Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Speakers in the Rear Deck

Originally posted by RMk:

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*ahem* 6x9 Alpine Type-R 2-way coaxials in the package tray. Louder than the 6.5 components in my front doors. Lowered the gain to the 6x9s until it evened out. Sounds fantastic. What's the problem with mids/highs coming from the rear?

R>

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Sounds fantastic compared to stock, yes. Compared to a moderately well set up system with no rear speakers (we are talking stereo here, not surround) and a decent set of components in the front properly crossed, it won't sound right. I'll use the often used analogy here, when you go to a concert, which way do you like to face? Away from the stage looking at the back wall? Do you go up and stand in between the speakers on the stage? Or do you stand/sit facing the stage?

It's true surround sound recordings use many microphones placed around the room to achieve a true 3 dimensional sound, but your car stereo is more than likely not a surround sound device as they are few and far between) Remember, 4 speakers don't automatically make surround sound. The front and rear channels are twins, playing identical frequencies.

Stereo recording is based in front of the source. You should have everything set to appear as if it's sitting on your hood in essence. Your only worries are keeping the left/right channels in allignment (hard to accomplish in a car, but possible now thanks to time alignment) Your package tray speakers may seem nice to you, and that's really all that counts I suppose. If you want to reproduce the original recording as accurately as you can, you would be better off to get rid of the package tray speakers and instead focus on the front end. I can guarantee you that once hearing a system like this you will want to emulate it.

You note the 6x9s produce more volume than the 6.5s, but you even say yourself you end up turning them down so they don't overshadow the front end. What's the point of putting the big speakers in the rear if you are just going to cut the power to them anyways. You would have been much better off with a small subwoofer in the rear (I would tell you to put it up front too, but there is no room for that without making some sacrifices in comfort and aesthtics), and work on the front soundstage. As I said I've had speakers in the rear and after hearing a proper system, I removed them and haven't looked back since.

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You note the 6x9s produce more volume than the 6.5s, but you even say yourself you end up turning them down so they don't overshadow the front end.

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What's the point of putting the big speakers in the rear if you are just going to cut the power to them anyways. You would have been much better off with a small subwoofer in the rear (I would tell you to put it up front too, but there is no room for that without making some sacrifices in comfort and aesthtics), and work on the front soundstage. As I said I've had speakers in the rear and after hearing a proper system, I removed them and haven't looked back since.

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This is mostly due to a person's taste, I suppose. I AM looking forward to a DSP and a few screens, so rear speakers, a subwoofer and a center channel (5.1) will be essential. There's a reason I've been asking all the questions I have been and its only because I want the highest possible quality, theatre-like sound in my car. Bright highs, "punchy" (to which I have heard it referred) midbass and low, low lows.

I'm almost there, and I've only dropped about $800 so far, which isn't that bad considering I'm happy with it (even the way it is now) and I've paid about 50-70% less than what retai would have been.

Regarding the front soundstage in a stereo-only setup, "rear fill" as its called has its place. While you do face the stage at a concert, rarely are the speakers only in front of you, ON the stage. There are concert halls with speakers all around and it produces an all-enveloping effect that many people prefer to all-stereo, all-from-the-front style sound that you and many others prefer. It's pretty much 50/50, or perhaps more skewed.

All I know is that I like my rear fill and, well-balanced, I prefer it. Everyone with decent front speakers & a subwoofer... throw your faders all the way to the front and see how you like it without ANY rear fill. I just don't care for the lack of environment. Just me. <G>

.RMk..

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Everyone with decent front speakers & a subwoofer... throw your faders all the way to the front and see how you like it without ANY rear fill. I just don't care for the lack of environment. Just me.

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