Speaker suggestions for a decent sound system

[rumblefish360]

Oh bang dead on balls accurate brother.
GOOOOOD MENTION!!!!!!

I was going to say that "dog" thing but forgot. Good one!
Remember too, if anyone for home or car audio installs an INDEPENDENTLY powered subwoofer AND crosses OUT the bass that the sub plays, the rest of the speakers will sound better AND the amp(s) driving them as well as the speakers themselves will work more efficiently!
My sub handles 40Hz down, my main 3 front speakers are rated at 32Hz on the low frequency end, so the roll off is 12dB per octave (not a "brick wall" filter). That means my mains still put out kick drum and a LOT of bass, but the deepest stuff comes from the sub, freeing up power in my main amps and the sub only has to handle 60Hz down, main 3 fronts 40Hz up, and the other 6 speakers in my 9.1 surround system, although most are rated below 50Hz, are rolled off at 60Hz, so they are working in their best range as well.
Short version: put a dedicated POWERED sub into your system, and EVERYTHING will sound better and work more efficiently! It's NOT just about "more bass"
(NOT the fish!)

 

[BSB67]

I put some Infinity Kappas in the Convertible. Pretty decent sound considering not the best speaker placements. Did need a sub for low bass, driving top down on the car really kills the bass response.

The Kappas have a pretty high sensitivity (more sound per power put into them), I think 94+ [email protected]. Range is good too, 35Hz to 35,000 Hz. Not sure why they need such a high range, maybe to please my dog?
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108K90CSXM/Infinity-Kappa-90csx.html?tp=106

Are you using an external amp to drive the Kappas?

 

[BSB67]

You see why I can't stay heavily involved in this thread. I have work to do.
I'm trying to help, but there's a lot involved.

You say that, but I think KD's question was simple. He asked for a speaker recommendation and you've written a book since then and never answered his question. I asked for a speaker recommendation, you gave several that were essentially what I purchased but were an epic fail. Then crickets.

 

[451Mopar]

Are you using an external amp to drive the Kappas?

No, A older single DIN JVC Receiver, with USB input, EQ, Sub-out. This was actually in my '84 RamCharger that I rolled and totaled.
Really tempted to get a receiver with GPS Directions, and add an external amp, but I need to get the car back on the road first.

 

[BSB67]

No, A older single DIN JVC Receiver, with USB input, EQ, Sub-out. This was actually in my '84 RamCharger that I rolled and totaled.
Really tempted to get a receiver with GPS Directions, and add an external amp, but I need to get the car back on the road first.

Thanks. That was actually helpful.

 

[Paul Boucher]

You say that, but I think KD's question was simple. He asked for a speaker recommendation and you've written a book since then and never answered his question. I asked for a speaker recommendation, you gave several that were essentially what I purchased but were an epic fail. Then crickets.

Your speakers are good, your head unit is mediocre at best, and you need an amplifier. Sorry for all our long windedness. We got carried away. Kind of like the question, “I want to build a 440 that is streetable, but can drag sometimes too, what parts do I need?” There’s a whole lot of variables, or things that are are subjective, and we sometimes get thrown off track as far as the discussion is concerned.

 

[biomedtechguy]

You say that, but I think KD's question was simple. He asked for a speaker recommendation and you've written a book since then and never answered his question. I asked for a speaker recommendation, you gave several that were essentially what I purchased but were an epic fail. Then crickets.

No problem.
Won't happen in this thread again.

 

[BSB67]

Your speakers are good, your head unit is mediocre at best, and you need an amplifier. Sorry for all our long windedness. We got carried away. Kind of like the question, “I want to build a 440 that is streetable, but can drag sometimes too, what parts do I need?” There’s a whole lot of variables, or things that are are subjective, and we sometimes get thrown off track as far as the discussion is concerned.

Honestly, your comments have been helpful. And I understand what you're saying. But what no one has responded to was my statement that this head unit DID adequately drive 4 speakers before as delivered from the factory. If the Polks I purchased are incomparable (although exactly what another recommended on this thread) fine. Still asking what speakers will work.

It's hard for me to believe that this stereo sounded this crappy from the factory.

 

[Paul Boucher]

@BSB67 No problem. With out digging to deep, it appears your head unit is probably, what 7-10 years old? Marine electronics typically degrade faster than most due to there extreme conditions and I would bet it has just run it’s course. I would bet that any speakers you put on it, at this point, would not sound great, or as good as when it was new. Your best bet would be to replace the head unit and add an amp, or replace the head unit and speakers with a better matched set (ohm, watt rms, and high dB rating). Also, I would not suggest trying to power the Polk speakers directly from the existing, or a new head unit due to the ohm rating on the speakers. It would most likely cause the head unit to burn up prematurely. Additionally, if you did use the Polk speakers with your current head unit, the speakers might have already caused damage to it, thus adding to the bad sound you are getting now. Sorry, I know not the best news, but just the most likely case of what you are looking at.

 

[BSB67]

@BSB67 No problem. With out digging to deep, it appears your head unit is probably, what 7-10 years old? Marine electronics typically degrade faster than most due to there extreme conditions and I would bet it has just run it’s course. I would bet that any speakers you put on it, at this point, would not sound great, or as good as when it was new. Your best bet would be to replace the head unit and add an amp, or replace the head unit and speakers with a better matched set (ohm, watt rms, and high dB rating). Also, I would not suggest trying to power the Polk speakers directly from the existing, or a new head unit due to the ohm rating on the speakers. It would most likely cause the head unit to burn up prematurely. Additionally, if you did use the Polk speakers with your current head unit, the speakers might have already caused damage to it, thus adding to the bad sound you are getting now. Sorry, I know not the best news, but just the most likely case of what you are looking at.

Thanks. It's 2003, so 15 years. I think that I concluded the same, as it sounds so poor at even low volumes. The Polk speakers were on it for less than 1 minute.

 

[Paul Boucher]

Thanks. It's 2003, so 15 years. I think that I concluded the same, as it sounds so poor at even low volumes. The Polk speakers were on it for less than 1 minute.

Yeah, then, the head unit is probably worn out. Just time and the environment it's in. Glad you only had the speakers hooked up for a minute as they could have been damaged as well, but don't think that is the case.

If you do get a new head unit, I would still look at adding an amp, or different speakers, due to the Polks ohm compatibility issue, along with the fact they will be under powered, even thought they are very efficient speakers; 94db. But the ohm issue is what will put stress (run hot) on the head unit and cause that to fail prematurely.

The only other thing would be look for a head unit that is stable at less than 4 ohms, but I don't think you will find one. On the other hand finding an external amp that is stable below 4 ohms is no problem.

If you do decide on anything and want to post it up here, I would be glad to take a look and see if the combination will work. Best of luck. Paul

 

[BSB67]

Thanks again. I think I've stepped all over KD's post enough.

 

[Islandkent]

My turn. Step aside Greg. But I bet you he would also be curious.
Ok. What's everybody doing about the front speaker? Is anybody running front speakers any more? Spare kick panel(repo's) drilling/cutting?? Door panels are to dear to hack them up. Just curious what is the general consensus? Single dash mount?
Any suggestions??
Really interesting topic fellas. Bravo!

 

[451Mopar]

My turn. Step aside Greg. But I bet you he would also be curious.
Ok. What's everybody doing about the front speaker? Is anybody running front speakers any more? Spare kick panel(repo's) drilling/cutting?? Door panels are to dear to hack them up. Just curious what is the general consensus? Single dash mount?
Any suggestions??
Really interesting topic fellas. Bravo!

On the Convertible, used the bracket that allows two 3.5" speakers to mount where the stock center speaker is located. It is OK, but really can't get much stereo separation. The rear speakers are mounted in the side panels at the rear seat. Don't worry, the side panels were already in bad shape before putting speaker holes in them.

 

[themechanic]

My turn. Step aside Greg. But I bet you he would also be curious.
Ok. What's everybody doing about the front speaker? Is anybody running front speakers any more? Spare kick panel(repo's) drilling/cutting?? Door panels are to dear to hack them up. Just curious what is the general consensus? Single dash mount?
Any suggestions??
Really interesting topic fellas. Bravo!

Click the link I provided above.

 

[themechanic]

Crutchfield

12 tips for getting the best sound quality in your car

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-5HoKsP6IiNp/learn/SQ/12_car_tips.html

 

[OH71RRunner]

Here's my opinion:
Ditch the 4" in the kicks. Replace with 6.5"(recommended) or 5.25" 3-ways or components. I would recommend Rockford Fosgate. They have good bass and come across a little "boomy". This will help because of their location.
The 6x9s should be fine. Add boxes under those if needing a little depth in bass.
Get a 4 channel amp. Around 100 watts per channel RMS. Ignore the max, maximum, or peak wattage.
Quality 8 gauge wire should be sufficient for power. Use the same size or larger for ground wire. NEVER SMALLER. Try to ground within 24" of amp.

For setting up the amp:
Turn EQ settings on head unit to 0. Set volume to about 75%. Adjust the gains for the front FIRST. Then set the rear. Make final adjustments as needed. Don't just turn the gains all the way up.

 

[Paul Boucher]

Don't just turn the gains all the way up.

Agree, gain is not boost, gain is not volume, gain is not loudness. So many people make this mistake. It’s to match the level input of the receiver. So many people just crank it to max because they think it makes it “louder”.

 

[PeteBell68]

Always had good sound from Alpine heads and matching speakers , as mentioned earlier you need an amp for the front and an amp for the rears .

 

[BB BELLA]

I got this system from an audio file many years ago and put in my boat has 4x12"'s mounted face to face in the cab and 6x9's, phoenix gold and rockford amps, sounds great but I've never seen speakers mounted face/face? I needed it because you can't hear a regular stereo with 2 motors screaming 7200 behind you!