Who knew the active engine sounds comes from the subwoofers?

[K8AR]

Apparently there's a microphone in the engine compartment that relays sound to the subwoofers.

 

[DesignDawg]

That's neat.
I had wondered if it was a microphone thing. People often talk about how artificial it sounds, but I've never really thought so. There's no lag, it doesn't sound synthesized, it seems perfectly in sync with cylinders firing, etc. So that makes sense. And how people describe it just "adding a little rumble" makes sense that it's the subs.
But curious: do all the trim levels have subs under the seats?

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[phildeez]

I didn't know that, thought it was coming from the rear speakers.

 

[Danny_O]

But curious: do all the trim levels have subs under the seats?

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Not all trims. Premium, GT1 and GT2 I believe.

 

[DesignDawg]

That's what I was thinking.
So, the question is then, do the trims without the sub have active engine sound? Is it fed to some different speakers?

Doesn't matter, really...just curious.

 

[kamauxx]

Apparently there's a microphone in the engine compartment that relays sound to the subwoofers.

What was the source of that info?

 

[Kazz]

I'm a bit dubious that a microphone is being used. I'd think it was electronically generated and managed.

However, if it IS a microphone, the thing can be silenced for those who don't like it.

 

[GTexas]

I was at the Stinger Experience last weekend and the product specialist said something similar to that too. The sound comes from the engine and not artificially generated, whether he's right or wrong I don't know.

 

[umaustin]

From everything which I've read, the sound is enhanced via the sound system for those riding inside the Stinger. It can be modified via the system setup to low, medium or high.

 

[kamauxx]

From everything which I've read, the sound is enhanced via the sound system for those riding inside the Stinger. It can be modified via the system setup to low, medium or high.

Well that's correct and verifiable.

But I've never read anything about there being a mic in the engine bay. Hell, I tore my engine bay apart this weekend and didn't see anything looking like a microphone.

It's more likely an audio file Kia created that increases volume with RPMs.

 

[kamauxx]

This article talks a little bit about the engine sounds in the cabin.

https://www.motormag.com.au/reviews/1706/2017-kia-stinger-gt-review

There's an ?interesting' V6 growl, in the interior at least, although it's an artificial note coming through the speakers and stereo system (rather than a mechanical symposer plumbed from the engine bay).

 

[MurlinatoR]

Not all trims. Premium, GT1 and GT2 I believe.

Fact: The base Stinger is the ONLY model without the under seat woofers. Stinger Premium and above all have them!

Apparently there's a microphone in the engine compartment that relays sound to the subwoofers.

[MENTION=864]K8AR[/MENTION], I personally find this to be questionable. From what I understand, it's synchronized with the RPM of the engine and replayed through the sound system. As an example, the 2.0L Premium produces the same Enhanced Engine Sound as the GT line with the 3.3L. Not only do these two engines sound completely different but a microphone would also pick up many other sounds from the drive train as well. Examples would be wind at high speeds or the POP from misfires (like with the chips) as well.

I had the understanding that Kia took the TT motor to a sound lab and throttled it on a bench with microphones up close to capture the sound while mapping the RPM's. I do not know this as fact but something that I read in my studies early on.

 

[K8AR]

I was intrigued how the AES works so I asked my salesman who then asked one of the techs. Maybe he meant they used a microphone to pre-record the sound. Just relaying what I've heard.

 

[sbrownnw]

Is this why I am hearing a weird vibration noise just under and through 2,000 RPMs on acceleration, deceleration, or just steady on RPMs? Vibration noise seems to be coming from either the door or under my seat and is 100% reproducible, especially with the radio off.

 

[kamauxx]

I was intrigued how the AES works so I asked my salesman who then asked one of the techs. Maybe he meant they used a microphone to pre-record the sound. Just relaying what I've heard.

I really wouldn't trust anything a salesman or service tech says about the car--at least not yet. It's too new. Most techs haven't even touched one and a sizeable percentage of salesmen are idiots.

 

[lirongitig]

Is there any way to shut this sound off completely?

 

[Chi-Guy]

Is there any way to shut this sound off completely?

Sadly no, only minimize.