Does rear speakers improves driver audio experience?

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

I enjoy rear fill as well. The experiencing is worth the efforts. Doesnt take much to fill that void that always seems to be missing for that surround sound effect imho for the whole vehicle listening.

A front sub brings the bass up front for that all around you feeling

 

[RobGMN 5,000+ posts]

A front sub brings the bass up front for that all around you feeling

Must have one helluva high crossover point on your subs.

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Must have one helluva high crossover point on your subs.

Not likely my subs are 20-80, front sub is 50-150, midbass is 60-450. Lots of overlap. Long as it's in phase it doesn't really matter. The whole point is to bolster that upper bass lower midbass region where the main subs fall off and door speakers don't really pick up due to being so small or room nulls

It's really a different experience that changes the whole dynamic of the sound inside the car

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

My next rabbit hole!

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Not likely my subs are 20-80, front sub is 50-150, midbass is 60-450. Lots of overlap. Long as it's in phase it doesn't really matter. The whole point is to bolster that upper bass lower midbass region where the main subs fall off and door speakers don't really pick up due to being so small or room nulls

It's really a different experience that changes the whole dynamic of the sound inside the car

I'm running my subs with no ssf to 60hz...the front sub is at 50-150hz now, and my mids pick up at 120hz

 

[pickup1 5,000+ posts]

I have rear fill..but it's subtle, and controlled through my dsp.

 

[RobGMN 5,000+ posts]

Not likely my subs are 20-80, front sub is 50-150, midbass is 60-450. Lots of overlap. Long as it's in phase it doesn't really matter. The whole point is to bolster that upper bass lower midbass region where the main subs fall off and door speakers don't really pick up due to being so small or room nulls

It's really a different experience that changes the whole dynamic of the sound inside the car

Gotcha. I meant being able to localize the subs. I find the crossover point has to be impractically high to be able to tell where they are, unless they are causing something nearby them to vibrate audibly.

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Gotcha. I meant being able to localize the subs. I find the crossover point has to be impractically high to be able to tell where they are, unless they are causing something nearby them to vibrate audibly.

They disappear easily at low volume but for us that like a 20db bottom bump into the curve they easily localize. The front sub makes them disappear much better even at higher volume. Plus I'm in a truck so the subs are fairly close and shake the floor and seats so you feel where they are

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

They disappear easily at low volume but for us that like a 20db bottom bump into the curve they easily localize. The front sub makes them disappear much better even at higher volume. Plus I'm in a truck so the subs are fairly close and shake the floor and seats so you feel where they are

I have a pair of Dayton 10s I would like to incorporate for my next front stage prob under my seats. I think it will be quite beneficial along with some 6.5s in the kick panels

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

It also depends on your car. I find that big cars tend to sound "hollow" without rear fill. I drive big 4-dr sedans and a pair of 6X9's in the rear deck running on HU power can add volume and midbass. I'll second not having tweeters though.

Speakers in the rear doors do nothing for the driver. The OP hasn't said what he drives.

 

[DEW123]

My escape has 6.5 comps in the rear doors and I’m glad I had them put in there, much more of a balanced surround sound in my opinion.

 

[MicraMan]

Didn't expect that much debate here! But good to read all of you.

As it seems important, I drive a small car, a Nissan Micra from 2007. The speakers are the ones that come with the car, and they don't sound bad for the car it is, but I would like to improve it.

I was thinking in maybe moving the stock speakers to the rear part, and if it was necessary make'em sound lesser than the fronts. Now I know I would like to cut the high frequencies to make everything sound better.

I am not thinking in a sub. I dont need that much high quality sound in my car, although I would appreciate it. Also, in a small car like mine, probably it doesnt fit.

About the making the car less noisy to be able to hear beyter the music, I wonder if there is something else to do other than working the doors. Is there?

I have everything to do and to decide, but with a pair of good coaxials in the front part probably it is enough.

I am listening to your suggestions!

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

I personally just don't mix and match speakers, for any reason. the only exception is using a wideband or narrow bandpass driver in the rear. Even then, I try to use the same midbass and tweeter (or just the same midbass for the wideband) in the rear, same driver as the front. Time alignment/delay and volume should be the only concerns, not timbre.

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

It also depends on your car. I find that big cars tend to sound "hollow" without rear fill. I drive big 4-dr sedans and a pair of 6X9's in the rear deck running on HU power can add volume and midbass. I'll second not having tweeters though.

Speakers in the rear doors do nothing for the driver. The OP hasn't said what he drives.

Done correctly rearfill can give a good listen atmosphere I just fill it takes entirely too much work since you are trying to add ambience and that's it.

Rearfill that's even within 6db of the front volume has a tendency to pull the sound stage rearwards even with good time alignment.

6x9s on the back deck typically have 2 or 3way tweeter setups paired with the midbass and more often than not are too load to be useful imho. On top of that if you have a decent sub stage in a trunk it often destroys rear deck speakers

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

My escape has 6.5 comps in the rear doors and I’m glad I had them put in there, much more of a balanced surround sound in my opinion.

Deff a nice addition for passengers to get some nice sound while riding as well.

 

[DEW123]

No, I’m speaking just from the drivers seat!

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

No, I’m speaking just from the drivers seat!

I think most have lost sight of the fact that you are adding FRONT speakers, right? Rear fill like/dislike is personal. I am both somewhat of an audiophile that appreciates single seat front stage and at times, enjoy rear fill too. The times that I drive on a road trip and it's just me, I still toggle back and forth depending on the music source. I usually listen to live recordings or stuff like sarah mclaughlin with rear fill, just prefer it that way. Dire straits and Bsatles mono recordings, Single seat all the way.

Truth be known, I rearly (haha) think about it unless on long road trips where things are calm enough to appreciate the single seat front stage tune.

When there is anyone in the car, rear or 2 seat iw it. If I had to choose one over the other, moderat rear fill would likely win and I am all about the SQ, just what i like when cruising along.

 

[just call me KeV 10+ year member]

I like multiple midbass locations. I have two 6.5” in each rear door but they only play to 500hz lpf. That’s not even ideal. 350 would be better. I really only use them when I’m really jamming out. I can switch them on/off through the head unit….And I can third, the part about an up front sub. Made an significant difference. Worth all the aggravation building that glove box subwoofer.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Ill also add that, its nice to have rear fill for passengers and for that surround sound affect, especially for an SUV or a 4 dr vehicle. If the HU has the option to use Time Alignment you can use that feature to as well for your needs.