hey i was just wondering if its normal for the stereo to sound like **** when u have the bass,and treble all the way up, and the ssp is on Feel, because if i put my bass on 5 and treble on 5 and put it kinda loud it sounds like crapit starts sounding like crap if i put it at 20, the only way it sounds good is if its on neutral but the guy at toyota service told me its ok, so please reply anyone

 

You're overdriving (clipping) the speakers at moderate volumes with those settings. If you need more oomph, get a sub. Mine (stock system) is set at:

Bass -2
Treble 0
SSP Hear

This is in an xB.

 

Yes it is. You are trying to take a good stock stereo and make it go boom-boom like an expensive aftermarket system. The speakers just aren't designed to do that sort of thing. Once the cones reach the end of their excursions they are going to distort and make sounds you won't like.

The only cure is to go down to your local audio emporium and have them put in some biig speakers and a powerful amp. It'll suck up all the space behind the seat, but you'll be able to satisfy your urge for low frequency vibration.

George

 

The stock speakers are really not that bad I have 75watts each pushing the front dash speakers and the doors, no need for rear speakers. A more common way to get distortion is underpowering a speaker. The deck does not put out enough wattage when a heavy bassline hits.

 

ok i just didnt think this was right cause on all our other cars i could put the bass and treble all the way up and it would bump pretty good and not sound like crap and they all have stock speakers so i figured it would be the same

 

I have the bass set at 1 and treble at 5 and stereo still sounds like ____. I will be glad when I install the new stereo when I get it.

 

the new stereo will make a world of difference....the stock unit, even though it plays mp3's is crack when it comes to power....the speakers are awesome after i put my aftermarket unit in and it's just amazing how a lil more power can do sooo much

Jeff

 

Just a thought, it's true the stock isn't great, but try holding the "SSP" button for like 3 seconds. You will hear a beep, see if the EQ is set for XA or XB...use the arrows to change accordingly.

I think default is xa...I changed to XB, it was a little better.

see what yours is set to.

 

get some Iplod speakers and 2 subs then your set :D

 

cool thanx everyone and ill be sure to try what u said tronik thanx for the info

 

It also depends on the music and sometimes the MP3s... Cypress Hill sounds better on Hear set at like treble 5 Bass 2, but Nelly sounds better on Feel, T5 B0

I don't mind the stocker, but wtf do I know...

 

Let's get real. This is a $14,000 econo-box. It's a great system for that base price. Go into any other car in this price range and check out their audio.

 

Why does everyone use that excuse? Because it is a 14,000 dollar car the systems should sound like crap, when we close the doors it sounds like the window is going to explode, with the window cracked a little bit it sounds like it is going to break when your driving, etc... and the list goes on and on. But hey 14,000 what do you expect right?

 

It's not an excuse. Just a statement of fact. I think with the money you have left over you can just upgrade your car system, or better yet upgrade your home audio system. As for your doors, if it really bothers you just install some sound absorbing material. Sorry haven't seen any solution for the windows--perhaps you should just keep them shut.

 

most new factory headunits are artifically limited. Scion didnt want that in their cars so the consumer can set it how they like. The result was you can make it sound like crap if you want. I like the way mine sounds but I set all the setting on 0 and put it on feel with my pink floyd mp3's playing in my deck.

 

Pink Floyd Rawks!!!

Jeff

 

Zep,
At high volume (relative to the stock head unit) you are going to have to make a choice between SSP Feel and jacking your tone controls all the way up. Think about it, the SSP has equalization built-in. You're trying to add equalization to an already equalized signal and this will cause the stereo to sound like crap at all but the lowest volume levels.

Mike

 

its real simple just hold down the ssp button until you see what type your on then push the up arrow until it saiys car type xA(this is for both models xA and xB) when it says car type xa then goto your ssp and put it on feel. use your A button to put your bass on 0 or 1. Turn your treble to 5 and if you want to tweek it put your bal on -r1, but usually balance 0 is fine. This should do the trick I have noticed that car type xA sounds the best in the scions. It thinks your in an xA and processes the info to the speakers diff. making them sound better. This is just m,y opinion so you guys try it and be the judge.

 

The distortion you hear is not the fault of the speakers, it is the sound of the factory amplifier running out of power. The fact that the bass and treble are maxed out only accentuates this problem...add the EQ from the "FEEL" mode and you're pushing it too far.

Think of your engine, there is a redline to warn you when you're pushing it too far. Since amplifiers don't have a tachometer to warn you, you need to listen for it. That is what you are hearing. It is telling you that you need more power to listen at the levels you want. Adding an aftermarket amplifer to your factory speakers is no problem, you'll be surprised how good they really sound when proper power is applied.

Going back to the example of your engine, if you add a CAi, K & N filter, chip, etc., you generally don't have to do any brake or transmission upgrades. However, if you throw a supercharger and nitrous on there, you'll have to upgrade everything else.

Adding a modest size amplifier to your factory system can be done easily and affordably. Definitely do that before you buy new speakers. In fact, try adding a subwoofer and small mono amplifier to your existing system. It will sound awesome and you won't have to max out your EQ controls, thereby not clipping the factory amp[.

 

I was into the thread until you said "because if i put my bass on 5 and treble on 5 and put it kinda loud it sounds like crap"

Yet another post from the NO-SH*T-SHERLOCK files.