Front and rear speakers signal the same?

[Sonicscrewdriver]

I have seen this discussed, however I never have seen it answered with any kind of certainty.
I think many of us have noticed the significant apparent difference in sound between the front and rear speakers. Not only in level, but after listening paying close attention to the frequency response... it seems the low end is rolled off as well.
I know the fronts have tweeters, most likely with passive crossovers... and I have seen it stated that the front and rear low mid drivers supposedly are the same.
Does the factory head unit send the same full range (as it gets) signal to both the front AND rear channels?

The reason for my concern... I see almost everyone taps into the rear speakers when doing a basic sub/amp addition to the factory system. Is it possible that the front channels actually have a better (not rolled off on the lower freq) signal?

Anyone have inside information or proven this one way or another?

In my case it is the 2014 MyLink (premium sound), but I think it is most likely the same as prior years...

 

[Sonicscrewdriver]

Bump for unknown knowledge

 

[Yomaster]

To be honest, I didn't notice any difference in sound when I opened all the doors and listened to the speakers individually. I think the addition of the tweeters in the front above the dash gives the impression that it is louder in the front, since they seem to be the ones that are, essentially, driving the car's stereo.

Much to the dismay of many users here who have tricked out their sound systems, I'll be replacing the stock drivers with 3-way speakers in all of the doors without upgrading the HU or connecting them to an amp, in an attempt to improve the overall sound quality of the stereo.

I have read that all of the channels are, essentially, carrying full-range signal, though claiming "full-range" from the stock HU isn't as accurate as the term implies.

I'm open to the possibility that my hunch is wrong, though. Has anyone used better methods to figuring out why the rear speakers seem so weak?

 

[Yomaster]

I have seen this discussed, however I never have seen it answered with any kind of certainty.
I think many of us have noticed the significant apparent difference in sound between the front and rear speakers. Not only in level, but after listening paying close attention to the frequency response... it seems the low end is rolled off as well.
I know the fronts have tweeters, most likely with passive crossovers... and I have seen it stated that the front and rear low mid drivers supposedly are the same.
Does the factory head unit send the same full range (as it gets) signal to both the front AND rear channels?

The reason for my concern... I see almost everyone taps into the rear speakers when doing a basic sub/amp addition to the factory system. Is it possible that the front channels actually have a better (not rolled off on the lower freq) signal?

Anyone have inside information or proven this one way or another?

In my case it is the 2014 MyLink (premium sound), but I think it is most likely the same as prior years...

So, tonight, I replaced the all of the OEM door speakers with some 3-way Pioneers. Holy cow, what a difference! Notably, the rear speakers seemed slightly more quiet than the front. I corrected it by applying the smallest amount of rear fade via the MyLink interface, and, viola, sounds perfect. This might be due to the lessening of the volume of the dashboard tweeters, though. I honestly can't tell any difference in the volume or sonic qualities other than a slight volume difference. When removing the rear speakers, I did notice that they are physically different from the front. They have a small cone that projects from the center. Not sure what it's for, but perhaps that has something to do with the huge difference in sound between the front and back.

I installed a 12" sub last weekend, the day after buying my Sonic. That sub with the stock speakers just left a lot more to be desired. The Sonic's "premium audio" sounds like crap, especially if you're used to having some sort of aftermarket audio system in your vehicle.

Just FYI, the door speakers aren't amped or anything. They're connected to none other than the stock HU, and they sound fantastic compared to the crappy paper speakers Chevy puts in these things. If anyone is interested, they are Pioneer TS-A1675R's. My sub and amp are also Pioneer, but I don't have the models on hand. I ended up spending around $440 (incl. CA tax) for everything. Well worth it for a substantial improvement over the stock audio if you aren't looking for anything insane or enthusiast-level.

 

[Sonicscrewdriver]

After your reply, I did the same thing you mentioned and listened, with the doors open and I am of the opinion that the rears do in fact receive full range (full frequency spectrum).

The rear speakers are different from the fronts... besides the whizzer cones (supposedly enhance high frequency response... according to late 60's and early 70's engineering) the motors (voicecoil and magnets) appear to be different as well from photos I have seen.

I tapped into the rears using a Rockford RF-BLD line driver 3SIXTY Analog Processors - RF-BLD - Rockford Fosgate® as LOC to assure I got the full frequency spectrum, especially low end. Many of the low cost passive LOCs roll off the bottom end very dramatically, which is counterproductive to those looking to add a subwoofer.

In my case I added a Boston Acoustics GT series amp because I have had good luck with them and the subsonic filter was needed for my vented sub I was installing.

I chose the JL 8" microsub CP108LG-W3v3 - Car Audio - Subwoofer Systems - MicroSub? - JL Audio because of it's small size and efficiency, as well as having nothing but glowing reviews as being very "musical" and performing as well if not better than much larger drivers and enclosures.

Adjusting the Bass to "0" on the eq on the mylink and doing preliminary tuning yesterday... I am TOTALLY satisfied with the outcome.

It blends seamlessly with the front stage and the whole system sounds amazingly better. I was surprised how much it improved... and this may be due to reducing the Bass on the HU which allows the front stage to have more power to deliver the highs and mids with more authority while the Microsub delivers the lower registers at realistic levels with ease.

Doing some critical listening to a few tunes... I can tell you this one sounded absolutely amazing, very immersive: limp bizkit-behind blue eyes - Video Dailymotion

I can highly recommend the above package as one possible solution to enjoy the factory HU a bit more...

 

[Yomaster]

Wow! Awesome setup! Did you end up replacing the stock door speakers? The stock speakers really suck imho. I ended up installing a relatively budget-based setup, and I'm ecstatic about the outcome. Pioneer is definitely awesome for the price I paid.

That microsub looks awesome though! I wish I would've had the funds for something like that. My 12" takes up a large portion of the space in the hatch, but, man, that thing provides ridiculous bass!

Here's another slapper, if you're interested in checking out some new music on your new system! "Neon Skies" - Wrekonize

 

[jmwarren85]

I found that while the power was the same, the speakers have a different factory EQ between back and front.

I installed the JL audio clean sweep to get rid of the EQ at each channel and send to an amp to power aftermarket speakers correctly.

If you put aftermarket speakers on the factory HU, you put it under quite a bit of stress as it tries to push the new speakers.

The sound is so much smoother now with quite low bass extension.

So good to my ears.

http://mediacdn.jlaudio.com/media/m...faeb310d92226b8f2625190ef40cee.jpg?1397773465

 

[Sonicscrewdriver]

The only issue with the Cleansweep, is that the eq compensation is accurate for the "test" volume setting, but once you move the volume knob to something other than that particular spot... it changes.
It is better than nothing... but at the price, you move into the territory of installing an aftermarket unit and getting rid of all the sillyness and adaptation and compensation.

 

[Sonicscrewdriver]

I have discovered one bit of weirdness with my install...

I used the information listed here in the forum about the Purple with Yellow stripe being the Accessory wire... the catch was I was connecting on the drivers side at the kick... and low and behold there are TWO Purple/yellow wires.

Now my engineering sense told me that they surely must be the same and just heading to different locations... RIGHT?

Here is the deal... the one I connected to must be tied to the passenger side door in some fashion. If I park... the radio AND amp stay on... as expected.
HOWEVER... if the passenger door is opened, the radio still stays on BUT the amp shuts off...

If you don't open the passenger door... the amp shuts off with the radio when the drivers door is opened... as expected.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
opcorn:

 

[jmwarren85]

The passenger door is obviously connected in some way to the doors of purgatory...?
They don't like loud music there.

 

[jmwarren85]

The only issue with the Cleansweep, is that the eq compensation is accurate for the "test" volume setting, but once you move the volume knob to something other than that particular spot... it changes.

It is better than nothing... but at the price, you move into the territory of installing an aftermarket unit and getting rid of all the sillyness and adaptation and compensation.

Agreed in theory, I've personally not noticed much of a change in the EQ over a range of volumes though.

I also had the clean sweep laying around as I had bought it with the intention to hook up to my '10 Fiesta. I was happy enough with the sound without it.

The mylink system in my RS just seemed to sound harsher and too punchy.

It was fate.

 

[Sonicscrewdriver]

Agreed in theory, I've personally not noticed much of a change in the EQ over a range of volumes though.

I also had the clean sweep laying around as I had bought it with the intention to hook up to my '10 Fiesta. I was happy enough with the sound without it.

The mylink system in my RS just seemed to sound harsher and too punchy.

It was fate.

I agree... the Mylink does sound kind of harsh.. especially with Mp3 files... same files sound absolutely wonderful on the Scion factory Pioneer radio in the wife's Xb.
Looks like I bought the wrong car...

Now if I can figure out the Purple/yellow wire issue... :sadbanana:

 

[Sonicscrewdriver]

Update: (for anyone that actually cares)

Evidently the "normal" action of the Accessory Power is such that even though the radio will continue to play for a period of time after the car is shut off, or until the driver's door is opened (not passenger door).... the Accessory Power stays on until either door is opened.
I confirmed this via the power outlet in the center of the car