Speaker problem with SL factory system w/o RF option?

[DejaWiz]

Hi everyone. I was listening to some music in my car during lunch break and started messing with the fader controls. I like to have as much front sound stage as I can, so I generally leave it faded to the front.

I decided to shift it towards the rear to see if I could get a little bit better midbass response (imo factory systems really suck and this one is certainly no exception), and when I set it back to centered, there was hardly any difference at all.

I then faded all the way to the rear and it sounded really muffled and dull. Couldn't hardly make out any lyrics whatsoever. It sounded like listening underwater (best analogy I can think if at the moment).

Has anyone else with the SL 6 disc and non RF system experienced dull/muffled sound reproduction from the rear speakers?

I don't think it is (and dare I ask), but is this normal?

[Haxter]

If you really want good sound tear every thing out and replace it with good quality components. Do some research and you will probably come up with a good system. This includes a high quality head unit, separate amp and GOOD QUALITY speakers. It may cost you something , but believe me you will hear the difference. Be sure to consider component speakers as the ports for the tweeters are there. There are no tweeters in the factory system. AND most important, installation by a reputable dealer.

[gtrisfun]

i've got the non-RF system and i know what you're talking about.

considering that the rear speakers are at the bottom of the rear doors, it shouldn't be any surprise that they'd be kinda muffled when faded back. but if you sit in the rear seats, it sounds pretty decently clear for those passengers.

i just consider it as staging (as you were saying that you prefer front staging) and back fill. for any rear passengers, i think it acts for better and more accurate staging as well, as opposed to the typical speakers behind their heads.

but if your main concern is how it sounds to your ears (and yes it should be), then maybe you might wanna look into having the rear speakers aimed a little more towards you (using angled spacers or even glassing the rear doors, if you'd wanna keep 'em in that location).

but first of all, i'd change out those speaks for a set of 2way or 3way with a aim-able tweet. or you could also go separates for the rear too.

[DejaWiz]

If you really want good sound tear every thing out and replace it with good quality components. Do some research and you will probably come up with a good system. This includes a high quality head unit, separate amp and GOOD QUALITY speakers. It may cost you something , but believe me you will hear the difference. Be sure to consider component speakers as the ports for the tweeters are there. There are no tweeters in the factory system. AND most important, installation by a reputable dealer.

Thanks and I appreciate your willingness to help, but I'm no stranger to car audio... I've been installing and recommending car audio for over a decade now in my spare time. I fully realize that revamping everything will make the most difference, and I have plans to do just that when time and, more importantly, money permits:

If I keep the factory HU:-RF 3Sixty.2 or Alpine H650 sound processor.-Pioneer TS-C720PRS, Cerwin Vega VMax65, or maybe some Rainbow SLC Kicks.-Ascendant Audio Assassin 8" or maybe a slim line sub like the new SI BM 12" as long as it will fit in a fiberglassed sealed enclosure to mimic the factory looking RF option.-Alpine PDX-5 for the entire system and wired to run the front comps active (rears will be removed outright).-KnuKonceptz wiring for everything.

If I don't keep the factory HU, then I'll substitute the sound processor with new Pioneer FH-P800BT (want to keep the Bluetooth hands free system).



On the matter of the factory system not having tweeters, you are wrong there.... The SL trim level does have them.

My question still stands regarding the factory system: Do my rear speakers have a problem?

[Haxter]

Yes you are correct about the tweeters. I purposely did not pay attention to that as I was planning to do a complete replacement. I did replace the HU with the Pioneer HP-F8000BT.

[DejaWiz]

I did replace the HU with the Pioneer HP-F8000BT.

Very cool! It's been getting some fairly nice reviews. How do you like it?

[Haxter]

I am using the Pioneer with an Alpine F300 amp and Polk db6501 component speakers. I only listen to classical orchestral music And am still in the process of setting the equalization on Custom 1. I am about 80% done with that. It will take a little more time but there is already a great improvement. Iam,however, having a problem with my Bluetooth connection with my cellphone, a Nokia 6362. When I receve a call the phone keeps ringing for a time and the caller has a problem hearing me although I can hear him OK. When I make a call it is OK until I try to hang up. It will not disconnect. Can anyone out there help me.

[DejaWiz]

Does your cell phone have the latest firmware? If so, then it might be a problem with your HU.

[davejay]

FYI, I have an SL with the R/F option, and it doesn't sound any better, enough that I also posted a thread on it and asked the dealer to look into it (they said it's normal, of course.)

[DejaWiz]

FYI, I have an SL with the R/F option, and it doesn't sound any better, enough that I also posted a thread on it and asked the dealer to look into it (they said it's normal, of course.)

Oh, naturally they would.

[Haxter]

I called T-Mobile and Pioneer and both claim that it's the other's unit that's to blame. T-Mobile did send me a firmware update that came out in November. My phone did not come out until early 2008 so I would think that it is already updated. There is something else I am going to try and if I am not successful I will call the Pioneer techs next week. I will keep you posted.

[DejaWiz]

I called T-Mobile and Pioneer and both claim that it's the other's unit that's to blame. T-Mobile did send me a firmware update that came out in November. My phone did not come out until early 2008 so I would think that it is already updated. There is something else I am going to try and if I am not successful I will call the Pioneer techs next week. I will keep you posted.

Good to know and thanks, as I am very interested in this HU.

[Haxter]

I deleted everything from the HU and followed the instructions in my phone manual instead of those in the Pioneer manual. As a result everything seems to work fine. I don't know why or how.

[DejaWiz]

I deleted everything from the HU and followed the instructions in my phone manual instead of those in the Pioneer manual. As a result everything seems to work fine. I don't know why or how.

Yeah, that seems a bit odd, but glad it's working the way it should be.