I am upgrading the system in my wife's Mercury Mountaineer (similar to Explorer). I am going with Eclipse HU and speakers. Will add the amp later.
In my F150, I went with Kenwood HU and Infinity Reference speakers. I stuck with the original 5 x 7 size.
I am told by several sources that Round Speakers are better than Oval speakers. With Eclipse, the 6.5 Round is same price as 5x7 Oval. The 6.5 speakers do not seem to be very deep. The cost is the same on both sizes. Install is a little more expensive on the 6.5 size. They need to make or buy adapter plates.
I generally like to stay with stock sizes. Just seems like a cleaner install to me.
What does everyone else think of the oval vs. round question?

 

One of the main reasons people go with round is because thats how components come. Put the tweeter up higher than most stock locations and you will have a better sound stage.

 

It's true somewhat, that rounds are the "best" at reproducing sound most accurately. But, your ears are not oscilliscopes. I'd like to see someone step forward and honestly prove that the rounds sound better.

If you want good full sound, stick with the 5x7's, they have more surface area than the 6's give a little better bass and mid-lows.

In a debate like this I would only recommend the rounds to replace ovals to someone who is going all out, dynamat this, seal that, enclose this, tune that, 200$ rca's, pic's in the magazines....

 

I unhooked my Infinity Kappa 5x7 door spkrs and installed Focal 6.5 round componets in Qform kickpanels and the results were quite noticeable. Performance and sounstage were much improved. Just my fiddycent.

Rickster

 

I agree with frostby. All things being equal other than the difference in the midwoofer size, any SQ issues will be inaudible to the human ear. I also agree with what ricksta says, but those are 2 different types of speakers and installations in the case he mentions.

 

The ovals are louder, but the round produce a better sound.

 

Exactly right, if you look at the specs, oval speakers handle more wattage than the round do. If you're not an audiophile and aren't pushing them with alot of power at a rather significant volume, I don't think you would be able to tell much of a difference in two speakers from the some manufacture.

 

A 6" circle has 113.09 in2 compared to a 5 x7 oval with 109.95 in2. So the 6" rd are actually larger. Be carefull looks can be decieving.

 

Chris,

How'd ya come up with those #'s? Here's food for thought to make you all go hmmmm...

When a 6' speaker will fit in a 5x7 opening and have space to spare on two sides, where as a 5x7 fills the opening completely...

Well, 5x7's and 6x8's are the same (I think) except for the location of the mounting holes/tabs. But if anyone has anything to prove me wrong-please step up, I'd hate to be giving out wrong info....

 

Thanks to all of you who replied. Your opinions made my decision very easy.
I will stick with the 5 x 7 ovals. I think Frostby is correct in his belief that the 5 x 7 and 6 x 8 are the same speaker, just different mounting holes.
I simply do not think I will gain a noticeable difference by switching to the 6.5" rounds. The installation would increase by $30 per pair. I do not want to spend $60 for little or nothing. As I originally stated, I like to stick with stock sizes whenever possible.
Again, thank you to all who replied.

 

frostby,
From what I have read on other posts you definately know more than me about speakers and this thread and I am in no way questioning your knowledge. Speakers may be different but the general math formulas are as follows.

Area of a circle = pi r2 (squared) or 3.141592 x 6 x 6 = 113.0973 in2 (square)

Area of a ellipse=pi r1 r2 (two) or 3.141592 x 5 x 7= 109.9557 in2 (square)

Sorry about the confusion with the r2 (radius squared) vs r2 (radius two) but I don't know how to use postscripts on this board.

 

..

 

Chris, I follow...

 

pi times radius squared. Wouldn't the radius of a six inch speaker be three inches??

 

Yes. I realized the mistake after the post but was too embarassed to post the correction. However, the principal still applies and the size ratios will be the same.