2012 weak rear speaker output

[JP4]

Hi,

Just got my 2012 Limited with the HK system a few weeks ago and although I don't seem to have any hiss in the stereo, when I turn the fader all the way to the rear speakers only, I only get a very weak, thin sound. It's not even half the volume of the front for an equivalent volume setting. I also went around to the back and listened to the sub, and there is very little coming out of that even with the radio cranked.
For comparison, my 2000 outback with the stock radio sounds much fuller and louder than my 2012. The speakers are definitively working, just not much coming out. Could it be a bad amp or Head unit? Anyone else have this problem? Couldn't find anything that matched this in search.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Bassman]

Jeff, I'd definitely take the car back to the dealership and have them check it out. The output volume from the sub and rear speakers should be comparable to that of the front speakers - - especially with the fader in the center position so you can "A/B" the front and rears. This does appear to be a head unit / amp problem IMHO.

[JP4]

Thanks, I'll have them check that out on my first service.

[twowheels]

I have the same issue on a '12 limited.

JP4, I would be interested to know what the dealer tells you.

[Space Wrangler]

welcome to the suck that is subaru audio. ...quite possibly the most underwhelming audio ever offered in an automobile.

[mcbrew]

A lot of cars have limited power to the rear speakers in order to improve sound quality in the front seats. However, just to be sure, you don't have the head unit set to favor front seat passengers, do you?

[JP4]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

However, just to be sure, you don't have the head unit set to favor front seat passengers, do you?

No, this is with the fader set all the way to the rear. All I get is what sounds like it would be coming out of a tweeter, all high end, no mid or bass.
A little backgrouund: I was a Porsche/Audi Tech in a former life (thirty years ago), so I've R&R'd more than a few radios in and out of cars, but I've rarely encountered a radio that sounds this bad. Pretty sure it's defective, but I need to hear another one to make sure.

[subarusteve]

Save your time and your dealer's time...it is not defective.

The system is not that great to begin with but just as an FYI, the sub output is tied to the front channels so if you listened to it with the fader set to full-rear then you won't get much out of it. Even set to full-front the sub is pretty weak.

The rear seat speakers sound like crap but as others have said, they don't need to sound good to get decent sound in the front, where it really matters.

[JP4]

Originally Posted by subarusteve

The system is not that great to begin with but just as an FYI, the sub output is tied to the front channels so if you listened to it with the fader set to full-rear then you won't get much out of it.

Thanks, that's very helpful information and explains at least why I wasn't hearing the sub.

[1bythesea]

My 2012 sounds exactly the same. Initially, I thought there was a mix up as base and sub have always come from the back on previous cars, not the front. The limited stereo has a lot to be desired considering it's an upgrade. Seems someone mentioned putting a different head unit it making a good bit of difference.