catchmeifyoucan631

What's goin' on everyone? New to the forum. I have an 05 8 G.T. with bose speakers, Pioneer F700BT and Corksport dash / Bose adaptor. Unfortuantly I'm getting sick of the dull sound coming from the Bose and would like to upgrade, but I'm a bit undecided as to which brand/speakers to buy to get maximum quality.

I did some research before posting here, and I was looking into Dynaudio, but quickly shut them out due to the price of them. I'm sure theyre great but I don't exactly have $800 for a set of components. Then I was looking into the Evolution ZR Series from JL Audio, and since they have an 8" ZR component woofer to put in the doors, i'm more drawn to them since there aren't many speaker sizes to fit that 8.4" hole in the door. Also there's a store on eBay that sells custom boxes for the trunk, that go on the left/right side and they're meant to fit W6's so that also makes JL more appealing to me.

If anyone is familiar with Al-Ed's, I was on the phone with them asking about the ZR's and he suggested a Focal component woofer. So I'm hearing about different brands left and right and I just need some advice as to what speakers/amps are the best for my preferred music. I listen to mostly metal/nu-metal (i.e. Disturbed, Hatebreed, Korn, Godsmack, etc), and very little rap so I guess I'm looking for something with a lot of bass but also very loud high's. TIA for any information!!

PS: My driver's side mirror has a rattling problem, anybody else encounter this/fix it? Thanks again!

Socket7

I got JL TR 6.5 inch components for the front speakers and made an adapter plate for the 9 inch woofer hole. Very satisfied with the results.

What you need to do is go to a shop with a CD of your music and listen to every speaker in the store with that CD. Then decide what speaker sounds best to you.

catchmeifyoucan631

Thanks for the quick response, Socket7. I thought of doing that, but I don't know of any audio shops that display the ZR's which is what I was looking into, so I can't test them. I'm probably going to end up with ZR's Since they're JL's top components, but I want to amp them, and I saw in another thread, a member put a 6" W3 in the rear seat console, and I really liked that set up. So here's what I'm thinking:

2- 8" Component woofers for the doors
1 set of- 2 6.5" round/2 2" tweeter/ 2 crossover component set for the rear
2- 2" tweeters for the doors
2- crossovers for the front
1 or 2- W3's
Total of: 9(10) Speakers, 4 tweeters for Highs, 3(4) woofers for lows, 2 6.5"s for Mids

What do you think about that selection of speakers? and what amp(s) and/or cap would I need to power them? Thanks again for helping me out.

Socket7

Check your mounting depths before you buy those woofers. Maximum depth is listed in the audio reference sticky.

forbidden

Just because a 8" will fit does not mean that you must do it. A 8" MUST be treated accordingly. You cannot just fire it on in and expect it to do it's job. It needs to be mounted properly, tuned properly (by means of air volume and crossover). 99% of component sets come with a matched woofer / tweeter / crossover for this application. I recommend that you drop your size of the front speaker to a 6.75" component set and call it a day. Use a proper mounting adaptor for the front speakers, sound deaden the doors and you are off and running with a proper setup.

For the rear speakers, keep it simple. If you really want component speakers in the rear, sure fine. However, seeing as the front speakers are far more important, drop the rear speakers to a good set of coax or pointsource type speaker and throw the savings into better front speakers.

For the subs, you can go to the sealed prefab box for the 8 and get some highly predictable results out of them. If you are after lots of bass response though, a single 12" in the proper slot port box will lay waste to them.

JL Audio does indeed make some great equipment. That said, should you really want to get into the world of top notch audio, step up into Morel for your main speakers.

Amplification can be done depending on how you approach your subwoofer system. If you are after a tonal balance (read not overbearing bass response), a single 5 channel amplifier like the Eclipse XA5000 or Boston Acoustics GT50 would be a great start. If you are after ***** to the wall bass response, a two amp system comprised of a 4 channel for the front / rear speakers and a mono amp for the subs is the way to go.

www.morelhifi.com for more info.

catchmeifyoucan631

Basically the way I feel about Bose is I cant find a balance between the bass or treb. If I raise the bass, I can't hear the High's and vice versa. If I do however find a balance, it's simply not loud enough. About 4 years ago I had an S10 Xtreme Extended cab, and i had 2 12" L7s with a 1500w Hifonics amp right behind the seats. It was too much bass and it drained out the treb so I just want a nice setup, all parts of the same brand. Aiming for about 5-600 watts.

I looked into Morel, however they're much more expensive than Dynaudio so I can't afford them.

I understand what you mean about the 8", so maybe I'll build a plate over the hole, buy 3-way components and mount the Low's and mids in there, then put the tweeter in its OEM place.

Basically my budget would be $500 more or less for a set of components. If you have any recommendations for what is the loudest, clearest, if that price range, please help lead me in the right direction. I know I'm being a pain, but I'd rather ask and get the right info before I buy the wrong items and pay for it later.

forbidden

Morel has speakers in that price range..... keep it to a simple 2 way speaker in the rear and go to 6.75" 2way components up front. Absolutely no need for a 3way set up in the front. The Dotech Ovation 6 components have a CDN retail of $549.00, so they are definitely in reach for you.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I HIGHLY recommend the 4080 boxes over those eBay boxes
http://4080enclosures.com/shop4080/s...sp?idProduct=4

catchmeifyoucan631

Ok, after a lil' more research, I found the Boston Acoustics SPZ60 2-way components. I really like these since their RMS is 150w per speaker, the tweeter can be taken off the mid and mounted elsewhere, and they're in my price range. Personally I've never heard how they sound, but at about $570 a pair and 150w RMS, how bad can they sound? Last question I have is about the Ohms. the SPZ60's have a 3-Ohm impendance, and the amp I was looking at, the JL G4500 is 125w RMS x 4 @ 2 Ohms. What does that mean exactly if I were to go with those speakers and amp, being that the number of Ohms is different between the two?

Here are the products if you'd like to see the specs:

http://mobile.bostonacoustics.com/ca...product_id=400
click quick specs on the right

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=480
Specs are at the bottom.

Thanks again for everyone who has been helping me make my decision.

djkrazy

I upgraded from the bose and I got JL audio speakers ..... ten times better !
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/got-rid-bose-jl-audos-154724/

thats the thread of what i did with my speakers

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

here's my upgrade thread: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/jedis-bose-stereo-upgrade-103771/

catchmeifyoucan631

Thanks to everyone who pitched in. After looking, taking advice and viewing other set ups, here's my decision:

SPEAKERS
Front: JL Audio ZR650-CSi 2-way Components
Rear: JL Audio ZR650-CSi 2-way Components
and also a JL 6W3v34 W3v3 sub to be custom mounted into the rear seat compartment

AMPS:
JL 450/4 4 Channel amp to be hooked up at 4 Ohms
JL 250/1 V2 Mono amp for the 6" W3.

Im confident it will sound nice with the F700BT, and it all works because the 4 channel's RMS at 4 Ohms is 85w, where the components OHM impendance is 4 and their RMS is also 85. Now to save up

Thanks again, I owe you all beers

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

The lower the speaker impedance (ohms) the more power your amp will output. However, with the JL amp you plan on using, power will be the same regardless of impedance. It's an unusual design. Not common, but never the less, decent. And what's is "rear seat compartment" ?

catchmeifyoucan631

The compartment I was referring to is the plastic compartment between the back seat and the trunk, that you can lock with your key. I don't know the official name for it.

I actually spoke with a JL Tech Rep to ask him something about those components and he recommended 2 different amps.
He recommended the HD600/4 for the speakers. He said that even though the RMS for those sets is 85, they'd be fine handling 150w continuous since the peak rating is 255w. http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=482

He recommended the G1300 for the 6" W3. He said the 250/1 is very underrated, that it puts out more than 250 and since that sub can only handle 150 continuous at most, he didn't encourage it. G1300 is 150w RMS @ 4 Ohms, W3 impendance is 4 Ohms. http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=477

alexanderiv99

I would go with MEMPHIS AUDIO for you mids and highs... you will love the sound and the price of these speakers especially if you amp them so you can get the complete tune. The power reference line sounds really good and you can pay a lil more for the MCLASS line but its best for ROCK or anything real musical. Subwoofers: id say MMATS. I love this company..its a lil pricey but believe me its worth it. MMATS amps are the BEST to me.

catchmeifyoucan631

I've been told Kicker is very good for the type of music I listen to (Metal/Nu-Metal), that it's very bassy and also clear, so I've been checkin them out, and for $875 I can get a 7- 800w kicker system where JL would cost me about $2K+ and only get 6-650w, so if there's anything I should know about Kicker's components, feel free to let me know. Thanks!

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I use their amps/subs. No complaints. Their KS-series speakers are a little harsh for my tastes. Go to Circuit City and listen for yourself. Compare with the Polk db-series right next to them. If you feel the same way, how about Kicker amps/subs and JL components?

simplec

Not sure if it will fit or not, but have you looked at the kicker 6 1/2 inch subs, or even their 6 1/2 midbass speakers to fill the void in the door and have some great sound?

catchmeifyoucan631

firebirdude: What do you mean by harsh? too bassy? distorted? If you mean bassy, then that makes me want them more. I've been to 2 shows so far (Rockstar Mayhem Fesitval in August and Hatebreed just last week), and after hearing them at a show, it's just not the same without the crazy bass. I'm not gonna buy the KS, if anything, the SS Components. Ill be sure to take a ride to CC, but in the end, I don't think I'm going to do subs. The trunk is pretty small and I always have my bowling bag in there which fills the center of the trunk, plus the spare tire takes more room.

simplec: Yes I have, I'm actually going to install one between the 2 rear seats. IIRC, they're free-air so its simply cut the hole and mount it in/install. I'm going with the SS65.2 components for the front and rear, they contain 2 6.5" speakers and then 2 1 3/16" tweeters, and also the crossovers. theyre 90w rms so I'm going to use kicker's ZX650.4 multichannel amp and only turn it up 3/4 of the way. Then the ZX150.2 bridged to power the SSMB6 midbass woofer. I was worried that the bass may drown out the treb so I may also install SS30's on the pillars above the seatbelt to equalize it a bit more.

Thanks to everyone who's helped me with this, if it wasn't for you guys I'd probably be buying much more expensive speakers and get the quality I'm not exactly looking for

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

IMO they have little midrange with an ear piercing tweeter. After hearing the Polk dB's and the Kicker KS's in probably 100 different cars and probably 100 hours on the showroom floor.... they have roughly similar "bass" outputs. Which isn't much. But who buys a component set for bass? The overall tonality is where the Polk absolutely destroy the Kicker's. They sound 100% more natural. The tweeter mixes near flawlessly with the midrange. The Kicker tweeter screeches away from the midrange. Not only sounding harsh, but more importantly, sounding unnatural. It's not a volume contest.

The odd thing is that some associates disagree with me. It's such a night and day difference that I'm a little shocked by this. To each their own I guess. But those liking the Kicker more honestly lose points in my book. If they can't hear the obvious differences between the two, they shouldn't be offering advice to customers. I encourage you to listen to the coaxils, but especially the component sets. (Should be set up in the "thump room" at CC). Try them with and without an amp. Please let me know your opinion too. Just to see your thoughts on the topic. Don't worry. Online buddies don't lose any cool points if you choose the Kickers.

alexanderiv99

you guys are wasting your money with kicker or jl.......you paying for an overrated name that circuit city and other big box stores like to sell....now ive heard some jl and kicker stuff but its only good items are the top of the line stuff...like kickers $1000+ component setup....but you should really check into www.memphiscaraudio.com its worth every penny you spend...and guess what? thats not that much....

catchmeifyoucan631

firebirdude: I understand what you mean. Well I'm looking at the Polk DB's right now, and they do handle more bass than the SS's, and I can only take your word on the sound quality. It's not that I'm looking to use my components for bass, but I'd like to get the most out of my interior set up without having to add subs. Thanks for the advice, perhaps I'll go Polk. All this research is startin to fry my brain lol

alexanderiv99: I did look into Memphis already, I didn't like that their 6" components only had an Rms of 50 and a peak of 100, which i stated above, and in previous posts, I don't want to add subs so the speakers I choose will have to have a Higher RMS than that. Without bass, It'd be like turning the bass -6 and treb +6 IMO. Not the setting for me. Also the Kicker setup I considered was almost $1000, probably would have went over that after shipping.

How are the Polk SR's? I'm sure by price they're much better than the DB's?

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I've never heard the SR's, but surely they're no slouch. And I'd really reconsider your choice of no subwoofer. A subwoofer is an integral part of a well rounded audio system. Be it for home or car.

Did you check out the 4080 boxes I linked earlier?:http://4080enclosures.com/shop4080/s...oduct=4&image=
They really don't take up that much room. Maybe just the driver's side box? A single 10"? And who carries a spare tire with them anyway?! Your car didn't come with the Mazda Roadside Tire Repair Kit?

It's just that I don't think you're going to be satisfied with the bass output of any of these 6.5" in this application. You're going to have less bass than you do right now. Ditching those 9"ers in the front doors is going to remove all of that.

And PS. Memphis is nothing to write home about. Decent company, but certainly nothing special. Their quality is right on par with Kicker or Polk. As far as pricing, you can get them all cheaper online than you can in the store. So who cares.

catchmeifyoucan631

I guess if a sub is that much of a necessity I can install one. And yes I did look at the 4080 enclosures That's what I'll be using when the time comes.

Im not sure what kit I have, but I have that ugly yellow wheel bolted to my rear strut bar, and the tools behind the cargo net in a plastic compartment.

How will I have less bass when the bose system is 300w and I'm aiming for about 800w?

WVBoosted8

iTrader: (5)

Check out Boston acoustics. I am an authorized retailer for Boston and I love EVERYTHING they put out. Their SL60 component set can be found for around $200 online and it will be the best 200 bucks you've ever spent.