I did a quick search but didn't see anything mentioned...

I just purchased an 07 Tc and for the most part, am happy with it. There are a few minor things that irk me and maybe I just need to get used to it, but the biggest is the sound system. I have the Ipod upgrade (didn't want it but that's all they had - I don't even have an Ipod) but I'm assuming there isn't much difference between this and the stock system.

I've fiddled with the ASL, the SSP, the bass/tremble, but to my ears, no matter what I've tried so far, the bass is either lacking or sounds muffled. It just doesn't "hit" cleanly, if that makes any sense. Maybe I was used to my old car (Accord with Pioneer 6800 deck) or I'm just not tuning it right, but I'm a little dissappointed by the sound quality of this 6 speaker, 160W (I think) setup.

My current setup is SSP Feel, ASL High, Bass is either on +1 or +2, same for tremble. I don't remember if I tried any higher but I'm not sure the speakers can even handle it as is. I'm hoping that the unit is just not set up properly, else, is it the head unit ,speakers, or both that are lacking?

Thanks.

 

get a new headunit.. i replaced mine with an alpine 9853 and my speakers sounded a hell of a lot better then the stock headunit!!!

 

I had better luck with ASL on Mid... The deck has the sound settings for the other Scion models programmed into it. From what I've read, the xA settings in thet tC sound better than what comes pre-set. Seach around here for the way to change the car setting on the deck.

 

well the ASL isn't affecting your sound quality at all. It stand for automatic sound limiter and it adjusts the volume based on how fast you are going. I would turn it off, it gets rather annoying in my opinion. and yes the xA setting sounds much better. Just hold the SSP button until it comes up and then you can change it. also please remember these are paper cone speakers. yes they are pioneer but they aren't all that great to begin with.

 

i wouldn't say the stereo is subpar for being factory, but compared to an after market setup yea, it's def. lacking.. we can't expect much for a car thats 17-22k brand new... if you want bass, get a sub, if you want just cleaner sound get a new deck/speakers... but for the most part, if it's bass you want, then get a sub b/c trying to make full range speakers "hit" def. makes you lose sound quality,

 

Push and hold the SSP button until the display says "Car Type", use the **** and change to xB or xA.

 

My stock stereo actually sounded better than my Kenwood DPX701. I wish Sound ReTouch was a common thing, not just Pioneer.

 

change the EQ to xB Feel and add a sub.. i was surprisingly happy :D

 

Thanks everyone for your help and quick response. I switched from tC to either xA or xB and it made A LOT of difference. At least now it sounds like a stock system and the bass hits cleanly. I'll play with it some more but I like it better already. Thanks again.

 

The speakers are really not bad at all for stockers. I was suprised to find a rubber surround and poly cone with a large magnet on the mids. The rears are cheapy paper units. All are made by pioneer. Just changing to a quality aftermarket headunit from the stock junk your car comes with will make a world of difference. when initially installing my system, I was very suprised at the sound from the stock speakers, with a little tuning they really worked well for oem. Of course, they had to go though... hahaha

 

I had the same issues... changing the EQ to Xa made alot of difference... but upgrading the HU sounded 1000x better. I got the Alpine 9856 powering the stock speakers and the sound is pretty impressive.

 

yep i also think the front stock components are pretty good. the mid hit pretty damn hard but the tweeter was lacking. when i first changed out the head unit to an alpine it made a big difference. then i changed the speakers, added amps, sub and it hits hard and sounds 10x better

 

i come from having a blazer with A kenwood HU, kenwood dime tweeters above the sealbelt on the side. kenwood 6.5's in the doors and kenwood 800 watt pushing two 12" kenwood W3010 to a factory scion. i can sense a little bit of a difference!

 

I'm seriously becoming concerned on what i'm doing wrong. My speakers don't hit at ALL anymore, and I don't know how to change that. I've got it sounding sub-par, but the feel is gone. I wouldn't mind it sounding better, too.

 

After driving for a few more days, I was able to go through more tracks and noticed a few things. Yes, switching to xA or xB helps greatly. With that being said, I'd say 50% of the songs I've listened to now still have...how can I explain it...the weak, rattling "thud" and not a sharp, cleam "thump" in the bass. So at this point, I set the tremble at +3 and bass at -2 to avoid these thuds, at least for the CD I'm listening to - it's not like I listen to booming, heavy bass songs or anything, nor am I blasting the music, volume is around 28-30. So far, I found this setting to be more pleasant in my eyes as I don't hear those flat duds.

I'd definately like to get a new head unit but I blew $260 for this Ipod upgrade, and can't afford another $200 or so for the time being. I don't remember how my other cars sounded stock, but I'm a little let down with the tC's system. Has anyone only replaced the rear speakers? Does that help?

 

well why wouldnt it. sorry for the sarcasim. yeah any after market speakers are going to be better. just how much better is up to you. why the ipod upgrade satelitte radio is the way to go. good luck with the sound though..

 

$260 for ipod upgrade? thats ridiculous...with that money you could of got a good alpine deck with ipod adapter...the only thing u would lose is steering wheel control which i think they have an adapter for

 

i have the stock deck and stock speakers but i added an alpine type-r 10" sub in a ported box with a rockford 300 watt rms amp. i have it set too feel, and xb with the bass at +1 and the treble at +4 and the asl on low and it sounds awesome to me.

and i know what u mean about the sound the speakers make when the bass hits, it's all in the rears though, one thing you could try is to set the fade a little bit to the front, like +2 in the front. i think in the future i might replace the rears in my car with some infinity's or polks cause the fronts sound great in my opinoin it's just the rears that bother me a little.