Any upgrade recommendations for speakers?

[Falcon_LS]

I'm looking to upgrade the speakers in my Grand Marquis for better quality sound. I haven't specifically looked at it yet, but I believe I've got 6.5 inch speakers in the front doors and 6" x 9" in the back.

Checked with a so-called audio specialist, who recommended 400 watt Pioneer speakers all around and a 1,400 watt, 12" Pioneer sub with amplifier. Now I'm no audio junkie, but isn't that a bit too much?

I'm not looking to blow my ears off or anything, but just want crisper, better quality sound.

Does anyone happen to have any recommendations?

 

[Falcon_LS]

Bit more info I forgot to mention - I've currently just got an aftermarket headunit (Pioneer DEH-2250UB). I'm looking to spend about $750 tops, and I'm after clear highs with some bass, but not the extent where you feel it in your bones. Other than the headunit, the audio system is stock.

 

[Brent_G]

im currently using a midrange alpine mids and highs in my probe with a 10 inch alpine type r and a sealed box with 600 amp. It sounds great and the bass is just enough.
I dont see a reason why you would need a 12 with 1400 amp if your just looking to have great sound. My sub is loud enough if i turn the bass up even a bit. Just get quality mids and highs, like alpine, and a decent 10 with a 600 or so amp. will sound great without rattling your trunk off

 

[JHZR2]

Too many "audio" folks just want to put something in that will be excessively loud and booming bass.

That said, there is a need for fairly high ratings on amps all the same because of the desire to minimize THD. Amplify too far to the edge of the power capability and they will distort.

So the question is how much air you need to move to get the right bass response, and how much power is needed to produce those vibrations at a low SPL.

A CV is a pretty big car with a big trunk. A bigger sub may be worthwhile, though you may be better off with small underseat amplified subs if you routinely fill your trunk to the brim. It's also important to know how well sealed off the trunk is from the cabin. Some cars like my Mercedes could have a sub in the trunk and it would be all but useless due to how tight the car is set up.

Everything is a compromise, so keep that in mind. You need to find the best compromises for your application.

Good luck!

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks very much for all the input. I've been doing a bit of research, and at the moment I'm looking at the following:

- Pioneer 6x9 3-way speakers with tweeters for the rear (600W)
- Alpine 6x8 2-way speakers with tweeters for the front doors (300W)
- Pioneer 12" Champion subwoofer (1,200W)
- Kenwood mono amplifier for the subwoofer (750W)
- Kenwood stereo amplifier for speakers (350W)

Total so far: $386

Considering a sealed MDF box for the subwoofer, just enough to fit next to the fullsize spare.

 

[musicmanbass]

The only thing I would add is that I would try to use speakers from the same brand and product line for your in-cab full-range speakers. I think it's best to use speakers of a similar sonic character and efficiency per watt/db. A speaker with a higher efficiency rating will be louder given the same power. Also, more efficient doesn't necessarily mean "sounds better" either. If you want faithful audio reproduction, look for the flattest response curve.

All of that being said, cars are awful environments for hi-fi, what with glass, metal, fabric, cushions, and weird shapes, etc for sound to be refelcted or absorbed.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: musicmanbass
The only thing I would add is that I would try to use speakers from the same brand and product line for your in-cab full-range speakers. I think it's best to use speakers of a similar sonic character and efficiency per watt/db. A speaker with a higher efficiency rating will be louder given the same power. Also, more efficient doesn't necessarily mean "sounds better" either. If you want faithful audio reproduction, look for the flattest response curve.

All of that being said, cars are awful environments for hi-fi, what with glass, metal, fabric, cushions, and weird shapes, etc for sound to be refelcted or absorbed.


+1, and be careful of the "efficiency" numbers. Ive heard some that gt all the extra SPL by lots of bass and not a balanced response.

Then again, something that does that in the 6x9s with some fiarly bright front 3-ways might balance and negate your need for a sub, depending upon your music type.

 

[Propflux01]

Try POLK speakers.

 

[Malo83]

I've always upgraded my car speakers to PIONEER, clean and clear sounding

 

[01rangerxl]

I really like the setup I have in my truck. I installed an Alpine CDE-102 head unit with Alpine SPS-507 5x7 speakers in the front doors, keeping the OEM speakers in the back. No external amp. This sounded nice, until the Alpines blew after a couple of months. I really don't know how that happened. I got fed up with the popping/cracking noise while driving around one day, so I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought some 6x8 Pioneer speakers. I forgot the model number of the speakers, but they are 2 or 3 way coaxials that were in the $60 price range. Those have sounded great for almost two years now. They are probably my best aftermarket speaker purchase considering the price.

The factory speakers actually have better bass than most aftermarket ones I have found, so those are still in the back of the cab. The Pioneers produce clear mids and highs and it all works to make a good all around daily driver stereo.

I had Polk Audio db570s in my old Ranger and really liked those. They were in the $120 or so price range. I'd probably consider these again if I had a reason to replace the Pioneers.

I also had Sony Xplods in my old Ranger before the Polks and did not like those. I gave them away for free after about a year.

I always wanted a sub when I had my old Ranger and Explorer, and at first considered it with my current Ranger, but honestly I'm satisfied with the upgrades I've already made. The relatively small cab and the location of the rear speakers is probably beneficial for good bass though.

 

[Cujet]

I'm never satisfied with automotive sound unless the system includes at least a small (8") sealed subwoofer, amplifier w/crossover to all speakers, moderate quality door speakers and remote silk dome tweeters mounted on the windshield pillars.

Without the sub, the door speakers try to produce bass, but as they try to do so, they introduce all sorts of distortion. I hate the sound of door speakers like this, and I suggest that you would agree if presented with "back to back" comparisons.

There are many places to locate a sub, but a small sealed sub can be placed behind the RH seat, where it will be amazingly effective. There is an incredible difference in sub performance, simply based on location. Try the RH forward passenger footwell! Then try the rear deck. Huge difference.