Might be a stupid question, but wondering if ASC on the 2021+ models assists with drone at all (with after market exhausts) or no? I know it’s basically “fake engine noise” but just curious if anyone has tested it yet with a new exhaust and drone.

 

It doesn’t drone because it can’t reproduce low frequencies. The ASC does actually get louder if you put on an louder aftermarket exhaust. Mine did when I out in the F-Sport exhaust.

 

sorry to clarify, if I were to install an exhaust that typically has drone like the remark, if I turn down ASC would that impact how much drone comes through or no?

 

No, you will hear the same level of drone with or without ASC.

 

it’s not “fake” noise, it’s actual intake induction sound and no, it doesn’t have any effect or influence on drone.

 

I only say fake engine noise because that’s what some people have said here.. happy to be wrong though, I’d def sounds good.

 

I'd still categorize ASC as "fake engine noise" because the simulated sound is played through a dedicated speaker in the dash. I believe there is a mic in the engine bay so the sound played through the speaker is of the engine however it's been heavily processed, boosted and sounds quite synthetic. The grey area is if their is an induction sound tube tube going from the intake pipe into the cabin. A few cars like the 2016+ Mustang GT and 2017 Mazda MX-5 have that. THAT is actual sound piped into the cabin with no speakers and I wouldn't consider that fake engine noise.

 

Hmmm, okay.

 

^That video is of a passive induction device which is not part of ASC. ASC is "Active Sound Control" which is tied to the small volume wheel in the panel next to your left knee and a speaker system behind the dash. This system is described exactly as such in the owners manual. My comment still stands.

 

Let's please not start a debate as to the nature of ASC. There is no question that ASC is digitally-produced noise. The intake sound generator in Alex on Autos's video is different. 2021+ IS 350 models have both the ISG and ASC.

Lexus claims that ASC can reduce "unpleasant" tones in the engine sound, though to what degree and whether it has anything to do with drone is unknown to me.

 

Not to detail the thread, but this confuses me a lot. If it's on a dedicated speaker, how would that have any impact on ASC? Have you tried driving without ASC on?

 

I’ve read that there is a mic in the engine bay and perhaps somewhere near the rear of the car and ASC takes that tone and amplifies it along with some other strange EQ stuff to make it sound sporty and synthetic, so when you add an aftermarket exhaust, the intake induction noise does actually change a bit from the engine bay and ASC (when on) will sound different because of it. ASC was audibly louder and had a slightly different tone when I put on my F-Sport exhaust.

I can confirm the fake engine noise coming from the ASC is from a dedicated speaker somewhere in the dash. If you do a search in Ebay for the ASC module you’ll see a speaker in. While installing my full aftermarket sound system, I physically removed the factory amp from the system and the fake engine noise still came through (coming from somewhere in the dash) when turned on. Also, after my sound system was installed , ASC noise did not come through from the aftermarket speakers.

 

you’re welcome 😉

 

My suggestion remains to completely disable ASC by turning the dial all the way down until it clicks. The volume will be lower, but it'll sound way more authentic.

 

Agreed, I leave it off all the time but I do turn it on once in awhile for the novelty of hearing it. The stock induction noise isn’t that bad actually.