You sure the sounds are fake?

 

Yes, most of the engine noise under load is from the front speakers, generated by Bose Active Sound Enhancement. This is across 2021+ Mazda vehicles with the 2.5T engine. If you cut power to the audio system the engine just sounds like a slightly quieter NA 2.5.

 

I had no idea it had fake engine sound. In fact, the other day a coworker was commenting how quiet the car is at higher RPMs.

 

there is actually regulations on how QUIET a car can be. Some other companies have also been adding speakers to produce noise to meet the regulation. I saw articles about it because drunk people were crossing roads where cars were coming but they couldn't hear the car.... and I say they must have been drunk or something because they should LOOK. it is what it is though.

 

You are correct it is part of the CMU software. There are no provisions in Mdars and Forscan barely functions with the 7th gen vehicle architecture. I've posited on some of the Facebook groups you could try flashing the CMU with the non turbo software, I haven't tried it so I don't know if you'll have an incompatibility issue however. The pic labeled current CMU is out of date, this was an older screenshot I have on me at this time.

 

Oh nice, thanks for the extra tech detail. Yeah flashing NA firmware could be an option, but I'd be worried about messing up other turbo-only features such as the 360 camera. But also I think the car's configuration is written on the eeprom so it might not even let you flash a different one. I'm guessing without some significant FORScan Mazda developments or a Mazda update (don't think either is gonna happen lol) this might be a dead end.

 

Wow.. f that bs..
CK

 

Hwmktyt niin mgwwm lutwltw😅 ja niin edelleen w on mahtunut niin edelleen niin mnkuyj ui ui uimapuku

 

It is 'enhanced' more than fake...I noticed how much nicer the tone was on a 3 turbo than it was on a 6 turbo. Now Mazda is making the same sound on the other turbo models...I actually love how it sounds.

 

That is crazy is this on cx5 as well. I always thought how bad the hum sounds like but don’t notice it when music is playing

 

I'm surprised by this.. Is it only in the turbo models? The turbo should not add much noise by itself and the engine is unchanged.. just revs faster under boost.
CK

 

Aftermarket exhaust might be the best way to fix it.

 

Huh? Sound comes from speakers per the above?
CK

 

Aftermarket exhaust, you know drowns out artificial sounds, dry humor at best I suppose, sorry I thought that would be implied.

 

Not a dry humor,,,, you won't hear that fake sound when you have a modified exhaust. I have tried a lot of exhaust configuration with the M3TH the fake sounds are just drowned. Even with my current set-up of CS midpipe with OEM axle back

 

This thread has more information about the "engine harmonics enhancer" tech...apparently Bose developed it for Mazda to enhance the premium/sporty sound of the Turbo models.

2020 CX-5, way to disable "Engine Harmonics Enhancer" (Fake Engine Noise)?

Hey guys, I was curious to know, for those with Model Year 2020 (as only this year started to receive this feature, and for the turbo models only) GT-R and Signature's, is there an option to disable the "Engine Harmonics Enhancer" (also known as fake engine noise)? As featured and mentioned in...

mazdas247.com

 

Is it possible this is a regional feature? I'm 99% sure my Canadian model doesn't do it.

Edit: Same with my wife's turbo CX-5.

 

Mine had it. It’s not too annoying. Definitely throaty sounding compared to the non T version

 

At to that if you have the Engine poosh poosh.... you will not hear that fake engine news.

 

I would like the turbo sound though, I’ve owned a turbo Supra and enjoyed the sound. The in-line six was a better sounding engine, tried it with no muffler and was pleasantly surprised with how well the cat and turbo deadened the sound but it didn’t stay that way. Perhaps a different intake perhaps not.

 

Lol, are you serious? I didn't even notice this existed but that is funny, and now that I think about it... I can see why it sounds fake. I agree with the exhaust option though, even a CAI will drown it out I'm sure.

 

So according to Mazda's technical website, it looks like the original turbo models, which use NA04 firmware, have the artificial engine sound. The NA01 firmware does not.

Additionally, it looks like the NA06 firmware does not have the artificial engine sound. This is the firmware both turbo and non-turbo models, which were built after July 1st, 2021, use.

So that's confusing enough.

 

Rev up your speakers! 🤣
Reminds me of that vid I saw of the all electric dodge charger concept 😂🤣

 

is the artificial engine noise found in the base models as well?

 

It's only on Mazdas with 2.5 turbo engines starting model year 2021 I believe.

 

What is the point in Mazda going to the trouble of fitting laminated glass in the windows adding sound deadening then putting fake sounds through the speakers of the engine, or people fitting noisy exhausts which will become tiring and have an effect on your hearing in later life making you deaf to certain frequencies. The quieter the better in the car. Wearing ear buds etc will also damage your ears, especialy when its loud enough for people around you to hear the white noise you are listening to.
In 20-30 years time there are going to be a lot of people wearing hearing aids and have skin cancer from tatoos.

 

It’s nothing new to be honest, I remember the big hubbaloo about the bmw z4’s “engine subwoofer” way back when. A pricy gimmick. I do agree they should have a option to turn the sound off tho. Do the cx-5, or 9 have that on the turbo? I had one of each as a loaner while my oil was being changed and didn’t really hear any artificial engine noise.

 

I can understand an EV being fitted with an external speaker that operates below a certain speed, but an IC engined car that you hear the sounds inside doesn't seem logical.
So why just the turbo, surely that will not be any quieter than the NA. On some peoples cars you hear the sound system blasting out instead of the engine unless he has a big bore exhaust just to make more noise.

With EV's the blind people may have a problem hearing them and possibly their dogs, but a drunk I have no sympathy for. Getting that drunk such that you cannot distinguish what is going on around you is a self inflicted condition/ injury.

 

I dunno, I think my '23 sounds pretty good under revs. Kind of a low, rumbly sound, but it's very quiet when cruising.
I thought it would bother me, but it really doesn't.
On a related note (so to speak), I had a 2011 Mustang GT (first year with the Coyote V8) and the first thing I did was rip out that ridiculous "sound tube" from the engine bay! THAT was a truly stupid idea! smh

 

The quieter the engine the better the drive. Its only those with an ego problem and a small winky that seem to want a noisy car. Do you realise the damage it does to your ears this constant noise, you will just go deaf earlier. Industry tries to limit the noise you are subjected to, to safeguard your hearing,then you fit a loud exhaust system and larger speakers to over come that noise and ruin your hearing.
Why would you need a V8 to drive at 70 mph when you can buy a 3 cylinder 1200cc to drive at the same speed for a fraction of the cost.