Uneven Speaker Level

Have had my 4runner for about four months and had decided to upgrade the audio. I didn't mess with the settings too much except for the EQ. Never could find an acceptable balance in the sound.

Decided to install the Focal IS690 and some sound deadening this weekend. Will eventually add a sub and amp. When testing the speakers though, the driver side sound was noticeably lower in volume and clarity. Played some pink noise and measured the db with an app. Was about a 3 db difference between the passenger and driver side. I then reinstalled the stock speakers and got the same results. I have to set the balance toward the driver about 3 clicks to get somewhat centered. Connections seemed fine, no corrosion or loose wires.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? Should this be something I take to the dealer?

 

Is it possible that it is set that way on purpose? I mean if your sitting right next to the speakers on the drivers side maybe that levels it out from the passenger side?

 

In one of my cars? This is exactly the case, and/but it is noted in the OM.

 

Here's the list of fader settings for each channel where the signal just begins to clip, one notch down and no clipping occurs.

Front Left - Fader 55
Front Right - Fader 49
Rear Left - Fader 52
Rear Right - Fader 51

At these fader settings is when the output for that channel reaches 24.7V. So I’d say it has been aligned to the driver’s seat in the factory radio.

 

Thanks. Coming from a 3rd gen Tacoma, I didn't keep the stock head unit long enough to notice if this was a practice.

 

Yup NP.

I haven’t done the write up on it yet but I installed a ton of shit and kept the factory radio, and took a ton of measurements with my oscope and RTA along the way. This is just one thing I found in the process.

Since I have them handy, here’s these too. This is the electrical measurement of the factory radio’s front and rear output spectrum.

Front


Rear

 

Is this from an Audio Control DSP?....and is the signal from a 4Runner?

I just ordered a Audio Control DM-608 and spent some time today on 30+ pages on how to set it up when it arrives.

If I am reading that correct and probably not as I am just starting to figure this all out, the front has really high mid-range and the rears little base.

Like to see an after you adjust it.

 

Yes to both.

Yeah you got it. You just have to keep in mind this isn’t the acoustical response in the vehicle, it’s just something you have to deal with when you replace speakers and add an amplifier, because that stuff changes the end result quite a bit.

I’m about to put a tune in, I haven’t had a chance yet because I’d just recently decided to add the Audio Control, pretty much to handle what I was suspecting was an atrocious factory radio internal tune because even though I have been able to get good sound, and the spectrum was looking fairly good, I just couldn’t hear some things I’m used to hearing and I was having a tough time working through the Audison BIT to get it. I don’t think their de-EQ works as well as the Audio Control does. What a frustrating piece of software...

I have gripes about the Audio Control as well though, I just can’t really say shit until I have more time with it.