Hey I was wondering what companies make the best speakers for our trucks and which companies make not-so-good ones....I was thinking about buying a set of boston acustics rally series speakers, but was wondering if some of you guys knew how good/bad they were? Also WHAT OTHER COMPANIES ARE GOOD??? thanks...

 

Speakers from Pioneer, Infinity, Rockford Fosgate, and Kicker are some good speakers. Just to name a few. I'm sure there are more...

 

..........and DiamondAudio, Focal, JLAudio.
I suppose you should tend to avoid such illustrious brands as Sparkomatic, Jensen and Krako.
Especially avoid all brands that your buddies -- or strangers posting to online forums -- say are "the best", as reality usually never equals the hype.
The best speakers are those that you've listened to critically and have come to appreciate because you have compared the sound to others. This makes a selection the "best" because you've decided it to be so.

 

Well said sun dog, remember you you get what you pay for at least most of the time anyway. also try memphis audio , MB quart just to name a few.



dale mr2x75

 

I just put 4 Polk DX-7's in and they sound very good to me. So I'd put them on the "good" list.

Bob

 

rtroha: Hey Mon. Living up in "Minner" are ya?
Go to the Headlands very often?

 

Bad: Sony Xplod Grr, pieces of Sh*t!

 

Apparently you know the area. Don't go up there too much anymore but once in a while we'll take my buddies boat up to the beach at Fairport Harbor. It's really nice now. Gotta love the NorthCoast!

Bob

 

I agree with rtroha! I installed 4 DX7s powered by a Alpine amp and they sound great. The sounded okay with no amplifier but got better being powered a little more

 

I got Pioneer 6x8's all around (3ways in the front, 2ways in the back) and they sound great and look cool too...

 

JL fan here, I listened to some rockfords, I wouldn't recommend them, they are good for loud but poor sound quality.

 

Pioneer makes a real good speaker. They are very rugged and reliable too.

 

If money is no concern, go with the Focal Polykevlar or Utopia. These things are incredible. I thought Infinity Kappas and Boston Acoustics rocked, until I heard a side by side comparison of them in a sound room. There is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON. The only others I can think of that really "rival" the Focals are Rainbow's. I don't know about Rainbows other than they are cost prohibitive (unless you are loaded and don't mind spending $2G's on a set of speakers).

The Focals can be bought for about $350 a set online (in the right places).

If this is too much, I would certainly look into the Polks or Infinitys(sp).

 

Speakers are just something you've got to go listen to for yourself. Everyone's ears are different, and everyone has different preferences for speaker sound for the type of music they listen to. I've heard some $3000 audiophile home speakers that I thought sounded like crap with my preferred type of music, while some $300 Pioneers sound just fine.

I recently bought some Boston Acoustics RX-87s, at $160/pr. I think they sound excellent for the way I listen to music. Very flat response, excellent voicing, not boomy or tinny. The salesperson thought the $80 Kenwoods sounded better. I thought they were too bright - almost 'hissy'. My music, my ears, my truck. I paid more for the speakers I wanted.

That said, I agree with everyone's comments about buying an amp for the speakers. Stock headunit amps are just too puny to accurately control a cone at moderate-high levels. You'll be amazed at how even a 'cheap' set of speakers will open up with a proper amp.

 

I have Infinity Reference 5x7 2-way's in my front doors. And I kept the rear speaker's stock. I think there is no need to replace the rear speaks in a regular cab pick-up. Besides 99% of the time you can't hear the rear's anyway. They just add a little filler sound. All my speakers run off of my Kenwood HU for now. The sound is crisp and clear. You can't beat it for $300.