling from rough roads sets my ears a ringing sumfin Fearce.

[Autocon]

Remember just because your exhaust doesn't appear "loud" in the typical high pitched after market honda civic type way its still actually loud. It is just a much deeper note which is still high on the db scale.

Deep/loud sounds and high pitched/loud sounds can both affect your ears differently and in a negative way.

The deeper tone will just not appear as loud as its a deeper note so you perceive it to not be as loud, but it is and its just as damaging.

[Tromatic]

Always makes me wonder what the typical HD asshat's hearing is like.

[Ammonia]

Relative I guess. My BMW was straight piped and I loved it. I think my car needs MORE loud and it already has a muffler delete LOL

[campy]

Originally Posted by AVodka14

Why do we get totally shafted in the Japanese car market here? There is a reason we want JDM products. They are better!

We also want things to be cheap. Scion made the mistake of announcing the car would be under $25k. So they had to cut costs everywhere they could to sell the FRS at $24599.

The Toyota 86 and GT86 versions both cost well over $30k USD iirc.

[AVodka14]

Originally Posted by campy

We also want things to be cheap. Scion made the mistake of announcing the car would be under $25k. So they had to cut costs everywhere they could to sell the FRS at $24599.

The Toyota 86 and GT86 versions both cost well over $30k USD iirc.

Got ya. Makes sense. I would have paid for true 86 if they made it. I don't want a Monogram anymore. Or a RS. I want the 86 as made in Japan. Oh well. I still like my baby.

[Dave-ROR]

geez this is the quietest car I've owned in 10 years.