Car Stereos: 2002 tahoe stereo, tweeter components, balance controls

Question
Our stereo sounds "tinny" and like I would identify as a blown speaker.  However, when I change the fade or balance I don't seem to get the full sound we used to.  We have owned this car since new.  Do you think stereo or speakers?  CD's don't seem to sound better.  I don't know how to remove door panels or stereo to check but think I could do it.  Any help is appreciated.

Answer
Hi Jay,

Sorry about the delay in answering your question.  

Your description doesn't really sound like a speaker problem; if you have speakers that aren't working, it shouldn't be difficult to pick them out individually when you're adjusting the fader and balance controls.  There are a few different OEM audio systems available for your Tahoe, and some of them include separate woofer and tweeter components in the front doors.  I'd certainly expect a "tinny" sound if the woofer stopped working while the tweeter continued to play, but it would also be pretty obvious that the woofer wasn't producing sound.  If you have speakers that aren't working, they can be replaced pretty easily; but it sounds like your problem might be more complex.  

Some upgrade audio systems, including the optional Bose package, use a subwoofer buried under the front of the center console.  This is a fairly small speaker (for a subwoofer), set in an enclosure that's aimed toward the front of the cabin.  Many Tahoe owners don't know this subwoofer is even present, but if it's stopped working, there might be a noticeable difference in the low-end output of your audio system.  

If I were troubleshooting the problem, I'd probably try to identify any defective speakers by adjusting the fade and balance to one channel at a time, and listening closely to the speakers in that quarter.  A blown speaker might stop playing entirely, or it might produce rattling and distortion at higher volumes or with more bass content, but OEM speakers like the ones in your truck are not likely to stop playing bass but continue playing higher frequencies normally.  If that's the effect that you're hearing, and you can't identify any speakers that aren't working, then I'd suspect a problem with the head unit or factory amplifier.

Hope this helps!

Brian