New Speaker Advice - Please Help. :)

[Slaughter]

Perhaps someone can recommend a decent setup and place to buy speakers in Toronto.

My current setup is:

2001 Dodge Caravan w/ Non-Infinity 4 speaker system
Alpine CDE-9881
Factory 5 1/4" (Maybe 5x8 or 6x9) Fronts
Factory 6"x9" Rears
Pioneer GM3300T Amplifier
Pioneer 10" 800W Subwoofer

Ideally I would like to stay under $250 on the speakers combined and then I will have to look into a decent but inexpensive amp as well. I just want to improve the sound quality over my factory speakers.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[WhiteRabbit]

wow, havent seen you in FOREVER

[eddie926]

Are you just replacing the factory 5.25s and the 6X9s?

Are those speakers powered by your head unit internal amp or are they powered by your Pioneer external amp? Sorry, wasn't clear to me if your external amp was just for the Sub or if it was for the whole system. In either case, how many watts RMS will you be driving the speakers with?

[Slaughter]

Hey WhiteRabbit! :P


The amp is running the sub only.

My deck is powering the speakers at the moment. Eventually I will be adding an amp for the speakers.

I am replacing all factory speakers

[WhiteRabbit]

planet audio makes some decent speakers for the price

or you can check around forums for people selling their stuff

i scored a set of 6.5 audio art components, BRAND NEW, but 6 years old, for $60

[Slaughter]

These are what I'm currently looking at but want to go a bit cheaper if I can.

http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/Inf..._p/108527i.htm

http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/Inf...p/1089622i.htm

[WhiteRabbit]

yea thats like $100 over your budget....

i forgot how much speakers can get.

[Slaughter]

I don't want to settle for average quality for a small difference in price.

I love my music and I love it loud :P I have to suffer driving a Caravan so I might as well enjoy my music. LoL

[WhiteRabbit]

haha, point taken

then id go with some diamond ones

[eddie926]

Originally Posted by Slaughter

Hey WhiteRabbit! :P


The amp is running the sub only.

My deck is powering the speakers at the moment. Eventually I will be adding an amp for the speakers.

I am replacing all factory speakers

I just did a write-up on my recent Camry sound system upgrade. You might want to check it out.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t231331.html

You may be able to save the cost of an external amp for the 4 speakers if you go with good power matched speakers. Assuming you already have plenty of power for your sub.

[Slaughter]

CEA-2006 Power Rating
CEA-2006 Power Rating (4Ohm@14.4 V =1% THD+N), S/N 80dBA (Ref: 1W into 4Ohm): 16W x 4

Max Power Output: 45W x 4

That's the power rating for my HU. Not the best unfortunately, and I would rather spend a few bucks more for the power.

Also, while running 2 amps, I'm guessing that's 2 power leads from the battery correct? They can't properly piggyback can they?

Just trying to figure out my wiring and may redo it at that time.

[eddie926]

Originally Posted by Slaughter

CEA-2006 Power Rating
CEA-2006 Power Rating (4Ohm@14.4 V =1% THD+N), S/N 80dBA (Ref: 1W into 4Ohm): 16W x 4

Max Power Output: 45W x 4

That's the power rating for my HU. Not the best unfortunately, and I would rather spend a few bucks more for the power.

Also, while running 2 amps, I'm guessing that's 2 power leads from the battery correct? They can't properly piggyback can they?

Just trying to figure out my wiring and may redo it at that time.

Yeah, the 16X4 is what you need to go by, and there aren't many 6X9s down in that range. The Boston Acoustics that I mentioned in my post are rated 2-35W, and that's about as low as you'll find. As I noted though, my HU is only pushing 20W and they work great with that. 4W isn't that big a difference. Unfortunately, Crutchfield Canada apparently doesn't carry any 6X9s down in that range, so you'd have to find a different source if you wanted to go that route.

But yeah, if you're willing to install another amp, that gives you WAY more options on speakers. Again though, it appears Crutchfield Canada doesn't carry anything cheaper than $259 in a 4 channel amp either which seems a bit pricey. You should be able to get a good 4-channel amp for a lot less than that.

I've never been a huge fan of Infinity speakers. I've always found them a bit harsh for my taste.

Have you looked at these? They're a bit cheaper than the Infinity's and very good....

6X9s
http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/JBL.../109gto927.htm
http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/JBL.../109gto927.htm
http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/Pol...p/107db691.htm

5-1/4s
http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/JBL.../109gto527.htm
http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/Pol...p/107db521.htm

[Slaughter]

Haha. Too funny! Those were the speakers I picked out originally.. However, they will not fit in my van. They are too deep for mounting.

[eddie926]

Originally Posted by Slaughter

Haha. Too funny! Those were the speakers I picked out originally.. However, they will not fit in my van. They are too deep for mounting.

Hmm. I entered 2001 Dodge Caravan on Crutchfield's site when I searched and they indicated those fit.

[Slaughter]

Some indicate that they fit in rear with modification, others just mention modification. One of the reps for Crutchfield told me they would not fit and in turn showed me the Infinity's. I'm not sure if this is an upsell or if they just won't?

Something else that caught me off guard is that Crutchfield.com tells me:

Front speakers
Dash: 5-1/4"

However, I checked on the way home and my speakers are clearly in my door. ?

I don't hear anything from the Dash that I can tell...