Alternatives for matching sound input levels? Sound quality variances?

[PolkSDA]

While I love the number of input sources I can use for audio in the MyLink head unit, I'm finding that the difference in input levels is driving me insane.

The FM audio level is WAY higher than when playing normalized MP3s form the USB port, as in 6-7 volume levels. If I switch sources on the fly I'm either deafened or can't hear what's playing.

I regularly use the following sources:

1. Onboard FM (there are some good stations locally). The SQ from FM is better than all other sources. Audio level is through the roof compared to all other sources.

2. AUX to a portable XM radio. I use an external rather than the in-head XM because I have a grandfathered lifetime subscription on it, meaning I do not pay any monthly fees for XM. The SQ is slightly better than the XM in the head unit, although music in XM sounds craptacular sonically due to the compression.

3. 320kbps LAME-encoded MP3s on USB thumb drive. Regardless of music type and recording quality, the sound quality is decidedly inferior compared to FM. I don't know what processing/limiting the signal goes through from the USB port compared to FM, but it is subpar. The same mp3s sound fine on other devices.

4. Streaming audio from my Samsung Galaxy Note over Bluetooth. Poor sound quality. 'Nuff said.

So how does one go about matching input levels from this many sources? Each input source in the head unit has a different set of tone controls, meaning I could either ramp up or down the bass, mid, and treble controls to simulate a line level source control, but is that really doing the same thing?

 

[SouthFLSonic]

Silly question but I had same issue for a while on my car until I realized that each input has its own EQ adjustment, have you tried adjusting the settings on each to see if that fixes it??

My FM was so quiet I couldn't even hear it almost maxed out but when I switched to iPod it would scream and blow my head off. Try to adjust settings on each if you haven't yet. Hope it helps.

 

[PolkSDA]

As I mentioned in my last paragraph above, I considered that option, however an EQ adjustment is not technically the same as a source level control, my concern being that using the EQ as a source level control might introduce unwanted flitering or distortion, or have other undesirable effects...

 

[SouthFLSonic]

As I mentioned in my last paragraph above, I considered that option, however an EQ adjustment is not technically the same as a source level control, my concern being that using the EQ as a source level control might introduce unwanted flitering or distortion, or have other undesirable effects...

Sorry, didn't see that last paragraph before I responded. I would just set all of your EQ settings to the same as the source that you feel sounds the best for the time being until you can get the other info you need.

In my case when I went to see where the settings where for my FM they were all at -10 or what ever the lowest setting is, even setting them to 0 will be better in my mind. I don't really think of a Sonic as an audiophiles dream from the factory so I wouldn't worry about distortion that much unless you have changed all the speakers and head unit to something better.

 

[sonic007]

As far as I know there is no source level control other than the EQ unless you change the radio. But that still only gives you input level control usually. You will still have to change settings for each source. Also depending on the quality and size of the audio you are listening to.