Replacement speaker recommendations
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Southern, CA
I've had extremly good luck with the Infinity Kappa's. Great sounding and run well on minimal (stock HU) power levels and can handle a good sized amp as well. Last I looked there were down to $99/pr. range and they are very nice with a directional tweeter as well. I've had them in my past 3 vehicles and added a nice 4 channel amp to my Lincoln LS with the Kappa's and they handled the power very well.
So far all I have done with my '05 SCREW's sound system is to ditch the cheap stock speakers and add the PIE adapter for my XM radio set up.....the audiophile sub actually sounds decent. My next step is going to be to add an 4 channel amp for the 4 cab speakers and look into the possibility of upgrading the speaker/amp combo in the sub unit. Wonder if a small 8" Bazooka tube would fit under the rear seat..
So far all I have done with my '05 SCREW's sound system is to ditch the cheap stock speakers and add the PIE adapter for my XM radio set up.....the audiophile sub actually sounds decent. My next step is going to be to add an 4 channel amp for the 4 cab speakers and look into the possibility of upgrading the speaker/amp combo in the sub unit. Wonder if a small 8" Bazooka tube would fit under the rear seat..
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Pretty much any that is 5/7. 6/8 or 6/9 are often the same size. Crutchfields will give you matching sizes on any part number they stock. Then, since their prices are very high you might get them from eBay or where ever.
Speakers are easiest to change on the front on all trucks. Pretty easy on the rears. Reg cab you have to pull the door panel off. Pain in the.... But you could put a large speaker in there if you wanted. But rear fill, you really don't need to upgrade the rear speakers very much, in reg cab you barely use them.
2 way are pretty good. 3 or 4 way also have their points. Crutchfeild has a nice tutorial.
All of them sound better than the 25 watt paper units most of the F150's come with.
The Audiophile comes with upgraded speakers, made by the people that make BA speakers, but that does NOT mean they are BA speakers. There can be twenty brands, fifty grades of speakers made in the same plant.
If all you are going to change is the speakers, three or four ways may be a good choice. I turned off my amp today while driving around, just to see how much bass the Pioneer 3 ways put out. Plenty of thump, again not to compare to a 900 buck amp and 12 inch woofer, but better than say stock speakers on a 2000 buck TV.
Chris
Speakers are easiest to change on the front on all trucks. Pretty easy on the rears. Reg cab you have to pull the door panel off. Pain in the.... But you could put a large speaker in there if you wanted. But rear fill, you really don't need to upgrade the rear speakers very much, in reg cab you barely use them.
2 way are pretty good. 3 or 4 way also have their points. Crutchfeild has a nice tutorial.
All of them sound better than the 25 watt paper units most of the F150's come with.
The Audiophile comes with upgraded speakers, made by the people that make BA speakers, but that does NOT mean they are BA speakers. There can be twenty brands, fifty grades of speakers made in the same plant.
If all you are going to change is the speakers, three or four ways may be a good choice. I turned off my amp today while driving around, just to see how much bass the Pioneer 3 ways put out. Plenty of thump, again not to compare to a 900 buck amp and 12 inch woofer, but better than say stock speakers on a 2000 buck TV.
Chris
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: central mass
Here is a post that I replied to another member on the av forum, hopefully this helps clear up some questions on what to do when deciding on upgrading a system.
Originally Posted by nothinbutaford
The first thing to consider is, what are you looking for ?
If you want more volume you need more power, buy an amp. Wether you have stock speakers and/or radio this is the way to get it.
If you want more bass you need an amp/sub combo.
If you want to improve the sound quality with the same volume and the same bass, then you need to replace the speakers.
As far as seperates vs coaxials, quality is far more important than arrangment. Many speaker companies have mounting options for their higher end speakers. In my install galleries you will see a set of Boston Pro60's mounted on the pods of the dash, the tweeter is mounted with the coax mounts to the midranges and that interior is setup for ideal sound quality. As far as the infinities you listed, the seperates are a better speaker than the coax. Why? Between the 2 speakers you listed the seperates have a better tweeter and a better crossover network, and since you can wire them seperately you can change the phase of each independant speaker as well as optimise the tweeter location. The coax has a smaller less expensive tweeter and a cheap crossover for the tweeter only thats fixed wired so you have no adjustability. Also since you have a truck and probably don't ride in the back the need to replace the rears is little to not important. My recomendation to you is take the money you would spend on the fronts and backs and use it all on an even better set of fronts.
If you want more volume you need more power, buy an amp. Wether you have stock speakers and/or radio this is the way to get it.
If you want more bass you need an amp/sub combo.
If you want to improve the sound quality with the same volume and the same bass, then you need to replace the speakers.
As far as seperates vs coaxials, quality is far more important than arrangment. Many speaker companies have mounting options for their higher end speakers. In my install galleries you will see a set of Boston Pro60's mounted on the pods of the dash, the tweeter is mounted with the coax mounts to the midranges and that interior is setup for ideal sound quality. As far as the infinities you listed, the seperates are a better speaker than the coax. Why? Between the 2 speakers you listed the seperates have a better tweeter and a better crossover network, and since you can wire them seperately you can change the phase of each independant speaker as well as optimise the tweeter location. The coax has a smaller less expensive tweeter and a cheap crossover for the tweeter only thats fixed wired so you have no adjustability. Also since you have a truck and probably don't ride in the back the need to replace the rears is little to not important. My recomendation to you is take the money you would spend on the fronts and backs and use it all on an even better set of fronts.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Murray , Kentucky
What I am looking for is improving sound quality.. I dont need much base or treble... just a better sound quality..
So I guess replacing just the speaker is a wise choice..
Are 6X9 much better than 6X8? And they both fit in the front/rear doors of a regular cab?
So I guess replacing just the speaker is a wise choice..
Are 6X9 much better than 6X8? And they both fit in the front/rear doors of a regular cab?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: central mass
The 6x9's won't fit in the doors without permanent modification so I would stick with 6x8(5x7 is the same thing) or 6 1/2's with adapters. When you get into higher end speakers 6 1/2's and 5 1/4 are the more common sizes.
Last edited by nothinbutaford; Mar 17, 2006 at 12:18 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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I have had great sucess with Alpine. I am using a set of SPR-574A. You need to cut off a pait of tabs but it is pretty darn easy to do. As for the sound, I have a an audiophile system and they are quite a bit better than the stock components even though the Alpines are coaxial. They are about $199 a pair retail but Crutchfield was blowing them out at $59 about 3 months ago. Should be able to find great deals on Ebay.
Another brand which should run quite well on headpower is Eclipse.
Another brand which should run quite well on headpower is Eclipse.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by thais0n
Can't beat that with a stick. I ordered those! Thanks Chris. Like you said, I realize those arent the best ones, but for that price, you can't lose.
Now does anyone know a cheap source for the wiring harnesses?
Now does anyone know a cheap source for the wiring harnesses?
Enjoy.
