Audiophiles, I need your input. I am researching upgrading my 07 Screw's sound system. I'm trying to set up decent medium priced system. Right now I leaning towards JL TR570-CXi in the rear doors (great highs). Either Pioneer Premier TS-D801P (decent midrange speaks) or Alpine SPR-57C Type R's in the front doors. To power them I thinking JL CleanSweep at the factory head (single CD, Sirius) and an Alpine MRP-F550 4 channel amp. For a sub I'm going to use a 10" Pioneer TS-SW2541D Shallow Mount in a Rodneys Custom Speaker Box (from Ebay) and power it with an Alpine MRP-M450 mono amp. Any thoughts or suggestions from you audiophiles here would be appreciated.

 

I would strongly recommend changing out the head unit, your system is never going to sound that great with the stock head unit even with the Clean Sweep. In regards to the speakers I would look at Focal, Diamond Audio or MB Quarts for mid priced speakers. I prefer Focal, I think they have a very natural sound to them. I have JL's but just as rear fill, I think as main speakers they are a little too bright and get harsh at higher volumes. Or spend the money and go with Dynaudio, they are the best sounding speakers I've ever heard, but they are very power hungry, I have 600w going to my MkII components. For amps I would suggest JL Audio, Zapco or Audison. I have 3 JL Audio amps and I like them a lot, but if I were to do it again I would go with the Audison VRx series.

 

Thanks for your input 200Proof. I've been researching prices on your suggestions and found that even though it is going to be a little more costly it is still doable (added a couple hundred more). As far as the head unit goes, I will still go with the factory unit until I can save up for a good NAV unit (which could be awhile after upgrading speakers, adding a sub and amping it up). Thanks again

 

200Proof, I went out to some audio dealers and gave a listen to speakers. I agree with your assessment of the JL's (harsher at high levels). I liken them to Infinity's except cleaner. I'm trying to find some local dealers that carry the Focals, Diamond Audio and MB Quart, to give them a listen to, so I can make my choice for the door speakers. I've gone to a half dozen dealers and so far no luck.

 

Check the websites for the speaker manufacturers and they should have a dealer locator search to show you who carries their line in your area. I believe Car-Toys carries Focal. Once you figure out what brand you are going to go with check out woofersetc.com, they have great prices. Most stereo shops will work with you on price, especially if you show them what you can buy them for online. Good luck in your search.

 

I second Dynaudio.

Speakers are the number 1 greatest source of distortion, and therefore the number 1 place to spend your time and money correctly choosing.

 

Not sure what your looking at paying for those 10 Shallow mounts from Pioneer, but Elemental Designs also makes a Shallow mount sub for $70. http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...roducts_id=106

Other manufactures to look at are DLS, Rainbow, Vifa, Peerless, and Morel.

 

Are you looking for a Coax speaker or a 2 way component set? If you are looking at coax have heard real good things about Pioneer Rev's. Comps, RE makes a real nice set or two as does Image Dynamics.

Don, BOOOOOOO on the eDuh.

 

check out kicker, Eclips, ****ford, pioneer, Earthquake, MTX.

 

I checked out some Diamond speakers at two different shops from the same audio dealer last weekend. (Bees Car Stereo www.beescarstereo.com). I had the manager from the first shop quote me a system. He came up with a set of Diamond components (D362) up front and Diamond 5x7 coaxes (D 371I) for the rear. All powered with a JBL GTO 75.4 11 amp. For the sub he has a JL 10W1V24 sub in a custom cabinet, powered by a JBL CS300.1 amp. The manager from the second shop made these changes. He swapped the Diamond component speakers for the coaxes and swapped the JBL GTO for a Diamond D35004 4 channel amp because of the 3 year warranty. Now both these guys are SQ judges for audio competitions. And one of them has the loudest sedan in the USA for the past 3 years running. So I'm thinking they know their sh^t. Bees is suppose to be the top selling Diamond dealer in the country. The Diamonds sounded good but I still would like to hear some Focals and a few others before I make a decision. Bees is also suppose to start selling the Focals within the next few weeks. I would like to know what's your opinions on JBL amps? I myself am now leaning towards JL's 300.4 and 250.1

I was told that MBQuart sold out to some conglomerate and they shipped everything to China. And by doing so their quality has gone downhill. Is there any truth to this?

The Pioneers that I was thinking about in my original post are the Premier Revs. and I liked the way the 801's sounded. But I want to hear as many as I can before I make a decision (and while I'm trying to convince the Mrs why I need a better sounding truck). ;-)

 

Why settle for a coax speaker when you could go with a set of components? That is odd to me.

 

I would definitely use components in the front for two reasons, you will have better imaging & you will have an external crossover which is better than the internal ones in coaxes. However, to get the better imaging you will have to experiment with the tweeter location - in my truck it sounded best with them located in the a-pillar pointed slightly towards the glass so you get reflected sound. I would also go with the JL amps over Diamond Audio & definitely over the JBL. I haven't heard about MB Quarts selling out but it wouldn't surprise me either - if they are made in China now I would scratch them off your list.

You know speakers are a very subjective matter, what I like you might not & vise versa. You should do what you are doing and listen to as many as you can and buy what you think sound best. One thing to keep in mind though when you are auditioning speakers is to make sure you have a level playing field for listening. What I mean by that is make sure the source unit & amps are some what comparable. A pair of $50 Jensen’s will sound half way decent with a $2,500 Alpine F1 head unit & a $1,500 Audison VRx amp & a pair of $800 Dynaudio's will sound like crap with a cheapy Jensen head unit & amp. Also set the EQ levels the same on the source head units & make sure any other internal sound enhancement options are turned off. You want to hear the speakers in as natural of a state as possible to truly hear what the speakers can do. Also bring your own CD to listen to, most stereo shops have their own demo CD's that are recorded at higher levels and with less distortion than a regular CD to really make the speakers sound good but you want to listen to them with what you will be normally playing through them.

In regards to the Mrs. do what I did, just come home with the system installed and deal with her wrath. I've found that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.

 

Thanks guys. Your input is extremely valuable to me. I will keep you posted as the hunt continues.

 

i think it all depends on your budget!!!
there are tons on "non main stream" stuff that perfom much better and you can pick up at half the price.

p.m. me if you want the audio site i learned ALOT from.

 

What size components will fit into the stock 6 x 8 holes? Crutchfield shows alot of 5 1/4's but I am wondering if I can get 6 1/2's to work?