What are good car speakers and amp?

[jason str]

Infinity Reference models have a new lineup of models, you can find the older models on closeout prices.

They are pretty efficient too so you won't need an outboard amp.

[Quiet_Hollow]

Infinity Reference models have a new lineup of models, you can find the older models on closeout prices. They are pretty efficient too so you won't need an outboard amp.

+1

Below is a video of my car equipped with the older Infinity Reference and the help of a horn sub.

[SuBXeRo]

I think what most of are getting at is, spending the $300 may not be worth it. Potentially, just upgrading your headunit will do wonders for your system. If you get one with some more bells and whistles, you may be able to tune what you have to sound better. I noticed this with my dads old camry. He put in a clarion double din deck because his OEM deck died and it was a world of difference in clarity and some extra power. His deck was like $200 about 5 years ago. This is just an alternative thought.

You could probably do what i suggested above. Buy from crutchfield and see if you like the deck. If you find that it isn't suiting your needs, return the deck. They have a good return policy.

[CECAA850]

I think what most of are getting at is, spending the $300 may not be worth it

I swapped out the speakers in my wives minivan for some Polk Audio's and really noticed a difference. That was the only change to her stereo at the time. Most stock speakers are pretty crappy.

[Jeff Matthews]

Most stock speakers are pretty crappy.

That's the theory I am working off of. On the possibility I might need an external amp, I was thinking about that, too. I have 6 speakers, so does that mean I'd have to have 2 amps if I need to buy amps?

I will not change the head unit.

Edited December 21, 2013 by Jeff Matthews

[McMiRA]

They make car amps in many channel configurations, depending on the load and what the amp is stable at a single 4 ch might be all you need. If your running 4 ohms on one side of the amp and 8 ohms on the other side you can balance it with the gains.

[jcmusic]

Why run six speakers just use 2 or 4 of them on one amp...

[jason str]

If you have a small budget an amp for your mains should be the last place you should look.

As for what to replace first ( speakers or head unit ), it depends on the unit itself. I have heard some decent head units sound good with aftermarket speakers and vice versa.

Auto manufactures buy whatever is cheapest, a dollar saved per car adds up.

I would start out with a set of high efficiency front speakers first and go from there. This should give the most bang for the buck.

[Jeff Matthews]

Please name some high-efficiency speakers. I have no idea how to tell efficiency from reading the rudimentary specs (which always seem to be something like "5-75 watts RMS").

[jason str]

Infinity Reference models have a new lineup of models, you can find the older models on closeout prices.

They are pretty efficient too so you won't need an outboard amp.

Look at the specs. anything over 90dB per watt is good, the higher the better.

[mustang guy]

Please name some high-efficiency speakers. I have no idea how to tell efficiency from reading the rudimentary specs (which always seem to be something like "5-75 watts RMS").

A few 6 1/2" high efficiency speakers are:

Blaupunkt CX160 is 92db

The JL C2-650 is 91db

Pioneer TS-M650PRO is 94db

Pioneer TS-A1605C is 90db

Kenwood KFC-1664S is 92db

Rockford Fosgate R165X3 is 91db

[Jeff Matthews]

That helps! Thanks.

[Jeff Matthews]

So, here is the description I located for the stock system in the care:

104-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 Audio System with 6 Speakers

To get to wpc, am I supposed to take the 104 and divide by 6? If so, I have 17 wpc?

If I have only 17 wpc, what will total dB output be at say, 12 wpc, through the Pioneer speakers that give 94 dB at 1 watt?

[McMiRA]

Is that peak or rms? Rms is roughly about 70.7% of that if they are giving you peak power.

[Jeff Matthews]

I have no idea. That's why I used 12, instead of 17 (to allow for headroom).

[mustang guy]

You might want to check prices. Those PRO Pioneers are very expensive... $120/pr. Also, most aftermarket head units are around 17wpc. Hope that helps...

Edited December 21, 2013 by mustang guy

[Jeff Matthews]

Those PRO Pioneers are very expensive... $120/pr.

But if you get 3 pair at say, $99.00 a pair, it comes in under $300. If that would do the trick nicely without the need to add an amp, we're good.

Edited December 22, 2013 by Jeff Matthews

[jason str]

Unless you sit in the back seat alot your extra money would be better spent on a budget sub in place of the rear speaker set.

[jason str]

This should get you going under $300

Speakers

Subwoofer

Amplifier

Wiring kit

If the head unit has no RCA output this one has low level inputs.

Amp

Edited December 22, 2013 by jason str

[Jeff Matthews]

This should get you going under $300 Speakers

Hey, I like the specs on those speakers at that price. They meet the efficiency suggestion above.

Frankly, I think I'm satisfied that the existing speakers in the car make enough bass, so I assume if they were replaced with the ones above, there'd likewise be enough base for me.

All I was wanting to get is volume. Maybe these speakers, by themselves, would do the trick. I wonder whether my stock radio (see above; it says 104 watts with 6 speakers) can drive those speakers to get the volume I want.