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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: AdmRose on January 26, 2004, 06:16:32 PM

Title: Car audio question
Post by: AdmRose on January 26, 2004, 06:16:32 PM
I just put a Sony CDX-2250 headunit in, and I was wondering which 4X6 speakers would be best to go wit it. Here are the specs for it:

14 watts RMS/35 peak x 4 channels
CD frequency response 10-20,000 Hz
CD signal-to-noise ratio 90 dB
FM sensitivity 13 dBf

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Title: Car audio question
Post by: RightF00T on January 26, 2004, 06:36:45 PM
Try Infinity, Eclipse, or Boston brand.  I've personally listened to 2 Infinit and Eclipse on a regular basis, and I've heard nothing but good reports about all 3.  Stay away from Kenwood, and Rockford if you want good quality.  I believe Bose is mid-level.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: JB73 on January 26, 2004, 07:03:06 PM
4x6... umm any plans for an amp, subs, full range, mids, and so on?

for a full range loudspeaker never skimp on price. the number of coils and material the cone is made of are #1. frequency response is #2. location in the car is #3.

if they are to be rear speakers make sure they have a sturdy cone for bass response. bass is omnidirectional so it doesnt matter where they are or where they point.

mid-bass and mid-range are semi-directional. you want the sound to reflect directly to you if possible. most cars have an angled rear window that does ok. thats why most power and sound comes from the rear speakers. (why ford put the large speakers in the front in the early 90's i'll NEVER figure out)

high range sound is extreemly directional. you want this pointed directly at you. if it isn't it just "dissapears" in the mix. and the misic sounds muddy. (you've prolly heard a crappy stereo play rock and you cant hear the cymbals, or classical and you cant hear the tin of the brass. {though most classical enthusiasts have nice systems})

one of the best self installed car systems i heard was of an installer's of custom systems (go figure lol). he said most just want lame bass that you can hear 3 blocks away. his was almost that loud but CRYSTAL clear.. FULL range. he had put a pair of 4" mids on the door panels low. thats 2 on each door but you couldnt even see them. you could "feel" them though. listening to jazz the snare hits would almost make you piss the "snap" was so strong. they were amped so much because of their placement.

remember i said mid sounds (like a snare drum) were semi-directional. well that can be overcome with power. lots of power. like 400 watts per side. otherwise you need them higher on the door (or at least not obstructed by the seat).

back to your question...

you are asking about a 4x6 which is usually a front speaker (round 4" another common front speaker)

rears are usually 6" or 6x9 or larger.

for a 4x6 if it has "line of sight" of the person listening i would recommend a straight "cone" speaker without a "tweeter" assembly above it kinda like this:
rockford fosgate (http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/ez2rockford/ModelInfo/ModelInfo.asp?ItemKey=10063562&CategoryDesc=Power%20Component%20Systems)
like the speaker in the middle.. just a plain cone. (i know its a 5.25" but thats the idea)

anyway enough dmn typing for now i hate typing. hope this helps
Title: Car audio question
Post by: JB73 on January 26, 2004, 07:07:13 PM
rightfoot... whats your beef with rockford??

imho they make the best aftermarket loudspeakers and amplifiers on the market.

going back to the late 80's when they pioneered (no pun intended) the bridged amplifier, and the parametric crossover for car audio. only eclipse (http://www.eclipse-web.com/)  makes better aftermarket car audio again imho.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: AdmRose on January 26, 2004, 09:53:36 PM
question though...what kind of power handling capacity would these speakers need? Since its 35 watts X 4 channels would it need a peak handling capacity of 140 watts, or am I just reading this wrong?
Title: Car audio question
Post by: Gunslinger on January 26, 2004, 09:54:47 PM
cant agree with JB73 more...what type of vehicle is this going into...makes all the difference with a 4x6.  I personally like infinity or polk audio....and I cant say this louder GET AN EXTERNAL AMP.  I've yet to find an internal amplifier that was up to the task of properly powering speakers
Title: Car audio question
Post by: AdmRose on January 26, 2004, 09:57:48 PM
Its for a '99 Grand Am, front speakers - the speakers are angled to aim directly at the driver/passenger.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: NUKE on January 26, 2004, 10:09:04 PM
if you ever want to know how misleading power ratings on amplifiers and head units can be, do this simple test.

Hook up a Rockford 20 x 4 amp and compair the power to a 20 x 4 head unit.

Hint: better have some good speakers for the first test.

In my exerience ( 80's to early 90's) 10 years in car audio, the best amps around were: Fosgate, Orion, Hifonics .

So many factors play a role in your car audio though. The best amp with the best speakers placed in the wrong spot will sound like hell. ON the the other hand, a $40.00 equalizer added to some stock radio/speakers can sound pretty damn good.

For the most part, 4x6 speakers alone will never give a great sound. The best speakers are round, though 6x9's can give a good sound.

4x6's usually are in the dash and not positioned all that well.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: BGBMAW on January 26, 2004, 10:31:40 PM
just put in 4 brand new infinit's...

seem fien to me..powered by a 350 watt kenwoodamp..

got the base in the trunk on a 700 watt Xploder amp...


just got put in 2 days ago..

soo mucj frikn bettr,.....but still need soem fine tuning...


its a convertable so bass gets kind of buried back there


i find it hard to tell abig difference in quality speakers which i think many make...

but guy said it was 89$ a pair..i said..cool get me four of those..


stock steros suk
Title: Car audio question
Post by: SOB on January 26, 2004, 10:36:43 PM
This (http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=inf6402cfp) looks like a nice set for a reasonable price.  I'd sooner get a set of components - midwoofers / tweets and mount the mids in your doors and the tweets where your factory 4x6 speakers are mounted.  If you can afford an amp - and it really doesn't have to be anything special - get one.  Any idiot can install one (i can :)), and you WILL be glad you did every time you listen to some music.

If this is your first time installing and you're unsure, you might wanna try http://www.crutchfield.com.  Sales reps are generally pretty cool, and you can get help over the phone with your install.  Also, they'll generally send along instructions for installation specific to your vehicle for products you purchase from them (this wouldn't be the case for an amp).  I've found their prices to a bit higher than other places though.

-edit- In components, some of the best sound/price I've found were the low-mid end MB Quartz.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: AdmRose on January 26, 2004, 10:38:09 PM
I just don't want to fry a 120 watt max power 4X9 because the headunit produced too much power for it to handle.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: SOB on January 26, 2004, 10:39:56 PM
Heh, I'm sure if you purchase ANY after market speakers short of a set of rampage speakers from Shucks auto supply, you won't be running a risk of overpowering them with the head unit.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: JB73 on January 26, 2004, 11:06:24 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AdmRose
I just don't want to fry a 120 watt max power 4X9 because the headunit produced too much power for it to handle.
overpowering speakers a huge misconception.

80% of the time what blows speakerd is too low power pushing bass.

incorrect power matched to so-so speakers blowes em. how many times you seen a delco matched system blow speakers (playing non bass music)?

its not just about power handling either... its about power load.

carp speakers can handle 150 watts peak but only 30 RMS... whoops thats gonna be an overpowered speaker.

good speakers can handle minium 1/2 peak load ... or 2/3 load RMS (IE 100 peak 50 RMS or 66 RMS).

throw a rap tune into your 30 watt CD head with 200 watt RMS speakers and you can blow them.

too much to explain but i think you can get the idea.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: AdmRose on January 26, 2004, 11:49:20 PM
I have decided on these (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1pllpg0b2Ox/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=1084652CFP) for my 4X9s...they look ok?
Title: Car audio question
Post by: JB73 on January 27, 2004, 12:18:30 AM
look good.. be sure to put the tweeter forward on each speaker.

these were for a door right?


oops item out of stock.... getting from somewhere else?



anyway .. the whole problem with aftermarket car audio is matching. it can get really expensive REAL quick.

you can spend 3 large ($3000) and still not sound as good as a cadliac bose factory designed system.

good luck and good listening! (unless it's cRAP or hip-hop ) LOL.

biggest thing is to make it sound how you want. listen @ a reputable aftermarket store (independant). get a guarentee (so if they sound like carp you can take them back). have them installed by a professional (NOT i repeat NOT a 19year old dude @ best buy... unless he has real edumacation in car audio creditentials such asMECP (http://www.ce.org/certifications/mecp/about_exam/default.asp) or similar.)


do it yourself is ok if you know electronics. + and - really make a huge difference in the phase of the sound. also a solid mounting, and concealment (if applicable).

again good luck.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: Pfunk on January 27, 2004, 01:05:28 AM
JL audio makes great speakers, and precision power amps.  The combo of these two companies products domiated 1990's car audio competitions
Title: Car audio question
Post by: AdmRose on January 27, 2004, 04:28:17 AM
Yea the speakers are for the door and I'm gettin them someplace else, that page was just for the specs. Last idiot to own my car put Pyramid speakers in the door and these things are the closest you can get to pure garbage without the smell.

I'm pretty good at installing these things myself now that I've gotten used to the finer points of a soldering iron, even have a nice iron for auto use that doesn't require a cord.

The Pyramids in there now (4X9s) are shot so thats why I want to replace them, but the factory 6X9s in the back don't sound half bad save for the fact that voices are a little hard to make out on them when the base hits. Still eventually looking to put an amp in but I don't think I'll be putting subwoofers/woofers in the trunk. (Friend had a pair of 12" subs in the trunk...was great till he needed his spare tire and couldn't get it out cause of the huge things...had to wait by the road for two hours for AAA to come change his tire...I'm told the look on the technician's face was priceless when my friend explained why he couldn't get to his spare)
Title: Car audio question
Post by: AdmRose on January 29, 2004, 01:11:31 PM
Question - What do you all think of Audiobahn speakers? Crap or worth the money?
Title: Car audio question
Post by: Krugars on January 29, 2004, 01:19:38 PM
Quote
Question - What do you all think of Audiobahn speakers? Crap or worth the money?


I had 2 audiobahn 12's and 3 Audiobahn 10's in my various systems and they worked nicely for me and sounded good. as for their components and smaller speakers, i never tried so i don't know.. also their amps are relatively good.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: Gunslinger on January 29, 2004, 02:41:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SOB
Heh, I'm sure if you purchase ANY after market speakers short of a set of rampage speakers from Shucks auto supply, you won't be running a risk of overpowering them with the head unit.


JB distortion also has a big factor in destroying voice coils.  

but seriously JB is right.  Rarely will you ever "blow" a speaker from over powering it.  My experience most speakers were blown listening to distorted music provided by an under powered amp.  

There are too many crap amps that are overrated out on the market.  Back in the 90s when I was working sales and install It made it really hard to sell a $300 50W PPI amp when they saw the $150 500W La Sound/Jenson amp.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: lazs2 on January 30, 2004, 08:53:06 AM
Ok guys.... who makes a unit that has a big volume knob and a big tuning knob and large pushbuttons?

want CD too.   Don't care about a lot of bells and whistles that I won't ever use or even figure out before the unit is stolen or takes dump.

little tiny buttons and knobs and scroll thingies and lightshows are out.   seems that the manufacturers compete to see who has the least usefull features and who can make the operation the most complex with the biggest light show.

thanks

lazs
Title: Car audio question
Post by: JB73 on January 30, 2004, 10:21:07 AM
good luck ... i doubt you'll find something like that lazs.

with a new car stick with the factor CD and you'll be ok.

heck 6 disk in dash are available on lots of cars.


for you old muscle cars... why have a radio other than a possible AM only for effect?

listening to the lovely rumble of a small (or big) block V8 would be pleasure enough for me.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: lazs2 on January 30, 2004, 05:49:59 PM
jb.. thanks...  I do like the stereos that come in new cars a WHOLE LOT better than the aftermarket ones.   The new car ones are pretty simple to work and sound great.  

As for my car... well.... it is pretty loud but..  with the six speed it is turning over at about 2200 RPM at over 70mph   I noticed that I can hear pretty good and carry on a conversation soooo... figured on long trips I might like to listen to a CD or even one of them satalite stations.

Muscle cars do shake and bounce around a bit more tho so little tiny buttons and reading the 400 page instruction manual while driving is out.    

controls that have to be thought about or studied are bad controls.

lazs
Title: Car audio question
Post by: JB73 on January 30, 2004, 06:40:49 PM
you could always get one with a remote.. then just pop the CD in and use the remote.


they actually work ok. buddy had one. kept the remote on his keychain.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: Munkii on January 30, 2004, 06:52:27 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AdmRose
Question - What do you all think of Audiobahn speakers? Crap or worth the money?


It may be a little late, but I had a full Audiobahn setup.. 3 1/2's with removable tweeters.. 5 1/4 with removeable tweeters and 5x7's in the back, and 2 Audiobahn AW1500 15"s in the back.  I had 2 lansar vibe 1200's powering my subs.. 700w RMS each at 2ohm and I had all 6 others on a 300x4 bridged out to 2 ohms.. I took 3rd place in a couple of IASCA comps and 1st place at 2 or 3 db drags a couple of years ago.  Audiobahn can't be beat for the price and sound in my opinion.  I had a friend running Massive Audio 15's and 2 massive amps and 6 Infinity Kappa Perfects all around, and mine totally beat his on Sound Quality.  My Bass wasn't quite as loud, but less distorted.  If he entered a dB drag, it would have been close.
Title: Car audio question
Post by: lazs2 on January 31, 2004, 09:58:39 AM
thanks.. tried one.. they are awful.

lazs