Blackwing: ESE Disable

Blackwing:
ESE Disable

When the CT5 platform was announced in 2019 there were two audio systems. Both implemented Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE), "to accentuate natural powertrain and exhaust system sounds and deliver them to the cabin at the right levels during the correct times." ESE is implemented using three microphones in the headliner and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) circuitry in the audio amplifier.

Many people (including me) do not like "fake engine noise." Currently the only way to disable it is to disable ANC itself. There is a report that disconnecting one of the headliner microphones is enough to completely disable ANC. Another approach is an "ANC bypass harness", basically a short M/F cable that is installed between the amplifier and a vehicle harness. Several companies make these. I got mine from LLJ Custom Car Audio Fabrication. The 2021 and up RPO UQS application is GMBB4. Both PAC Audio and Metra also make these, but so far not for the CT5. Trifecta Performance, Inc. claims to be able to disable ANC and/or ESE via their "calibration products" but the details are murky and they do not currently work for the CT5.


ANC Bypass Harness	UQS Amplifier

Here's the pinout for the CT5 audio amplifier X3 connector:

Pin Wire Color Description

1 GN/BN active noise cancellation microphone 1 signal

2 BU/YE active noise cancellation microphone 2 signal

3 GY/BU active noise cancellation microphone 3 signal

4 — (not used)

5 YE/GN right rear midrange speaker [+] control

6 YE/BN left rear midrange speaker [+] control

7 BN/GN right front tweeter speaker [+] control

8 YE/BU left front tweeter speaker [+] control

9 GN/BK active noise cancellation microphone 1 feedback signal

10 BU/BK active noise cancellation microphone 2 feedback signal

11 GY/BN active noise cancellation microphone 3 feedback signal

12 — (not used)

13 GY/BU right rear midrange speaker [-] control

14 WH/BK left rear midrange speaker [-] control

15 VT/BN right front tweeter speaker [-] control

16 YE/GY left front tweeter speaker [-] control

Only the bold pin numbers are present in the LLJ harness.