need some stereo troubleshooting...

[crows93z]

well to start off with, i should explain my system... i've got a jvc head unit with one set of preouts. i added polk components in the doors connected to a small amp. the first thing i noticed after i added this is that all of my speakers (2 front, 1 rear [stupid bose crap]) wouldn't work fully until i turned the stereo up to 20. if i try to change the balance from rear to front, the more i turn it up to the front, less and less volume can be heard until none is heard when it is at fully front. also, if i turn the balance to fully rear, there's no difference than if it was at equal balance. to top it off, i decided i wanted subs, so i bought a complete setup of 2 10" subs and an amp. although, i have only one set of preouts so I was forced to split both amps and connect them through one set of preouts. the system sounds great at volume 20+, but I want to be able to hear all of the speakers at lower volumes... is this a problem with the stock bose amp setup? i'm really deciding on whether or not i should ditch the bose speaker in the hatch and go for two speakers in the back seats. would eliminating all the original bose equipment make my problem go away? do i need a new head unit with more preouts for speakers and subs?

thanks in advance for some help!

[My95Z]

You really have to ditch the BOSE crap, trust me. My 95 had the 5 speaker set up and you're best way to deal with it is to run new speaker wires from your headunit directly to the speakers that you want to drive with it. If you only have one preamp output its probabally a rear output and if you are using it to drive the amp for the front speakers it would mess up the balance b/c now you have no front signal.

Does your small amp have high level imputs? If not you might want to look into a new headunit with both front and rear preamp outputs.

Right now your problem is the factory BOSE amps that drive the factory signals and the type of signal they get from your aftermarket headunit. Just rewire to take care.

[crows93z]

okay, thank you for clearing it up... tards at best buy couldn't figure out it... and i don't really know much better... it was luck that i was able to hook up the subs and amp myself without much problem. wiring noob...

i guess should I be going with a new 6 1/2" speaker for the rear or should I put two speakers in the back seats, and which size? i'm assuming just coaxial speakers for mids..?

[purplt1]

So your still running the bose amps with a aftermarket amp?I would get rid of the bose stuff and run new wires to the front and rear speakers like My95z said.As for the speakers,you can put some on the rear seat if you want but i would use the factory locations for a "cleaner" look.Either a componet set or coaxial will work fine.BTW nice ride!

[My95Z]

You don't really need rear speakers, but i'd want them. What type of box do you have for the subs? You could build them into the box, or put them into the factory location which would look the cleanest. If you are running it off of the head unit you just need a decent set of full range speakers, PM me with details and I'll tell you what I like and don't like as far as speakers go. Since you have subs already you don't need that large of a speaker so 6.5"s will work or you could even go smaller if needed. I don't know what the 3 speaker set ups look like, do you already have holes in the back seats or would you have to cut ones?

[crows93z]

there are already holes in the backseats.. in the sail panel interior pieces. there are grilles and everything.. like they're supposed to be there, but there's nothing under the grilles.

the subs are just in a normal box with an angled bottom. they're put in the t-top well as opposed to the rear hatch because they sound better down there. i'm thinking of ditching the small 2 channel amp and getting a decent 4 channel amp for all the speakers and retaining the same small one for the subwoofers.

i just want to know if I should just replace the one in the back or go for a pair in the backseats, which location would sound better?

would this wiring job be manageable for a wiring noob like myself?

[My95Z]

It would sound better if you put 2 speakers into the back, that way you have a left and right signal not just a single signal. The only thing is the volume of the area behind the speakers in the back seat area. The large volume acts like a bad speaker box and causes the speakers to resonate at certain frequencies. If you go that route look into the baffles that go right behind the speaker.

The wiring really isn't that bad. You have to take off all the kick panels, the panel under the steering wheel, and pull out on the panel going to the rear speakers. As for going with a 4 channel amp you could def go that route, but I wouldn't overpower the speakers in the back and you want a lot of power going to the components in the front so that could be difficult to do.