Speakers
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 331
Likes: 232
I posted this in the other thread:
In most modern upgraded sound system from factory, what you are describing is NORMAL. Mark Levinson. JBL. B&O. Harman Kardon.
All do the same as you described. Why is it like that?
I have not look into detail of B&O. I will use JBL system in my LC as an example.
JBL uses “Distributed Subwoofer System” (DSS). DSS uses bass from the cargo subwoofer AND the two front door mid-bass speakers to provide bass to the whole cabin. So instead of one BIG subwoofer in traditional system, modern systems use small subwoofers placed strategically around cabin for bass. (Remember, most music bass rarely goes below 40 Hz.)
So, those front lower door speakers are more for BASS (or low end frequencies), not vocals. If you’re using the stock JBL amp, then that location is only getting mid-bass signals…thus, “muffled” sound that you’re getting.
Vocals and highs ALL come from the dash and A-pillar speakers. And this is intentional. Dash and A-pillars midrange and tweets are there to make the sound stage HIGH up instead of at your knees. And the dash mid-tweets use the reflectively coated windshield to bounce the midrange and high frequencies throughout the cabin.
The ceiling speaker and headrest speakers are there for “fill” and surround ambience. They are NOT there to pound music out.
The rear speakers in the rear door are NOT there to make much music. They are there to fill the rear seats with music…more fill than loud music bc the front dash speakers are the main ones to provide staging.
The idea is that all sounds come from the front “stage”, not behind your head, not left or right of where you’re seating. Think of sitting in a concert. You don’t want music behind you nor to your left and right.
Even though some system claims 7.1 surround, the surround effect is not like movie theater. It is so that every seat in the car gets similar sound.
So, while this setup may sound weird to folks who are used to the traditional setup, it is the correct way.
And IMHO, the B&O Unleash is a good system.
And since i have Googled B&O unleashed, yeah, B&O is under Harman Kardan. So, B&O is just like Mark Levinson, JBL, etc. in design.
https://assets.ctfassets.net/8cd2csg...English_US.pdf
Found this speaker layout for Expedition but is similar to us. We just have 4 less speakers. We don’t have the cargo midrange speakers nor 2 of the overhead speakers.
But the design is same as other modern sound system. 3 so-called “subwoofers;” probably better named as low frequency drivers IMO. One subwoofer in the rear of our cab. The FRONT two door woofers (6x9) are for mid bass. So the subwoofer and front door woofers all act together to provide midbass and bass to the cabin. This is common in automotive world because 3 small subs can move air quicker and provide quicker bass response….but downfall is that it does not provide DEEP bass such as in pounding rap sounds or heavy metal. But for most music that your average customer listen to, the 3 “subs” provide good quick bass.
The 3 dash midrange speakers provide the vocals and bouncing them off the windshield. The two door sail tweeters provide the highs. These 5 speakers provide the vocals and highs and provide the staging of the sound.
The rest of the speakers are for fill and ambience. The rear door speakers provide a little more sound (more “fill” if you will) because the rear passengers are father away from the front dash.
In most modern upgraded sound system from factory, what you are describing is NORMAL. Mark Levinson. JBL. B&O. Harman Kardon.
All do the same as you described. Why is it like that?
I have not look into detail of B&O. I will use JBL system in my LC as an example.
JBL uses “Distributed Subwoofer System” (DSS). DSS uses bass from the cargo subwoofer AND the two front door mid-bass speakers to provide bass to the whole cabin. So instead of one BIG subwoofer in traditional system, modern systems use small subwoofers placed strategically around cabin for bass. (Remember, most music bass rarely goes below 40 Hz.)
So, those front lower door speakers are more for BASS (or low end frequencies), not vocals. If you’re using the stock JBL amp, then that location is only getting mid-bass signals…thus, “muffled” sound that you’re getting.
Vocals and highs ALL come from the dash and A-pillar speakers. And this is intentional. Dash and A-pillars midrange and tweets are there to make the sound stage HIGH up instead of at your knees. And the dash mid-tweets use the reflectively coated windshield to bounce the midrange and high frequencies throughout the cabin.
The ceiling speaker and headrest speakers are there for “fill” and surround ambience. They are NOT there to pound music out.
The rear speakers in the rear door are NOT there to make much music. They are there to fill the rear seats with music…more fill than loud music bc the front dash speakers are the main ones to provide staging.
The idea is that all sounds come from the front “stage”, not behind your head, not left or right of where you’re seating. Think of sitting in a concert. You don’t want music behind you nor to your left and right.
Even though some system claims 7.1 surround, the surround effect is not like movie theater. It is so that every seat in the car gets similar sound.
So, while this setup may sound weird to folks who are used to the traditional setup, it is the correct way.
And IMHO, the B&O Unleash is a good system.
And since i have Googled B&O unleashed, yeah, B&O is under Harman Kardan. So, B&O is just like Mark Levinson, JBL, etc. in design.
https://assets.ctfassets.net/8cd2csg...English_US.pdf
Found this speaker layout for Expedition but is similar to us. We just have 4 less speakers. We don’t have the cargo midrange speakers nor 2 of the overhead speakers.
But the design is same as other modern sound system. 3 so-called “subwoofers;” probably better named as low frequency drivers IMO. One subwoofer in the rear of our cab. The FRONT two door woofers (6x9) are for mid bass. So the subwoofer and front door woofers all act together to provide midbass and bass to the cabin. This is common in automotive world because 3 small subs can move air quicker and provide quicker bass response….but downfall is that it does not provide DEEP bass such as in pounding rap sounds or heavy metal. But for most music that your average customer listen to, the 3 “subs” provide good quick bass.
The 3 dash midrange speakers provide the vocals and bouncing them off the windshield. The two door sail tweeters provide the highs. These 5 speakers provide the vocals and highs and provide the staging of the sound.
The rest of the speakers are for fill and ambience. The rear door speakers provide a little more sound (more “fill” if you will) because the rear passengers are father away from the front dash.
