OEM JBL synthesis doesnt like my rear speakers

[Sonicpilz]

I have an 03 with factory JBL synthesis. When I play any sort of music it sounds like about 80% of all the music is coming from the front speakers. I have all my settings at 0 but it still sounds like its all up front. All the speakers work and none of them are blown. If I put it a touch towards the rear speakers, like R2-R3 it just sounds bad.

Sitting in the driver's/passenger's seat it sounds ok, but everytime I have a friend in the back seat I always hear "turn the back speakers on". They are on they just dont play near as loud as the front. Anybody have this?

I plan on eventually in the next 2-3 weeks buying a 7" touch screen DVD player. Maybe this will help out with making the sound equal I dont really know. Anybody have any input on before/after aftermarket CD player installation?

 

[97BlackAckCL]

This is a well documented issue with the JBL Syn system, you can fade back to the rear a little and that will help, frankly once i put 3 way speakers back there, and all new speakers up front and in the rear, I don't notice the descrepency with the rear speakers

 

[Sonicpilz]

Ok I read a 3 page information thread on this subject. Seems the JBL system is set up correctly playing more sound in the front and using the rear as a "filler". It was a pretty informative thread stating that its intentionally set up this way for better sound. It went through different speaker sizes and placement as well as the functionality of each size and why they're put there. Basically saying when you go to a concert you dont turn your back to the stage.

I can see their point I guess but still not my cup of tea. My question now is will an aftermarket head unit change anything about the sound distribution?

PS. Turning the fade to R1 or R2 to move sound to the rear just sounds horrible. It takes out so much bass from the overall sound its not worth it. (driving the vehicle anyway)