2008.5 known Stereo problem (Mazda has a fix)

[hoodlum]

I noticed the following thread that talked about bass cutting out above a certain volume. Mazda in the US has recognized the problem and is replacing HU's when requested.

http://mazdas247.com/forum/showthrea...3699395&page=5

[huyzel]

Interesting... I'll have to listen for this.
Thanks for the info

[JiNuWiNe]

Are they replacing them in Canada too?

[JiNuWiNe]

I've been enjoying the sound system and haven't notice the problem yet. The max I have it at it around 35 and the bass doesn't cut out.

[Dragazn]

35?????

WOW, I usually just listen to the stereo around 8-10 for cds and mp3, 10-14 if its like AM680 cause the volume is really low for that. I don't usually past 15.

35 is crazy, unless you have an aftermarket system, I cant imagine the sound quality would be any good at 35.

[ds2chan]

35?????

WOW, I usually just listen to the stereo around 8-10 for cds and mp3, 10-14 if its like AM680 cause the volume is really low for that. I don't usually past 15.

35 is crazy, unless you have an aftermarket system, I cant imagine the sound quality would be any good at 35.

I think the stereos have changed so the newer models you will have to turn it up to a higher number.. I have a 2005 (with stock stereo) and I don't go above 10 or 11.

[JiNuWiNe]

And also I was playing music through Aux and I guess the volume on the ipod was not maxed out. Anyways, I am just loving the BOSE sound system. I wouldn't swap anything out anytime soon. Maybe just a 12" sub and an amp would boost the performance.

[Notorious MS3]

35?????

WOW, I usually just listen to the stereo around 8-10 for cds and mp3, 10-14 if its like AM680 cause the volume is really low for that. I don't usually past 15.

35 is crazy, unless you have an aftermarket system, I cant imagine the sound quality would be any good at 35.

I think on the older models the volume goes up to 32, on the 2008.5's it goes up to 60.

[x_o_k_x]

35 would blow my ears out lol but yeah i guess the volume wasnt all the way on your ipod

[DRMS]

I just bought a 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 and noticed the the bass cutting in and out right away (even before I read any posts), regardless of whether the ALC was on or off. I contacted my dealership and they had not heard of this issue before (quelle surprise!). I turned to the magical power of the interweb and found this and other sites describing the exact same problem. When I told my service department about this, they weren't at all interested in what I had found. In fact, they were almost combative. I then contacted Mazda Canada on Monday May 12th. They also weren't aware of the audio issue (has anbody on these sites actually been officially reporting this problem to Mazda Canada???), but they wanted me to forward them all the information I had found (including that Mazda US and Bose were aware of the issue). I just got a call from my dealership today (Thursday May 15th) and a new stereo head unit has been ordered. I'll send another message when the unit gets installed (they said it would take about a week for the new unit to come in).

The issue should now be in Mazda Canada's system, so hopefully you won't have any problems gettting your stereo head unit replaced, if you have this audio problem. And just to be clear - this is NOT a subtle issue and you do not need to be listening at ear-bleeding levels or have audiophile tympanum. The entire bottom end of your music just cuts out and sounds thin and tinny...and then when the bass cuts back in the music sounds full and deep.

Good luck!

DRMS

[huyzel]

Welcome to TM3.
Superb first post.
I'm sure this will help many others.
Thanks!

[DRMS]

Thanks for your sage tutelage on how businesses work, Lars! Oh wait - there are these new fangled devices called...I think I've got this right..."computers". Apparently on them you can have "databases". They searched it. Nothing came up. I connected my dealership up with Mazda Canada and provided them with all the information I found. I'm getting a new head unit. Issue resolved in 3 days. Hence my comment "I then contacted Mazda Canada on Monday May 12th. They also weren't aware of the audio issue (has anbody on these sites actually been officially reporting this problem to Mazda Canada???". My apologies. It's morning. I'm grumpy.

DRMS

[hoodlum]

I have found there is usually a large gap between when the US finds a solution to a problem and when Canada even becomes aware of it. This is not limited to Mazda. It unfortunate in this day and age (Computers/Internet again) that this information cannot be better linked. It would benefit everyone.

[DRMS]

Yeah - I'm not talking about the great U.S./Canada divide - and I agree, hoodlum, that this is not just a problem with Mazda. What I am referring to is that I saw lots of posts (on this site and others) describing the exact issue I was having, yet no one said they had actually contacted Mazda Canada or resolved their issue. It will be interesting to see when the next person contacts Mazda Canada, if they will be aware of the issue now...or will they have to go through the same steps I just did. Please - if anyone on here does this, let us know how it goes.

While I wasn't pleased with the way I was treated by my dealership service initially - I am very happy with how I was treated by Mazda Canada, the service manager at my dealership and how quickly the issue was resolved. In this case, I DID feel that technology worked (thanks to the post I found on here and other sites).

DRMS

[Ogata]

So its only noticible when your driving? I haven't cranked it up as I was driving with my parents though I will be soloing tomorrow and find out. Personally the BOSE lacks treble but the bass is pretty decent.

[JiNuWiNe]

Weird, I've cranked it up to the 40s and I have no cut out. =/

[RallyPlaya]

Yeah Mid 20's to 30's is good for me on a regular basis.... keep in mind im on my itouch 95% of the time... i have an 07 Gx when i max out there too much bass for the song to sound any good but its good for when your chilling outside the ride with the windows down

[x_o_k_x]

Yeah Mid 20's to 30's is good for me on a regular basis.... keep in mind im on my itouch 95% of the time... i have an 07 Gx when i max out there too much bass for the song to sound any good but its good for when your chilling outside the ride with the windows down

same here, didnt hve any problems yet although i only drove 300km since i bought this car few weeks ago. I'll see what happens..

[livinlife]

I noticed the following thread that talked about bass cutting out above a certain volume. Mazda in the US has recognized the problem and is replacing HU's when requested.

http://mazdas247.com/forum/showthrea...3699395&page=5

Well going through this thread, apparently one of the dealerships have posted a service bulletin regarding the stereo problem. Here's the link: http:/
/www.finishlineperformance.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12 - Audio Volume Level Unstable

Going into my dearlership in Sherwood Park and see what they say about it.

[zmtomako]

I just cranked my stereo today and I definitely heard the bass cut out...
let me ask my dealer (I wonder who) and see what he says...

[Ogata]

Well going through this thread, apparently one of the dealerships have posted a service bulletin regarding the stereo problem. Here's the link: http:/
/www.finishlineperformance.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12 - Audio Volume Level Unstable

Going into my dearlership in Sherwood Park and see what they say about it.

Let me know what your result is. What level did you crank it to?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I just cranked my stereo today and I definitely heard the bass cut out...
let me ask my dealer (I wonder who) and see what he says...

No Canadian TSB at this point, I am sure it won't be long..

But realistically, it isn't the bass cutting out, it is your hearing.. Really who needs it louder than 30?

[Cardinal Fang]

No Canadian TSB at this point, I am sure it won't be long..

But realistically, it isn't the bass cutting out, it is your hearing.. Really who needs it louder than 30?

*Is reminded of the scene in Spinal Tap. "But this goes to 11."*

[livinlife]

Went into the dealership today and even before I could describe my stereo problem he asked if it was the 34-35 volume problem with the bass cutting out. He said that there was a TSB out already for it and would order another head unit.

The volume at 34 is just above half when the max is 60 so it's not all that loud especially if you have your windows down.

[livinlife]

Let me know what your result is. What level did you crank it to?

Anything past 34 you can notice the bass/volume dip sporadically.