Rear Fill vs. No Rear Fill - 2014 Ford Escape

[14escape28]

New here so I'm sure there are plenty of these threads existing, but maybe it is somewhat car-specific. I just bought a 2014 Ford Escape with the MyFord touch sony system. From my previous car that I traded in, I retained Focal Polyglass components, Polyglass coax, an Alpine PDX-5 amp, and a JL 10w3 sub. I have talked to 2 shops about putting those parts into my new vehicle. One shop suggested doing an active setup on the fronts and powering them with all 4 speaker channels of the amp, having no rear fill, and then the sub in the back. They recommended a higher end processor and evidently tuning the thing like crazy. The other shop recommended a less expensive processor / line output converter and running the amp as a true 5 channel with the fronts having power, the rear fill coax having power, and then the sub. He did mention that I may see more improvement if I potentially spent money to upgrade the amplifier instead of a possibly unnecessarily expensive processor.

I'm curious as to what everyone's thoughts are on this issue. The shop suggesting no rear fill pushes the idea that most of what I will hear will be from the front stage (which I understand). The other shop pushes the idea that rear fill helps to fill in the sound and make it a more immersive experience (which I also understand). Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone in advance and I am sorry for the length of this post.

Click to read more...

 

[murph 10+ year member]

Didn't read any of that. What I can say is rear fill for the most part is useless. If you however are not going to run a subwoofer(s) than they can be beneficial to an extent. In your case driving an SUV it will do nothing. In sedans you can get a pretty decent bass response from your rear fill especially if you are able to up the ski-hole area.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

I like rear fill. always sounds better to me. gives it that surround sound effect.

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

Ok. Truth.

Rear fill is not useless, but should only be ran with proper processing.

As far as surround, if you tune your system right, you should get a surround effect. Not the surround we all think of at first, but effects such as depth, width, and height.

So, leave out rear fill until you get your front stage solid. (which will take a very long time my friend)

 

[murph 10+ year member]

Ok. Truth.Rear fill is not useless, but should only be ran with proper processing.

As far as surround, if you tune your system right, you should get a surround effect. Not the surround we all think of at first, but effects such as depth, width, and height.

So, leave out rear fill until you get your front stage solid. (which will take a very long time my friend)

Setting your T/A to give the system depth really doesn't do jack. If anything the system sounds sluggish when you put a large delay on the rear's to add depth to a system. Furthermore if you plan on getting subwoofers rear speakers mean nothing to you.

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

As far as surround, if you tune your system right,you should get a surround effect. Not the

surround we all think of at first, but effects such

as depth, width, and height.

Wasn't referring to rear fill here. This was meant fur front stage only.

If one WAS to add rear fill, they would need processing

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

I would do a killer front stage with no rear fill. It is unnecessary, and will take a lot more time to get it tuned properly.

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

to get rear fill to sound right requires way too much time and processing a solid front stage will be a lot better with that sub playing back there you won't hear it anyway

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

yep. you got several knowledgeable members agreeing that rear fill is not as simple as adding coax in the rear. and for most of the time rear speakers only hurt overall sound quality.

your best use of those coax would be facing out the rear for tailgating (on a switch to be normally off, of course).

 

[bbeljefe]

If you have regular back seat passengers who need a front stage, then rear fill. If not... set the system up for your enjoyment.

A properly tuned (and processed) front stage will make its own rear fill. And personally, I would forego more amplifier power and spend the money on processing. A good processor can compensate for myriad acoustical and power problems... if your focus is sound quality and not just loud.

If all you care about is loud, then buy the biggest amp you can afford and shove a speaker in every nook and cranny you can find. ;-)

 

[14escape28]

thanks for all the input everyone. It is greatly appreciated. And in response to the latest post...sound quality is definitely my goal over just being loud.