Greetings!

I've tried to find some information on this specific topic, but seem to only uncover discussion threads about the speed volume control as it relates to the H/K radio units. As nearly as I can discern, my '09 JCW Clubman (bought used last September -- no window sticker available, so I don't know the equipment list for certain; incidentally, if there's an easy way to ascertain which audio system is installed, I'd appreciate some information there as well) has the standard radio head. So my question centers around that unit.

Firstly, my observation has been that the speed volume setting (1-6) seems to have little perceptible effect on the degree to which the volume is raised/lowered; "1" seems to do nothing at all, "3" has almost no effect, and "6" has what I would describe as a subtle effect. My hearing is pretty good, so I don't believe this is a matter of me not being able to detect the resulting changes in volume; in fact, I don't use very high volume settings on the radio simply because I can hear it perfectly well at lower volume settings. So, either the system is not working properly; or the system (by design) does not have a dramatic effect even at the highest sensitivity setting ("6") and relatively low volumes at which I tend to operate the radio unit. I will qualify my observations by stating that my experience with these types of audio features has previously been limited to GM vehicles (Bonneville, Corvette, Tahoe), and for good or bad, the GM systems produce a noticeable change when the vehicle is accelerated/decelerated (even at the lowest sensitivity and volume settings).

In an effort to determine whether the system in my Clubman is malfunctioning, I had the speed volume feature evaluated by the MINI service center (but due to my schedule, was not able to be present at the time). Even after I attempted to explain (when making the service appointment) that I'd tried all the sensitivity settings, the technician simply cranked the setting up to "6," claimed it was working fine, then sent my father home with the vehicle.

So we finally come to my question: what is the consensus regarding this audio feature on the non-H/K radio head? Has anyone (or everyone) had a similar observation as mine: namely, that the system operates very subtly?

Thanks!

 

Wleocme to NAM, I see this is your first post. Congrats on you car and just keep coming back when you have questions or stick around and keep us company.

First of all, all the radio systems in the North American Spec cars use the same head unit, just some use different amps and speakers..

To tell the difference of which system you actually have is as follows

Base system - speakers in doors and rear panels, Head unit drives speakers directly.

HiFi sytem - Same head unit as above with addition of tweeters in the A-Pillars - also adds and amp located in the rear side panel of car, upgraded speakers are also used.

HK system - same as HiFi but the tweeters in the A-Pillars are marked HK. upgrades amp from Harmon Becker to Harmon Kardon, also upgrades speakers.

The speed volume is done a percent of volume so if the real volume is low then there will be less perceptible change to the volume. I.E. Speed volume at 1 is very low with only about a 1-2% increase in volume. At 6 there is approximately a 10% increase in volume. So at a setting of six if your volume is at say 10 at 10 MPH then at 60MPH the volume would be bumped to 11 then if at 10MPH volume was wet to 40 and then at sixty the volume would be 44. So at higher volumes you are getting larger increases.

Most dealers will set the speed volume to six turn the radio up very loud and then go for a short drive. as they go up in speed the volume goes up then it is working just fine.

Some people have more sensitive ears than others and notice it more than others. But then there are some of us that have added larger amps and better speakers and thus notice it even more.

Some people have even complained that there is no way to shut off the speed volume as they hate the way it changes the volume.

I on the other hand love the way it works, and mine is set to 6 and it really makes a big difference with the aftermarket amp I have in my car. In fact there are times where i am driving around the city and have teh volume cranked and then get on the highway and find the speed volume causes it to get to loud and distort.

 

Thanks for the welcome and informative reply, schatzy62!

I really enjoy the car! Loads of fun to drive, and plenty of pep! Had been considering a Cooper S Clubman for about a year before stumbling upon this JCW Clubman on (of all places) a Dodge dealer's lot; apparently someone traded it in for a Charger. No accounting for taste, I guess... Got it for a good price, too; they really didn't know what they had...

It's taken me a while to learn some of the "quirky" aspects of how MINIs operate compared to the GM vehicles I'm used to. But that's all just a matter of gaining familiarity -- and part of the fun, too!

Your reply does fill in most of the blanks for me. I'm now convinced that my vehicle does not have either the HiFi or the H/K system; nothing in the A-pillars of mine but the airbags, and don't recall finding an amp squirreled away in the back.

Since the speed volume in the MINI is percentage-based (rather than a straight multiplier gain, as the GM systems seem to be), it makes more sense that I wouldn't perceive a large change in level at the lower volume settings I tend to use. Peace of mind, too, that the system is functioning properly.

Your explanation about how the dealer checks the feature also fits in with a comment that my father made when he picked up the car after the service appointment: that the volume was so loud even he couldn't stand it (and his hearing is pretty poor)...!

I also like the speed volume control concept; in vehicles without it, I find myself continuously adjusting the radio volume, even in a relatively quiet vehicle without the feature. Primarily this is because the volume level that overcomes engine/road noise is too loud for me when the vehicle is at idle/stopped; so it's up on the volume when you get going, then back down again when you reach the next light. I guess it's just that the execution of the concept in the MINI is quite a bit different than I've been accustomed to.

Thanks again!

 

Hi timfitz63,
Even though Schatzy gave you a complete and correct answer, I just wanted to chime in on the subject. I'm familiar with the GM stereos you're referring to, and yes, their version of speed volume control is significantly more noticeable than MINI's. In my first MINI, I (like you) thought it wasn't working, as I was used to the dramatic change in my Grand Am GT's speed volume control. After confirming that it was working normally but in a more subtle manner, I got used to it. Now, I find I prefer the subtlety ... perhaps you will too, in time.
Congrats on the new MINI ... enjoy!

 

Thanks, Mike! Glad to get independent confirmation that my impression of how the MINI speed volume control works compared to the GM version is accurate. Once again, peace of mind that my MINI doesn't have a malfunction!

 

I know this is an old thread about volume but even after reading the explanation I still have a question. Does the % of S Vol work in the opposite direction? I usually crank my music all the way up as I zip out of my work parking lot but I have a problem with it automatically turning down when I hit traffic. I'm going to try setting the S-VOL to 1 tomorrow and see if it keeps it from going down so much.

 

I don't have a direct answer to your question, but will speculate that you may only be perceiving it as a decrease in volume because of steadily increasing ambient (i.e., road) noise. I'm pretty sure these automatic volume control systems will only increase the volume to a certain level that's below the maximum volume of the radio unit (i.e., they do not use the entire volume range of the radio).

It's possible that, when you initially set the volume level on your radio in the parking lot, you have selected a level that's above the maximum level that the automatic adjustment algorithm ("S-VOL") can set. So when you pull out into traffic or start moving along the highway, the actual radio volume is not being increased any further by the "S-VOL" setting, and the increasing ambient noise (from traffic and the road) makes it seem like the "S-VOL" has decreased the radio volume.

Just a stab in the dark...

 

To answer your question i really need a little more information. But i will try to explain a little bit.

Say when you leave work you zip (say 50 mph) and have the volume turned up. Now all of a sudden you hit traffic and you are only doing 10 mph. YES you would notice a decrease in volume as the S Vol is as stated in the above posts is "speed" related. The faster you go the more it adds to the volume but then when you slow down again that addition is removed.

 

Ah, that's a good catch, "schatzy62!" I missed the part about it reducing when he got into traffic (i.e., slowed back down). I think you've answered it. It's probably functioning normally.