[Wheeliethecapper]

Hello. Wondering if anyone has a similar issue with rear speakers (4, two per rear door) and subwoofer in the boot. My Beats Audio 10 speaker sound system has 100% sound quality and output to front dash speaker and front door speakers (2 per door). However, the rear speakers only output about 10% volume even when all sound output is directed to rear only and subwoofer is nonexistent. Dealer has looked at it twice now in consultation with Seat/VW Ireland (they were suggesting possible fixes) but thus far, no joy. Anybody got any ideas/advice/suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Damoirl]

Hello. Wondering if anyone has a similar issue with rear speakers (4, two per rear door) and subwoofer in the boot. My Beats Audio 10 speaker sound system has 100% sound quality and output to front dash speaker and front door speakers (2 per door). However, the rear speakers only output about 10% volume even when all sound output is directed to rear only and subwoofer is nonexistent. Dealer has looked at it twice now in consultation with Seat/VW Ireland (they were suggesting possible fixes) but thus far, no joy. Anybody got any ideas/advice/suggestions? Thank you.

I know it's probably a silly question but I'll ask just in case.
Did you try the fader?

Ok Damo shut up now! :shock: :lol:

 

[Wheeliethecapper]

Apparently there is no such thing as a stupid question and in fairness, the dealer believed I was confused as to the location and apparence of my rear end and elbow. No, not the fader, balance, equaliser, etc. Seriously frustrating (1st world problem) and the dealer hasn't a clue (allegedly working on other Tarraco sales he has made in 2019) so is relying on Seat/VW Ireland to find a solution and advise the dealer what/how to fix. There is a thread in a Google search where there were identical issues on Jeep Renegade models which required either a software remapping or complete amplifier replacement (I forwarded this thread on to the dealer yesterday).

 

[iBarryJ]

There is a fader control to precisely position the central point of the sound. I suspect your is set to push the sounds to the front. You need to re-balance the fader and possibly the equaliser to set higher bass for the sub woofer.

 

[Wheeliethecapper]

Nope. We have (me, dealer, service manager and mechanic) played with fader, equalizer, balance, etc. all to no avail. They admit there is an issue (I would call it something different) but no fix as of yet. Definitely not PICNIC!

 

[iBarryJ]

Nope. We have (me, dealer, service manager and mechanic) played with fader, equalizer, balance, etc. all to no avail. They admit there is an issue (I would call it something different) but no fix as of yet. Definitely not PICNIC!

Sorry to hear this. I would insist they swap out the Media / Entertainment primary board first off - I guess if that doesn't cure it then there's a wiring issue. Keep us updated on your progress and hope it's fixed soon.

 

[Wheeliethecapper]

Latest update communication from the dealer is that apparently (allegedly) the brains in Seat/VW in Ireland haven't a clue as to a resolution and it has been "referred back to the factory" for a solution/fix advice. Second time I have had something referred to the factory which is a waste of time (zero response to previous query on changing button on driver's door to permit the boot be closed rather than just be opened). So I guess it will be contact Seat/VW myself again in a week and get them to sort something or it will be off to the small claims court after a trip to a car audio specialist to diagnose and solve the problem(s).

 

[crumpet]

I have the beats and the non-plus (SD card type) nav, and have the same issue. The rear speakers emit much less sound compared to the front, even with the fader set to 100% rear. I suspect this is a software issue as there is definitely a little sound coming through, so the wires must be connected to the amplifier. The only other thing I could think of is that they are wired to the "tweeter" outputs hence the low tinny sound profile... but I would assume that would be a simple fix too in the form of a new loom to switch around the tweeter and woofer outputs for the rear seats.

I'll wait to see what my dealer says when it's in for the next service, as it's not that much of an issue for me personally.

 

[Wheeliethecapper]

Latest update on my eternal Beats Audio rear speaker/amplifier issue ... back at the dealer again this week to have another attempted solution following instructions from Seat/VW Ireland, again there was no eureka moment and the sound output is still very poor. Dealer is to reccomend to Seat/VW that amplifier (under front passenger seat) be replaced but that does not necessarily mean that Seat/VW will agree with the dealership supposition. So the saga continues and the owner continues to be unimpressed with Seat/VW's actions. Also need to have fuel filler cap replaced as the opening mechanism as designed has failed, not exactly impressed with the famed German build quality (driver's electric seat also needed attention this week). So, one eagerly awaits the next installment!

 

[Wheeliethecapper]

And the saga continues (it is almost funny if I hadn't lost my sense of humour at this stage) .. dealer had the car in for four hours this week and replaced the head unit (glovebox unit containing DVD, hard drive, sd cards and navplus system) as opposed to the amplifier (which was implied would be replaced). Included in this replacement was the latest software updates from Seat for the Tarraco (I notice no difference thus far in any software update/ patch). The head unit replacement made no discernible difference to my ears (engineer thought roughly the same). So I still have only about 15% volume from four rear speakers. Head unit being replaced meant that I lost all my personal settings (Satnav, sound, personal updates, etc.) Including 2020 version of SatNav mapping downloaded last Saturday (all 27.5 GB of it, thankfully still had this on a memory stick for updating car again). So once more Dealer has to report back to Seat/VW and advise that their fix did nothing (amplifier is next to get replaced along with my mentality). The issue drags on into 2020 ...

 

[crumpet]

I honestly believe they can replace any hardware and not fix it - the fact some sound is coming through in the back (I have the same issue) lends it to being a software bug. I work in software. I am not too bothered as it still sounds good enough for me, but will keep tabs on the solution hopefully they find. But I would bet a hundred quid that it's a software problem!

 

[Wheeliethecapper]

You may well be right on it being a software issue but if it is such, than it is seriously hidden in the ether of the car somewhere as other cars with same set up work fine. Indeed, when they replaced the head unit last week, all software was updated to the latest Seat downloads/ firmware for my car (which would imply that the bug (undocumented feature, snafu) is still in the build on release from our overlords). Hopefully, they will replace the amplifier unit itself in early January which is about the last thing that has not been looked at.

 

[iBarryJ]

My money is on the amp - that would be the first item I would change out. If the fault is constant across all sources of the signal (radio / media / smart phone etc) ... Amp 😉. Hope you get sorted soon

 

[crumpet]

My money is on the amp - that would be the first item I would change out. If the fault is constant across all sources of the signal (radio / media / smart phone etc) ... Amp 😉. Hope you get sorted soon

Gentlemen's bet it is then!

EQ Software vs Amp hardware

I wager it's software because the Panasonic amp is used in many other VW group vehicles with no issue, but in the Tarraco the rear channels seem down on the front! So I reckon it's something with the EQ software on the head unit (which is a new style compared to the Ateca etc).

I'm mentioning it when it's due the first service in about May 2020 to see if they can diagnose something, my local dealer are excellent at this sort of thing based on my own experience - they replaced the driver door window switch assembly because it was a bit unresponsive at times, with no quibble, for example! And sorted a rattle / vibration at speed, that turned out to be one of the underbody protection bolts not tightened.

 

[Damoirl]

My money is on the amp - that would be the first item I would change out. If the fault is constant across all sources of the signal (radio / media / smart phone etc) ... Amp 😉. Hope you get sorted soon

Gentlemen's bet it is then!

EQ Software vs Amp hardware

I wager it's software because the Panasonic amp is used in many other VW group vehicles with no issue, but in the Tarraco the rear channels seem down on the front! So I reckon it's something with the EQ software on the head unit (which is a new style compared to the Ateca etc).

I'm mentioning it when it's due the first service in about May 2020 to see if they can diagnose something, my local dealer are excellent at this sort of thing based on my own experience - they replaced the driver door window switch assembly because it was a bit unresponsive at times, with no quibble, for example! And sorted a rattle / vibration at speed, that turned out to be one of the underbody protection bolts not tightened.

I tend to agree with Crumpet. If you do the manual tune trick on the radio the difference in the sound is unbelievable.

D.

 

[iBarryJ]

My money is on the amp - that would be the first item I would change out. If the fault is constant across all sources of the signal (radio / media / smart phone etc) ... Amp 😉. Hope you get sorted soon

Gentlemen's bet it is then!

EQ Software vs Amp hardware

I wager it's software because the Panasonic amp is used in many other VW group vehicles with no issue, but in the Tarraco the rear channels seem down on the front! So I reckon it's something with the EQ software on the head unit (which is a new style compared to the Ateca etc).

I'm mentioning it when it's due the first service in about May 2020 to see if they can diagnose something, my local dealer are excellent at this sort of thing based on my own experience - they replaced the driver door window switch assembly because it was a bit unresponsive at times, with no quibble, for example! And sorted a rattle / vibration at speed, that turned out to be one of the underbody protection bolts not tightened.

I have the same sound system and don't have an issue - a software problem would be right across all the vehicles, in my diagnostic thinking. That is unless they released a later s'w version with a new bug in it?? This could even be a wiring loom problem such as a reversed connector which would put these speakers out of phase with the others. Lets compare software; Media Codec 5001.001 Radio Database 1.10.3

 

[beenma]

I'm a Tarraco owner since a couple of weeks and have the Beats audio system as well. I recently joined a ride on the backseat and noticed the rear doors hardly produced any sound compared to the front speakers. All sound came from the front and the beats from the back off course. The Beats audio focus is set on center. If I set 100% volume to the rear speakers it produces a very very poor sound. Will bring this issue to the attention of my Seat dealer (in NL) in coming weeks.

 

[martinizi]

Keep on fighting. I have a 2019 model and after reading this post I tested in my car and It's the same. Fader to the back and sound fades away to be really low. So I thaught I'd wait to see what happens to you

I live in Sweden.

 

[Wheeliethecapper]

The nightmare continues, beyond a joke at this stage and smacks of incompetence. Amplifier was replaced which made zero difference and latest scene in the five month fiasco was tweaking again today that was a waste of everybody's time. Dealer has allegedly done all that they have been asked to do by Seat/VW and can do no more, having admitted total defeat. "Customer Care" does not seem to understand either word! So now back with Seat/VW to send a specialist technician to look at it. One seriously browned off owner. I anticipate developments soon. Failing that, it will be back down the legal route.

 

[martinizi]

Wow... just wow...
Just a question, Does you EQ suck too??

I have to take away all 4Khz, really strange EQ setup.