Can't hear certain instruments on playback

[toilet champ]

This might be difficult to explain.

I notice it most when songs by The Beatles play. The guitar in a song might come through so quietly that it's barely audible. Sometimes it might happen to a vocal. It's not limited to The Beatles but I cannot think of what else is affected off the top of my head. The result, as you can imagine, is tough to listen to.

I have messed with balance and fader settings to no avail.

I want to remedy this problem and I was wondering if replacing my stock headunit might be a good place to start.

2002 Subaru with stock stereo

Double DIN 6CD changer head unit

Stock 6.5" component speakers up front

Stock 4" speakers in the rear

Does anyone know what might be causing this?

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[Horsemanwill 10+ year member]

taking out the factory stuff and installing aftermarket. nothing else you can really do with factory.

 

[toilet champ]

Thanks - does anyone know what might cause this to happen?

I hope to replace the whole system but I want to start with the headunit first.

 

[Horsemanwill 10+ year member]

basically it's just the way the speakers and the deck are working together. the deck probably doesn't have a whole lot of power and the speakers probably can't play certain freqs good.

 

[undeadxsunshine 10+ year member]

Maybe a channel isn't getting played? I know with some older songs certain instruments or vocals only come through on one channel.

Either way replace the head unit.

 

[toilet champ]

Maybe a channel isn't getting played? I know with some older songs certain instruments or vocals only come through on one channel.Either way replace the head unit.

That was my suspicion but I didn't know if channel was the right term.

Thanks for the input. I'm going to replace the headunit and go from there.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

The Beatles are notorious for horribly bad ping-pong stereo recordings (at least before the Ebbetts mono remasters), but you really can't expect a worthwhile reference out of a stock stereo.