Does the S6 have a Soundaktor?

[KT88]

I read a post that said it "definitely" does. It does not sound like it to me though I've only driven one car with it (SQ5) and it was much more of an off/on-switched sort of way that it cut in on acceleration. Plus I do not see a fuse listed that looks like one. Anybody know ... or care?

[tarunck]

Its mentioned as "Engine Acoustics" if I remember correct. Check the fuse box C bay and fuse 5. It'll be listed in the owners manual DIY section. I removed the fuse and been using the car for about a week. I couldn't find any considerable change in the exhaust note. In dynamic it feels a bit more prominent but again I think its just my feeling. The difference is more pronounced in my B8.5 S4. You here more engine sound along with the exhaust. I prefer to have the fuse on for the S4 as the burps and farts are more louder with that..

[RettlerT]

Yes it does. This is from the engine manual:
Sound Actuator System
The sound actuator system consists of the Structure
Borne Sound Control Module J869 and Structure
Borne Sound Actuator R214. Various sound fi les are
stored on J869 that are played as a function of vehicle
and operating data (load, engine speed, vehicle
speed) and forwarded to the actuator.
The actuator generates the structure-borne sound.
The sound is then introduced via the body and the
windshield to the vehicle interior. The actuator is
installed using a special bracket on the left at the base
of the windshield. The bracket is the “tuning fork” of
the system.
Different vehicles and engines require different
excitation for a balanced engine sound. Information
about the engine installed and the body are
communicated on the CAN bus and are evaluated.
J869 recognizes independently in which vehicle it
is installed. The driver can select different sound
settings through the MMI.

[Xtek]

There are definitely exhaust valves that open when you put it in dynamic or put the "engine sound" setting in dynamic.

Citation: I had an AWE exhaust installed and the exhaust came with fake plugs for the wires by the mufflers for the exhaust valves. Since the AWE exhaust came with fake ones I have a soft code perma thrown that I can see via VAG-COM.

[KT88]

Thanks! I'll look for the fuse again. I'm just interested in what the car sounds like with and without if possible.

[gk1]

If it has one it is no where near as pronounced as in the SQ5. I also read what RettlerT posted from the self study guide, but if it is there it is very subdued...

[KT88]

Hrmm, I have to say I'm not convinced yet. Nothing in the fuse listing in my manual even remotely like "Engine Acoustics" or “Sound actuator/exhaust sound tuning” as I've read in another post on the S4. The fuse at C5 is "left rear door control module."

[KT88]

Ack, wait ... fuse 4. I did not read the whole line as it start with AdBlue control module, but at the end actually says Engine Acoustics ... I'll be ...

[TunTap]

You can adjust the soundaktor volume / turn it off with VCDS.

[KT88]

Thanks! Should have known. Any hint where to look?

You can adjust the soundaktor volume / turn it off with VCDS.

[dennisg]

There are definitely exhaust valves that open when you put it in dynamic or put the "engine sound" setting in dynamic.

Citation: I had an AWE exhaust installed and the exhaust came with fake plugs for the wires by the mufflers for the exhaust valves. Since the AWE exhaust came with fake ones I have a soft code perma thrown that I can see via VAG-COM.

Miltek sells plugs with a resistor in them that eliminate the code. You have to clear it of course once you put the new plugs in. They are a little over 100 bucks as I recall.

[maxhawk]

This is from the 4.0TT study guide. Also the parts show up in the S6 ETKA.

[TunTap]

Thanks! Should have known. Any hint where to look?

It's called something like "structure borne sound". I forget what the module number is. Once you get in - go to adaptation, and there is only one option there which is the volume.

[KT88]

Ok, thanks again. I'll take a look around. Probably find I prefer the sound with it on ... sheesh.

It's called something like "structure borne sound". I forget what the module number is. Once you get in - go to adaptation, and there is only one option there which is the volume.

[TunTap]

Ok, thanks again. I'll take a look around. Probably find I prefer the sound with it on ... sheesh.

I disabled mine right away on all 3 cars that I've had with it. The idea of fake engine sound is just pure depressing to me

[KT88]

Agreed, it IS depressing. I left all that beastly-sound and naturally-aspirated goodness behind. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it.

So, volume now set to 0% and I'll wait until tomorrow to see how it sounds ... or not.

For those so inclined:

VCDS Beta 14.7.2 > Installed 2 tab > A9 Structurally Borne Sound > > Adaptation > Default volume = 100% > set new value for % to desired value

I disabled mine right away on all 3 cars that I've had with it. The idea of fake engine sound is just pure depressing to me

[rottley]

Do you need to use VCDS to disable it or can you just pull a fuse like I did on my S4?

[KT88]

I don't know. I'd use VCDS over pulling a fuse, but realize not everyone has that option. I just avoid pulling panels off the side of my dash if at all possible due to risk of creating buzzes/rattles.

Do you need to use VCDS to disable it or can you just pull a fuse like I did on my S4?

[KT88]

Much better without the fake burble, even though I'd much prefer some real burble to silence ... just my opinion. YMMV.

[bardo]

Agreed, it IS depressing. I left all that beastly-sound and naturally-aspirated goodness behind. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it.

So, volume now set to 0% and I'll wait until tomorrow to see how it sounds ... or not.

For those so inclined:

VCDS Beta 14.7.2 > Installed 2 tab > A9 Structurally Borne Sound > > Adaptation > Default volume = 100% > set new value for % to desired value

I tried this, it's in there... but when i set to 0 - and said go... it said something about the values not being populated in vcd --and asked if i wanted to try to have vcd populate them (which fails) or hit no, for it to use 123 / 12345 or something. I was a bit afraid to set it to the 123/12345--can anyone confirm what they did if they had the same feedback?

[bardo]

bueler... bueler... :)

[bardo]

nvm, apparently its ok to have it fill with arbitrary values... (for those that find that issue in the future)

[KarimS3]

In VCDS, what's the factory sound level? Can it be increased? My old man loves it and doesn't want to do any exhaust mods. Would love to crank it up a notch for him. He seems to like the sound of the soundaktor :)

[nobbyv]

Not sure if anyone will have these answers, but here goes:

I'd like to disable any "fake" sounds being generated by the Soundaktor, while being confident that I'm not also muting/reducing/disabling "real" sounds coming from the car. To me, that means pulling the fuse is out: the same fuse for the Soundaktor "speaker" also appears to control the electronic valves in the exhaust, which I'd like to keep active.

Does anyone know if disabling via VCDS ALSO effects the exhaust valves?

Over on the VW forums, many people are simply unplugging the Soundaktor in the dash, and leaving everything else as is. Anyone actually locate the Soundaktor on the C7?

Finally, is there any connection between this and the active noise cancelling that the car is doing (primarily when switching to 4-cyl mode)?
EDIT: For this last question, it appears the answer is no.

Thanks!

[bardo]

vcds changing volume to 0% does nothing to the exhaust valves--those are physical... they open and close as far as I'm aware (increase/decrease).

you should use vcds to change it to 0 and not pull a fuse.

volume cannot be increased that I'm aware of, it's already at 100... by default. You could try to increase it, but I don't know if vcds would consider it a valid value.