Do I need to keep the rears for... midbass?

TaylorFade · 05-02-2013, 06:58 AM

I'm in the planning stages of upgrading my sound. I was doing some listening yesterday and I was extremely surprised by how much midbass there is coming from the rears. It's actually quite anemic with the fader all the way to the front.

Are the rears adding that much midbass? For the time being, I was just going to amp the OEM fronts with a 4 channel and add some processing, but I'm worried now that eliminating the rears is going to kill the midbass.

Thoughts?

Harlequin · 05-02-2013, 07:08 AM

No. It's not "clean" bass... It's just booming around the "chamber" made between the parcel shelf and the boot lining.

I've upgraded my fronts, added tweeters, and amped the front stage as a 3-way: tweeters, doors, and under seat drivers.

Once you've done that you won't even notice that the rears are there. I still have mine hooked up but I have the system faded all the way forward.

Spend a bit of money any upgrade the front speakers.

TaylorFade · 05-02-2013, 11:23 AM

Understood. That's the plan. Was trying to decide if I needed to get a 6 channel to include them or not.

Harlequin · 05-02-2013, 06:26 PM

Up to you but personally I'd say no. You can't get decent sound out of them - amped or not - and the rear stage is usually only good for fill anyway.

tracer bullet · 05-02-2013, 10:18 PM

Agreed, sound should come from in front of you (or as close to it as possible). If you can actually hear the rear speakers, IMO they are then too loud.

cheshirecat79 · 05-03-2013, 09:40 AM

I personally enjoy rear fill, but the vast majority of people who are into car audio will strongly stress a front stage setup only.

I agree with them that it sounds better in regard to performance and clarity.

With this vehicle, I agree with the poster above that you won't need the midbass fill from the rear speakers. A decent front stage and a dedicated sub will more than do the trick.

05-02-2013, 06:58 AM	#1
TaylorFade New Member 4 Rep 14 Posts Drives: '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Baton Rouge iTrader: (0)	Do I need to keep the rears for... midbass? I'm in the planning stages of upgrading my sound. I was doing some listening yesterday and I was extremely surprised by how much midbass there is coming from the rears. It's actually quite anemic with the fader all the way to the front. Are the rears adding that much midbass? For the time being, I was just going to amp the OEM fronts with a 4 channel and add some processing, but I'm worried now that eliminating the rears is going to kill the midbass. Thoughts?
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05-02-2013, 07:08 AM	#2
Harlequin Brigadier General 331 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 428i M-Sport [8.40] 2012 1M Coupé [9.25] 2011 135i M-Sport [9.14]	No. It's not "clean" bass... It's just booming around the "chamber" made between the parcel shelf and the boot lining. I've upgraded my fronts, added tweeters, and amped the front stage as a 3-way: tweeters, doors, and under seat drivers. Once you've done that you won't even notice that the rears are there. I still have mine hooked up but I have the system faded all the way forward. Spend a bit of money any upgrade the front speakers. __________________
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05-02-2013, 11:23 AM	#3
TaylorFade New Member 4 Rep 14 Posts Drives: '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Baton Rouge iTrader: (0)	Understood. That's the plan. Was trying to decide if I needed to get a 6 channel to include them or not.
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05-02-2013, 06:26 PM	#4
Harlequin Brigadier General 331 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 428i M-Sport [8.40] 2012 1M Coupé [9.25] 2011 135i M-Sport [9.14]	Up to you but personally I'd say no. You can't get decent sound out of them - amped or not - and the rear stage is usually only good for fill anyway. __________________
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05-02-2013, 10:18 PM	#5
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2410 Rep 3,544 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	Agreed, sound should come from in front of you (or as close to it as possible). If you can actually hear the rear speakers, IMO they are then too loud.
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05-03-2013, 09:40 AM	#6
cheshirecat79 Captain 32 Rep 919 Posts Drives: 370z & 135i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Port Saint Lucie, FL iTrader: (0)	I personally enjoy rear fill, but the vast majority of people who are into car audio will strongly stress a front stage setup only. I agree with them that it sounds better in regard to performance and clarity. With this vehicle, I agree with the poster above that you won't need the midbass fill from the rear speakers. A decent front stage and a dedicated sub will more than do the trick.
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