Speaker type/brand question
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Speaker type/brand question
ok I have a 1997 Ford Ranger with stock speakers and a stock HU out of a F-150 that is a Cd/Cassette combo. I am looking just to upgrade my speakers because the stock speakers cant handle havin the bass turned up while the volume is turned up. I saw Boss speakers 500w ones 6x9's for $50 and i saw some 3 way pioneer speakers 6x8 for $50 also. I'm not looking to change the HU, just looking for a lil bit clearer sound and to be able to handle the bass because the speakers now pop when i turn it up. Which brand is better, or will it matter. Also like the Boss is 500w but since my stock HU puts out I dont know how many Watts but i know not that many, do i need to stick with the stock, and just turn the bass down, or go with pioneer which where i think around 250w, since the HU doesnt put out not even 250 will any of them make a difference??
Thanks
Thanks
Laughing Gas
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From: Brandon Mb
I'd go with the pioneers, I've never heard of the other ones. Personally, I like Rockford stuff the best. But no matter what you put in, they will be underpowered. Stock decks only put out around 6 or 7 watts per channel, but I could be wrong. I'd get good speakers and a four channel amp to maximize sound quality without replacing the head unit. So say you get all pioneer, 200w all around. You need a decent amp, 120x4 would suffice (GM-600F, for example), and you've got good sound.
Trevor
Trevor
Last edited by t_dickie; Nov 8, 2004 at 11:29 PM.
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From: Highland, TX
I would go with the Pioneers. However, buy whichever one sounds best to YOU.
FYI, considering their low price ($50), the 250W and 500W ratings of the speakers you mentioned are very likely grossly exaggerated peak power handling values. Their true RMS power handling is likely considerably lower.
"Power Handling: This is the amount of power a speaker can withstand before failing after a given amount of time. The most important number is the speakers continuous or RMS (root mean square) power handling. Peak power handling means virtually nothing." ---from www.caraudiohelp.com
Nonetheless, since factory head units usually only put out less than 20W/ch, there is no concern about overpowering any speakers you may use.
2.5L four
FYI, considering their low price ($50), the 250W and 500W ratings of the speakers you mentioned are very likely grossly exaggerated peak power handling values. Their true RMS power handling is likely considerably lower.
"Power Handling: This is the amount of power a speaker can withstand before failing after a given amount of time. The most important number is the speakers continuous or RMS (root mean square) power handling. Peak power handling means virtually nothing." ---from www.caraudiohelp.com
Nonetheless, since factory head units usually only put out less than 20W/ch, there is no concern about overpowering any speakers you may use.
2.5L four
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Well thats fine, i'm not looking to spend alot of money, or build a system, i just wanted some better speakers that wouldnt pop if i have the bass turned up on my HU. Now my bass is a couple notches down just cuz when i have the vol turned up you here it pop. I just wanted to get rid of that with a speaker that can handle a lil more than stock, but i'm not looking to be pumping out big power or anything, just wanted a decent replacement for the stock, i dont plan on adding anything else to it, also was just looking for maybe a little bit clearer sound too, but not looking to be bumpin' down there road. Its just i like to turn the music up, espcially if i drive with the windows down.
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
Postmaster
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From: Bixby, OK
I think the stock HU puts out 12-14 wRMS per channel, that's probably also overrated. IMO I would stay away from Boss, go with Pioneer if you're wanting something cheap that sounds better than stock, but they don't handle much. If you're wanting a pretty clear sound I would go with Infinity, they're $120 a pair on crutchfield, but they can be found for a lot cheaper online.
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Personaly, I'd recommend Boss. A friend of mine is a Boss dealer and I've seen and heard their line. For the price, they sound good and perform well. Whatever you get, I'd go -w- 6x8's and make sure the power matches up as close as possible to your deck.
Postmaster
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From: Bixby, OK
If you want a pretty good sound with a good price, go with Digital Audio, I'm doing an install for a friend who just bought some and I'm about ready to take them from him.. there are quite a few people on here that would swear by them also.
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Every body has their own opinions on speakers... I would say anything you get should sound better than stock (assuming you have a base setup). Personally I would stick with a real name brand... but what ever sounds good to your ears is what matters.
Keep in mind though, producing bass takes ALOT of power... when an amplifier is producing bass it reaches it's limits much quicker than say voices, when it has reached it's limits it will 'clip' and cause the speaker to produce a popping sound... This could be the cause of the stock speakers popping and not the actual speaker being that bad. Now don't get me wrong, new speakers will sound better and probably give you more bass; but you might still get the popping sound when you turn it up louder. I would suggest if you really want decent bass to get an amplifier to power new speakers properly....
You could get $2000 speakers powered by the stock unit to sound great at a very low volume... but you could also blow those speakers with the stock unit... If you want it to sound great at a loud volume you need an amp as well.
Keep in mind though, producing bass takes ALOT of power... when an amplifier is producing bass it reaches it's limits much quicker than say voices, when it has reached it's limits it will 'clip' and cause the speaker to produce a popping sound... This could be the cause of the stock speakers popping and not the actual speaker being that bad. Now don't get me wrong, new speakers will sound better and probably give you more bass; but you might still get the popping sound when you turn it up louder. I would suggest if you really want decent bass to get an amplifier to power new speakers properly....
You could get $2000 speakers powered by the stock unit to sound great at a very low volume... but you could also blow those speakers with the stock unit... If you want it to sound great at a loud volume you need an amp as well.
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Postmaster
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From: Bixby, OK
That's why speakers have recommended RMS power. Also on your speakers you choose, make sure they have a sensitivity greater than 89 dB at the very least, the higher the sensitivity, the clearer the sound, and louder with less use of power.