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Hey Guys,

I have a question abut rearfill. Today I was having a conversation with someone who says he's been into car audio for years now and he thinks that true SQ comes from a good rearfill. So with that said, he explained to me how he has two 6.5's and two 6x9's as his rearfill along with comps upfront and one sub. My question is dose this make any sense as for SQ or is this guy craky

Well rear fill is just that, fill.

The true idea of rear fill is to have a range of sound, say from 100Hz or so up to around 3,000Hz. This sound shouldnt extend into the midbass are to much or go to high where you need a tweeter, just a single cone speaker.

To create the "fill" the sound must come from down low. Mainly from the area your rear sits on low... also as far back as you can get it inside the listening area.

Think of it this way. Take your stock radio with 6x9's on the rear deck. Fade it to the rear. Turn the volume way up. Sit in the back seat as normal. Loud isnt it?

Now put your head close to where your rear sits in the seat. Not loud at all is it?

Thats because the sound is mainly filling the plane at which the speakers are mounted...

But do you really need that much

It's my belief that having an excelent front stage and stock rear speakers can mix up your sound. It would be beneficial overall to have at least decent rears.

I think that guy might be referring to speaker timings. In some cars, the rears are vital in creating the sweet spot in the drivers seat.

so a nice set of rears with a LPF would be nice

Yea, or really just put mids back there.

i dont really like rear fill now. i use to like it before i knew how nice a strong front stage is. i would just get a really nice set of comps and amp then spend a day with your staging itll really bring your speakers alive.

see my FAQ on rearfill speakers for my thoughts on them.

only useful for two things. 5.1 DVDs, and large vehicles with back seat passengers.

if you read and understand the FAQ I think you'll have a good debate on your hands with your friend.

PS you're also calling a guy using 6x9s a "SQ guy."

that's a clue right there.

I never have used rear fill, even in the '80's when it was considered standard practice.

True stereo should have width, depth and height.

Unless you want you soundstaging in the rear. Or are a car manufacturer that wants to put speakers in every place imaginable.