I need some stereo/speaker help

[JAKES 68GMC]

Ok, I've got a pretty simple stereo system set up in my truck, and Alpine CD player with 2 5.25 cheap Dual speakers, mounted under the dash. It sounds alright, but when your driving and you have to turn the radio up, the speakers sound like crap and are really high-pitched. They have no bass or thump to them, they're just really high-pitched. They sound fine at lower volumes though.

I'd kinda like to have some sort of bass in the system, and I'd like to have it so its not as high pitched. Should I buy some new speakers, or add some under the seat, or what? I really have no clue about stereos beyond speakers, I'm stereo illiterate. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

[get me on the road]

Have you tried adjusting the bass,treb and things like that?

[JAKES 68GMC]

Yeah I have, if you turn the bass up too much, the speakers make a cracking/snap noise. If you adjust the treble, either it sounds really high-pitched or muffled. I've done everything i can think of, i've fooled with it a lot.

[AceX]

What you might want to do is look into getting a set of component speakers. They will sound better at all volumes and will handle the higher volumes much better.

[72BLUZ]

i bought a set of speakers at walmart, they are in a box. i have them under my seat. they cost about 25.00 and i bought the kick panel speakers from lmc. it sounds decent!!!!

[djracer]

jake how are the speakers mounted? can you take a pic of them? that is probably why they sound so bad! I'll be happy to help if you can elaborate!

[JAKES 68GMC]

I have them mounted up under the dash, one in each corner. I don't know if i can get a pic, i don't know where my camera went. I think the cheap speakers may have something to do with the crappy sound, you get what you pay for, and they were only $30 a pair.

I was wondering if another set of speakers under the seat would help even the noise out and make it sound better, maybe some 6x9's or something? I have no freaking clue, sound systems aren't my thing.

[djracer]

if the speakers front wave is not isolated from its back wave it will sound horrible! if they are in the stock location they need a plate and even some foam or something to seal the speaker to the grill will make a big differance. if you put speakers under the seat they need to be in a box of some sort!

[canadianc-10]

i dont think your going to get much of any bass out of them assuming its prob a 2 or 3way speaker. if you dont want nething fancy throw some dual 6x9s in for the rear channel in there

[JAKES 68GMC]

Originally Posted by djracer

if the speakers front wave is not isolated from its back wave it will sound horrible! if they are in the stock location they need a plate and even some foam or something to seal the speaker to the grill will make a big differance. if you put speakers under the seat they need to be in a box of some sort!

what do you mean by front and rear waves being isolated? haha im sorry im so dumb. I'll try and get you a pic of how the speakers are mounted.

[djracer]

all sound coming from the front needs to be isolated from the rear sound waves. it they are not it cancels out all medium to lower frequencies an makes the speaker sound rear tinny!

[corn]

Another thing to check is to make sure the speakers arent out of phase. Make sure positive on the stereo is positive on the speaker. One speaker hooked up backwards will do it. Turn it on & turn the balance to one side then the other. If the bass is good on left or right but not in the center, you have one out of phase. If the bass is the best in the center, its hooked up correctly...

[Buffrock]

I agree, you definetly need to isolate your speakers, standing waves will cancel each other out resulting in nothing. This means using foam "hats", mounting in the dash, or putting them in an enclosure. Phase is also a huge deal but it sounds like the first issue is the way they are mounted.

[JAKES 68GMC]

what do you mean by using foam, just cutting some out and putting it on the speakers somehow? pics would be great. I think i will put some 6x9's under the seat though, maybe get a little more thump and or noise output, o rjust to make it sound better.

[djracer]

If you make a plate to mount dash speakers in a layer of foam that seals that plate to the bottom of the dash will make the speakers sound much better!

[72BlckButy]

with djracer. Once you get that thing securely mounted and place some type of foam between the dash and the speaker it will sound completely different.

If you decide to put them under your seat, make sure they are in a box of some type. A box will make the speakers sound completely different which is why you're probably having the issue you are currently. The speaker is open to itself and as mentioned above it is cancelling itself out.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I fixed the problem, i put 2 6x9 Sony Xplods under the seat, and remounted the 5 1/4's. Sounds friggin sweet now, plenty of thump to it and way better sound quality.

[71_Cheyenne]

I just installed speakers in my truck, and the sound is really good, at least for a noisy truck. Heres some pics.





4x6's in custom kick panel's, both pointed to my ears, which helps tremendesly. yeah i still need to clean them up and bondo/shape and paint.

6x8's in there own boxes under the front of the seats, pointed forward. those wont work if you have the stock seat, mine is a straight bench from a late 80's early 90's chevy truck. Definatly something that everyone should do. More leg room, more comfortable seat, more room everywhere.

Hope this helps