#1430512 - 07/04/08 03:17 PM
Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
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FatalFlaw
SD Newbie
Registered: 07/03/08
Posts: 2
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I'm new to this hobby and when I was considering what to install in my car I assumed simply upgrading all of the factory locations should work well (02' Mustang w/ Mach460). That meant four 6x8's and 4 tweeters, spread evenly between the front and rear. I'm happy with the system but I know the SQ could be better. Is there really no right way to run rear speakers to still get sound quality? I've put a lot of time, effort, and money into getting some rear speakers installed. I would hate to just not run anything back there. Is there any rear speaker configuration that will still give SQ?
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#1430516 - 07/04/08 03:41 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: FatalFlaw]
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Lou Dub/pastaRocket/Red Wings
random Post whore.
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Registered: 01/30/06
Posts: 12395
Loc: Mantweeeka,Ca
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I'm new to this hobby and when I was considering what to install in my car I assumed simply upgrading all of the factory locations should work well (02' Mustang w/ Mach460). That meant four 6x8's and 4 tweeters, spread evenly between the front and rear. I'm happy with the system but I know the SQ could be better. Is there really no right way to run rear speakers to still get sound quality? I've put a lot of time, effort, and money into getting some rear speakers installed. I would hate to just not run anything back there. Is there any rear speaker configuration that will still give SQ?
_________________________
Wow, words of wisdom from Lou. Who would have thunk it? 3 down,a few more to go.''Life's tough.....it's even tougher if you're stupid.'' -- John Wayne ,Lot Lizard Lou 
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#1430860 - 07/05/08 04:07 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: FatalFlaw]
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TtownCLS
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Team SoundDomain
Registered: 02/11/08
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There are people who have used rear speakers with a band pass X-over and 20ms or more time delay to create a true rear fill. It's supposed to mimic the reflections that would come from the back of the concert hall. I played with it a little in the Acura. The only benefit I ever got was a "larger" sounding space in the car. It pulled my front stage down and in. I ended up taking the speakers out of the rear deck and never looked back "literally" again. The car actually has reflections from the back glass anyway. I'm sure someone has managed to make it work, but I've never heard one that worked.
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#1430965 - 07/05/08 09:15 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: TtownCLS]
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MacLeod
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Registered: 11/13/04
Posts: 229
Loc: Chattanooga, TN
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Its pretty hard to get precise staging using rear speakers and using rear speakers can cause some cancellation by having the same frequencies hitting your ears at different times but you can get pretty good sound with them.
That being said, rear speakers can fatten up the sound a little and some people like this. Not everybody cares about a competition soundstage and like having all around sound.
The bottom line is youre the one paying for it and youre the one listening to it. If you like the way a 4 speaker setup sounds, then its the right way.
_________________________
"Its like a concert only live-er!"
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#1431126 - 07/06/08 08:38 AM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: MacLeod]
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sq civic
SD Newbie
Registered: 05/14/08
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Nicely said Aaron!!! SQ is completely judgemental.
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#1431364 - 07/06/08 06:32 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: sq civic]
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Thumper26
Representing the
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Registered: 09/12/04
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Nicely said Aaron!!! SQ is completely judgemental.
x2. very well put. at the end of the day, you have to listen to it, so you need to go with what you like.
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#1431475 - 07/06/08 10:45 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: Thumper26]
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keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker
Registered: 04/24/07
Posts: 13370
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
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I agree with the advice above and wish to add the following; use your fader to determine the effect they have on your sound. Don't just listen for increased volume - that's a given. Listen for increased detail and clarity. Listen to rear speakers only and see if that sounds as good as the front speakers only. Typically, the off-axis placement of rear speakers gives a "bandpass" response already. If you can play the rear speakers only and feel that the sound quality is good then keep them. If you play rear only and think it sounds bad, then you have your answer. "rear fill" shouldn't degrade the sound quality of the front speakers or overall system. If a speaker sounds bad alone, it still sounds bad when mixed in with other speakers.
Take the time to listen to your system from every seat in the car if you care about your passengers. Typically, rear passengers suffer from having one speaker next to their head playing too loud, and exaggerated bass response. I will adjust my settings depending on who is in the car and where they are at.
The cars i've heard and system setups i've had that seemed to benefit from rear speakers (when a sound stage wasn't a concern) had rear speakers on-axis and not in a factory location. I haven't heard a good system with rear door mounted speakers or rear deck mounted speakers yet. That doesn't mean they don't or can't exist.
I drive a good number of different rental cars each month and almost every time I move the fader to the front, either some or all. It depends on the bass response of the front speakers.
I spent years playing with my fader and with time delay trying to get a "rear fill" that I found acceptable. Now those holes are sealed up and I am much happier.
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#1434007 - 07/09/08 04:08 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
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BabyGrand
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Registered: 03/30/00
Posts: 683
Loc: KC
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This is a good thread to read!! Hopefully people will keep reading it!
Thanks!
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#1497267 - 09/23/08 04:51 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: BabyGrand]
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gmac22
SD Ralph Wiggum
Registered: 09/13/08
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i use rear speakers because i like my metal loud and loud. dont care about a damn soundstage i just want it loud.
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#1497293 - 09/23/08 06:03 PM
Re: Is it impossible to get good SQ with rear speakers?
[Re: gmac22]
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TtownCLS
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Registered: 02/11/08
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i use rear speakers because i like my metal loud and loud. dont care about a damn soundstage i just want it loud.
Just so you know. You can have loud and still have a soundstage too. I know of a particular F250 that will take your head off with volume and it still sounds very realistic. Rear speakers or not, it can be done.
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