Query about sound

[Segilla]

Why is it that when I'm in my car listening to the radio at an acceptable level, when the car is stationary with engine turned off, the sound is uncomfortably loud?

[stanleyman]

Sorry I can't hear you, your car is too noisy when driving so you compensate.

[Segilla]

Thanks, but this doesn't explain why the volume needs turning down when stationery because the sound is oppressive.

[xrayspecs]

The engine and road noise requires you to turn up the volume on the radio in order that you can hear it above the said engine and road noise. Obviously when you stop and turn off the engine you no longer have any competing noise - ergo, the radio appears to be too loud. The same effect can be experienced when trying to watch the football wihile your wife is vaccuming the front room!

[ajmmac]

what stanleyman is saying--u sit in the car with radio on--engine off--set vol to acceptable level--u start up--drive off--noise from engine means u can't hear radio properly so u turn up vol--u get to where ur going and turn engine off--radio much too loud--simple really

[ajmmac]

hi xray--i see u posted 2mins b4 me--lol--i must have been typing as u posted

[Toureman]

If you bought a Rolls Royce you would not have this problem

[xrayspecs]

ajmmac - were you staying up to watch quizmania on itv? I'm addicted to it. It's a joy listening to all the drunks phoning up at 2 in the morning (my wife's going to skin me when we get the phone bill)..!!

[ajmmac]

no xray--not quizmania--tho i have seen bits i never phone--it seems a bit of a con--i know for sure on occasions i have had the right answer to something and somebody has called in with that answer and told they were wrong--i'm just a night hawk plus have friends in usa i chat to

[gary baldy]

I think there is a more technical answer to this but i'm not sure of the specifics.
The cars engine and road noise produce low end frequencies that counteract certain frequencies produced in your car stereo. You are actually hearing 'less' sound. The obvious thing to do is to turn the volume up but there is a difference between volume and power. A more sophisticated and powerful sound system in your car will allow you to hear 'more' of the sound at the same volume.
I dont really understand this technically but thats how i understand it - perhaps someone with more understanding can explain it better.
Jet fighter pilots have 'white noise' piped into their helmets which cuts out the sound of the aeroplane so they can hear their radios better.

[ajmmac]

actually u can buy (expensively) a car radio which will monitor ambient noise and adjust the radio power/volume automatically such that it is always at an acceptable level--don't know how this level is determined tho--maybe u can set an initial level which the radio then adjusts according to ambient noise

[DirtyHabit]

So thats why kids that drive cars with 4in. tailpipes have mega amplifiers........now I see. ;-)