low sound from back speakers - factory

[d3cypher]

Greetz! First time poster, been lurking since we got our 4Runner last Thursday. Finally got my account 'activated' to post....

I'll post in my sig the info regarding our Runner, but for now here is the deal..

Got the JBL 10 speaker 6 disc in dash radio.. Sounds good for a factory radio, about like the factory Infinity Sound system in my RAM 1500 (yeah it's got a HEMI ). Anyway, I noticed that the sound in the back isn't all that and the sub doesn't really sound like it's doing anything..

When I changed the FADE from 0 (even steven) to three clicks to the rear speakers it's great... Is this normal? Doesn't seem like it would be....

Also learking for ways to connect my XM Roady to this headunit, looks like the options are:

1) cassette adapter (no way!)
2) FM wireless modulator (maybe if no other choice)
3) direct connection FM modulator (I've heard they aren't all that good either)
4) Blitzsafe connector that would eliminate my rear seat sound option (I'm okay with this one!)

Thanks,

John

 

[sharp4runr]

Yeah the low end punch on the JBL Synthesis system isn't the greatest. I fixed that by installing an amp and 10" subs.

Sorry can't help on the XM stuff. I can't see myself "paying" for radio, even if it is commercial free. Even now I hate to pay for television when I see all those damn commercials

oh yeah, welcome to the boards! I'm usually not that belligerent

 

[rhlitt]

sharp4runr- does the amp just power the sub?I am wondering if without a sub, it just makes your system just sound better? Also, where did you put the amp? thanks!

 

[alpha]

sharp4runr- does the amp just power the sub?I am wondering if without a sub, it just makes your system just sound better? Also, where did you put the amp? thanks!

you can add an amp to power the speakers; however, if you're looking for more bass, the amp won't really help you much there. the amp would add clarity, if installed correctly, not more bass.. that's where the sub comes into play..

 

[sharp4runr]

sharp4runr- does the amp just power the sub?I am wondering if without a sub, it just makes your system just sound better? Also, where did you put the amp? thanks!

I don't want to high jack cypher's thread so here is the link of my subs/amp: http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=34884#post34884

Yes the Sony Xplode amp only powers the two Xplode subs. The factory JBL System has a factory amp that powers all the factory speakers and the factory sub. The factory amp is intalled right next to the factory sub. The Xplode amp is installed under the passenger seat. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

July

 

[d3cypher]

I don't want to high jack cypher's thread

Tis alright, happens all the time on the Dodge Truck forum, just the way it is.

Like I said, with the Rear Fade up a bit it's okay now.. but it just seems weird..

Re: the XM, I know what you mean, a lot of people I know are the same way.. But the genre of music I like isn't available on the local FMs, sure I could burn CDs and I do.. Plus when I travel it's really nice..

Thanks!

-john

 

[cmachado]

hmm..it does sound a little weird that you would have to put fade emphasis on the rears. As a general rule, I always balance the fade by adding to the front speakers until I can no longer tell which direction the sound is coming from. In other words, if you can distinctively hear the rear speakers powering the music, then you have too much rear fill.

Remember, the rear speakers are meant to fill-in. Even for rear passengers. When I sit in the back, I should be able to hear the music clearly, even though my fade setting is currently at F2 or F3 (emphasis on the front speakers).

Think of it this way: When you go to a concert, the sound is coming from in front of you. When you watch tv or set up your stereo speakers, you set your system up so the sound comes from in front of you.

A car is not the best stage for music. But in general, if you seat in the back, you want to hear the music coming loud from the front while your rears fill in. When you seat in the front, you also want emphasis on the front so it doesn't feel like your listening to music with your back to the speakers, which in my case is actually distracting.


As for the bass, I've heard of this problem quite a bit with the JBL system. I bought my rig with the standard stock radio because apparently, it is next to impossible to get the JBL system in the NYC metro area. Nonetheless, I just recently installed a Scion head unit made by Pioneer that has given the sound system new life. And the bass is great, even without a sub. I keep my bass setting at 2 and that's a lot.

One suggestion I would make is to get a Kenwood wOOx subwoofer. It is very compact and might fit right under your seat. It is self powered and I've heard great reviews from people who have installed them. Wont blow your doors off with pure bass, but it does pack a nice punchy, tight bass that in my opinion, is better than boomy bass that drowns or overwhelms the mids and highs.

 

[d3cypher]

One suggestion I would make is to get a Kenwood wOOx subwoofer. It is very compact and might fit right under your seat. It is self powered and I've heard great reviews from people who have installed them. Wont blow your doors off with pure bass, but it does pack a nice punchy, tight bass that in my opinion, is better than boomy bass that drowns or overwhelms the mids and highs.

Thanks for the info. I used to install car stereos in the late 80s early 90s. So I know of what you speak . Thanks for the info on the Kenwood, that might be nice and yes I don't need that ghetto sound (no offense to anyone who likes their bass rattle). Now if I can just find a good location for the XM radio that would look ghetto... got some time I suppose.

Thanks again!

-john

 

[cmachado]

hmm, I saw a post where someone actually did a nice job of installing their XM interface on that little storage compartment below the HVAC controls.

They actually cut a hole and molded it to fit the interface so it looks somewhat flush. I like it because it doesn't leave your faceplate hanging in front of a vent or on some stand that may look completely whack. If I find the post, i will post here for you to check out.

 

[webshot]

Tis alright, happens all the time on the Dodge Truck forum, just the way it is.

Like I said, with the Rear Fade up a bit it's okay now.. but it just seems weird..

Re: the XM, I know what you mean, a lot of people I know are the same way.. But the genre of music I like isn't available on the local FMs, sure I could burn CDs and I do.. Plus when I travel it's really nice..

Thanks!

-john

I have the same system and also run the fader +3 to the rear! Thats just the way it is.

 

[d3cypher]

hmm, I saw a post where someone actually did a nice job of installing their XM interface on that little storage compartment below the HVAC controls.

They actually cut a hole and molded it to fit the interface so it looks somewhat flush. I like it because it doesn't leave your faceplate hanging in front of a vent or on some stand that may look completely whack. If I find the post, i will post here for you to check out.

That would be sweet!!! I'd probably pick up a spare one first . I've thought about using that to hide the unit when not being used and have the unit poke out on a custom bracket. I had to make brackets for my truck and the last car so it's not a big deal.

WebShot:

I can accept that I guess . I've got my +R3 and all is find, a nice suttle rear fill is all I need.

Thanks!

-john

 

[rhlitt]

Anybody consider putting a "bass blocker" in the rear speakers. I was talking to an installer and he said he uses them all the time. I then looked this up online and saw circuitcity, bestbuy and many others also do this for stock systems as well as replacement systems. SUPPOSEDLY this helps with the clarity?? I had never even heard of this before!

 

[cmachado]

A bass blocker is actually a pretty good idea. It's pretty much like a tiny crossover device and all it does is block a certain range of frequencies from reaching the speaker. For instance, in the past I had a habit of blowing my rear 6x9s because I would play bass-heavy music too loud, eventually overloading and blowing the speakers. If I had a bass blocker installed, I could have blocked frequencies from say, 150hz and below from reaching the speaker, thus allowing a subwoofer to handle those lower frequencies instead.

As you can guess, overall this helps with the clarity of the system because you essentially set up your speakers to "specialize" in specific frequency ranges as oppossed to asking the speaker to excel at an entire range of frequencies.

Be careful not to block your mids though. Typically, your 6x9s and 6.5" should handle mid bass and highs, while your sub handles your lows. But if you don't have a sub, then you need to allow some lower frequencies to reach the 6x9s in order to get decent sound. Again, in my opinion bass blockers are always a good idea if you want to preserve your speakers.

 

[rhlitt]

thanks for the info. Any other input appreciated regarding bass blockers, specifically what freq. range would I look into to block the bass but not the mids.