EDIT:

Thanks to info from wondras and other contributors, we can now defeat our factory EQ and turn off "loudness"
Here's how:
Link to original post from wondras (post 37)

To disable factory EQ:
With the unit OFF, press one of these combinations of buttons:

1 + 2 + TUNE (right knob) for SEDAN
1 + 3 + TUNE (right knob) for WAGON
1 + 4 + TUNE (right knob) for THROUGH MODE (or a flat output)

Results and proof that this works HERE (post 76)


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.

Again, see THIS post (76) for results.


As an extra piece of info, check out This Post (post 91) to get a better understanding of what frequencies the EQ settings change.


ORIGINAL POST:
Hey, does anyone have any idea if there is a "hidden" menu for the non-nav head unit used on the 2011 and up? I know there is for the nav unit, and the newer 4.3" unit, but I haven't seen anything for the regular unit yet. The hidden menu for those units lets you change many things, including the factory EQ!!

I know there is a tsb (TSB # 15-145-10) that talks about an update which might have the procedure for entering the menu to check the firmware version, but I do not have access to TSB's. If anyone has access to the full TSB would they mind PMing me? I could check it out and see if there is anything that might help.

Anyone have any idea? I love the functionality of these units, but HATE the crappy stock EQ.

There's always the official Subaru tech info site:
techinfo.subaru.com
for the TSB. I know, it costs $35 for 72 hours of access, but I was able to pull in the entire factory service manual for my 2012 Impreza, and I know they have all the TSB's available as well.

Also, I think the first step would be to spend the $10 on this site (www.electronicsrepair.net) to buy the Clarion factory service manual (is it a Clarion?). You'll need the internal number, which for my 4.3" non-nav is PF-3391A-A, and should be on a label which is on the top of the unit. No guarantee that the hidden menu is described in the manual, though.

I know how frustrating it is to know that there is a set of magic keypresses, and not know what they are! Have you tried variations on the key combinations which work on the 4.3" non-nav unit? On mine, it is:

Radio off, ignition key to accessory, or on (radio shows "Audio Off")
Hold down "6" key
Spin the tune knob to the right at least 30 clicks

Maybe try holding other keys down while turning the tune knob? It also might be completely different, of course.

Rymar, I was hoping someone with access could pull the TSB as it talks about updating the firmware. I am assuming there is a need to get into the service menu first to initiate the update, so thats where I was hoping to start! The service manual is the second if the TSB winds up being nothing.

I have tried various button pushes, and combinations. The unit is a Clarion, and I looked online to see what other OEM clarion units use and none of them worked. It seems Volvo uses or atleast used clarion a lot, but no luck.

Again, Anyone have access to the TSBs??

From the tsb, with the radio off, press 5, 6, and TEXT at the same time to get the version. 5, 6, and AUX to put it in update mode. The update is read off a USB flash drive.

Thank you! So hitting 5,6, and text brings up a menu. Hitting the up and down arrows scrolls through the menu. It seems as though hitting 5,6, and either the up or down arrow goes to other sub menus where you can change things. So far I found a way to change backlighting (default is 25, and you can go much darker or brighter), but that seems about it so far. Off to play some more...

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

DarkProphet has the CZ624U1

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.

Note that on the 4.3" unit, there are more menus "behind" the first one; in other words, repeating the same sequence after you are in the version number menu takes you to factory test menu 2 (Loudness ON-OFF), and then repeating it again takes you to factory test menu 3 (Eq ON-OFF). This may be true the premium HU as well.

This is wicked cool! Gonna try it after work.

There is a slight difference between the base 2.0i and the premium 2.0i head unit. Also 4 speakers on base and 6 on premium. So I would guess there are different menus?

the unit I have is the CZ624u1. I still have not found much other then the backlight settings. If I do I will update the thread.

2012 Premium H/U # Cm621ub

Press 5+6+Text = Versions. Bunch of text, no options to change.

Press 5+6+^ (up button) = Display says "KEY" and every button you press, the name of that button is displayed above the word "KEY"

Example:
If i were to press preset 1 on the radio it would look like this

ch 1 preset
KEY


There were no other menus I could find, or any factory options to change

I found something not sure what it is lol

With the car off click the trip button on the instrument cluster this will light up the display now click it again a few more times and it will cycle the 2 trips "A" and "B" then something that says "1 on" now click and hold the info button and while holding it click the trip button one more time and it will change to "1 off". Again I have now clue what it is or what it does but thought I should post it here.

As I recall from the manual, that's either disabling the needle sweep on startup or the upshift light for manual transmissions. Can't remember which.

Just checked your right it disabled the needle sweep thing when you start.

yeah, thats all I found along with:

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

You can also disable the white glow on the gauges when you open the door.

How do you do that?

i wonder if theres a way to enable the white glow on the 08 wrx.....

What white glow?

Anyone have more info about the RADIOS? lol this became about the gauges all of a sudden...

Also, is the service manual worth it? Is this guy trustworthy? it says to pay first, then email him your order?

Only if you want to see the schematics. Most of the SMs don't mention the secret menus. The one for the PF-3292A-A and PF-3297B-A (same file covers both) does not.

I've bought two manuals from that site without any problems.

I mostly want to be able to change the stock sound settings so when I upgrade my speakers and add a sub, I can tune it to my liking

(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.

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

Does this procedure change the sound of the FM radio only or does it affect all inputs? I find that only the FM radio sounds bad. The other inputs sound a lot better (not great but significantly better than the radio).