A Deafening Experience~

Work was overly boring today due to the public holiday.. So, after work decided to do some test on the sound system fitted into the Gen2 (and also due to the fact that a colleague of mine showed off his 'upgraded' sound system on his ride). The factory fitted Blaupunkt built in CD player with radio connected to 4 Blaupunkt surround speakers (2 at the rear of the car while 1 each at the front doors, no tweeters here). The entire set-up is said to be acoustically tuned for the GEN-2 interior space offering a tailored In-Car Communication & Entertainment (ICE) system. It plays songs from the usual CD and also mp3s from CD-R and CD-RW. If that is not enough, a 6 CD changer add on is also available so is an AUX in cable.



But my car is having just the stock set up (can't afford any add ons yet), and so far it has pleased my need for music. A minor complaint here is that because the player it is connected to a small 'bee sting' antennae, the reception isn't that good especially when there are hills and/or buildings nearby. But when it is capable to receive the radio reception fully, the sounds just what I need. It has a function called Radio Data System or RDS. Basically what it does is it enables the radio stations to transmit information to the display on the player, like radio station name, song title and programme information.



It also have the usual functions but sadly it lacks front AUX input, USB connectivity, and also bluetooth handsfree. Well, atleast it plays mp3s on CD-RWs. It's not easy to 'upgrade' it either since it is built into the dashboard but as a plus point, it's also just as hard to steal. So, there's some basic intro to the factory fitted head unit from Proton. Nothing much to shout about and just enough to satisfy most people's music needs.

On to today.. At first, I just turned up the volume on normal radio. But since the reception in the area isn't so good, there's just too much static making it terrible. Settings were trebble +3, bass +5, volume 20. Fealt that that didn't do the car justice, I slide in a CD-RW containing my mp3s. Takes a while to load the contents, since there's like 100 songs in it. :P Once loaded, selected the mix (shuffle) function to browse around.

First song was Daughtry - No Surprise, then Taylor Swift - Love Story, and finally Linkin Park - New Divide. Songs were very clear. Bass wasn't enough, the dub dub feeling was there but not enough, maybe a high bass setting was required. Mirrors were 'dancing' to the beat. And there was nothing else that you can hear! I can't even hear myself sing! :D Can't hear engine rev, can't hear signal lights, can't hear stone hitting windscreen (st*p*d lorry!), can't hear any road noise, can't even hear myself honking! Just every lyric after lyric, beat after beat of pure music pleasure! It was that loud, I'm not joking! Not sure what it's like outside though, was driving so never bothered to get down from car.

Best thing is that there was no plastic bit shaking sound. Not bad fit quality for a Proton. Don't know whether I did any damage to the car, hopefully not but definitely done some damage to my ear drums. And just FYI, the volume can go up to 40! Who in their sane mind will turn up the volume to that level remains my guess. I dare not try, but anyone out there that does, do let me know how it goes..ok? :D