Can someone please let me kno the dimensions I can get for new speakers for my 2003 F150 extended cab. I hear the factory stuff is 6x8, but something about 6 1/2's sounding alot better, and not cutting is required. I want good sound, but with no cutting.
Also could someone let me know what the best bet would be for middle range of price in speakers.


Thanks,
Jim

 

I have been going nuts running around listining to every speaker I can in the last two weeks. and I have come to this conclusion.

If you are going to run a sub then go with 6.5" componants.

If you are just going to replace the 4 speakers stick with the 6X8's not 5x7's

the componants don;t have as much base as the 6x8's I have found.. and the speakers I have been looking at are high end stuff not junk.

Steve

 

I saw infinity 6X8's for $99 a pair, how does that sound?
Should I go with that? I also saw a Blaupunkt San Jose stereo to replace my factory stereo, any good? it was about $229? and it is a smaller size so is it going to cost me to have it fitted in the dash, and how will they do that?


THanks,
Jim

 

Components DO put out more bass than 5x7/6x8 speakers. Also, it doesn't matter if you have a sub or not, component speakers sound better....but, component speakers must be powered by an aftermarket amp, otherwise you are wasting your money. If you don't want to make an adapter for the components, you are better off buying 5x7/6x8's.

 

neck4752,

Lemme put in my .02 cents since I might not know alot about trucks yet, but I do know some about sound systems.

It all depends on what you listen to, what you want, and how much you want to spend. If you want alot of bass, you can get a console sub or put a couple of subs in a box under the back seat. If you are going to use subs, then 6.5 components will be a good complement. If you want to still use 6X8 speakers with a sub, then I recommend using something called a bass blocker, which will keep your system from sending too much bass to the speakers, and redirects it to the subs.

Now if you just want speakers and no subs, I would probably just go with 6X8 speakers. There are some good ones out there, I have Cerwin Vega 3-way 6X8 speakers in my T-bird, and I love them. I recommend getting either 3-way or even 4-way speakers. That way, if you listen to alot of rock and roll, they have awesome mids and highs, and enough bass for rock and roll.

So basically its up to what you like to listen to. If bass is a priority, component speakers are the way to go. If you like some bass and care to really hear the mids and highs, component speakers are the way to go. I listen to both rock and rap. My component speakers in my T-bird are very good for rock, and pretty good for rap. I would like to add a little more bass for the rap though.

As for the Blaupunkt stereo, my personal opinion is I don't care for the brand too much. Most people tend to go with Pioneer or Sony, or if money is no object, Alpine. Are those infinity 6X8 for $99 a 3-way speaker? Sorry for such a long post, I get on a roll when I know a little about something

 

Component Speakers will ALWAYS sound better than Coaxial or 3-way speakers when powered properly. This is due to the crossover network and the cone of the woofer being a solid piece rather than having the mounting pod for the tweeter in the middle of the woofer cone.

Not to try to say you're wrong DECOY562, but the problem with Bass Blockers is that its a passive filter. With a passive crossover/filter you're simply cutting out the frequencies you don't want AFTER the amplification process. Since lower frequencies require a larger portion of power than high frequencies.. if you low pass a speaker with a "bass blocker" you've just cut out a large portion of power in the filtering. The more ideal thing to do is use an ACTIVE crossover and filter out unwanted frequencies prior to amplification.. this way the whole amount of power is available and only the frequencies wanted are amplified. Although, Bass Blockers are a good addition if you've got rattling problems with smaller speakers reproducing low bass notes.. and these speakers are being powered directly by the head unit. That's a cheap remedy for rattles and weak bass from smaller speakers.
I'm not trying to combat you..just informing NECK4752 more about Bass Blockers.

You can fit 6 1/2" speakers in the factory hole if you make an adapter plate.. easily made with wood.

And like everyone said.. your sound quality is limited to your budget.. as far as mids and highs go.

I'll sell you my Focal 136K 5 3/8" component set for say... $175. Only been used for maybe 9 months I think.

 

TEK2000 is right about all of that, what I was trying to say was that 3 or 4-way speakers will be good for someone on a budget, and a WHOLE heck of alot better than the factory speakers. Oh, and I forgot about Kenwood receivers, they are excellent too

 

Absolutely.. pretty much an aftermarket speaker will be better than the Ford factory speaker.

I sure like my Kenwood KDC-X859.

 

But can't you buy "component" speakers IN a 5x7 size, which would mount right in the factory locations WITHOUT having to worry about making anything?

If not, then someone should tell Kicker that, because the K57.2 component set that I have ordered for my front doors have the advantage of the component systems (with a separate tweeter and crossover), as well as being able to mount right up with no modifications.

I am going with the Kicker K57 (2-way) for the rear doors, with subs under the back seat. I figure I won't be riding in the back, so there is no use in shelling out the extra $$ for component speakers back there (about double).

...just my $.02
Scott

 

No, component speakers will not directly fit, you can either buy or make the plates that will fit in the 5X7 hole.

Chris

 

Check out the Kicker K57.2 component set. It comes with a 5x7 and a 1" dome tweeter. The 5x7 will fit in the factory 6x8 locations. The tweeter I plan to mount on the a-pillars.

By definition, a "component" set is just what it says, it contains different "components" (in this case, a midrange and a tweeter, along with a crossover for them), as opposed to a 2-way or 3-way speaker, which contains everything in one housing. Just because it is a "component speaker, it doesn't really mean that it has to be a circular speaker, which would need a custom bracket to install in the factory mounting holes.

 

Well thats cool, never seen those before, but I meant in GENERAL, MOST component speakers will need a plate in order to fit in the existing 6X8 hole.

 

Well, I was beginning to start second guessing myself! HA!

I went to a local stereo shop here in town and listened to them and LOVED them, especially when I found them on ebay for half the price they were in the store ($100 instead of $200). I ended up getting that set plus a set of matching 2-ways for the rear doors for about $15 LESS (including shipping) than what I would have paid for just the component set locally. I DEFINATELY recommend everyone checking ebay before purchasing!

I'm going to push them with an Eclipse EA4322 490 X 4. I haven't decided about the subs yet. I have a couple Volcano cast DVC 10's that I have had forever (that were custom made at the factory) that I'm trying to get a box designed for under the rear seat, but I just can't figure out if I want to fire them up or down. I'm still undecided about the amp for those.

At any rate, I'll let you guys know how they sound when I get everything in and installed. It should be a few months I guess until I can actually get the time to tear the interior out of the truck.

 

Well since we are on the subject , I'm on a kick that I need to replace my front OE speakers on my 97 ( it needs them badly). I'm on a tight budget and for now I will push them with my Eclipse CD5441, I forgot what it puts out, but I can find out.
Anyone wanna give me some ideas on what I could get for less than say $150? I'm not dead set on getting a component set-up, just always thought and heard they were better than coaxils. I can be go either way if the price is right. I listen to about every type of music there is, so the speakers have to be caple of pounding out some bass notes and then switching to the sounds of a fiddle.

I've been looking at some at thezeb.com
I looked at
MB Quarts DSC216- $110 component
http://www.thezeb.com./caraudio/spec...html#Eurosport
(boy look at those CDT's.... now that's a dream speaker)

Various Pioneer models
tcs160r and tsc1653- $158- $113 components
tsd680r and tsa6870r $980 $70 6x8 2 ways

I 've looked at lots of others and have a big master list but that's all I figured you all need to see to help me make a fianl choice. CDT's or Rainbows would be ovekill in my case.

 

I just ordered the Kicker K57.2 component set. It lists for $199, but I found it on ebay for $109 (or so) plus shipping. They should be here today, but it will be a few weeks before I can do the install. However, I listened to them at a local shop here in town and they sounded great! It consists of 2-5X7's and 2-1" tweeters.

Good luck!