Questions and advice on speakers

[Options20002001]

Mooker: Yes....I agree with you. Perhaps, the best would be is to put the Audiobhan A4004T to some good use. I guess I can wire the new front door Eclipses to the new amp. Leave the other two channels for future use...just in case I decide to bridge them and add a second subwoofer in the back. Yes, the best would be is to run new wires to the speakers as suggested by Steve and you.

I will leave the rear channels connected to the factory amp and use the vacated front channels as the center channel input from the DSP. I should be able to use the factory speaker wiring to connect the new Eclipses (SE8235) as dash speakers since the OEM amp already powers the front doors and front dash. Front doors will be disconnected from the OEM amp leaving the new dash speakers connected to it. This setup should work...as the dash and front doors are connected in parallel! Correct? Could one you please point if this setup will have any issue?

Steve, yes I am doing this to get 5.1 surround sound effects. I have currently managed to put togther a 4.1 (with phantom CC). Kids love watching the movies in DD and I enjoy some of the music that you can get in DD. The DVDs just sound so real. I am amazed at the sound quality that one can create with a digital sound processor. Of course, there is only a marginal improvement with the "normal" music CDs. However, my thinks that even the CDs sound really good which is very important to me as she is the CFO of this project.

Eclipse SE 8235 is touted to be a "full" range 2 way speaker. See specs here . I can only tell after installation how these will sound in my setup.

Pradeep

 

[hkimsoft]

After searching pretty much all the sound shops and anyone who carried

speakers within my area, I was able locate a pair of speakers that fitted

to my 97 FZJ80 (Front) with some spacers.

I bought the Pioneer TS-G1340R, 5.25" 2Way 300W for $50. Just finished

installing it and sounds a lot better than stock while keeping stock look...

I've used the following extra parts...

1. (8) 14x1" screws
2. (8) 1/2" nylon spacers

-hkimsoft

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...
Pradeep

 

[Critter]

My somewhat tainted input here.......

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.

I almost hate to ask but for reference how much does a set of 4 new door speakers run?

 

[Critter]

I used to be a bit of an audio snob (its too expensive for me now), but come on guys... Infinity Kappas are WAY WAY WAY over priced and mass produced. You can get much better quality speakers for the same price range. (Focal, A/D/S, MB Quart, Rainbow)

Seems like the best thing to do for most people is a new head unit and a sub. Taking some of the bass off the factory speakers makes them sound alot better.

 

[ginericLC]

Kappas can be had much cheaper than the other speakers you mention.

I'm not huge Infinity fan, but I run the Reference series in my 80 and they are tons better than factory and cheap. For under $100 there isn't much better of a speaker for the price. Polk EX series are similar, JBL has some that are about the same but both have funky grills to deal with.

I can't justify spending a lot on stereo gear for a truck that gets used off road. Mud, dirt, vibrations, not good for a high end audio environment.

 

[C6H12O6]

I disagree that you have to go with some esoteric high-end snobby audio company to get great sound. Just because Infinity "mass produces" their speakers, doesn't mean they don't sound good.

I do agree, however, that the Infinity Reference speakers sound nearly as good for much less money. If I had to replace the Kappas, I doubt I would replace them with another set of Kappas. The Reference series I have in the rear doors sound almost as good.

I also agree that adding a nice head unit and a sub to take some heat off the door speakers is a great bang for the buck, even if you leave the stock door speakers in there. I'm curious how big of a sub people have installed with satisfactory results. Stereo shop guys are always pushing 10s and 12s, but I'm wondering if an efficient 8-inch sub with a good amp and the right box wouldn't be fine. I don't plan on entering any dB competitions; I just want a little more low end so I can filter the bass out of my door speakers.

 

[C6H12O6]

One more thing about the Kappas...

As far as durability in a harsh environment, in my experience, the Kappas should hold up much better than a cheap set of speakers. Many higher-end speakers feature rubber surrounds, which are much more resistant to the elements than foam. The Kappas also have a synthetic composite cone material that will hold up to the occasional splash much better than a cheap (or stock) paper cone.

 

[El Perro Grande]

but I'm wondering if an efficient 8-inch sub with a good amp and the right box wouldn't be fine. I don't plan on entering any dB competitions; I just want a little more low end so I can filter the bass out of my door speakers.

I really don't think I'm being a snob when I say don't waste your time with a 8". That's a big interior you have there in your fj80. The 10 will not only fill it up with more sound, a bigger sub will just flat out sound better. When you get to a 12", that's when you start committing some space to your system (I've had five 12" subs at one time though). Also with an 8", if you eventually follow up with aftermarket speakers, a head unit, amps and all that, you are going to wish you had a bigger sub anyway. So, as far as size, it depends on how much space you want to sacrifice and how much you'll be adding in the future... but by all means, skip by the 8".

Also, my first speaker upgrade was to Infinity Kappas. I was thrilled with the better sound and the things were in there for freakin' ever. I must have had them in for like 7 years or something and they never quit. I didn't need to replace them at all, I just upgraded to Boston 6.53 pro.... but that involves door chopin' n' stuff.

 

[C6H12O6]

Yeah, I was kinda thinking the same thing. The 8" I had in my pick-up is shot, and it was working pretty hard to fill that small cab with sound. I'll probably end up with a 10 in a 1 cu. ft. box. That shouldn't take up too much room and should sound pretty good with the rest of my system.

 

[ginericLC]

You need to look at ratings of speakers too to see the efficiency.

I got 4th place at the MTX nationals in Illinois in 90 or 91. Time is blending for me now days. I was in the 50 watt and under class in my friend's Ford Ranger. 1" Boston tweets in the mirror pods,Nakamichi 4.5" in the dash, 6.5" Naks in the doors, Two Boston Pro 6.5" subs with 8" passive radiators. Everyone was like how did you fit a pair of 12s in that little pickup? I didn't Used an Orion HCCA amp to power everything. And to be a real brand mixer I used all Phoenix Gold wiring.

Later I installed those same subs with the passive radiators in a 74 Ford pickup. This guys buddy had Kenwood 12s in his 77 Ford pickup. The 74 definitely hit harder with woofers almost half the size. It was all in the box and ventalation.

For durability: A good grill (not the current crap available from a lot of speaker co.s) keeps a lot of mud, snow, etc... out, a poly woofer, and a butyl surround. Adding the foam baffles is a great idea if you are constantly in water or driving a rig with bad window seals. Even if you submerge these speakers they can recover if you turn it off before they get wet and you let them completely dry before putting power to them.

There are a lot of good speakers out there. You have to pick what sounds right to you. The Polk EX is very similar in price to the Infinity Reference. I've always been drawn to them. But everytime I listen to them side by side something about the Infinity wins with my ears. Same with the Boston Rallye Series. Now Boston Pro compared to Infinity Kappa, I'm Boston all the way, MB Quart over Kappas too. But the Kappas are considerablely cheaper. DynAudio used to make some incredible mids that couldn't be touched. They are spendy though.

My philosophy on LC stereos is to keep it cheap and simple. But mine isn't sitting in traffic for hours on end. Once you hit a gravel road or put some Swampers on pretty much if you can hear the radio it is all going to sound the same no matter how good your stuff is. Since my Cruiser is on these treks more than it is in city traffic my philosophy is a good one for me. If I was commuting or lived in the land of paved roads everywhere I might choose a different philosophy.

 

[Critter]

1. I have had more than one friend tear the surround on a set of Kappas.

2. I bought a set of MB Quart components for 250 bucks. What does a set of Kappa components run 200+ or 300 if you shop somewhere like Crutchfield... If you shop around all the brands I mention can be had for only slightly more, if any more at all.

3. Sure they sound fine, but if you are gonna spend the money on those why not get something better for the same price?

I just refuse to buy into the Kappa craze that has been going on for several years now. No offense to anyone that has them and likes them, if you like them then that is all that matters. All I am saying is they aren't the end all of car audio.

 

[chip7238]

The link below has some pics of my Kappa 5.25" components. I think they sound great, but I didn't buy them for the Kappa name. A friend had them NIB and didn't need them, so I got a great deal. There are PLENTY of speakers that sound just as good or better - it did make a big improvement over the stock sound. The location of the tweeters was key to having great sound. The stock locations in the dash just don't do anything for sound imaging - pointing down, into your legs... I was able to mount the tweeters without cutting metal. It was a bit of a job, but the looks and sound are great!


Kappa Components

 

[Options20002001]

I started with Eclipses in mind for the door speakers but ended up buying Blaupunkt. I haven't installed them yet but have ordered 5.25" Overdrive series, ODx 542 two way coaxial speakers. My reasons for choosing these were mounting depth, frequency response and continuous power handling. Additionally, I got them cheap from ebay ....can't wait to test them out. Once installed, these speakers will be driven by Audiobahn A4004T as the front channels through an external DSP.

I have already installed the 3.5" Blaupunkt in the dash. These dash speakers are still connected to the front doors in parallel. Noticed an immediate improvement in SQ, even made positive comments! When new 5.25" are installed in the doors, these dash speakers will serve as center channel driven by the OEM amp.

I am planning on leaving the rear doors alone (at least for now)...still connected to the OEM amp as the rear channels. However, am thinking about installing two new 6.5" in the rear panels and connecting them to the new Audiobahn amp and splitting the signal from rear channels off the DSP, i.e, sharing the rear channels preamp outs with the rear doors.

Above are just some thoughts and will probably be put to test this coming weekend if the speakers arrive in time.

I am looking forward to completing the 5.1 sound environment in my truck. The recent upgrades to the audio/video came in handy during our last evacuation from Houston. Kids and love the whole concept of mobile theater . Go figure...she now wants me put a navigation system . Any recommendations?

Pradeep

 

[El Perro Grande]

The location of the tweeters was key to having great sound. The stock locations in the dash just don't do anything for sound imaging - pointing down, into your legs...

Totally. I could not agree more. Whoever designed the speaker layout really didn't have audiophile's interests at heart. In my last upgrade I moved the tweets to the doors. Big difference.