Front speakers only?

[dorkino]

I've read a few posts here from people who have opted to go with front speakers & a sub only (no rear deck). The reason most often given is because it sets the sound stage up front and not in the back.

Well, I put in a set of Boston SX60 components up front and have two 12" JL subs in the rear, all on JL amps. I've found that in doing this, the sound stage definitely is where it needs to be, but I feel like I'm missing out on a whole range of notes. It's like there's highs and lows, but no mids. I've verified that the 6 1/2" woofers in the door are functioning properly and that everything is connected to the crossover as intended. I've also disabled the xover built into my Alpine HU as well as any filters on the amp.

The only way to make my music sound normal again is to turn the rear 6x9s back on. This moves the sound stage behind me, of course.

I like having the sound stage up front, but I don't like the way it sounds. Any possibility that I've done something wrong? Or is this normal for running in front speaker mode only?

 

[aznfunkyflip]

i feel the same way bro. i have the same set-up on my prelude, which is just front component and sub, but like you, i feel like there isn't enough mids.

 

[Wildman]

there's a few things that can help that. one is more power. another is dampening the doors. and the third is, when/if you dampen the doors, seal the front from the back completely. something stiff and weather-resistant that you can cut-to-fit

 

[eggyhustles]

are the speakers amped? also are the doors sound deadened?

 

[ryan s]

kickpanels! put some 7" subs in em

 

[syd-monster]

You may have some sound cancelation issues in your doors. that is some of the sound/air from the back of the speaker is eventually leaking to the front cancelling some of the sound out.
Also 6th gen doors (like most hondas) are relatively flimsy in general car terms. New solid wood (and sealed) baffles ie birch or mdf bits that hold the mid speaker in the door, combined with a decent layer of soundeadning (or two) product such as Dynamat will help mid responce.
The other thing is make sure that the mid speaker is not wired wrongly (ie out of phase) triple check that each + and - output of the amp is going to the + and - of the correct speaker.
Last but not least, turn off any EQ's or bassboost or whatever setting you have on the headunit. Most EQ's in h/u's increase the top and bottom frequencies leaving a gap in the middle, hence that could also be affecting your sound.
There is a few things to try there, I hope that helps mate...