Hidden menu for 2011+ "premium" head unit?

[DarkProphet]

Originally Posted by wapam

Do you have a picture of your H/U that this works on?

I think this is the unit with the 4.3" screen

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[rickrobin]

Wapam, see the bottom-most pic in SVXDC's reply, #13, to this post: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2298834
(Lateralis's post "2012 STi Stereo Build with OEM NAV H/U).

Scoob - The settings effect the preamp section of the HU, regardless of input source.

[wapam]

Thanks rick, I thought it was that one but hoping it was the one above!!

[riccnick]

Originally Posted by rickrobin

(PF-3391A-A/CM631UD). Thanks very much, Rymar!

Key in ACC position, radio off: Hold preset button #6 while spinning the right adjust knob 4 or 5 notches; release button, then repeat. Now you're in the adjustable presets pages. Spinning the knob or hitting the "back" button will bring up loudness, EQ, and screen brightness settings, which can be toggled with the knob.

Here's the basic setting I arrived at that makes this thing almost sound good: Loudness and EQ both OFF. Back in the regular tone control: Bass -2, Treble +5.

The main problems with this system are that the bass is boomy, and the midrange is attenuated at some very peculiar frequencies. And the frequency where the mid tone control is set makes it useless altogether - leave it flat. As for SRS Labs, no (printable) comment. (I was a sound pro and studio musician in NYC for many years, so I might be, y'know, just tad picky!)

This setting will give the most natural balance generally, and make the mids sound as close to natural as the unit will allow, especially when you turn up the volume. Now you can adjust the bass and treble slightly as needed per tune, i.e. use the tone controls normally - assuming you've defeated the &^%$# motion lockout (see my How-to post).

It's just unbelievable what you have to go through to use your own freaking car radio, I have to say.

Just for the record, this does not work on the cm621ub, which is the premium H/U with stock tweeters. Tried a bunch of different button combinations, but to no avail. Anyone know if the lower model H/U's have this baseline EQ adjustability? I'm thinking I may have to upgrade to NAV now that I know all the ins and outs of that system from this forum, lol.

[wapam]

Originally Posted by SVXdc

Which HU model do you have (number printed on the front, and rear if you've looked)? I'd like to start tracking which models this works on.

That TSB mentions these 2011 HU models:

Impreza -- CZ624U1 -- 86201FG620 -- PF-3292A-A
Forester -- CP625U1 -- 86201SC620 -- PF-3297B-A

Rymar's HU with the 4.3" screen is CM631UD -- 86201FJ630 -- PF-3391A-A

riccnick's HU is CM621UB -- 86201FJ620 -- PF-3386A-A

Numbers are: Front ("discrimination code"), Subaru P/N, Clarion model #

In some cases, you can look up the FCC ID here and see interior photos and other interesting info. But some only show the Bluetooth sub-assembly and not the HU.

I'm confused, is this a list of the H/Us that allow you to turn off the factory EQ?

[Scoob_Noob]

Originally Posted by DarkProphet

yeah, thats all I found along with:

press 5+6+Down Arrow and you can change the backlighting

2012 Base HU CZ624U1
I get the same results. I can't find any other submenu besides the backlighting and key one. I can't figure out how to turn off Loudness and EQ. Is that possible on the base head unit?

[FugitiveChris]

Originally Posted by Scoob_Noob

2012 Base HU CZ624U1
I get the same results. I can't find any other submenu besides the backlighting and key one. I can't figure out how to turn off Loudness and EQ. Is that possible on the base head unit?

If you don't have the 4.3" screen radio then I think your beat as of right now. To my knowledge the eq/loudness menu were only discovered for that model.

[masterforce]

looks like mine should work. gonna try this today. good info tho!

[scrmnws6]

What are the hidden menu's in the navigation model?

[curbach]

Originally Posted by rickrobin

(PF-3391A-A/CM631UD). Thanks very much, Rymar!

Key in ACC position, radio off: Hold preset button #6 while spinning the right adjust knob 4 or 5 notches; release button, then repeat. Now you're in the adjustable presets pages. Spinning the knob or hitting the "back" button will bring up loudness, EQ, and screen brightness settings, which can be toggled with the knob.

Here's the basic setting I arrived at that makes this thing almost sound good: Loudness and EQ both OFF. Back in the regular tone control: Bass -2, Treble +5.

The main problems with this system are that the bass is boomy, and the midrange is attenuated at some very peculiar frequencies. And the frequency where the mid tone control is set makes it useless altogether - leave it flat. As for SRS Labs, no (printable) comment. (I was a sound pro and studio musician in NYC for many years, so I might be, y'know, just tad picky!)

This setting will give the most natural balance generally, and make the mids sound as close to natural as the unit will allow, especially when you turn up the volume. Now you can adjust the bass and treble slightly as needed per tune, i.e. use the tone controls normally - assuming you've defeated the &^%$# motion lockout (see my How-to post).

It's just unbelievable what you have to go through to use your own freaking car radio, I have to say.

This was very helpful. Thanks, rickrobin. With the Loudness and EQ off I still can't say the stereo actually sounds good, but it is at least not offensively ear-gratingly bad now. I'm using different tone control settings than rickrobin, but that's kind of like salting to taste (and I think he's right about the midrange tone control ) Sidenote: my car came equipped with the "upgraded" Kicker speaker set with tweeters, no subwoofer.

To be clear for those attempting this, each push of the "6" button combined with turning the right dial (note: I had to turn the dial more than I expected based on rickrobin's description, so just keep turning until something happens) puts you into a different service menu. First menu shows various settings and specs, nothing to adjust. Second menu shows Loudness on/off and if you push the right dial you will cycle through several other screens that mostly seem to be related to the screen display, and none of which seem to be adjustable. The third and final service menu contains the EQ on/off.

[killeraxemannic]

I have the CZ624U1 in my 2012 WRX and I would agree it sounds awful. I got the Kicker trunk sub with the crossover for the speakers and I don't think it helped at all.

I was hoping this would work for my unit but it did not. As someone else stated the only menu I found on it is the one pressing 5+6 and text to get firmware versions and pressing 5+6 and the up key to get the menu that says "key" on the screen but does not seem to have any additional functions.

[wondras]

Originally Posted by riccnick

Just for the record, this does not work on the cm621ub, which is the premium H/U with stock tweeters. Tried a bunch of different button combinations, but to no avail. Anyone know if the lower model H/U's have this baseline EQ adjustability? I'm thinking I may have to upgrade to NAV now that I know all the ins and outs of that system from this forum, lol.

YES, WE CAN!

I just picked up a 2013 Crosstrek with the CM621UB HU. (Do I get partial credit for having most of an Impreza?) By piecing together info from various posts here, the service manual, and documents filed with the FCC, I figured out that it *is* possible to disable both the loudness and fixed EQ.

To turn loudness on or off:

With the unit ON, press and hold 1, 6, and TUNE (right knob.) The display shows LOUD OFF or LOUD ON.



To disable fixed EQ:

With the unit OFF, press one of these combinations of buttons:

1 + 2 + TUNE for SEDAN
1 + 3 + TUNE for WAGON
1 + 4 + TUNE for THROUGH MODE



With these "features" disabled, it sounds significantly less awful, especially at lower volume levels. This should make it a much better candidate for use with upgraded speakers, or a line out converter and amps. From the schematics, I think it would be fairly easy to add proper RCA line outputs as well.

I don't know if these keys will work on earlier models, but hopefully they do.

Fantastic forum you've got here!

[jandree22]

This works on the CZ624U1!!! Thank you!

[JohnNevets]

This got me curious, so I thought I'd put my 80's arcade fighting game skills to work and mash some buttons too. Here is what I found on my CM621UB.

I can confirm what has been said before by Wondras, and add a few more. Most do nothing, but I thought it would be worth documenting.

2+4+cd= mic test (mic plays out speakers, I'm guessing this is a diagnostic tool to verify it is working)
3+6+cd= time chk (I'm clueless, and I could not get it to change anything)
3+6+text+text=USA (Guess what country I bought this car in.)
4+6+cd+cd=59m Jump (Once again, I have no clue, maybe something to do with the CD player?)
I was also able to get into what I assume is the EQ through a different combination.
3+4+Tune=Sedan, 3+5+Tune=Wagon, 3+6+Tune=Through Mode (Through this combination I only seemed to get to Through Mode after I had "Sedan" on the screen, but I'd like someone else to confirm that)

Well, that's it for me, hope others can take the lateral and run a bit further with it, or at least give some insight into some of what I found.

The one thing I thought of as I was writing this, is that I didn't mash the steering wheel buttons when testing this out, there may be more hidden under those.

Have Fun,

John

[flyboy1100]

Did you find a way to change the default hands free volume? With the amp I added, level 6 is way too loud.

I have a hu from a forester now, but I'm going to try this tonight! through mode =eq off?

[lymphomaniac]

wondras and JohnNevets, you guys are awesome!

[dsn112]

Originally Posted by flyboy1100

Did you find a way to change the default hands free volume? With the amp I added, level 6 is way too loud.

I have a hu from a forester now, but I'm going to try this tonight! through mode =eq off?

I have this issue too, super annoying

[flyboy1100]

Definitely like the eq off, undecided on loudness.

[Ultimateone]

of course this happens after I bought a new head unit, lol damn it

[redline23]

This is much better. Thank you so much. I would buy you guys a beer if I could

[flyboy1100]

I am leaving loudness on.

I am running the forester hu (looks identical, but has satellite), kicker tweets, stock speakers, alpine ktp445u, eq off, loudness on, bass +5, mid +2, treb + 6 and I am pretty happy with the results.

Might not even put in New speakers now. Mids are not nearly as muffled, and bass isn't as boomy.

[TravisM]

Originally Posted by flyboy1100

Did you find a way to change the default hands free volume? With the amp I added, level 6 is way too loud.

I have a hu from a forester now, but I'm going to try this tonight! through mode =eq off?

Track up or down on steering wheel controls while in a call.

[Angelus911]

thanks for this, can't wait to try this on my Sport Premium today!

[claythrow]

RickRobin, what EQ frequencies does it give you and where do you live. Ideally you would use a combination of eq and afterwards B/M/T to get the right sound. I have an RTA and live in MA and would he happy to get together and adjust it for you but I have no idea where you live. Probably HI lol

[flyboy1100]

Originally Posted by TravisM

Track up or down on steering wheel controls while in a call.

I have an amp, level 6 which is default when it rings distorts the crap out of my speakers.

Level 2 is perfect