Car Audio

E

Explosivo_sl

shitlord
181
0
Hey folks,

I just got myself a new car, which is pretty awesome except for the god-awful factory speakers. I'm looking to make an upgrade.

I've been searching around the internet for some sort of authority of information on car speakers but am coming up with a lot of websites that seem kind of dubious. I don't know the first thing about car audio (i.e., what brands/types of speakers are good, whether you new a new stereo with new speakers, etc.) and so I thought I'd turn to the RR hivemind. Anyone out there that has experience with car audio that can either give me some basic information or point me to somewhere that can?

I dunno if car speakers are something that people need information that often, but hey, there's a thread now.

Thanks!
 
Zodiac

Zodiac

Lord Nagafen Raider
1,200
14
Good idea for a thread but title should prolly be "Car Audio".

Anyways, what year, make, model is your car?
 
Vycarious

Vycarious

Lord Nagafen Raider
410
253
About 8 years ago I built a very nice audio system with a friend who owned a car audio shop and I used Eclipse for my speakers. Sold the car a few years ago but I have to say I really miss the sound it had. My 2 cents, Eclipse.
 
Soygen

Soygen

The Dirty Dozen For the Price of One
<Nazi Janitors>
28,326
43,170
I haven't been into aftermarket stereos since my 20's, but the last time I had one it was a Clarion headunit/dsp, Kicker amps Boston Acoustics separates and MMATS subs. I literally have no clue if those brands are any good now. Clarion, BA and MMATS were pretty high end at the time and the Kicker amps were mid-level quality. I actually still have all of them packed up in my house(my car was totaled years back). Now I just settle for the stock system. My Z has an ok Bose system. Nothing great. I feel like I'm getting old!

A good source back then was Crutchfield. You could get all kinds of info/reviews and then go buy it somewhere else. Crutchfield pricing was a terrible ripoff.
 
Crone

Crone

Bronze Baronet of the Realm
9,709
3,211
It's been about 6 years since I did anything with car audio, but my family had a car audio shop for 32 years before we sold it, so I grew up around the stuff. Was going to audio competitions when I was 10, etc. I'm sure things could have certainly changed, but like the above poster, Crutchfield was a good resource, and the only authorized online dealer for most brands.

You could find things cheaper, but the serial # would be scratched off, and you bought it off the back of a van, etc. As my family biz was an authorized dealer for the brands we sold, online dudes selling the shit cheap, but without warranty was pretty annoying.

Back then Alpine head units were the best IMO. JL Audio for the speakers, subs, and amps is what I'd use.

My recommendation is to go to a shop that can professionally install it. Prices might be higher, but the saying in the biz was "friends don't let friends install audio".
 
E

Explosivo_sl

shitlord
181
0
I don't think I'd do it myself or have a friend do it--I was looking at going to Best Buy or something.

I have a '13 Subaru Impreza. I checked out Crutchfield and it is definitely a good source for information. I'll check it out and see what I can find!
 
Soygen

Soygen

The Dirty Dozen For the Price of One
<Nazi Janitors>
28,326
43,170
I would recommend a specialty shop over Best Buy. You tend to get people who care more about what they are doing at smaller shops vs random kid making 10.00/hour at Best Buy.
 
Ossoi

Ossoi

Tranny Chaser
16,043
7,891
Recently bought a 1990 Ford Escort xr3i, speakers in it were junk so took it to a professional place.

They fitted 2x JL Audio TR525-cxi in the front and 2 TR650-cxi in the rear, sounds awesome!
 
E

Explosivo_sl

shitlord
181
0
Explosivo_sl said:
I don't think I'd do it myself or have a friend do it--I was looking at going to Best Buy or something.

I have a '13 Subaru Impreza. I checked out Crutchfield and it is definitely a good source for information. I'll check it out and see what I can find!
Click to expand...
Will do. Thanks man!
 
Joeboo

Joeboo

Molten Core Raider
8,157
140
Ossoi_sl said:
Recently bought a 1990 Ford Escort xr3i...
Click to expand...
lol. 1990 Ford Escort(American version, not Euro) was my first car when I turned 16 almost 20 years ago now. Had to turn off the A/C to accelrate up a hill. I think it had like 85 HP

I think around 1994 or 1995 I had an aftermarket stereo + speakers put in it, pretty sure it was a pioneer CD player + Infinity speakers. Sounded great for 20 years ago.
 
Ossoi

Ossoi

Tranny Chaser
16,043
7,891
joeboo_sl said:
lol. 1990 Ford Escort(American version, not Euro) was my first car when I turned 16 almost 20 years ago now. Had to turn off the A/C to accelrate up a hill. I think it had like 85 HP

I think around 1994 or 1995 I had an aftermarket stereo + speakers put in it, pretty sure it was a pioneer CD player + Infinity speakers. Sounded great for 20 years ago.
Click to expand...
this is the European version, very different I think

rrr_img_26525.jpg
 
Xarpolis

Xarpolis

Life's a Dream
14,148
15,640
I'm a fan of Polk Audio's mid range and tweeters. They make some quality components. I don't really know how into this you plan on going... just a generic speaker swap (quick and easy), or do you plan on swapping out the Head Unit as well? Maybe throw in an amp or two?

A lot of cars these days come with "amplified" rear speakers, which is a tiny shit amp for every rear. In truth, they do this because the factory head unit isn't powerful enough to give sound to all 4 (or more depending on the vehicle) speakers without some assistance. Another truth that most people don't realize is that you want your front speakers to be the absolute best you can afford. You hear those infinitely more than the backs, and if they're powerful, you don't hear the backs at all. Even in low volume situations.

So give us more info and we can talk you through it.
As for crutchfield, they're great for knowing exactly what will fit into your vehicle. However, if you plan on doing the work yourself, turn to Amazon to make the actual purchases. Crutch gets a little pricey at times.

PS - A standard speaker swap is very easy. If you have some very basic tools (screw drivers & socket set), you should be able to do it on your own with minimal effort. I like a nice pry bar as well, as most cars use plastic interior these days and they aren't actually bolted in... just snapped there. This makes it easier.

Actually, I found a picture of it online. This is what I have and I love it. Called either a Prybar or a Door Panel Remover.
snap-on-pry-bar.jpg
 
E

Explosivo_sl

shitlord
181
0
I guess what I need fundamentally is the basic information, or a source on where to read up on it. Questions like: 1. Do i need to swap my stereo (the faceplace part) if i swap speakers? 2. What is the difference between 2/3/4/5-way speakers? 3. I'm not looking for top of the line, but I want my music to sound as good as it can...what parts am I going to have to buy? Speakers and a sub? Amplifiers? etc.

I basically just want to have a sound system in my car that is really enjoyable to listen to, because I listen to music pretty much all the time and i get annoyed when it sounds bad because of my hardware.
 
Xarpolis

Xarpolis

Life's a Dream
14,148
15,640
Ok, keep in mind that factory head units are usually very low in power. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, get speakers with a lower RMS wattage rating. That way they won't need to be amplified to reach their full potential.
If you're looking at generic 50/75 watt ones, you're wasting your money. They might be better, but not "great" with a factory head unit.

I don't really know of a source for you to read up on all things speakers and audio. You just kind of learn it as you go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.