DSP tweaks for factory stereo

[sandcrawler]

be aware that the iPhone Music app (nor iPod, for that matter) won't natively play FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) files, but these files can be easily converted to ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) format, which both iPhone and iPod can play.

note that both FLAC and ALAC are truly lossless, meaning no data degradation like MP3 or AAC files, so neither is really "better" than the other. the real difference is in the "container" that the file is stuffed into. i believe ALAC is slightly more power efficient to decode, making it ideal for mobile devices.

also note that the Bongiovi app may support FLAC files natively. i haven't tried it yet.

i do hope that Apple's renewed support for "system extensions" in both OS X and iOS will enable third-party DSP/EQ plug-ins for iPhone, iPod, and iTunes. it is sorely lacking and long, long overdue.

 

[sandcrawler]

be aware that the iPhone Music app (nor iPod, for that matter) won't natively play FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) files, but these files can be easily converted to ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) format, which both iPhone and iPod can play.

note that both FLAC and ALAC are truly lossless, meaning no data degradation like MP3 or AAC files, so neither is really "better" than the other. the real difference is in the "container" that the file is stuffed into. i believe ALAC is slightly more power efficient to decode, making it ideal for mobile devices.

also note that the Bongiovi app may support FLAC files natively. i haven't tried it yet.

i do hope that Apple's renewed support for "system extensions" in both OS X and iOS will enable third-party DSP/EQ plug-ins for iPhone, iPod, and iTunes. it is sorely lacking and long, long overdue.

played around with the Bongiovi app a bit just now. (it won't support FLAC either, for the record, because it just puts a different UI in front of the music files loaded onto your iDevice and those available to stream that you've bought on the iTunes Store; imagine all your iTunes Match songs would be available too, if you subscribe to that service.)

big, BIG improvement in sound output, but the Bongiovi UX is pretty durn crummy, IMHO. gotta double-down on my hopes that support for a Bongiovi plug-in can be made available for the "stock" Music app someday.

 

[dekeman]

I'm using it on my 5S and loving it. Another pleasure when driving the truck.

 

[Rick U]

big, BIG improvement in sound output, but the Bongiovi UX is pretty durn crummy, IMHO. gotta double-down on my hopes that support for a Bongiovi plug-in can be made available for the "stock" Music app someday.

Sandcrawler which profile did you end up using in your Trail Edition? How much potential does the factory system have?

I've tinkered a bit with some DSP software on my home stereo. I'm no expert but from what I've seen, the more problems the system has (which includes the room), the more digital signal processing (room correction) can help.

Bongiovi's website does show a relationship with Toyota Canada. Maybe those profiles can be made available to the app.

 

[Rick U]

I'm not sure Toyota Canada is still doing this, but they did have a deal with Bongiovi a few years ago. I spent four hours driving in the 4R today, must have had the volume over 35 the whole time. Love this thing. Thanks again!

"Adding the Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station to your Toyota is like putting an expert audio technician inside your dashboard," declared Warren Orton, Director at Toyota Canada Inc. Orton added that each vehicle presents a unique acoustic environment."

Uploaded on Jun 14, 2011
The Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station, the world's first 100% digital audio processing system certified for automotive use, is offered as a genuine Toyota accessory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK9tA9ovOhI
.

 

[Okki]

Anyone a equalizer app suggestion for us Android folks? (Galaxy S3 here). The Bongiovi recommended "jetAudio Music Player Plus" is a music player.. and I rarely play local files, use either Pandora or Google Music. The EQ built into Google music is pretty terrible.

Okki

 

[sandcrawler]

Sandcrawler which profile did you end up using in your Trail Edition? How much potential does the factory system have?

I've tinkered a bit with some DSP software on my home stereo. I'm no expert but from what I've seen, the more problems the system has (which includes the room), the more digital signal processing (room correction) can help.

Bongiovi's website does show a relationship with Toyota Canada. Maybe those profiles can be made available to the app.

so far i've only tinkered with the BA UltimateEars profile referenced in this thread. i also downloaded a Shure profile to try with my IEMs, but haven't had a chance to give that a go yet. also note i have replaced all my speakers except for the sub and rear doors.

i need to play with this more, but did a quick test in the truck last night and wondering if others will experience the same results...

1) cue up the same exact song file in both the iOS Music app and the Bongiovi app
2) verify that Volume is set exactly the same in both the iOS Music app and the Bongiovi app.
3) play the song with the Bongiovi app. toggle the sound processing on and off by tapping the Bongiovi logo in the center of the app's UI; blue is ON, white is OFF. the improvement with processing ON is unmistakable.
4) now, cue the song up from the beginning again in the Bongiovi app, turn sound processing OFF, and play a portion of it again. listen.
5) switch over to the built-in iOS Music app and play the same song. i noticed immediately that it sounds way better played (without processing) in the iOS Music app than it does in the Bongiovi app (without processing). very curious.

i need a little more time in the seat doing a back and forth between Bongiovi DSP ON and iOS Music app to better discern the differences between the two. i must admit i'm super put off by Bongiovi's janky UX: random, non-standard organization and disappearing UI elements (Volume slider, album artwork, etc.).

it's no surprise, and why i feel this functionality should reside at the OS/API level as part of a plug-in/extension architecture. this allows companies like Bongiovi to contribute what they do best—sound processing—while the OS engineers ensure it toes the line with their existing Human Interface Guidelines.

good idea re: the Bongiovi/Toyota profiles!

 

[Rick U]

SandC I did get the same results. The notion that the blue button creates a fair a/b comparison is questionable. However, I do think the app does make for less fatiguing and more enjoyable listening overall. I've used Dirac for processing digital files on my home stereo and it does the same thing. If some music sounds better without the processing, and some does, it's best to close the app completely. Today I was playing music through Bongiovi and adjusted the fade 2 clicks toward the rear speakers. I think it's an improvement.

 

[dekeman]

Adjusting the fade two clicks to rear helps a lot, brings a much better balance despite the crosshairs being in the back seat.
[MENTION=29376]sandcrawler[/MENTION], I hear you on the Bongiovi UX. As much as I like the sound quality, it miffs me that I can't browse by artist/song etc on the truck's JBL when the app is on. Makes me use my phone for that.

 

[mugenrios2k]

im confused
from this thread there
Appears to be an app that is for phone output via blue tooth and or hard Aux line.....

but if i go to the website it appears to be hardware that is/could be added "inline" integrated with the JBL system.


????

Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station.

 

[Rick U]

im confused
from this thread there
Appears to be an app that is for phone output via blue tooth and or hard Aux line.....

but if i go to the website it appears to be hardware that is/could be added "inline" integrated with the JBL system.


????

Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station.

The app. For the iPhone it's on the app store. Not sure about Android phones.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

im confused
from this thread there
Appears to be an app that is for phone output via blue tooth and or hard Aux line.....

but if i go to the website it appears to be hardware that is/could be added "inline" integrated with the JBL system.


????

Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station.

There are several versions of DPS. Apps for PC, MAC, IOS and then a hardware solution for car audio. I know the IOS app works quite well. I'm a little skeptical of the hardware version and was hoping someone would try it. How much does it cost?

 

[dhylander]

im confused
from this thread there
Appears to be an app that is for phone output via blue tooth and or hard Aux line.....

but if i go to the website it appears to be hardware that is/could be added "inline" integrated with the JBL system.


????

Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station.

Toyota Canada offers the Bongiovi hardware that connects to the vehicle head unit. TOYOTA CANADA: Language This unfortunately does not appear to be available from Toyota USA.

 

[GRIMACE]

Toyota Canada offers the Bongiovi hardware that connects to the vehicle head unit. TOYOTA CANADA: Language This unfortunately does not appear to be available from Toyota USA.

Unfortunately, the add on Bongiovi Unit doesn't work in the 14+ runners. So i'm told by the dealer. I'm looking fwd to downloading the APP and trying this out. Its cheap and I don't have to take the dash apart.

 

[Cincyvol]

So I downloaded the Bongiovi app and bought the BA Ultimate Ears HiFi3 profile. Can someone give me the audiophile for dummies version of what to do next? Here are my dumb questions:

I click on the app and play the music on my phone via Bluetooth. Haven't had time yet to compare against straight Apple Music player on my iPhone 6, but is this all I have to do for it to work? (I did change all the settings to use the BA UE profile but the DPS Audio Settings (HEAR and EQ) are both Off.)

If I have a separate streaming app for a radio station I like, will the DSP work with this or does it only work for things you play through the Bongiovani app?

Sadly, most of my car time is spent listening to the Kids Bop channel (7 year-old daughter), but if I ever get a turn I'd love it if the sound could be improved. Thanks!

 

[GRIMACE]

Thats all I have done so far too. Hear and EQ have been turned off too. I can see the gifs of musics artists. I'm not sure how the streaming apps work I don't have ability too. We don't have Pandora up here in Canada. The app can't play any DRM music purchased from Itunes. I'll have to update my music library on my computer to make for this.

In regards to sound, its definitely better. The mids and highs are more pronounced and detailed. However its left me wanting to get a sub again. Its cheaper than buying new speakers for the dash or the DSP unit itself. I don't have the JBL system in my trail.

I used to have systems in all my trucks. But with Kids that's just not feasible. We too only listen to kids stuff. (moving up to Taylor Swift) This app is a good find, as makes the stock stereo quite comparable to my old systems without the pounding bass.