Yaris Accoustics?

[sbergman27]

Thanks for the responses.

Actually, I've found that after a while my ears and brain adjust and I don't notice it, even with the balance centered. I was mainly curious if it was just me and my car, or if others had noticed.

People have mentioned the low positioning of the front speakers. Additionally, my left leg is tends to block the driver's side speaker, while my right ear has line of sight to the front right speaker. Similarly, from the driver's position, the left rear speaker is directly blocked by the head rest, while my right ear has line of sight with the right rear speaker.

I promised myself not to get mod-happy with this car, for a change. (Been there, done that. There are advantages and disadvantages.) So I'm inclined to leave well enough alone.

That said, I will note in passing that the Cadillacs of the mid-70s had an interesting "cross-fire" speaker configuration. Left and right were reversed between the front and rear speakers. So, e.g., the rear right speaker actually played the left channel, while the front right speaker played the right channel. It was supposed to provide better overall perceived balance in the decidedly sub-optimal acoustic scenario of a car with multiple people sitting in it.

-Steve

[talnlnky]

Originally Posted by sbergman27

Thanks for the responses.

Actually, I've found that after a while my ears and brain adjust and I don't notice it, even with the balance centered. I was mainly curious if it was just me and my car, or if others had noticed.


-Steve

ah yes, the brain is wonderful... or horrible depending on how you look at it at adjusting, and then forgetting.

I generally end up playing with the balance in any car I own, will favor the right side by a click or two... really depends on how many clicks I can go obviously. There's an added benefit to playing with the balance too. Human ears perceive differences in volume from one side to the other as being a difference in path length. So, if your right ear is hearing something louder, your brain will think you are situated to the right of center. It's kinda messed up, because we are (at least in North America) sitting on the left side, but hearing more from the right side. Using the balance can help with creating a center.


I'm not a huge fan of spending thousands of dollars on car stereo (anymore) either, however, I go half crazy with quality stereo withdrawals. To be happy, I just need a crisp clean mid, a soft smooth tweeter, and a two midbass drivers. To be honest. There are a few single 6.5" component sets that I know I could run off a 100x2amp and never have strong desires for more.

you might be amazed at was $30 in wires and $150 in speakers and amplifiers can do for your sound.