Speaker advice-----newbie.

[Stu]

I am a complete newbie to car stereo. I have an Alpine CD player in my car, but all I know is how to operate it and that is all. :)

Here's my situation:

I used to listen to my music on about volume 20, and the sound was fine, even when the bass/treble was up. About 6 months ago, I noticed that the music would 'crackle' at volume 20, so I started listening to the music at lower volume. Now, it crackles on volume 12-13. I checked my speakers, and they have cracks and such.

So I need to get new front/rear speakers. I have been told to buy higher quality front speakers, because the rears are almost useless because the sound deflects off the rear window. I don't want to spend INSANE money on this, just enough for good sound and maybe better than E30 stock speakers.

I checked out that www.carmedia1.com website and found a LOT of 5.25" speakers. I just don't know much about this audio stuff.

Any suggestions on 5.25" speakers?

Thanks in advance.

[ydubbs4]

The rear speakers really arent good for anything except for fill. I have a $1400 stereo, and I still run the stock rears (although they have started to rattle with my sub). DO NOT buy speakers without hearing them. Specs can only get you so far, and then you are shit out of luck. I bought a pair of MB Quart Components (5.25" in the kick panel with tweeters), and they are absolutely crystal clear. If memory serves, they ran me about $179 for the pair, which I dont think is too bad, and they sound better then JL's and others that cost more. You are also going to have to worry about how your car is currently wired. The stock system uses an external amp, and its anyone's guess how your Alpine is wired in. You still might be using it, you might. Just know what the deal is before you attack the situation yourself, if you do it yourself. If you need more help, you can always toss me an IM.

Will

[bimmerphile]

Sonds like you could do just fine with some infinity kappa's then. For the money, they're great speakers. TJ's rolling them in his car right now.

Some nice 5 1/4 or 6 1/2" components up front would do ya good. Then take the speakers that you have that aren't cracked, and stick em in the back.

Cheers Stu,

Kris

[Stu]

My brother, Alex, installed the CD player. I remember him saying that he "re-wired" the stereo when he put the CD player in because it would give the speakers about 2x the power. I know that my door tweeters don't work.

So, Infinity Kappa's are good? I'll try to find the best price I can on those.

[ydubbs4]

Good, so the car is rewired. If your door tweeters dont work, get them too, they make all the difference in the world. The sound difference between my old 86 (sans tweeters) and my 87 325is (with tweeters), is like night and day. Its well worth your time to get components, as mentioned, and get them working. At least I think so.

[KenC]

Some nice 5 1/4 or 6 1/2" components up front would do ya good.

Kris,
Do you know of a way to fit 6.5" ones up front?

[KenC]

If you're going to replace the speakers and still use the stock deck, I'd get a couple of nice pairs of coax's. Check eBay for some MB Quart ones and check carmedia1 too. Infinity Kappa Coax's would do just fine. And you'd be able to run your fronts in parallel with your tweeters to get more power to them.

[bimmerphile]

you can fit if you use components, not coax. a 6.5" woofer will fit fine up front.

[MattE30]

Get front 6.5" componants. Crystal Mobilesound, CDT, and Focal are all great, non mainstream speakers. MBQ's are good but because of the titanium tweeter are rather harsh. Silk tweeters are a bit "tamer."

[KenC]

you can fit if you use components, not coax. a 6.5" woofer will fit fine up front.

Have you done it? I just got a pair of 6.5" MB Quart Reference Mids.

[KenC]

Get front 6.5" componants. Crystal Mobilesound, CDT, and Focal are all great

He said he didn't want to spend a lot of money. Last time I checked Focals were a little on the high side. Oh, and you forgot Dynaudio and a/d/s/ in your list of best speakers money can buy.

[MattE30]

None of the ones I listed are above $200.

[KenC]

None of the ones I listed are above $200.

Where are you getting CDT or Focal 6.5" Components for $200!? I want some!

[MattE30]

CDT's website and ebay.

[spud814]

MATTE30 knows his shit, CDT and FOCALs are the bomb, they would rock your world.