db series all around, but the timbre doesn't match

[bokdaddy]

Hey guys, I'm a newbie who asked some questions during the summer about head units and the db series, etc. But after having a Pioneer DEH-1600 and the db525's and db 690's for a few months I'm completely unsatisfied. The sound up front is completely different from the sound in the back. There is virtually no bass in the front two seats, but in the back it's boomy and mucks up the midrange. (oh, I'm driving a '99 Hyundai Elantra)

I've done my best to tinker with my head unit settings and get the best sound but it hasn't done anything. Is there something I can do? Dynamat maybe to bring the bass up front? I had been thinking about buying some damping sheets but wasn't sure if it would help as much as I would like. It's very strange how different even the highs sound from the front to the back of the car and I don't get what's going on. Any thoughts?

[neomagus00]

if no one said that you shouldn't be using rear speakers, that's totally our bad. cause that's the issue... you're using 5-1/4" in the front, and 6x9 in the back, and the 6x9 have way more bass, but the 5.25 are gonna be cleaner. i say turn the fader way up front, to the point that you're not really aware of the rear speakers; 5.25" speakers simply do not do bass, that's just a simple fact. if you don't have a sub, that's pretty much going to be a necessity :(.

[MacLeod]

Thats not suprising at all. 5.25's were never intended to put out bass and frankly arent capable of it whereas 6x9's can put out quite a bit due to their increased size.

Also, I would bet youre using head unit power only to power these speakers and that youve got the fader set right in the middle. Thats not gonna work and Ill tell ya why.

Your h/u is only putting out 15 watts. I dont care what the specs say, its 15 watts and that is way to little power. So this means your h/u runs out of power way before it gets to the required amount to push some bass resonse out of the 5.25's so they distort and sound crappy.

Also, with the fader set in the middle, the 6x9s are getting the same power as the 5.25's. This is bad because with both getting the same power youve got the same frequencies hitting your ears at different time intervals which smears the detail. the majority of your soundstage should be coming from the front.

Here's what you need to do. First, buy an amp. 50x4 at least but 75x4 preferably. This 80x4 Profile (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-r2ES5elfsPA/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=489AP1040) would be perfect. Its not a competition level amp but its solidly built and puts out clean power. This would make youre speakers sound 10 times better just by the good, clean power alone.

Next youll cross over the front speakers at 80 Hz and run the 6x9s full range. Next turn the gain down on the rear speakers a good bit. Off the top of my head, Id say if you set the front gain at the "noon" position, Id set the rear gain at 10:00. Try this for starters and you can adjust from there.

So in summary, youre speakers dont sound good because A) youre underpowering them and B) you have them tuned wrong. Do yourself a favor and spend an extra $150 and get an amp. Youll be amazed at the difference it makes.

[exalted512]

get a 4 channel amp, use 2 channels for the front speakers, bridge the other 2 for a sub...scratch the 6x9s
-Cody

[MacLeod]

Yes, ideally buying a sub would be the best solution. Also dumping the 6x9s would be even better but since youve already bought them Id say keep them. Tuned down to a low level they wont affect SQ at all.

[neomagus00]

nor will they affect the music :). if you feel the need to keep them, do so, it's all your call, but i would personally lose them, and amp the fronts and a sub.

[LittleCar_w/12s]

I would use the head unit to power the 6x9"s and get a good 2-channel amp for the front 5.25"s Then you might invest in a mono-amp for the sub, or subs... whenever.
(or use Cody's 4ch idea)
The cleaner amp will help your fronts out a great deal, and you will simply keep your unit faded full to front, 0 to back. When you have passengers who want some music too, fade a little to the back, which will be crappy power out of the headunit. That'll save you from wasting your money to amp up the rear speakers you don't need without back-seaters.

[MacLeod]

Using head unit power is never a good idea. $150 for a 4 channel amp is way to cheap to skimp. Do it the right way and skip the h/u power altogether.

[bokdaddy]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'll look into getting a 4-way amp. I just thought it was very strange. A friend of mine has Infinity 5.25's and 6x9's and his sounds the same throughout. And his are hooked up to the factory stereo. But I'll look into amps. Thanks again.

[MacLeod]

That would be wise. Then adjust the gains appropriately. Trust us, its not the speakers fault. Those DB's are more than capable speakers.