Music is a little lame, any easy upgrades? Or hard ones?

[music_cities]

I've been comparing the sound quality for music in my MME 2022 GTPE with my 2005 4Runner Ltd. Frankly, it's a little lame. There doesn't seem to be much stereo separation, for instance; most of the sound "sounds like" it's coming front-centre.

I'm wondering if anyone has done anything strategic and targeted to make it better. E.g. replaced some speaker cones, bought a subwoofer, installed any powerups in software...

Overall, I guess the listening experience in the MME is better than in the 4Runner while moving, but only because the 4Runner is now a very loud car in the interior, while the MME is quite quiet inside. But, I think it could be better.

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[Vgkfan]

I've been comparing the sound quality for music in my MME 2022 GTPE with my 2005 4Runner Ltd. Frankly, it's a little lame. There doesn't seem to be much stereo separation, for instance; most of the sound "sounds like" it's coming front-centre.

I'm wondering if anyone has done anything strategic and targeted to make it better. E.g. replaced some speaker cones, bought a subwoofer, installed any powerups in software...

Overall, I guess the listening experience in the MME is better than in the 4Runner while moving, but only because the 4Runner is now a very loud car in the interior, while the MME is quite quiet inside. But, I think it could be better.

I completely agree. I find switching from stereo to surround and moving the sound a little to the back gives much better separation and fills the cabin better. However, you do lose some punch doing that. I switch it back and forth, depending on song and mood.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The post https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/b-o-speaker-replacement-diy-write-up.23069/post-539202 by @MyLittlePony2022 covers a lot of ground on speaker replacement. ???

 

[DadzBoyz]

This is my only complaint about my GTPE.
The subwoofer is weak.

I’ve seen many people here go to all the time, trouble, money, labor, running wires, taking the car apart, etc. to upgrade things. That is not me.

I’d be happy to just have more bass punch from the subwoofer. That said, it’s only a 6x9 subwoofer. I’d LOVE to find another, stronger sub that would just slot right in where the OEM one is, but I haven’t seen that yet. If it exists, I’d love to hear about it.

 

[Mach T]

The Bang and Olufsen system in my 2023 sounds pretty good. I kicked up the bass a little and moved it rearward and use stereo mode.

 

[curtisfinney]

Agree completely- I wish I could just turn off the center speaker. This is the one thing I hate about this car.

 

[Moxiemoney]

Yep, for being B&O, it is very underwhelming to say the least. I have heard BO systems that have sounded amazing. As others have posted, have gone to surround and moved the balance/fade more towards the back.

 

[DadzBoyz]

I think I'm going to have to take it on myself to dig in, take some measurements, and see if anyone offers a better sub that will fit in the stock space.

 

[Graction]

Stereo mode should give better separation than surround mode and should ideally not use the center speaker at all. I haven’t tested it myself but will try tonight.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Agree completely- I wish I could just turn off the center speaker. This is the one thing I hate about this car.

Change the setting to "stereo" instead of "surround". That will disable the center speaker and increase separation.

 

[mkhuffman]

I put a powered subwoofer under the driver seat and it really helps fill out the sound. The source material makes a big difference also.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

The post https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/b-o-speaker-replacement-diy-write-up.23069/post-539202 by @MyLittlePony2022 covers a lot of ground on speaker replacement. ???

@music_cities, if you're gonna do it, might as well go all the way... Trust me, this guy's system will Blow. You. Away.

 

[markboris]

I think I'm going to have to take it on myself to dig in, take some measurements, and see if anyone offers a better sub that will fit in the stock space.

I don't think you will find anything that will fit in that extremely small area, we've tried. That's why I started a thread 2 1/2 years ago on adding a decent subwoofer: https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/adding-a-decent-subwoofer-amp-to-your-mach-e.5481/

 

[Vgkfan]

Change the setting to "stereo" instead of "surround". That will disable the center speaker and increase separation.

That makes sense to me but my car is just the opposite. Makes me wonder if perhaps there is an issue with my car. I’m really picky about my sound and and it’s been like this since day 1.

Edit. Thanks very much. Checked my center speaker and it works as you described, just doesn’t sound like it. This will definitely help me with my adjustments going forward.

 

[music_cities]

Fading towards the rear speakers and turning up the volume helps a lot.

Regardless of “surround” or “stereo” there is too much in the centre channel.

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