SOUND LEVEL TO LOW!! Not loud enough

[killa.sushi.robot]

Originally Posted by Itsjustjoe

I have a Razr. I started playing with the bluetooth this morning and I couldn't adjust the volume on the head unit itself. I turned off the BTA, turned the head unit's volume up to where I like it, but when I turned it back to BTA, the volume was back down to where it was before I turned it up. I am going to mess with it more at lunch today - the volume level it was at this morning was way too soft. If I can't turn it up, the BTA will be a big disappointment.

Adjust it right after you turn on BTA, literally... Will record and post a video to show... Kinda of annoying if you ask me... I dont have any issues at all with my Sienna SE.

[Reason]

I have a Droid RAZR, too

Adjust it from your phone volume up/down buttons
You'll notice that when you do the volume bar that animates says "Bluetooth Audio Media" instead of just "Media"

[Shizuma]

I really wonder if there's some similar setting in the BRZ's nav unit because the volume level is pitiful in my BRZ as well, most of the time I have the volume around 80%+ just to get it so I can hear it clearly on the highway, way higher than I've had to have the volume turned up in any car, really given how low the volume level is I would guess that there's not much more than 10 Watts RMS coming from the amp as it's no where near the volume of the Kenwood head unit I had in my Magnum, which actually was only 22 Watts RMS/50 peak.

[DrifterX]

Originally Posted by killa.sushi.robot

Adjust it right after you turn on BTA, literally... Will record and post a video to show... Kinda of annoying if you ask me... I dont have any issues at all with my Sienna SE.

Interesting work around! I've been doing a bunch of research on this because I got my FR-S yesterday (Woot for me!) and I synched up with my Razr MAXX and I can't adjust the volume while playing Pandora. Apparently it has to do with whether the phone actually communicates that it is streaming audio or it just says 'bluetooth connection.' I've been looking for a workaround and the only thing I've found is flashing to a custom rom. Ironically, all the ICS custom roms seem to have trouble with BT so I decided to avoid them for now. I have the phone rooted, but I haven't been able to find anything else. So if it is before the audio stream starts we can adjust? That should work perfectly for me, you can adjust the audio down with the device itself if it is too loud for whatever reason. I will also have to play around with the FR-S vs tC options... That kookie Scion and it's kookie radios.

[Spartan65]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

I suggest messing with ALL the options.
1) Turn OFF the audio console.
- Press down the multiknob for options (I think it was hold down)
- Adjust the settings for TC to FR-S (I think all stereo headers are set to TC)
2) Turn ON the console
- Press the multiknob
- adjust treble, bass, fade, and the centering whatever its called option
^ lol
3) Set Aux device to 90% max audio for better audio quality

These instructions are most helpful, all it comes down to is a lousy PDI from the tech at the dealership, and it's not his fault. They don't have a detailed PDI list, or it's not being utilized to it's potential.

[Ms. FR-S]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

I suggest messing with ALL the options.
1) Turn OFF the audio console.
- Press down the multiknob for options (I think it was hold down)
- Adjust the settings for TC to FR-S (I think all stereo headers are set to TC)
2) Turn ON the console
- Press the multiknob
- adjust treble, bass, fade, and the centering whatever its called option
^ lol
3) Set Aux device to 90% max audio for better audio quality

I just had my stereo installed today, and was really disappointed by how bad it sounded. I went and changed the settings with these recommendations, and now it sounds great! Thanks so much!

[wbradley]

The "natural" eq. setting sounds quieter than the other 2 settings.

[killa.sushi.robot]

Originally Posted by DrifterX

Interesting work around! I've been doing a bunch of research on this because I got my FR-S yesterday (Woot for me!) and I synched up with my Razr MAXX and I can't adjust the volume while playing Pandora. Apparently it has to do with whether the phone actually communicates that it is streaming audio or it just says 'bluetooth connection.' I've been looking for a workaround and the only thing I've found is flashing to a custom rom. Ironically, all the ICS custom roms seem to have trouble with BT so I decided to avoid them for now. I have the phone rooted, but I haven't been able to find anything else. So if it is before the audio stream starts we can adjust? That should work perfectly for me, you can adjust the audio down with the device itself if it is too loud for whatever reason. I will also have to play around with the FR-S vs tC options... That kookie Scion and it's kookie radios.

Right after its connects when switching to BTA, is says Blue Tooth Audio PAUSED.. adjust through the phone after the fact, have a up to date Droid RAZR.

[fr-s528e]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

I suggest messing with ALL the options.
1) Turn OFF the audio console.
- Press down the multiknob for options (I think it was hold down)
- Adjust the settings for TC to FR-S (I think all stereo headers are set to TC)
2) Turn ON the console
- Press the multiknob
- adjust treble, bass, fade, and the centering whatever its called option
^ lol
3) Set Aux device to 90% max audio for better audio quality

Thanks a million for that. Changed the type to FR-S.

Also, I was having the issue where volume couldn't be adjusted for a phone connected over Bluetooth. I have an LG Optimus G and finally figured out the issue.

First, my FR-S wouldn't recognize my phone at all over Bluetooth until I changed the "Device type to be searched" option to be "All devices." After I changed that on my phone, the FR-S connected fine. Cue the inability to change volume on the head unit (super frustrating). Well, I turned off the car, changed my "Device type to be searched" option to now be "Mobile phone" and started the car up. The car/phone now connect fine and everything is working as it should (head unit volume control), including the ability to skip tracks with the directional arrows and the play/pause button.

Your phone will probably have varying wordage for Bluetooth type setting but may benefit from my workaround. Hope this helps some others with this issue!

[Shagaliscious]

Don't forget the ASL & SPL audio settings. Pretty sure they are in with the menu where you adjust the bass & treble.

I immediately set mine to FR-S when I picked it up, but the sound was still flat. When I turned on these 2 settings, the difference was night and day. One of them has a 'low-mid-high' setting, can't remember what the other was.

[fr-s528e]

Originally Posted by Shagaliscious

Don't forget the ASL & SPL audio settings. Pretty sure they are in with the menu where you adjust the bass & treble.

I immediately set mine to FR-S when I picked it up, but the sound was still flat. When I turned on these 2 settings, the difference was night and day. One of them has a 'low-mid-high' setting, can't remember what the other was.

Forgot to mention that! I had updated those settings and you're totally right - quite the difference. For those unfamiliar, read the small section in the head unit manual to know how you should/may want to set them. They have to do with adjustment for noise and the quality of the audio you're streaming.

Also be sure to do as many others suggested and keep your device's volume between 80 and 90%. Really cuts down on distortion.