Questions and advice on speakers

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Options20002001

Options20002001

Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Threads
32
Messages
151
Location
Houston, TX
I searched through various speaker replacements threads. The most recommended speakers for the front doors are Eclipse SE8252s, some suggest SE8253. However, I am having trouble locating either of them. The newest ones on Eclipse site are SE8254. I can loacte some SE8355 on ebay! Which Eclipses are the most prefered today for front door speakers replacement? I need some (Eclipse or something different) that will upgrade the sound, don't cost too much, easiest to install and keep the OEM look. Based on what I read all of the above were possible with Eclipse SE8252 in the past...

I am thinking of converting the front dash speakers in my LX450 to center channel speaker(s) sometime in the future. If I upgrade the stock front door speakers then I should be able to free the dash speakers to be wired (with an aftermarket amp) as CC speaker. Has anybody tried this before? Can the dash speakers be disconnected without changing the impedence of the front door speakers? What are the specs for the stock dash speakers in LX450? Can these be replaced with something else to provide better sound and more power?

What is the RMS and max power of the 4 channel stock amp in a 97 LX450? What is the RMS and max power of the stock amp that powers the center console subwoofer? I scanned through most of the threads on audio system upgrade but couldn't find the needed information.

Thanks.
Pradeep
 
I am running Dolby 5.1 surround in my cruiser with a Kenwood head unit. I have Diamond audio components front and rear. I am running 1 3/4" tweeters as my center channel speakers in the indash location. I fabricated mounts that angled the tweeters up towards the drivers and passengers head. The sound is excellent. If you really want great sound then you will need to ditch the factory head unit , amps and subs. The stock sub amp is ~15 watts IIRC.
 
Pradeep -

I am running some Rockford Fosgates up front that fit perfectly with no modification of the front grills, they ran about $150 for the pair. I can get the part number if you wish in the morning.

I am with mooker82 and with everyone on the board as well, you gotta upgrade your amp if you want great sound. Once you do, you will be soooo glad you did!!!

Derek
 
I have not had any experiance with LC's yet but i have had alot of experience with speakers off road and i can tell you that in my experience eclipse sucks. I have had them in both my YJ and my TJ and each time they s***ted on me. However, (and i know they are expensive) infinity kappas have been in my last rig for 4 years with not only better sound but unbelievable performance under harsh conditions. I have pressure washed the interior of my jeep several times and the only speaker that has stood up to the mud and the water is the infinity. Even my pioneer head unit (the strongest) would have a little problem with the high pressure at first but the speakers have had no problem. I am going with infinity's from now on without question. Yes they are expensive but they sound incredible and they will last longer then the LC.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I've got MB Quart front speakers. Minor spacer to fit. Call BS on needing a new amp for better sound. Still running stock amp. Upgraded sub, front door speakers and had center chanel speakers put in the rear view mirror. Guy that builds mucho $$$ systems for Porsches, Lambo's, private jets (you get the picture) and designs and builds his own speakers listened to stock system before mods mentioned and said there was no need for a new amp. Good enough for me.
 
Thanks for replies so far.

Mooker, yes....5.1 DD sound is what I am planning for ultimately but in stages. This is what I have done so far...Installed a digital sound processor (DSP) and a second subwoofer in the back. Still have the OEM headunit (made by Pioneer) and the OEM amp. So now I have 4.1 (with phantom center) and keep on wondering how good the sound be with a real CC. In your setup, how do the 1 3/4" tweeters sound as CC? I was thinking of going with proper drivers and perhaps supplement with small tweeters mounted on both pillars (just above the dash). However, if tweeters have worked for you then I could just use the OEM ones in the dash as suggested in my original post?

Derek, what model Rockford for the front doors?

Dejablu, I will read about the Kaapas. I know Infinity is great quality.

Yes, I do (utlimately) want to upgrade the OEM amp but this will have to wait till after the speakers are sorted out. My goal is to upgrade the audio setup in my truck into a audio/video setup with 5.1 DD sound however under a tight budget. So far, I have succeeded in installing 2 headscreens, a dvd player, a subwoofer and a DSP under $1000 (and countless hours). Speakers are next on my list. The final piece of the puzzle is a new HU. However, I am willing to wait till the 2 din all-in-one HU (inclucing navigation) come down below $500.

Thanks.
Pradeep
 
Brent, I must have been typing my reply when you posted. Yes, I do agree with you that the stock amp may be sufficient for the sound quality. The audio setup in my truck sounds really good with 4.1, especially the music originally encoded in DD. However, I may end up with a new amp anyway to get the CC. This is the reason for my question about the power on the OEM amp. I guess I could just take it out and check the specs?

I read your original post about the CC behind the rear view mirrors and was really intrigued by the idea. Could not find a picture? What model speakers did they install for you?

Thanks.
Pradeep
 
Options20002001 said:
I read your original post about the CC behind the rear view mirrors and was really intrigued by the idea. Could not find a picture? What model speakers did they install for you?

Thanks.
Pradeep
Click to expand...

Do a search on subwoofers. I've posted pic's in the past. They are Reus Systems speakers.
 
I really like the tweeters as center channel speakers. I should have mentioned though that these are kind of supplements to the main center channel, a clarion 1/2 DIN mounted center channel. I installed the tweeters initially because the clarion speaker was covered when the flip out monitor was in the up position. This was due to the fact that I had to set up the head unit in the lower DIN so that it would not contact the upper part of the dash. I have since gotten rid of the flip out monitor and went with a higher SQ receiver. If you are going to try and install true center channel speakers in the dash positions they will have to be very thin. There is less than 1" behind there (maybe 1/2"). Here is a link to the center channel that I use as well:
http://www.clarion.com/usa/products/multimedia/SRK5.html

Hope this helps.
 
Mooker,
I took out and measured the dimensions of the tweeter in the PS dash. The diameter is about 3 3/8" and the depth is about 1 1/4". The speaker had 4 ohms stamped on the magnet. Thus I believe a 3 1/2" speaker (like Eclipse SE 8235, 2 way speaker) can fit in there. The mounting depth of the Eclipse is 1 1/2".

I like your idea of the clarion SRK5, especially because it has a built in amplifier (Pyle makes a similar one too). But I don't know where to mount it. This would be simple if I was replacing the HU, which I am not, at least not now. My current plan is to: 1. Upgrade the door speakers with either Eclipse SE8253 (if I can find these) or MB Quart DKE-113 or JBL GTO526....need to read and choose one. I welcome any help here. 2. Disconnect the dash speakers and connect them to the center channel on the DSP (through an amp) and check the SQ. If not good, then replace the tweeters with Eclipse SE 8235. Install clarion SRK5 in the future with the HU replacement project.

Pradeep
 
Hi guys, unfortunately there is a decent amount of bad information in this thread and I dont want to point fingers at anybody but I would just like to point you in the right direction http://www.caraudioforum.com/vbb3/index.php also called CAF in most audio circles.

I did car audio for 6 years professionally before I got my bachelors and one thing I WILL tell you that everybody is biased and has their preferences, so if it sounds good to you it is good enough, dont get bullied by others. Just like with wheeling car audio is a hobby where learning the hardway can get expnensive, do it once and do it right, gluck mate.
 
Thanks Jimmy. Is there a particular thread on this forum that will help answer the questions to the door and dash speakers replacement in a cruiser?
 
You can still find Eclipses, model nuber may have changed, Infinity Kappa has one too.

Unless you want a total custom system with enclosures, etc., just find a slim speaker that sounds good that fits the front doors.

My system sounds good with more power from the Alpine head unit, 4 Eclipses, a mono amp and 12" sub.
 
I've gotta chime in on a couple notes (pun sorta intended):

1. When I bought my truck last spring, it had an almost new Alpine head unit and Infinity speakers in the door ~ Kappas up front and Reference series in the rear doors. The sound was pretty good, and the Alpine decks are pretty darn clean as far as HU power goes. I installed a 10 year old Alpine V12 4ch. amp to power the door speakers and upgraded the wire throughout. The difference was immediately noticeable and amazing. Totally different system. After tweaking the gain on the amp and adjusting everything on the deck, it really isn't THAT much louder, but MUCH, MUCH cleaner sounding. It still lacks a little bass authority, but a sub will help that (after sliders and a rear bumper).

2. Some guys on this board make it seem as though the Eclipses are the only viable aftermarket speakers that will work. It's a great option if you need/want to fit the new speakers behind the stock grill, but if you don't mind using the aftermarket grills, you really do have a lot of great options. I love the sound of the Infinity speakers, but I've had Kappas in various cars for almost 15 years. The 6x9s I had in the rear deck of my '70 Duster sounded like I was running a couple subs in the trunk.

I agree that many people can't tell the difference between the sound of the stock head unit/amps/speakers, but that doesn't mean that set-up is just as good as a well planned out aftermarket system. Just 'cause I can't tell much difference between good wine and spoiled grape juice...

Last bit 'o rant: My wife always claimed to not be able to tell the difference in sound and resisted getting a new stereo in her car, but as soon as I put in a new CD player and nice speakers, she was amazed she put up with the stock crap for so long.

Steve
 
A plan is firming up to complete the first phase of the audio setup in my truck.

1. Replace the front doors with Eclipse SE 8255, 3 way coaxial, 5 1/4" speakers.

2. Disconnect the dash tweeters and replace with Eclipse SE 8235, 2 way coaxial, 3 1/2" speakers.

3. Power the new dash speakers with a new Audiobahn A4004T amp. Use only 2 channels on the amp to wire the dash speakers as CC speakers. I will use a splitter to feed the CC out from the DSP to the 2 channels on the amp.

Alternatively, I could use the new amp (50W rms x 4) to power the door speakers and use the factory amp to power the dash speakers as CC. However, in this setup I would need to connect the 4 door speakers to the new amp. I realize that several people on this forum have already done this. So what's the best way...without running new wires to the speakers? Is there a "factory amp bypass harness" that lets one connect a new amp to the existing speakers?

Thanks for all your help so far. Pics coming soon.
Pradeep
 
I would recommend running your door speakers off of the amp and running new wires from the amp to the door speakers. It is pretty easy to do. 50 watts is a lot of power to run to 3.5" dash speakers.
 
I agree with Mooker on the wiring. I'm a bit of a wire snob and I have more $$$ in wires throughout my cruiser than the amp cost me 10 years ago. Good wires make a big difference when you start talking about a 20' run of power wire from the battery to the back corner of the cruiser. I ran 4ga. wire to the amp and a 4ga ground, with 12ga wire to the speakers. The way I ran the wires under the carpet, even the back door speakers had nearly 15' of wire between the amp and the speakers.

The stock wiring harness that plugs into the stock speakers is ridiculously small. Even if you could tap into the stock wiring with your 4ch amp, I doubt you would want to.

Also, FWIW, my dad had some nice aftermarket lower dash speakers in his 4Runner and they still left a lot to be desired. If you filter the signal (DSP? Head Unit? Crossover? HP Filter on amp?), they might sound good, but it seemed to be a funky set-up. With a full range signal running through such a small speaker, they sounded like crap. In fact, he had trouble with the wires that ran through the main woofer up to the tweeter portion of the speaker coming loose and buzzing against the grill. I fixed it a couple times, but it would always work loose again after a while.

I plan on wiring the stock dash speakers up to my CB. I look forward to seeing how you put this together. Are you going with the 5.1 set-up with the CC to get some kind of surround effect with DVDs? I know there are music CDs/DVDs encoded with 5.1 effects, but I don't see enough of them to compel me to go to that kind of trouble. Very interesting.
 
My somewhat tainted input here....... :rolleyes:

It is difficult to improve upon a fresh set of stock speakers unless the rest of the system has been hot-rodded. They fit without jacking around and the sound is more than satisfactory for most cases.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom