Sound System quality is bad? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

nevermore_ · 11-29-2021, 04:50 PM

Hey everyone - I'm a new member here and got my new BRZ (Limited) recently. I love everything about it, except the speaker quality which I found to be cheap sounding at best. Is this just me? I have the limited variant as well, with the 'premium' speakers. Cant imagine how the base version sounds.
My other vehicle is a MK7 GTI with the non-premium speakers and they sound
much better in comparison.
Maybe its the additional road noise that's affecting my perception.

Rustyoid · 11-29-2021, 05:04 PM

Congrats!

i could be wrong, but as far as i have seen it DOES NOT say ""premium" speakers" in any specifications, just that the PREMIUM trim comes with 8 speakers instead of 6.

are you listening on spotify (or another streaming service?) ;P because spotify is TERRIBLE especially thru mobile data.

using bluetooth VS a hardwired connection will also effect the quality

StE92ve · 11-29-2021, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustyoid

Congrats!

i could be wrong, but as far as i have seen it DOES NOT say ""premium" speakers" in any specifications, just that the PREMIUM trim comes with 8 speakers instead of 6.

are you listening on spotify (or another streaming service?) ;P because spotify is TERRIBLE especially thru mobile data.

using bluetooth VS a hardwired connection will also effect the quality

https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/brz/...-wrapper-modal

Unless the specs from Subaru are wrong, both versions get 8 speakers. It's the GR86 that the higher trim gets 8 speakers vs 6 for the base.

mazeroni · 11-29-2021, 05:17 PM

I had a MK6 GTI with the base 8 speaker system and it was really good.

First thing I noticed with the FRS is how hollow everything sounded.

The 1st gen had 8 speakers standard. But whether it is 8, 6, or 4, there is only so much you can do.

It is mostly the lack of insulation, but then you are also dealing with a small cabin and the placement of the speakers firing either at your feet or directly up into the windshield. I think some people find that a sub and replacing all of the speakers can overcome some of that, but I don't think it will ever exceed "just okay."

timurrrr · 11-29-2021, 05:18 PM

I also didn't like how the sound system sounds with the default sound settings, but having spent just a couple of minutes with it I found the quality to improve slightly after I reduced treble a bit in the EQ and moved the "fade" slightly towards the rear.

Dylans47 · 11-29-2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StE92ve

https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/brz/...-wrapper-modal

Unless the specs from Subaru are wrong, both versions get 8 speakers. It's the GR86 that the higher trim gets 8 speakers vs 6 for the base.

Its been confirmed the specs from subaru are wrong. Both base models are 6 speakers. Caused a lot of confusion.

SpectreRT · 11-29-2021, 05:19 PM

Stereo is ok at best. it has no subwoofer (unless you add one) which does help sound clarity with crossovers and all that.

Will it match a Miata Bose, or a GTI Harman Karman sound system: No.

nevermore_ · 11-29-2021, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StE92ve

https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/brz/...-wrapper-modal

Thanks!

Unless the specs from Subaru are wrong, both versions get 8 speakers. It's the GR86 that the higher trim gets 8 speakers vs 6 for the base.

The monroney label does specify them as 'premium speakers' in the features list. Maybe its just an 8 vs 6 speaker setup like the GR86 variants.

And I do use Spotify (over BT or Android Auto). Will test w/ an aux wire to see if that makes any difference.

timurrrr · 11-29-2021, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevermore_

And I do use Spotify (over BT or Android Auto). Will test w/ an aux wire to see if that makes any difference.

Which "quality" do you use in Spotify settings?

nevermore_ · 11-29-2021, 05:23 PM

Probably this. The sub-woofer makes a big difference I think.

nevermore_ · 11-29-2021, 05:24 PM

I've set it to 'High' and the auto-adjust feature is off.

Rustyoid · 11-29-2021, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevermore_

The monroney label does specify them as 'premium speakers' in the features list. Maybe its just an 8 vs 6 speaker setup like the GR86 variants.

And I do use Spotify (over BT or Android Auto). Will test w/ an aux wire to see if that makes any difference.

What and where is this monroney label you speak of? Not trying to attack you or anything, just saying I really don't think it actually specified "Premium" speakers, so we shouldn't expect anything ground breaking. Just curious if its actually being advertised as premium audio anywhere or if its just additional speakners.. I originally wasn't going to get the premium until i saw 8 speakers vs 6 but the additional speakers was enough to push me to the premium considering everything else

If you really care about audio quality first thing you should do is delete spotify :P its really quite bad

dragoontwo · 11-29-2021, 05:54 PM

The moroney label is the window sticker.

Pete · 11-29-2021, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustyoid

If you really care about audio quality first thing you should do is delete spotify :P its really quite bad

We were discussing that in another thread when I came across this:

https://www.whathifi.com/us/advice/s...nd-latest-news

Looks like spotify will have a lossless streaming option soon.

11-29-2021, 04:50 PM	#1
nevermore_ Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Drives: '22 BRZ Location: LA Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sound System quality is bad? Hey everyone - I'm a new member here and got my new BRZ (Limited) recently. I love everything about it, except the speaker quality which I found to be cheap sounding at best. Is this just me? I have the limited variant as well, with the 'premium' speakers. Cant imagine how the base version sounds. My other vehicle is a MK7 GTI with the non-premium speakers and they sound much better in comparison. Maybe its the additional road noise that's affecting my perception.

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11-29-2021, 05:04 PM	#2
Rustyoid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Drives: 2022 GR86 Location: Canada Posts: 236 Thanks: 220 Thanked 255 Times in 132 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Congrats! i could be wrong, but as far as i have seen it DOES NOT say ""premium" speakers" in any specifications, just that the PREMIUM trim comes with 8 speakers instead of 6. are you listening on spotify (or another streaming service?) ;P because spotify is TERRIBLE especially thru mobile data. using bluetooth VS a hardwired connection will also effect the quality

11-29-2021, 05:17 PM	#4
mazeroni Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Series 10 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,117 Thanks: 600 Thanked 1,017 Times in 512 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I had a MK6 GTI with the base 8 speaker system and it was really good. First thing I noticed with the FRS is how hollow everything sounded. The 1st gen had 8 speakers standard. But whether it is 8, 6, or 4, there is only so much you can do. It is mostly the lack of insulation, but then you are also dealing with a small cabin and the placement of the speakers firing either at your feet or directly up into the windshield. I think some people find that a sub and replacing all of the speakers can overcome some of that, but I don't think it will ever exceed "just okay."

11-29-2021, 05:18 PM	#5
timurrrr Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Drives: 2022 GR86 Location: Between Sonoma and Laguna Seca Posts: 1,717 Thanks: 2,135 Thanked 1,314 Times in 725 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I also didn't like how the sound system sounds with the default sound settings, but having spent just a couple of minutes with it I found the quality to improve slightly after I reduced treble a bit in the EQ and moved the "fade" slightly towards the rear.

11-29-2021, 05:19 PM	#7
SpectreRT Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: usa Posts: 760 Thanks: 164 Thanked 319 Times in 210 Posts Mentioned: 17 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Stereo is ok at best. it has no subwoofer (unless you add one) which does help sound clarity with crossovers and all that. Will it match a Miata Bose, or a GTI Harman Karman sound system: No.

11-29-2021, 05:23 PM	#10
nevermore_ Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Drives: '22 BRZ Location: LA Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Probably this. The sub-woofer makes a big difference I think.

11-29-2021, 05:24 PM	#11
nevermore_ Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Drives: '22 BRZ Location: LA Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I've set it to 'High' and the auto-adjust feature is off.

11-29-2021, 05:54 PM	#13
dragoontwo Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Drives: 22 BRZ limited Location: Clarksville TN Posts: 1,198 Thanks: 219 Thanked 1,004 Times in 530 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The moroney label is the window sticker.

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