zboy

I bought my scooby 2004 WRX a few weeks ago and was naffed off with the stock stereo so bought a Kenwood DDX7025 touch screen dvd player. Excellent device but my knowledge of car stereos was thin and I subsequently blew the stock speakers with a bit too much volume. I now get tons of distortion at low volumes. I thought about upgrading the speakers therefore and have been looking at pioneer speakers. I have been suggested by my local audio shop to buy the pioneer TS-1796 (17cm woofer size) for the front and TS-1396 (13cm woofer size) for the back


Does anyone know if these are any good or whether they are the right size for the car? Any better suggestions in a similar price range ? Is it worth buying an amp ? The above head unit gives out 50W x 4 so this should be enough should it not. I don't need the next country to hear it. Would the amp result in better sound quality ? Would getting a component set up where i could change the placement of th tweeter make that much difference

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Web site for Kenwood DDX7025 http://www.kenwood.be/kenwood/kenpro...256E2E00632B73

for TS-1796
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...nomy_id=25-131

for TS-1396
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...nomy_id=25-131

zboy

What difference would the amp make though. Surely it would it only allow playing music at higher volumes. I would have thought for a car that 50 watts per channel would be enough. No ? Sorry to be a total beginner. If so would I need a 4 channel amp presumably (I have 4 speakers and a base tube-i think the base tube has a built in amp) ?

zboy

Thanks doughboy. Ok I think I'll buy an amp. What would be reasonable. Should I keep the stock back 2 speakers and spend the spare cash on the front speakers and an amp to run them. I keep reading that its not worth spending money on the back speakers, afterall I don't often have people in the back (their not worth the performance reduction). Therefore do I get the amp to run the 2 front speakers and let the head unit run the stock back ones ????

zboy

I thought about some Infinity: KAPPA 65.5cs - component speakers (url http://caraudiosecurity.com/catalog/...oducts_id+1201). What do u think ? What sort of amp would I need to match ?

trabadoor22

I totally agree. With an amp your speakers will sound so much better even at low volumes. 50 watts x 4 from an amp is most likely enough for just about any coaxial speaker, but the head unit allways rates this power at max, which is really not how much power you are getting. Also amps have a much cleaner power supply. If you are thinking of getting a component system which has the mid speaker and also a tweeter which are separate you may want to up the power to 75x4 or more. This is because most component sets can handle more power and are typically less efficient. I would try and go with a 6.5" speaker especially if you don't plan on getting a sub. From what I have heard all you really need for them to fit is a spacer. Any installation shop will know what you are talking about if you bring this up to them. If anything I would put more money into the front speakers than the rear. It will give you a much better soundstage. Depending on what you want you don't need to go all out and buy a very exspensive amp, but I suggest doing some research on a car audio forum to find one that will fit your needs. If you trust the audio shop where you go then I'm sure their advice would be fine as well. The best thing to do when looking for speakers is to listen to a few that are in your price range to see which ones you like best. Don't go by what a sales person is telling you is the best or even us. In the end you have to listen to it so you should decide. Sorry for the rambling, but there is just alot to mention for someone new to car audio.

zboy

Well I think I'm gonna go for 6.5 infinity Kappa splits for the front with amp and keep the back speakers run from the head unit. If the back ones interfere with the sound then I'll just disconnect them. Maybe the amp choice will be the VIBE-BlackBoxIII-Amp RMS Out (4ohm): 4 x 100W though its not cheap. I've already spent tons on the head unit, I guess i should have amp to match.

trabadoor22

Sounds like a good choice. Although I would probably go with a different amp. Vibe isn't really that great of quality. I think for the money the JBL Power series amps are great. You can buy them online for pretty cheap. I'm just wondering why you want a 4 channel amp though? It allows you to have more flexibility, but if you only plan on powering the front speakers then you don't need it. A 4 channel amp will cost more usually also.

zboy

Bin thinking about it. Finally ordered the stuff. I chose the Infinity 60.5cs as there the same specs as the 6.5's. Ordered the spacer from ldivinag's link (cheers). Then went for an Alpine MRP-F240 amp. Its 4 channel but bridges to 100RMS 2-channel. Seems to be the same price as the 2 channels. Alpine seems to be the only make that everyone agrees is good. Still not sure about all the wiring though or how to install it. Would like to have a go myself but not sure where to start. Hmmm ? I think I'll do a web search unless anyone knows of any decent tutorials.

NB
the cheapest place for the Alpine wont have them in stock for a few days. Would the following 6-channel amp be ok. It might give me more versatility in the future and its about the same price and its in stock.


specs

JBL: GTO-755.6 - 6 channel amp

NEW 2004 MODEL
6/5/4/3 channel
Power Output: 60 watts RMS x 4 channels + 107 watts RMS x 2 channels at 4 ohms and ≤ 1% THD
RMS Power into 3 channels: 160 watts x 2 + 300 watts x 1 at 4 ohms, 14.4V supply and ≤ 1% THD
MAX Power: 4 x 120W max + 2 x 200max (or 4x120W + 500W max)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 79 dBA (reference 1 watt into 4 ohms)
Dynamic Power: 117 watts (channels 1,2,3,4); 163 watts (channels 5,6)
Effective Damping Factor: 6.392 at 4 ohms
Frequency Response (–3dB): 10Hz - 47kHz (channels 1,2,3,4); 10Hz - 302Hz (channels 5,6)
Maximum Input Signal: 6V
Maximum Sensitivity: 250mV
Output Regulation: .042 dB at 4 ohms
Dimensions (W x H X D)
Main Unit: 2-3/8" x 18-11/16" x 12-5/16"

trabadoor22

I think that model is one of the newer JBL series amps. The Power series amps I refered to they made were very good for the money. I can't see them being any worse so I think that would be a good choice if you are looking for versatility.