speaker selection

[darebren]

alot has been posted about speaker upgrades. I'm really no pro, so not sure if 2 way, 3 way or 4 way would give the best all around sound. I'm not into full blast music, but do like to hear everything. Pioneer has a decent 4 way speaker, and Rockford Fosgate has a nice looking 3 way. The Excelons and others that seem popular are 2 way.

[RF Overlord]

darebren:

Remember that an automobile passenger cabin is NOT an ideal listening environment, so there is a point at which you will no longer hear improvements...because hearing is so subjective, that point varies with each listener. Personally, I'm very happy with my Infinity 2-ways; I could have spend a whole lot more and maybe gotten even better sound, but it wasn't worth it to me. You're the only one who can tell if a particular audio mod is a good one.

Remember too, a really good 2-way speaker may sound better than a mediocre 4-way... don't get too hung up on numbers...go by sound quality; nothing beats an actual listening experience.

[LincMercLover]

I find three ways are about perfect type of setup for a 6X8/6X9 speaker. When going to a four way, you loose your bass, and two ways just don't hit the highs that I like. But, like RF said, it all depends on the listener. Go to Best Buy or a car stereo install place and listen, for a LONG time. But I wouldn't even bother giving a four way a chance.

[ChuckB]

i'm quite fussy about my sound and have tried a few combinations. Rf pretty much hit the nail on the head - consider only purchasing the top shelf of which ever brand you are considering. but i have to disagree about listening in the store. to me the speakers sounded so differently in the car as compared to the shop it was difficult to compare.

As mentioned before 3 and 4 way produce more highs - remember glass (as in the back window) reflects high frequency very well as opposed to the doors which have much different acounstics. the same speaker in the doors and the rear will sound different.

After several trips to and from circuit city,for my ears and type of music i choose infinity 6x8 (2 ways) for the front (the new model has directions tweeter) and infinity 6x9 (3 ways) for the rear. the cost was about $300. i can get the model #'s if you're interested.

also you must be aware any plastic coned speaker actually takes time to break in. i didn't beleive it when i read this in the infinity literature - but the sound did change. to my ear it became more full especially bass and low mid range.

forwarning - 6x9's in the rear take some modifications and must drop in from inside the car NOT THE TRUCK. the sub will not provide clearance.

if 6x9's in the rear are the way you want to go i can detail my experience for the install.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by ChuckB
i have to disagree about listening in the store. to me the speakers sounded so differently in the car as compared to the shop it was difficult to compare.

Chuck:

You are correct, sir...I should have been more explicit when I said nothing beats an actual listening experience. What I meant was, listen to the speakers IN SOMEONE'S CAR. The acoustics in a Circuit City/Best Buy/etc. are by far the WORST place to listen to ANYTHING, especially something so variable as car speakers.

darebren, listen to a friend's car or take the advice of people who have done the mod already...quite a few people here have the Kenwood Excelon, the Infinity Reference, or the Pioneer 6870 (I think), with a couple of Boston Acoustics fans, too.

[TAF]

Chuck,

One of the big advantages to the Infinity's (and what sold me) is the swivel/pivoting tweeter. This is perfect for the doors so you can literally point the tweeters up and back instead of sending the sound into your knee. As well, in the rear shelf...you send them forward into the passenger compartment.

That's what I did and my sound is incredible...

[Grizzd1]

darebren,

I installed 4 pioneer ts-a688or 6 x 8 four way speekers in my
Marauder. When I tested them in the store they blew away the 2 and 3 way speakers in both bass and treble. Unfortunately I could not test other speakers in my car. So my experience with the 4-way pioneers is all I can tell you about.

They sound awesome. They are direct replacements so they fit
perfectly. The frequency response fits the Marauder well. Voices sound great and the bass and treble have good punch. They can handle the power from the factory head unit easily and there is
no ditortion at high volume. I had to replace the factory sub because it could not keep up with the same power that the pioneer 4-ways could. You can advance the volume well past the point where the factory speakers fail. To me it was like putting in a whole new system. I was relieved that I do not have to repalce the factory head unit, because I love the steering wheel
radio controls.

:cool: :flamer: :coolman:

[sailsmen]

What is most important is the cross over, quality of construction and design. Wether they are one way, two way, three way or four way is secondary.

If you go into a high end hifi shop you will see some of the top speakers money can buy are one or two way.

As others have posted whats important is what sounds good to you. Do a search for stereo reviews and you can find some guidance.

[joflewbyu2]

Grizzd1, what did you replace the OEM sub with?

[darebren]

hey grizz, I'm in Cinci too. Mason actually. did you get the pioneer from best buy? i saw them there cheaper than crutchfield. also, did you simply drop another 6 1/2" sub into the stock box in the back?

[Grizzd1]

joflewbyu2 (thats a lot of alphbet), darebren

Got the pioneers at Best Buy. As for the sub it is a rare Polk
subwoofer. It has 4 6x9 in a large tear drop housing. It fits under the rear deck ports toward the back seat. It is carpeted just like the trunk. I know 6x9s seem wimpy when compared with 10" and
12" subs, but the box is tuned and looks like it belongs in the Maurauder. I took the OEM sub partially apart to see how deep it would be for a 6 1/2 speaker before using the polk.
I found that there was lots of room, and the leads from the
factory amp were simple spade connectors. Once the polk fit
into the trunk (shelf?) though, I got an Idea. Instead of buying a new amp or sub, I diassembled the OEM amp from the sub assembly, mounted it back to the trunk brackets, and plugged it into the polk, just to see if it would work. To my surprise the
polk worked great. If you wanted to do this with different sub, in
a box, it would be just as easy.
Darebren we live very close, I am in Liberty Township!:banana2:

[gonzo50]

I just installed the Kenwood eXcelon KFC-X688C 2way speakers on all four corners and I must say that I am totally satisfied with there performance.:rock:
The bass is deep and the tweeter's have a nice pitch to them.:up:
I used Xtreme Dynamat behind them because the speaker's had a small amount of play in the ports and now they're a snug fit.:D
Go to this web site for comparison: www.crutchfield.com

[Grizzd1]

Darebren,
Come on over and we will crank it up and hear for yourself how it
sounds. Better test than a magazine or showroom. No offense
to anyone else's choice or pareference. If I had the means.
I would line up 10 Marauders with diferent speakers and then decide which ones to buy. Even then nobody would agree.
What Rf Overlord and Sailsman said!

[darebren]

In two weeks the wife and kids are out of town for a week before Easter. That's my week to do the chip, plugs, gears, etc... maybe we can hook up then. I'll pm you my work number

[MMpridenjoy]

The sig says it all...specs don't lie!

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by gonzo50
I just installed the Kenwood eXcelon KFC-X688C 2way speakers on all four corners and I must say that I am totally satisfied with there performance.:rock:
The bass is deep and the tweeter's have a nice pitch to them.:up:
I used Xtreme Dynamat behind them because the speaker's had a small amount of play in the ports and now they're a snug fit.:D
Go to this web site for comparison: www.crutchfield.com gonzo50 Just got off the phone with crutchfield. Seem like be very nice and knowledgeable people. I asked about wire harness adapters for the excelon speakers and the told me they were included in the price. Now just to make up my mind. Thanks John

[gonzo50]

jgc61sr2002: If you really like the Kenwood eXcelon KFC-X688C speakers than go to this site where I got mine from for only $109.00 pr. Just print the order form they have.
www.onlinecarstereo.com , Go to the speaker section/Kenwood section. Happy Listening!;)
Also Best Buy has the speaker harness: Metra Turbowire 72-5600 for $4.99 pr.

[jgc61sr2002]

gonzo50 I printed out the order form. Do the adapters for the wire harness come with the speakers? Thanks John:up:

[gonzo50]

jgc61sr2002, you have to purchase the speaker harness separately, I bought mine from Best Buy, also Circuit City might have them but I'm not sure. Check this web site: www.sfxaudio.com/products/dispItem.asp?prodId=95021

[joflewbyu2]

Grizzd1, what was the power rating and ohm rating (4 or 8) of the sub? thank for any help!

[Grizzd1]

joflewbyu2,
The sub is called Polk Mobil Monitor. Its like weird science.
There are 4 RA6902-1 6 x 9 speakers. The two pairs face each
other in the "box" and there are two ports. When I figure
out how to put pictures here it may make more sense.
The speakers are 2ohm. I do not know what the power rating is.
However they have been hooked up to a stronger amplifier than
the OEM. It can be powered by two amps. Right now it is bridged.
The sub was made in 11/93. but I have not had it that long.
It does a nice job in the Marauder without shaking the trunk off.

[RCSignals]

Has anyone thought about the premium speakers used in the '03 Town Car? I don't know the cost from Ford but they should fit right in the MM and use the same factory connectors

[TAF]

Originally posted by RCSignals
Has anyone thought about the premium speakers used in the '03 Town Car? I don't know the cost from Ford but they should fit right in the MM and use the same factory connectors

RC, I'm no audiophile...but, I'd say that "premium speakers" installed by Ford would mean they paid $6 instead of $3 a pair for an "up-graded" papercone speaker. To get a true improvement of sound, I think it's best to go aftermarket. Fit is not the question...the question is personal "taste" in the sound and wallet size. IMHO

[WolfeBros]

^^^What Todd said^^^ :up:

[RCSignals]

I don't know. supposedly they are a quality Alpine two way speaker.
There are three different speakers available for the Town Cars. The one that is actually called "Premium" isn't the two way and is a lower level selection

Maybe someone has some experience with it?

[joflewbyu2]

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-Otcq5ykORuh/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=52200&I=575FRC3268&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

[lgetz]

I agree with what Todd said. Go with aftermarket speakers. Many nice sounding options available Excelon, JL Audio, MB Quart, Polk, Infiniti, ADS, and others should be your best options. By all means listen to someone else's ride first and see if you like it and just buy it.:up: