New car, rear speakers not as punchy...

TH3M B0N3Z

TH3M B0N3Z

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Messages
745
Reaction score
0
I've got a 2013 Scion tC that I've had for about 3 months now and the rear speakers do not seem to be as punchy as they once were. The factory sound system is a 300-watt Pioneer head unit with 8 speakers, 2 in the rear, and 6 up front. My main choice of music is heavy metal, which can be thumpy in it's own right and I like to listen to my music pretty loud... I like to feel the music, lol.

Now if I fool around with the settings and put all the sound to the rear speakers, they don't thump or put out much bass at all, and the overall sound coming from the back speakers is kinda... flat sounding, I guess. It's kinda hard to explain.

My front speakers have some kick, though, and I can feel the hair on my legs get pushed by the air coming from the speakers, lol.

My car is under warranty, of course, but I'm very weird about having anyone check my car out. I work at a Toyota dealer and a few of the techs know I'm crazy about my car, so they'd probably take good care of it while inspecting things, but I'm just very hesitant because every time my vehicles have ever visited ANYWHERE, things seem to get effed up, things completely unrelated to the main issue. That or I'm just a tad bit psychotic.

I've tried Google and found nothing so far. Could it just be my ears or should I have the rear speakers inspected? If they're bad, they'll be replaced under warranty with no issues at all. I've seen the courtesy Corollas get speakers changed here and there before, so maybe I've damaged them in some way. When I had my Mazda3, I always blasted my music at volume 20 with treble and bass nearly maxed, which was really loud and still maintained clarity, but I never blew a factory speaker in 6 years in that car. In my tC, I've got the treble all the way up, but the bass is toned down to about 2 or 3, used to be at 5, lol. Way too thumpy.

What do you guys think?
 
TH3M B0N3Z said:
I've got a 2013 Scion tC that I've had for about 3 months now and the rear speakers do not seem to be as punchy as they once were. The factory sound system is a 300-watt Pioneer head unit with 8 speakers, 2 in the rear, and 6 up front. My main choice of music is heavy metal, which can be thumpy in it's own right and I like to listen to my music pretty loud... I like to feel the music, lol.

Now if I fool around with the settings and put all the sound to the rear speakers, they don't thump or put out much bass at all, and the overall sound coming from the back speakers is kinda... flat sounding, I guess. It's kinda hard to explain.

My front speakers have some kick, though, and I can feel the hair on my legs get pushed by the air coming from the speakers, lol.

My car is under warranty, of course, but I'm very weird about having anyone check my car out. I work at a Toyota dealer and a few of the techs know I'm crazy about my car, so they'd probably take good care of it while inspecting things, but I'm just very hesitant because every time my vehicles have ever visited ANYWHERE, things seem to get effed up, things completely unrelated to the main issue. That or I'm just a tad bit psychotic.

I've tried Google and found nothing so far. Could it just be my ears or should I have the rear speakers inspected? If they're bad, they'll be replaced under warranty with no issues at all. I've seen the courtesy Corollas get speakers changed here and there before, so maybe I've damaged them in some way. When I had my Mazda3, I always blasted my music at volume 20 with treble and bass nearly maxed, which was really loud and still maintained clarity, but I never blew a factory speaker in 6 years in that car. In my tC, I've got the treble all the way up, but the bass is toned down to about 2 or 3, used to be at 5, lol. Way too thumpy.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Factory speakers for the most part suck. They are made of paper cones and just suck. I would go with a pair of aftermarkets and I guarantee you the sound will be better. What most audiophiles do, is do away wth the rear speakers all together and beef up the front (thats where all of you're sound should come from). And for some extra grunt, i'd get a sub and that will change everything.
 
A car audio shop can use a dbA meter and tell you in seconds, you may have blown them but more likely they're no longer properly grounded out.

Check that and, if possible, see if you can swap out that cable for a thicker one.

Lucky Joe,
Wannabe Detailer

Sent from my HTC DNA
 
Would a place like Best Buy be a good start? They have an audio center at their store where they do all their installations and whatnot.

The overall sound quality in my car, especially the front, seems quite clear and punchy and I can really feel the music other than just hearing it, but sometimes I get a little obsessive, lol.

On a side note, I just bought a black onyx microfiber chenille wash mitt and CG Natural Shine dressing from AG. :D
 
Best Buy would be my last choice, IMHO, my your experience may vary...

Lucky Joe,
Wannabe Detailer

Sent from my HTC DNA
 
I would skip best buy. Crutch field tells you what fits your car so check there then go to a local stereo shop and talk with them. They should give you better deals than best buy or even crutche field.
 
The only reputable car audio place I know of is kinda far from me, Divine Sounds in Tampa, but they probably do great work. They do a great job on tinting windows, too.

I could always have my job take a look since I work there and it's convenient. Maybe nothing will be wrong and I won't be out any money for a simple inspection. I could have it done on the side, too, so I won't have to bother having the car going through service. And if something is wrong, it can go through service and be corrected.
 
You might just be getting used to the sound.

I installed new Polk Audio speakers in my truck and the difference was very noticeable, after a month or so I was pretty much used to the new sound....
 
BobbyG said:
You might just be getting used to the sound.

I installed new Polk Audio speakers in my truck and the difference was very noticeable, after a month or so I was pretty much used to the new sound....
Click to expand...

I figured that, as well.

There's one song in particular that every time the kick drums come in, the rear speakers make a "knocking" sound. I just keep that song on a lower volume now, lol.
 
TH3M B0N3Z said:
The only reputable car audio place I know of is kinda far from me, Divine Sounds in Tampa, but they probably do great work. They do a great job on tinting windows, too.

I could always have my job take a look since I work there and it's convenient. Maybe nothing will be wrong and I won't be out any money for a simple inspection. I could have it done on the side, too, so I won't have to bother having the car going through service. And if something is wrong, it can go through service and be corrected.
Click to expand...

If you were happy with the factory sound, then have them replaced under warranty. Best buy would be my last choice for installations. Running the bass on you're head unit as high as you do is dangerous, you're almost guaranteed to blow them. I was a car audio installer for 3 years and have been around it since 1996. If there arent any shops in your area, then I would order a new aftermarket pair online and have your friends at ther shop help you install them.
 
EddieF said:
If you were happy with the factory sound, then have them replaced under warranty. Best buy would be my last choice for installations. Running the bass on you're head unit as high as you do is dangerous, you're almost guaranteed to blow them. I was a car audio installer for 3 years and have been around it since 1996. If there arent any shops in your area, then I would order a new aftermarket pair online and have your friends at ther shop help you install them.
Click to expand...

I've lowered the bass from 4 or 5 down to 2 or 3 now. I'm thinking it's at 2, though.

I had my factory Mazda3 speakers maxed out and that system sounded better than some newer car audio systems, factory-wise.

I'm thinking maybe my ears have gotten used to the sound over the past 3 months. I'm just VERY into how the music I listen to sounds when it's coming out of the unit. It's almost like when you're getting used to a new car, you're always fumbling with the seat position, the mirrors, etc. until it's JUST right. For instance, the very last thing I checked on my car, before I signed any papers, was to make sure the factory system sounded good to my ears, lol. It passed once I dialed everything in. :xyxthumbs:
 
TH3M B0N3Z said:
I've lowered the bass from 4 or 5 down to 2 or 3 now. I'm thinking it's at 2, though.

I had my factory Mazda3 speakers maxed out and that system sounded better than some newer car audio systems, factory-wise.

I'm thinking maybe my ears have gotten used to the sound over the past 3 months. I'm just VERY into how the music I listen to sounds when it's coming out of the unit. It's almost like when you're getting used to a new car, you're always fumbling with the seat position, the mirrors, etc. until it's JUST right. For instance, the very last thing I checked on my car, before I signed any papers, was to make sure the factory system sounded good to my ears, lol. It passed once I dialed everything in. :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

You're probably right, you've gotten use to it. Time to spend some coin and upgrade!:dblthumb2:
 
EddieF said:
You're probably right, you've gotten use to it. Time to spend some coin and upgrade!:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Upgrading the audio is always on my mind, lol, but I'm afraid to pull the trigger. Money isn't the biggest issue, not that I'm going to spend more than maybe $500 in total, but sometimes I'm afraid of my slight OCD taking over, lol.

The head unit I have now is factory-equipped, but it's the Pioneer brand. Can I change my speakers to higher quality and expect a true difference in sound? I did it before in my very first vehicle ever, but noticed no difference in sound quality.
 
TH3M B0N3Z said:
Upgrading the audio is always on my mind, lol, but I'm afraid to pull the trigger. Money isn't the biggest issue, not that I'm going to spend more than maybe $500 in total, but sometimes I'm afraid of my slight OCD taking over, lol.

The head unit I have now is factory-equipped, but it's the Pioneer brand. Can I change my speakers to higher quality and expect a true difference in sound? I did it before in my very first vehicle ever, but noticed no difference in sound quality.
Click to expand...

You should notice a difference. You can go with a good brand speaker, get there entry line and run it off your factory radio and get some good sound. Or, you can get there mid grade - high end, add an amplifier and REALLY notice a difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top