speaker companys

[illusis]

ok heres the deal...looking to upgrade the stock speakers, nothing to crazy but i am a labol ***** and like name brands so it can get pricy. i really like JL and Rockford i have been looking at and they seem pretty good as well. roommate introed me to them the other day. so i was wondering if anyone here has upgraded the speakers w/o an amp and if it sounds good or if you did use an amp hows it sound and how much did you pay. deff something i would like to do this summer and i would like to try and do it myself so labor cost prob wouldnt be there. so anyone, any ideas would be great, thanks

 

[chuyler1]

Keep in mind that the stock stereo only puts out 5-7w RMS per channel. Upgrading just the speakers will give you a much cleaner sound, especially in the upper midrange and highs. However, due to the lack of power, you will actually experience a drop in bass output. Aftermarket speakers are less efficient that the stock paper-cone whizzers but will produce cleaner sound even when more power is thrown at them.

Even with that information, upgrading just speakers is a good start to an aftermarket system. From there you can decide whether a new headunit is in your future or just an external amplifer is what you need to maximize your new speaker investment.

BTW: JL Audio = good speakers, great subs, great amps. Rockford Fosgate = Not so good speakers (but good subs and amps).

 

[illusis]

well i do like the bass but i dont like the thump of subs. they are just to much for me and i feel like i lose so much trunk space with them. so should i just go with a jl audio upgrade all 4 speakers and 2 tweeters and a 4 channel amp. do you think that will give me good sound with a decent bass?

 

[jersey_emt]

well i do like the bass but i dont like the thump of subs. they are just to much for me and i feel like i lose so much trunk space with them. so should i just go with a jl audio upgrade all 4 speakers and 2 tweeters and a 4 channel amp. do you think that will give me good sound with a decent bass?

A sub doesn't have to "thump". A sub that is properly set up will simple augment the sound and support the other speakers, not overpower it. IMO, a sub is essential for proper sound reproduction.

 

[Breeegz]

A sub doesn't have to "thump". A sub that is properly set up will simple augment the sound and support the other speakers, not overpower it. IMO, a sub is essential for proper sound reproduction.

I agree with Jersey, and since you have a Hatchback, you get a much bigger result from any given sub/amp combo than our trunked cousins. You would be amazed how good one 10" sub and 300 watts RMS will sound in a ported box.

 

[illusis]

well if for now i just stick with the 4 channel amp and the speakers can i always add the sub later or would i need a different amp?

 

[neoturner]

well if for now i just stick with the 4 channel amp and the speakers can i always add the sub later or would i need a different amp?

You need to decide on a budget and what you want the end result to be.

You can always add more crap but knowing you will add something later might change the recommendation that is made. There are other quality manufacturers besides JL audio that will make a speaker that doesn't require an amp that will be an upgrade to your system.

If you ARE going to get an amp then as stated before the speaker recommendation is going to change to one that responds better with power. Probably all you would need are coaxals if this is all you are going to do.

Then there are components which are easier to setup if you get them as a combination tweeter, midrange. and if you don't run subs for now you'll probably want a full range 6x9 in the rear deck.

 

[chuyler1]

The setup I recommend first would be a set of component speakers (woofer, tweeter, and passive crossover), a small subwoofer (8" or 10" is fine), and a 4-channel amplifier to power everything (50-75w per channel is a great start and you can bridge the rear channels to send more power to the sub).

Rear speakers are not necessary in a good stereo system. The only time I would recommend installing rear speakers would be if a) you were installing a DVD player and wanted 5.1 surround sound or b) you are 100% sure you don't want a subwoofer and you need the rear speakers to add a little extra bass to your install.

Please read through the following threads...
Rear Speaker Discussion
NEW: The $500 Audio Challenge!!!!!
The $1000 Audio Challenge!!!!!
Speaker Sizes, Harnesses, and Kits of all Mazdas!