I plan on upgrading the stock sound system of my RA. Does anyone know the size of the stocks speakers (I'm looking for front and rear sizes, including tweeters).


Also, I am looking for clean sound on a very limited budget. What's the best bang for the buck in car speakers these days? Are those well known brands (Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood...) any good?

My only reference is the Yamaha system I bought for the Prelude more than 10 years ago, so I can't say I'm current in car audio trends...



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they are 6 1/2s, but remember that the stock speakers had brackets on them, so they fit perfect. You need some oversized 6 1/2s, or you can purchase a set of regular 6 1/2s, but your gonna have to customize your own fit 8- )

 

Crutchfield has them listed as 6 3/4" , AKA, oversized 6 1/2's.

Has anyone swapped out just the speakers and not the amps and head unit? I wonder if it will even make a difference (is there enough power to push aftermarkets?) I'm really happy with the QUALITY of the sound and wouldhn't want to Eff it up (the quantity os sound I'm not so happy with)

 

I emailed Infinity about it a while ago, they had no idea what I was talking about. Keep in mind I provided them with the Product numbers off the amp and speakers too!

Yeah, they do sound great for a factory system. What I plan on doing is the following, which is actually a pretty clever idea.

I was going to get a new head-unit to take advantage of increased functionality, mp3 playback...etc....But then I would also get that RCA/DIN cable from Soundgate to retain the use of the stock amp. So techically, the power would remain the same. The only difference would be maybe higher output due to increased S/N ratio or the high-level inputs? I don't know about that part.

Anyways, with that setup, you retain all of the sun/sound speaker/amp setup, plus you'd still have a sub-out or non-fading preout on your new head unit to drive another subwoofer! So that may solve your quantity problem.

I'm also getting a full DIN size EQ as well, just cause I want to be able to tailor the sound exactly how I want it. But yeah, I'm sticking with the stock speakers, they're great as far as I'm concerned.

Workz: I took a listen to Alpine Type-S components a while back. That might be what you're looking for. Great sound, and a decent price point as well. Good luck!

 

hold up, hold up....yamaha system for your prelude? since when has yamaha made car audio components?!? i've always wanted them to, especially recievers, they make GOOD STUFF!

that being said, infinity oversized should fit, but look forward to some minor mods. the kappas sound EXCELLENT!

 

Ha, ha! Yamaha made good car audio components. It was such a good quality versus the price they asked for it that they pulled out of it!



What is the problem with the fit? It needs a special braket that can't be found aftermarket??? That sucks! It's not as bad as the Mazda 3 head-unit racket, but even then, they could have made it a bit more standard... So I might have to go to my uncle again to have some custom plate done... I hate asking other people to help me out (exept you guys, I have no pity! ).

Well, at least now I know what size I'll need to get for the rear install. Anyone know the sizes for the other speakers? I guess the fronts would be 5", but I have no clue for the tweeters



Delta: I didn't get the Infinity package, as I didn't think it was worth the price they asked for it (but that's just my personal opinion). I would have taken the sunroof though... I hate those ridiculous packages. I also wanted the side airbags, but guess what: I had to buy the S&S package first!!!


I am on the market for a new head unit (so I can play MP3 CD-ROMs), but I also consider the stock speakers to be the weak link on my current setup. As I was a sound technician for 3 years way back then, I know that the most important components in a sound system are the speakers. Since I don't want to shell out more than 500$ for the whole thing (HU and speakers), it looks like I'm in for some big compromises in the sound quality department. I might also wait for now and only upgrade the rear speakers... do the fronts next year.

I never liked Alpine components because I found them to be a bit too "tainted" for my taste... but it's been a while since I listened to anything they make. So I think I owe it to myself to go out and listen to some stuff...


Thanks you guys!


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Ahhh....I was under the assumption that you had the Infinity...my bad!

Yeah, I can see your need for modification, then!!

The entry-level MB Quart components and co-axials are quite nice as well. Maybe Polk as well?

The "big boys" you referred to (Sony, Kenwood...)...they're all right, but they're more of a quantity vs. quality manufacturer, know what I mean? They're more suited towards delivering products for the masses. Although, the Kenwood Excelon line is pretty good, so you may want to check them out too.

 

Now you're talking! We're getting somewhere with this thread, I can feel it...


Can you rate your own perception of quality versus price for these brands?

And what can 200-250$ buy in these respective brands? Is a 200$ budget reasonable to do both the front and rear speakers? I wish it was... or else I'll only do the rear and wait until next year for the rest.


I'd have to agree that the large japanese corporations don't produce very high quality components... then again, I found myself buying some of those components from time to time because they were readily available and in my price range. It seems like I'm not as bothered by lesser sound quality than I was 10 years ago... but then I don't live in my car anymore, I just drive it from time to time! But I sure as hell won't tolerate this crappy stock sound system for much longuer! Man this thing sucks! Only Alex thinks it's good enough... (sorry Alex, I couldn't help myself )


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oh man, 200-250 for just the speakers is fine. and i too thought that you had the infinity system. if you don't then front and rear speakers are 6 3/4 inch (same as 7 inch). pioneer makes a few models of them. their REV series sound very good, and are extremely high quality and great sound performane.

are you running them off a HU, or amping? (get a decent HU if you aren't amping. i'd recommend pioneer's PREMIER line, which has a higher build quality and makes a noticeable difference). other good brands are kenwood's excelon, infinity, boston acoustics, polk... there are plenty good brands out there, finding the size/sound/price you're looking for is another thing.

for a good system at a great price, its hard to beat pioneer. i'll find some prices on REV for ya...

 

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/tsd170r.html

rev speakers, 80 a pair (best price i could find quick). i have ordered from this company a few times before... their website looks cheap, but when you see their prices, you'll know why.

 

Woaw! This is way cheaper than I expected!!! I'd be able to do both front and rear installs at once! I'd never heard of REV before though... so I'd have to hear them first to see if it fits my tastes. But I'm no audiophile, just a regular guy with a good ear... I know when to compromise and settle for good instead of going for excellent and having to take a second mortgage!


What about the tweeters though?!? Do you guys think there is a replacement for those? High frequencies are what give definition to the sound (for me at least). I don't think I'd be satisfied just to by-pass them... I'd feel like something is missing. Usually, high-frequencies don't travel that well from the front doors speakers up...


This is great stuff people, keep it coming! That's why I love this place so much! You guys already saved me hours of research!!! All I'll have to do in the end is go out, listen and buy! Thanks to all of you people!

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that's where it gets a bit more complicated. if you want to replace the stock tweeters (instead of bypass) you could go with the REV 6 1/2 components set and get an adapter ring for the midrange. HOWEVER, you'll want to run better wire, which i imagine would be a pain. components would produce a much better soundstage though, its a tradeoff between how good you want the sound and how much time/$ you want to invest.

btw, you're absolutely right, the stock speaker position for the lancer in the door SUCKS. even with my fade forward, i'm listening to the highs from the rear. i'm going the component route soon myself...

 

I have to agree with purecoda. I used to have Pioneers (6x9) in my old SE-R and for the money, you can't beat them.

 

you're definitely going to want to keep tweeters up top. The difference in Sound quality is like night and day between components and coaxials.

 

Wait, wait, wait! Okay guys... let's backup here for a minute!


Now, when you guys refer to component and coaxial, I am really lost. I've studied broadcasting, so for me coaxial is a round, single conductor cable protected by a shielding ground... and component is a way to carry video signal while it is still seperated in it's basic components (2 color signals + 1 luminance signal)!


So let me try to put all this in context: a component speaker set would be a midrange and a high-frequency pair of drivers, to which the audio signal is fed via a crossover, right??? And for the coaxial part, beats me why they name it that way... but I guess it's a plain old 2-way speaker (with an integrated capacitor for filtering the signal before the tweeter. Is that it???

Now, of course I'd channel the highs up there, but I'm not sure why I would have to remove highs from the door panels and just install mid-range drivers... then again, it might be a bit tricky to equalize afterwards, right? That means a built in HU EQ wouldn't do a good jop and I'd need a real EQ, which basterdizes the sound anyway...

I might just finally get it... if you guys stick with me for just a little while longuer of course.

So the Pioneers components would be a good way to go... but are these available in the 6.75" config? Or is that just for the 2-way config???


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