Removing engine sound from speakers
Discussion
For any owners of the 2025 Vantage, DB-12, DBX or Vanquish III, have you found a way to remove the annoying and intrusive engine sound that is ported in via the car's audio system (even when the audio is turned off)?
I'm really finding it intrusive and tiring on my 2025 new new Vantage, especially on long journeys, and an option to turn it off would be useful.
I'm aware of the 'exhaust button' on the centre console, however this only make the ported-in sounds louder and more annoying!!
There doesn't appear to be any way of turning it off in the menu system (unlike BMW, where you can permanently turn it off with 3 or so screen taps).
I asked my local Aston MD service centre to officially enquire of the AML factory how to turn it off. The official response from AML is that the sound can't be turned off, with a warning to anyone who tries to 'hack' the code (e.g. using OBD) to 'delete' ENE (engine noise 'enhancement') that they will automatically invalidate their car's warranty!!
There are times when the sound might be welcome (especially with the muffled exhaust tones since the EU mandated OPF filters and significantly quieter exhausts), however the option to turn the sound off in the cabin would be most welcome.
Interested if anyone else has had this issue and also whether anyone has found a work-around solution? No, stuffing socks in the speakers isn't the solution I'm looking for (lol!!).
I'm really finding it intrusive and tiring on my 2025 new new Vantage, especially on long journeys, and an option to turn it off would be useful.
I'm aware of the 'exhaust button' on the centre console, however this only make the ported-in sounds louder and more annoying!!
There doesn't appear to be any way of turning it off in the menu system (unlike BMW, where you can permanently turn it off with 3 or so screen taps).
I asked my local Aston MD service centre to officially enquire of the AML factory how to turn it off. The official response from AML is that the sound can't be turned off, with a warning to anyone who tries to 'hack' the code (e.g. using OBD) to 'delete' ENE (engine noise 'enhancement') that they will automatically invalidate their car's warranty!!
There are times when the sound might be welcome (especially with the muffled exhaust tones since the EU mandated OPF filters and significantly quieter exhausts), however the option to turn the sound off in the cabin would be most welcome.
Interested if anyone else has had this issue and also whether anyone has found a work-around solution? No, stuffing socks in the speakers isn't the solution I'm looking for (lol!!).
In the Jaguar world, there are owners who remove the symposer from their F-Types.
These appear to be complex devices that use both electronics and vacuum. There are posts on the Jaguar forums.com with instructions to disarm/remove the symposer. Go to that site, navigate over to the F-Type forum, search for Symposer. There is a recent thread (2025) with lots of info and pics to remove.
Don't know if the Aston device is the same, good chance it is. I don't have this on my DB11 V12...GLAD I do not.
These appear to be complex devices that use both electronics and vacuum. There are posts on the Jaguar forums.com with instructions to disarm/remove the symposer. Go to that site, navigate over to the F-Type forum, search for Symposer. There is a recent thread (2025) with lots of info and pics to remove.
Don't know if the Aston device is the same, good chance it is. I don't have this on my DB11 V12...GLAD I do not.
Wow. That’s “progress” for you and I’m sure it would drive me bananas too. It’s a shame that AML feel the need to include this as standard. I’ve never seen it in any previous Aston Martins so I guess it must be a new feature on the current range of facelifted cars? Hope you find a way around it VH. BRM.
I agree with Mingler.
This is the first time that I have read about what Aston Martin have done.
Customers now have to pay over £200,000 for an new Aston Martin with options, and do not even appear to be allowed an easy way of switching off unwanted, artificial engine/exhaust sounds. Disgraceful.
I thought pretend noises were only on battery electric cars. What is the point of installing such a system, when an Aston Martin makes its own IC noises?
I hope owners are able to find a solution and certainly not one which requires a reset at every engine start.
AML were once proud to say, "If it look like metal, it is metal".
Need to vary that now.
"If it sounds like an Aston Martin, it is now a computer chip, producing an artificial noise".
Very disappointing.
I can confirm that the use of a "symposer" was under discussion during the development of the 2C cars under Palmer (but not driven by him, may I add). It was in response to competitor car analyses which showed others were using them in response to better levels of NVH and reduced exhaust and inlet noise. Apparently they enhance the driving experience.
Always seemed bizarre to me.
Always seemed bizarre to me.
the imitated noise is off in the standard exhaust setting. Only if you press the exhaust button or switch to sport+, track a noise will generated.
You can deactivate it later by pressing the exhaust button again.
However, the button is supposed to control the flaps, as it did on the demo car, but it doesn't work anymore.
You can deactivate it later by pressing the exhaust button again.
However, the button is supposed to control the flaps, as it did on the demo car, but it doesn't work anymore.
Edited by RoNNy379CH on Thursday 7th August 12:49
VantageHead said:
The official response from AML is that the sound can't be turned off, with a warning to anyone who tries to 'hack' the code (e.g. using OBD) to 'delete' ENE (engine noise 'enhancement') that they will automatically invalidate their car's warranty!!
"... however if you give our Q department some money they'll do the delete and your warranty will be unaffected."skhannes said:
In the Jaguar world, there are owners who remove the symposer from their F-Types.
These appear to be complex devices that use both electronics and vacuum. There are posts on the Jaguar forums.com with instructions to disarm/remove the symposer. Go to that site, navigate over to the F-Type forum, search for Symposer. There is a recent thread (2025) with lots of info and pics to remove.
Don't know if the Aston device is the same, good chance it is. I don't have this on my DB11 V12...GLAD I do not.
The symposer on the Range Rover SVR (and Jaguars presumably) is a physical piping of induction noise into the cabin, not electronic via the audio speakers.These appear to be complex devices that use both electronics and vacuum. There are posts on the Jaguar forums.com with instructions to disarm/remove the symposer. Go to that site, navigate over to the F-Type forum, search for Symposer. There is a recent thread (2025) with lots of info and pics to remove.
Don't know if the Aston device is the same, good chance it is. I don't have this on my DB11 V12...GLAD I do not.
A comment about "pulling fuses".
In the "old days" (not that long ago), pulling a fuse might/could disable a feature. Not any longer. Pretty much everything now is "modular" and on the network. Pulling fuses only force a check engine light.
Exhaust flaps are a good example. They used to be a simple vacuum dashpod that could be easily disabled a number of different ways. Now, they are all electronic "step motors" and the SW control is crazy. As a tuner using hack SW, I've visited the data tables on some of these new systems. It would amaze all of the controls and conditions used to operate these exhaust flaps.
In the "old days" (not that long ago), pulling a fuse might/could disable a feature. Not any longer. Pretty much everything now is "modular" and on the network. Pulling fuses only force a check engine light.
Exhaust flaps are a good example. They used to be a simple vacuum dashpod that could be easily disabled a number of different ways. Now, they are all electronic "step motors" and the SW control is crazy. As a tuner using hack SW, I've visited the data tables on some of these new systems. It would amaze all of the controls and conditions used to operate these exhaust flaps.
skhannes said:
... Exhaust flaps are a good example. They used to be a simple vacuum dashpod that could be easily disabled a number of different ways. Now, they are all electronic "step motors" and the SW control is crazy. ...
So much of the car is now far more complex.
All part of the starting price being close to £200,000.
That seems pricey just for a weekend 'toy', so it makes me very grateful that I bought my still mint, V8V 14 years ago.
Value decline over that period has been about £1,600 per year. I call that, reasonable spending to enjoy an occasional 'toy'.
LTP said:
I can confirm that the use of a "symposer" was under discussion during the development of the 2C cars under Palmer (but not driven by him, may I add). It was in response to competitor car analyses which showed others were using them in response to better levels of NVH and reduced exhaust and inlet noise. Apparently they enhance the driving experience.
Always seemed bizarre to me.
If I remember rightly it was something on the early 2018-2019 cars that ended up causing faults and got removed during the 2020 revisions to the car. I can’t remember where I read it though. Not sure why on earth anyone would think the non-OPF cars would need this. It’s not exactly a quiet car. It’s actually louder than the VH sub 3500 rpm. Always seemed bizarre to me.
Is the new one playing through the speakers or is it piped in? BMW was through the speakers. It was mild in the F series and could not be turned off. Louder and much more artificial in the G series hence why they likely added the ability to turn it off.
Davil said:
Is the new one playing through the speakers or is it piped in?.
Definitely through the speakers - not sure if it’s also physically ported in (as in the F-Type examples discussed above). I’m having my aftermarket Audison/Hertz stereo system fitted into my new car (removed from my 2019 Vantage before sale), and the installers are having a challenging time of tuning the system’s DSP because of the engine sounds that are being piped in through the speakers. It can be tuned down a little on the DSP tune, but only by turning down the bass end of the response curve (not ideal). The fact that AML confirm that it’s there and can’t be turned off is further evidence of the presence of speaker based ‘ENE’.VantageHead said:
... The fact that AML confirm that it’s there and can’t be turned off, is further evidence of the presence of speaker based ‘ENE’.
I have never encountered this nonsense, but I think I have read that some EVs have this system and also, that there is a choice of different sounds. An American V8 rumble being popular amongst EV drivers.
Perhaps in an Aston Martin, you could choose a Rolls Royce sound and then enjoy listening to the subdued sound of a clock ticking. -
Jon39 said:
Perhaps in an Aston Martin, you could choose a Rolls Royce sound and then enjoy listening to the subdued sound of a clock ticking. -
Good point Jon! For me though, all I’m asking for is an ‘off button’ for engine noise ‘enhancement’!
The added engine noise through the speakers should be optional and not mandatory!
To Ronny’s previous point (above), the noise is there even on the default (mildest) ‘Sports’ mode, not just the higher ‘Sports Plus’ and ‘Track’ modes. Whilst it doesn’t sound fake or synthetic, the ever-present added noise can be tiring on a long journey.
The search for a solution continues…..
VantageHead said:
Jon39 said:
Perhaps in an Aston Martin, you could choose a Rolls Royce sound and then enjoy listening to the subdued sound of a clock ticking. -
Good point Jon! For me though, all I’m asking for is an ‘off button’ for engine noise ‘enhancement’!
The added engine noise through the speakers should be optional and not mandatory!
To Ronny’s previous point (above), the noise is there even on the default (mildest) ‘Sports’ mode, not just the higher ‘Sports Plus’ and ‘Track’ modes. Whilst it doesn’t sound fake or synthetic, the ever-present added noise can be tiring on a long journey.
The search for a solution continues…..
When I wrote that possibility, I did wonder how many would remember the Rolls Royce marketing line. Now in the digital age, they cannot say that any more.
I think this has already been mentioned, but cannot remember whether the sound which is heard through the speakers, is created by the engine, or is it computer produced?
When your car is parked and you are relaxing to Brahms, Wiegenlied (Lullaby), would you also hear an engine sound?
If so, Johannes Brahms would be furious that his music is being ruined.
Perhaps AML now like constant noise. Example Valkyrie. It is so loud in the cockpit, that noise cancelling headphones must be worn. A defence against subsequent legal action for deafness perhaps.
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 8th August 16:49
With the engine off, the ‘ENE’ ceases.
It’s interesting actually ‘seeing’ the sound, as when the aftermarket audio system is DSP tuned, a sensitive microphone is used to record ‘pink noise’ at the equivalent of the drivers ears. This allows the different speaker channels to be phased and time aligned, so that the sound arrives at the drivers ear at the same time (this can also be done for ‘driver & passenger’, and the different settings saved). The whole frequency range is visualised through an RTA (real time analyser) that shows a histogram of the frequencies of the pink noise being picked up by the microphone. With the engine off, the frequency response is more or less flat (30Hz-20KHz), however when the engine is started, there is a significant boost in the bass end of the spectrum (due to ENE) that can be seen on the histogram.
One way of circumventing this effect, is to use a separate dedicated streamer (e.g. the Audison B-Con - https://audison.com/product/b-con/) which receives Bluetooth directly from a phone (or Digital Audio Player) and plays that directly through the aftermarket amplifiers (as a different input). As this is circumventing the Mercedes/Aston head unit, the signal is free of ENE. The issue is that whilst listing to music through the B-Con, sound from the head unit doesn’t get through (radio, phone calls, Waze, etc.), however pausing playback into the B-Con allows the headunit signal input to resume playback. This is a work-around however and doesn’t allow for audio signal from the headunit (radio, CarPlay, etc.) to be DSP tuned properly due to the ever-present ‘ENE’.
Just one simple ‘ENE off’ button would solve this…..
It’s interesting actually ‘seeing’ the sound, as when the aftermarket audio system is DSP tuned, a sensitive microphone is used to record ‘pink noise’ at the equivalent of the drivers ears. This allows the different speaker channels to be phased and time aligned, so that the sound arrives at the drivers ear at the same time (this can also be done for ‘driver & passenger’, and the different settings saved). The whole frequency range is visualised through an RTA (real time analyser) that shows a histogram of the frequencies of the pink noise being picked up by the microphone. With the engine off, the frequency response is more or less flat (30Hz-20KHz), however when the engine is started, there is a significant boost in the bass end of the spectrum (due to ENE) that can be seen on the histogram.
One way of circumventing this effect, is to use a separate dedicated streamer (e.g. the Audison B-Con - https://audison.com/product/b-con/) which receives Bluetooth directly from a phone (or Digital Audio Player) and plays that directly through the aftermarket amplifiers (as a different input). As this is circumventing the Mercedes/Aston head unit, the signal is free of ENE. The issue is that whilst listing to music through the B-Con, sound from the head unit doesn’t get through (radio, phone calls, Waze, etc.), however pausing playback into the B-Con allows the headunit signal input to resume playback. This is a work-around however and doesn’t allow for audio signal from the headunit (radio, CarPlay, etc.) to be DSP tuned properly due to the ever-present ‘ENE’.
Just one simple ‘ENE off’ button would solve this…..
VantageHead said:
With the engine off, the ‘ENE’ ceases.
It’s interesting actually ‘seeing’ the sound, as when the aftermarket audio system is DSP tuned, a sensitive microphone is used to record ‘pink noise’ at the equivalent of the drivers ears. This allows the different speaker channels to be phased and time aligned, so that the sound arrives at the drivers ear at the same time (this can also be done for ‘driver & passenger’, and the different settings saved). The whole frequency range is visualised through an RTA (real time analyser) that shows a histogram of the frequencies of the pink noise being picked up by the microphone. With the engine off, the frequency response is more or less flat (30Hz-20KHz), however when the engine is started, there is a significant boost in the bass end of the spectrum (due to ENE) that can be seen on the histogram.
One way of circumventing this effect, is to use a separate dedicated streamer (e.g. the Audison B-Con - https://audison.com/product/b-con/) which receives Bluetooth directly from a phone (or Digital Audio Player) and plays that directly through the aftermarket amplifiers (as a different input). As this is circumventing the Mercedes/Aston head unit, the signal is free of ENE. The issue is that whilst listing to music through the B-Con, sound from the head unit doesn’t get through (radio, phone calls, Waze, etc.), however pausing playback into the B-Con allows the headunit signal input to resume playback. This is a work-around however and doesn’t allow for audio signal from the headunit (radio, CarPlay, etc.) to be DSP tuned properly due to the ever-present ‘ENE’.
Just one simple ‘ENE off’ button would solve this…..
It’s interesting actually ‘seeing’ the sound, as when the aftermarket audio system is DSP tuned, a sensitive microphone is used to record ‘pink noise’ at the equivalent of the drivers ears. This allows the different speaker channels to be phased and time aligned, so that the sound arrives at the drivers ear at the same time (this can also be done for ‘driver & passenger’, and the different settings saved). The whole frequency range is visualised through an RTA (real time analyser) that shows a histogram of the frequencies of the pink noise being picked up by the microphone. With the engine off, the frequency response is more or less flat (30Hz-20KHz), however when the engine is started, there is a significant boost in the bass end of the spectrum (due to ENE) that can be seen on the histogram.
One way of circumventing this effect, is to use a separate dedicated streamer (e.g. the Audison B-Con - https://audison.com/product/b-con/) which receives Bluetooth directly from a phone (or Digital Audio Player) and plays that directly through the aftermarket amplifiers (as a different input). As this is circumventing the Mercedes/Aston head unit, the signal is free of ENE. The issue is that whilst listing to music through the B-Con, sound from the head unit doesn’t get through (radio, phone calls, Waze, etc.), however pausing playback into the B-Con allows the headunit signal input to resume playback. This is a work-around however and doesn’t allow for audio signal from the headunit (radio, CarPlay, etc.) to be DSP tuned properly due to the ever-present ‘ENE’.
Just one simple ‘ENE off’ button would solve this…..
Your audio knowledge is many levels above mine.
I like quality audio sound and it is interesting how recordings have improved over the years.
When using a recording of the same piece of music, a modern good digital .wav file, sounds far better than a cassette tape of the period, when playing 'back to back' though the same antique 1970s audio equipment.
Playing music in cars has one problem. Background car noise. My music sound is far better in a luxury saloon car, than my Aston Martin sports car with so called 'Premium Audio'. Engine, exhaust and tyre noises are always competing with the loudspeakers.
It’s a fair cop Jon! Yes, audio and cars are two of my main passions, so combining these has been a recurring theme with car ownership over the years. I agree that the source is important (garbage in, garbage out), and reason I’m using an Android Astell & Kern Digital Audio player, playing HiRes FLAC files directly into the amp (TosLink) or using LDAC codec Bluetooth into the B-Con.
You may remember the thread on my audio install journey with my 2019 Vantage ( https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...), including link to the feature article in ‘Driving Sounds’ magazine of audio install in my car.
I’m working with the guys at Enhance Car Security & Audio (in Sittingbourne, Kent, UK) on taking the audio to the ‘next level’ with my 2025 car (it’s been in their workshop for the last 4 weeks - Phase I is now complete), and hope to share more details when the build is complete. The car (& install) will also likely feature in a future article in ‘Driving Sounds’ magazine (early 2026).
I agree that the V8 engine has a lovely sound, and many ask why I bother with music, however for me, my music offers additional emotional connection, and as I say in the magazine article; ‘life’s too short to listen to poor quality music’. I also like to listen to music when I arrive at my destination, and can sit for ages listening to my favourite tunes (when the engine has been turned off). For example, viewing a sunset at a favourite location with the soundtrack of a favourite tune is simply fantastic and gives so much pleasure!
In the meantime, my quest to cancel ENE continues…….
You may remember the thread on my audio install journey with my 2019 Vantage ( https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...), including link to the feature article in ‘Driving Sounds’ magazine of audio install in my car.
I’m working with the guys at Enhance Car Security & Audio (in Sittingbourne, Kent, UK) on taking the audio to the ‘next level’ with my 2025 car (it’s been in their workshop for the last 4 weeks - Phase I is now complete), and hope to share more details when the build is complete. The car (& install) will also likely feature in a future article in ‘Driving Sounds’ magazine (early 2026).
I agree that the V8 engine has a lovely sound, and many ask why I bother with music, however for me, my music offers additional emotional connection, and as I say in the magazine article; ‘life’s too short to listen to poor quality music’. I also like to listen to music when I arrive at my destination, and can sit for ages listening to my favourite tunes (when the engine has been turned off). For example, viewing a sunset at a favourite location with the soundtrack of a favourite tune is simply fantastic and gives so much pleasure!
In the meantime, my quest to cancel ENE continues…….
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