AF Button ??
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AF Button ??
On the Mark Levinson Navigation/Audio system, there is a button on the "FM" screen marked "AF". There is no information about this button in the manual. Does anyone know what it does?
Rookie
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From: PA
The AF (Alternative Frequency) function is explained on page 97 of the Navigation System Owner's Manual, and works in conjunction with the RDS (Radio Data System). The way I understand it, if you're listening to an RDS jazz station and go out of range for that station, the RDS will automatically switch to another jazz station that is in range if one is available.
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Thanks Larry. I looked in the manual again, and the function of the "AF" button is nowhere to be found. The manual for the ES 300 must be different than the one you have, as the Audio system description does not start until page 100. I read over the RDS pages several times, and couldn't find it.
But it is nice to know what the button does. Thanks again.
Interesting side note.... I sent an email to Madrigal Audio, the folks that make the Mark Levinson system, and asked them about the "AF" function. They wouldn't answer, and told me to ask Lexus. I thought that was rather odd.
Robin
But it is nice to know what the button does. Thanks again.
Interesting side note.... I sent an email to Madrigal Audio, the folks that make the Mark Levinson system, and asked them about the "AF" function. They wouldn't answer, and told me to ask Lexus. I thought that was rather odd.
Robin
Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Ohio
The interface buttons available are very similar to the 98-00 version, leading me to believe it is a Lexus interface and electrickery (like ASL, AF, etc) driving ML electronics, hence buttons of incredulous nature. I'm sure that Madrigal, used to questions from customers about its products starting in the $5k-$50k range, are probably going to get sick of people with car stereo questions. They should have been better prepared than the answer they gave you.
Speaking of which, do we really need a whole screen of RDS-only presets? If you are lucky enough to live in a city with 40+ radio staions, you probably already know what you like. Where I live, we have 1 easy listening station with RDS. Woo HOOO! It was kind of cool when I went to Detroit, though, I picked my genre.
While we're talking about stange buttons, ASL to me seems to mean Accentuated Sloppy Low-end because I think it over-compensates for possible lost low frequencies just a bit too much. Turn that on, it is slop and boom at increasingly higher levels (as your MPH increases.)
Speaking of which, do we really need a whole screen of RDS-only presets? If you are lucky enough to live in a city with 40+ radio staions, you probably already know what you like. Where I live, we have 1 easy listening station with RDS. Woo HOOO! It was kind of cool when I went to Detroit, though, I picked my genre.
While we're talking about stange buttons, ASL to me seems to mean Accentuated Sloppy Low-end because I think it over-compensates for possible lost low frequencies just a bit too much. Turn that on, it is slop and boom at increasingly higher levels (as your MPH increases.)
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Actually, I kind of like the ASL function. It makes sense to me, as the low end is what you loose as the car increases in speed and you get more road & wind noise.
But speaking of "electrickery" features, I'm surprised someone has not come out with an ANR (Active noise reduction) system for luxury automobiles. Boise has an ANR headset for aircraft use that is somehow able to do an effective job of noise cancellation, yet maintain the fidelity of stereo music input. It would seem a small step from there to an ANR system for the cabin of a luxury automobile.
Robin
But speaking of "electrickery" features, I'm surprised someone has not come out with an ANR (Active noise reduction) system for luxury automobiles. Boise has an ANR headset for aircraft use that is somehow able to do an effective job of noise cancellation, yet maintain the fidelity of stereo music input. It would seem a small step from there to an ANR system for the cabin of a luxury automobile.
Robin
Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Ohio
It really depends on your genre of music. I found it to work alright with jazz, classical and lounge music, but I mostly listen to trance/techno/dance, and already powerful bass becomes muddy midrange doom.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Vancouver Island, BC -ex Illinois &Toronto, ON
ASL Question
When I test the operation of ASL on my LS430 by opening the windows at speed I can detect no change in radio volume. The dealer tells me that the ASL effect is minimal and I may not even notice it. I had expected the sound level to increse to compensate for the increased wind noise.
A couple of other posters tell me they do notice a real difference, one other says his ASL is not noticable as well.
Would really appreciate more responses before I got back again to dealer to complain.
Regards,
Ed
A couple of other posters tell me they do notice a real difference, one other says his ASL is not noticable as well.
Would really appreciate more responses before I got back again to dealer to complain.
Regards,
Ed
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Re: ASL Question
Ed... I'm not sure that opening the window at speed would cause the ASL do what you are looking for. It is not an ANR (active noise reduction) system.
In my ES300, the ASL function changes the volume of the radio relative to the speed of the vehicle. When you are traveling at highway speeds, it is at the loudest level and when the car comes to a complete stop, it goes to the lowest level, with about 2 or 3 increments in between.
The point of the ASL function, as I understand it, is that it is supposed to make the radio "appear" to be at the same volume, regardless of the wind noise (or lack of it) which is related to speed. For example, if you set the volume at a comfortable level while going 60 mph, it will cut the volume as you slow down, so that the radio will not appear to get louder as the wind noise reduces.
So, when you look at it that way, if it is working correctly, you are not supposed to notice it.
-- Robin
In my ES300, the ASL function changes the volume of the radio relative to the speed of the vehicle. When you are traveling at highway speeds, it is at the loudest level and when the car comes to a complete stop, it goes to the lowest level, with about 2 or 3 increments in between.
The point of the ASL function, as I understand it, is that it is supposed to make the radio "appear" to be at the same volume, regardless of the wind noise (or lack of it) which is related to speed. For example, if you set the volume at a comfortable level while going 60 mph, it will cut the volume as you slow down, so that the radio will not appear to get louder as the wind noise reduces.
So, when you look at it that way, if it is working correctly, you are not supposed to notice it.
-- Robin
Originally posted by edarte
When I test the operation of ASL on my LS430 by opening the windows at speed I can detect no change in radio volume. The dealer tells me that the ASL effect is minimal and I may not even notice it. I had expected the sound level to increse to compensate for the increased wind noise.
Regards,
Ed
When I test the operation of ASL on my LS430 by opening the windows at speed I can detect no change in radio volume. The dealer tells me that the ASL effect is minimal and I may not even notice it. I had expected the sound level to increse to compensate for the increased wind noise.
Regards,
Ed
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Brett Foote
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From: Vancouver Island, BC -ex Illinois &Toronto, ON
Robin:
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
According to my owner's manual ASL is supposed to react to changes in noise level in the car. I do not recall any specific reference to changes in the car speed.
When I tested it I set the radio at an audible but low sound level and then opened the windows. I was then unable to hear the radio.
I have heard from one other person that when the do such a test the radio volume increases so they can hear (they notice this at such things as toll booths). Then, when they close the window, the level stays high briefly and then reduces again.
With my car I have to manually increase the radio volume as ambiant noise increases.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
According to my owner's manual ASL is supposed to react to changes in noise level in the car. I do not recall any specific reference to changes in the car speed.
When I tested it I set the radio at an audible but low sound level and then opened the windows. I was then unable to hear the radio.
I have heard from one other person that when the do such a test the radio volume increases so they can hear (they notice this at such things as toll booths). Then, when they close the window, the level stays high briefly and then reduces again.
With my car I have to manually increase the radio volume as ambiant noise increases.
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Well, I have to do some experimenting with the ASL setting, I guess. I admit that I do not remember what the manual says about it, but I assumed it was related to speed, as I do notice the volume going up and down with changes in speed. Perhaps that is because wind noise is proportional to speed.
If you are opening your window, while already up to speed, maybe the ASL has already adjusted at or near it's highest level, and that may be why you do not notice any change. You should be able to visually see the ASL level on a bar graph, when you put your display in "audio" mode - at least I have that feature on mine.
Bottom line is... it seems to work for me. I find myself almost never having to change the radio volume if ASL is turned on. And that, I think, is the point of it. But I never ride with my windows open, so that's not a factor for me.
Robin
If you are opening your window, while already up to speed, maybe the ASL has already adjusted at or near it's highest level, and that may be why you do not notice any change. You should be able to visually see the ASL level on a bar graph, when you put your display in "audio" mode - at least I have that feature on mine.
Bottom line is... it seems to work for me. I find myself almost never having to change the radio volume if ASL is turned on. And that, I think, is the point of it. But I never ride with my windows open, so that's not a factor for me.
Robin
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From: Vancouver Island, BC -ex Illinois &Toronto, ON
Robin:
Again, thanks for the response.
I do not have the nav system - and just the basic radio (but it does have most of the funtions, e.g., ASL). As a result I do not have the benefit of a visual display of sound volume.
I am only putting windows down at speed as a test. But again, if I were to set initial volume at low but audible level, then accelerate or move onto highway with more outside wind noise I must manually increase volume to easily hear.
Regards
Again, thanks for the response.
I do not have the nav system - and just the basic radio (but it does have most of the funtions, e.g., ASL). As a result I do not have the benefit of a visual display of sound volume.
I am only putting windows down at speed as a test. But again, if I were to set initial volume at low but audible level, then accelerate or move onto highway with more outside wind noise I must manually increase volume to easily hear.
Regards
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Originally posted by edarte
Robin:
Again, thanks for the response.
I do not have the nav system - and just the basic radio (but it does have most of the funtions, e.g., ASL). As a result I do not have the benefit of a visual display of sound volume.
Regards
Robin:
Again, thanks for the response.
I do not have the nav system - and just the basic radio (but it does have most of the funtions, e.g., ASL). As a result I do not have the benefit of a visual display of sound volume.
Regards
It did not matter if the car windows were up or down the ASL went to the next level at the above speeds every time. So putting the windows down had absolutly no effect on the system.
That said, the system did work well. I could definitely hear the volume increase and decrease as I applied speed, and then came to a stop. The net result, as I said before, was that after compensation for wind noise, the radio "sounded like" it was at the same volume each setting. So it would be hard to notice the change, unless you were specifically listening for it.
Robin
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From: Vancouver Island, BC -ex Illinois &Toronto, ON
I just reconfirmed the wording in my LS manual. It states " When the audio sound becomes difficult to be heard due to road noise, wind noise, etc. during driving, the system adjusts to the optimum volume and tone quality according to the noise level."
I have been listening very closly trying to detect a difference at different speeds and ambiant noise levels and I cannot hear a change. I am now firmly convinced that my ASL does not work - so back to the dealer.
I have been listening very closly trying to detect a difference at different speeds and ambiant noise levels and I cannot hear a change. I am now firmly convinced that my ASL does not work - so back to the dealer.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 386
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From: NJ
The 02 ES300 manual leaves MUCH to be desired, in several areas, including the sound system.
The real shocker is that the 1-800 Lexus number doesn't have any more info. In fact, even the dealer doesn't fully understand all the functions!
The trip computer is described in very little detail. For example, it says nothing about the assumptions it makes in determing remaining range, like how does it determine what MPG it uses.
The real shocker is that the 1-800 Lexus number doesn't have any more info. In fact, even the dealer doesn't fully understand all the functions!
The trip computer is described in very little detail. For example, it says nothing about the assumptions it makes in determing remaining range, like how does it determine what MPG it uses.
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