Strange Observation - Toyota Yaris Forums

Alien Mantis · 03-16-2010, 02:30 AM

My car audio system sounds better at night.

Is this all in my head, or is this a legitimate phenomenon?

_S7V7N_ · 03-16-2010, 02:36 AM

I used to think the same thing, When i don't see how if you're having to use the headlights which draws current and i would think power away from the audio ? Unless it kicks the alternator to put out a few more amps then maybe it'll beef up the audio, i'm sure one of the more knowledgeable guys will come along and set us straight.

talnlnky · 03-16-2010, 05:33 AM

there has been a lot of talk about this.... some people think it has to do with a reduction in electro-magnetism in the air sense the sun has set.

I personally think it has to do with cold temps and humidity. In highschool I was in band, the best I ever heard our band sound was when we were practicing one cool, foggy morning. Our sound was incredibly warm sounding.

sqcomp · 03-16-2010, 07:18 AM

One time...at band camp...

:P

_S7V7N_ · 03-16-2010, 11:27 AM

Loll @ band camp, Taln is going to unleash the wraith of the flute on you Sq.

Palmer812 · 03-16-2010, 11:36 AM

Not very technical but I always assumed that the air was "thinner" allowing the sound to travel better.

talnlnky · 03-16-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmer812

Not very technical but I always assumed that the air was "thinner" allowing the sound to travel better.

actually... air is denser when it is cooler, which allows sound to travel better.

sqcomp · 03-16-2010, 02:03 PM

It makes sense. I always enjoyed my morning listening while going into work.

Not that short term cooling will affect the outcome...but in competition it's smart to have the air conditioning on before critical listening judging. The first, and most obvious reason, is to make the judges as comfortable as possible. The second MAY just be to cool the interior down enough that it MIGHT have an effect on the speakers. Maybe.

eTiMaGo · 03-16-2010, 02:11 PM

maybe it's also quieter outside, hence less background noise?

Altitude · 03-16-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eTiMaGo

maybe it's also quieter outside, hence less background noise?

I would lean more towards something like that and/or that there is less visual stimuli so other senses such as hearing are heightened.

Blue Y job · 03-17-2010, 12:57 AM

I'm with Altitude. During the day, you're thinking about where you're going, and soaking up the terrain going by. At night, the visual is greatly simplified, leaving more room in your brain to process other stimuli.

Alien Mantis · 03-17-2010, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talnlnky

actually... air is denser when it is cooler, which allows sound to travel better.

I'm going with this theory.

The sound seems to be a tiny bit louder, and crisper/tighter at night.

I wonder if "light" in the car affects sound? Since there is no sunlight coming through the car windows at night.

I know I am not imagining it, and there must be a scientific explanation for it.

Mobius1 · 03-17-2010, 05:27 PM

Its all in your head.

centrysis · 03-19-2010, 11:11 AM

mine sounds louder in the morning. i thought it was because my hearing was a little better after hearing nothing all night. after getting off work and being around noise all day, my hearing was worse.

talnlnky · 03-19-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centrysis

mine sounds louder in the morning. i thought it was because my hearing was a little better after hearing nothing all night. after getting off work and being around noise all day, my hearing was worse.

i'm sure being in a noisy work environment is most of it... but actually.. your speakers should be loudest when they are first played... before amplifiers & voice coils warm up to operating temperatures and resistance starts rising.

KCALB SIRAY · 03-19-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eTiMaGo

maybe it's also quieter outside, hence less background noise?

Thomas is right. The temp in your car is most always at a comfortable constant level give or take a few degrees accroding to your area and comfort level. You're not going to drive around with the temp set at 55 degrees. There is generally less traffic noise, and day to day noises at night anyway.

03-16-2010, 02:30 AM	#1
Alien Mantis Secret Agent Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatch Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 350	Strange Observation My car audio system sounds better at night. Is this all in my head, or is this a legitimate phenomenon? __________________ www.sonicelectronix.com for all your mobile audio needs!

03-16-2010, 02:36 AM	#2
_S7V7N_ Drives: Yaris 4 Door Sedan Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: South Texas Posts: 805	I used to think the same thing, When i don't see how if you're having to use the headlights which draws current and i would think power away from the audio ? Unless it kicks the alternator to put out a few more amps then maybe it'll beef up the audio, i'm sure one of the more knowledgeable guys will come along and set us straight. __________________ Audio is under Construction Kenwood KDC-X794 Hifonics Zeus ZXI6.5C 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component Speaker System - AUTOTEK ATX65CX 6.5-Inch Hifonics BXi 1210D - Crunch PowerZone P1400.4 (2)12 inch Kicker CVR's - 0 gauge from battery to Distribution block - 4 Gauge Power/Grounds to amps - Duralast Yellow Top - Big 3

03-16-2010, 05:33 AM	#3
talnlnky Audio Junky Drives: 08 liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Spokane, Wa Posts: 1,412	there has been a lot of talk about this.... some people think it has to do with a reduction in electro-magnetism in the air sense the sun has set. I personally think it has to do with cold temps and humidity. In highschool I was in band, the best I ever heard our band sound was when we were practicing one cool, foggy morning. Our sound was incredibly warm sounding. __________________

03-16-2010, 07:18 AM	#4
sqcomp Roadrunner Jr. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Back at home Posts: 2,609	One time...at band camp... :P __________________ “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” ― Thomas Paine

03-16-2010, 11:27 AM	#5
_S7V7N_ Drives: Yaris 4 Door Sedan Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: South Texas Posts: 805	Loll @ band camp, Taln is going to unleash the wraith of the flute on you Sq. __________________ Audio is under Construction Kenwood KDC-X794 Hifonics Zeus ZXI6.5C 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component Speaker System - AUTOTEK ATX65CX 6.5-Inch Hifonics BXi 1210D - Crunch PowerZone P1400.4 (2)12 inch Kicker CVR's - 0 gauge from battery to Distribution block - 4 Gauge Power/Grounds to amps - Duralast Yellow Top - Big 3

03-16-2010, 11:36 AM	#6
Palmer812 Drives: 2010 Meteorite Metallic LB Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 251	Not very technical but I always assumed that the air was "thinner" allowing the sound to travel better.

03-16-2010, 02:03 PM	#8
sqcomp Roadrunner Jr. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Back at home Posts: 2,609	It makes sense. I always enjoyed my morning listening while going into work. Not that short term cooling will affect the outcome...but in competition it's smart to have the air conditioning on before critical listening judging. The first, and most obvious reason, is to make the judges as comfortable as possible. The second MAY just be to cool the interior down enough that it MIGHT have an effect on the speakers. Maybe. __________________ “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” ― Thomas Paine

03-16-2010, 02:11 PM	#9
eTiMaGo vroom vroom View User's Garage Drives: lil red 5-door Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 7,744	maybe it's also quieter outside, hence less background noise? __________________ The price of freedom of religion, or of speech, or of the press, is that we must put up with a good deal of rubbish. - Robert Jackson Bye bye 1NZ...

03-17-2010, 12:57 AM	#11
Blue Y job View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Blue Yaris Hatch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Placerville Posts: 32	I'm with Altitude. During the day, you're thinking about where you're going, and soaking up the terrain going by. At night, the visual is greatly simplified, leaving more room in your brain to process other stimuli.

03-17-2010, 05:27 PM	#13
Mobius1 Installer Drives: 2008 Yaris HB Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 42	Its all in your head.

03-19-2010, 11:11 AM	#14
centrysis Drives: '08 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ohio Posts: 85	mine sounds louder in the morning. i thought it was because my hearing was a little better after hearing nothing all night. after getting off work and being around noise all day, my hearing was worse.

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