Car Audio Speaker Sugestions

[jcPanny]

I am restoring a 65 mustang and will be upgrading from the stock AM radio to a modern Sony deck mounted in the glove box w/ a wired remote. 2 front speakers (6.5") and 2 rear speakers (6x9") will get up to 50 watts each.

I am thinking that $50-100 per pair of speakers might be reasonable.
I am looking for suggestions for car audio speaker brands, websites with reviews or info, and retailers with good prices.

Thanks,
-JC

 

[Matt34]

I put some Boston Acoustics S60 components in my Titan and prefer them over Infinity references, JL Audio VR650 and Alpine Type R. They can be found for under $100 on flea bay.

 

[annunaki]

I would suggest JL Audio TR series if you are buying locally. Online the VR's can be had for near TR retail prices. If you want tonal accuracy without inflated treble, they are the one's you want. Infinity Kappas are not bad either but fairly expensive.

 

[eddiem67]

I have an eclipse 8043 (far superior than sony) and MB quart reference series component set if your intererested. I can let everything go for 300.

stay away from sony!

 

[gus6464]

I used to have Infinity Reference Components and 3-way 6x9 speakers in my car before I upgraded to Kappa Perfects. They were very nice and were around $100 online. Check out www.etronics.com, it is where I mostly get my speakers at pretty nice prices.

 

[Halon451]

I've got some Infinity 6x9's in my car, and they handle very nicely with 50 watts each. They were reasonably priced at about $100/pair. I'm sitting at work and I've had them in my car long enough to forget the actual model number, but at any rate - look at the Infinity line. I have been extremely happy with mine so far, in terms of all around sound-quality.

 

[jcPanny]

Car Audio Advice

Thaks for the speaker advice and feedback. The online prices on the Kappas look reasonable and I will also look into JL Audio.

I am not a big fan of Sony electronics, but the deck with wired remote is a concession I am willing to make so that the dash of the classic car looks "classic". If I get some nice speakers, I could always add an amp or two.

On another note, does anyone have experience with the elemental designs sound deadening products?
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/index.php?cPath=24
I plan to use quite a bit to cut down on the road noise and prices seam much more rasonable than dynamat.
Also, would a 4 channel amp in the $100 price range be worth while, or don't bother?

 

[annunaki]

$100.00 for a 4-channel amp is a good deal if it is a good amplifier.

Most sound deadening material is about the same. The elemental stuff is pretty good. The foil backed stuff is nice to work with and does a good job. It does not need to be heated when applied either. Stiger pro series deadening is nice as well check out some cheap alternatives at www.mcmaster.com as well

 

[zumbo]

http://www.mbquart.com/en/produkte/car/discus/produkt.php?nr=dkg_116

http://www.mbquart.com/en/produkte/car/discus/produkt.php?nr=dtg_169

http://www.mbquart.com/en/produkte/car/discus/produkt.php?nr=dkg_169

Coaxial.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=15&ManufacturerID=624

Separates, including 6.5 and 6x9. Some of the seperates let you mount the tweeter in a coaxial position.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=16&ManufacturerID=624

Amazon has some of the older models, including higher-end reference line for incredible prices.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_seeall_2?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=mb quart car speaker&rh=i:aps,k:mb quart car speaker,i:electronics
http://www.amazon.com/MB-QUART-REFERENCE-RCE-269/dp/B0007LLO3E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1195588877&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/s/sr=41-1/qid=1195590110/ref=sr_in_M_p_4_0?ie=UTF8&rs=&me=ARKIXFDF7XJLA&field-brandtextbin=MB Quart&rh=p_4:MB Quart&page=1

 

[zumbo]

Tomorrow, a member here, is the only member who has taken my advice on MB Quart. PM him and ask what he thinks of the MB Quarts he purchased.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/member.php?u=8596

 

[jcPanny]

Car Amp.

$100.00 for a 4-channel amp is a good deal if it is a good amplifier.

Most sound deadening material is about the same. The elemental stuff is pretty good. The foil backed stuff is nice to work with and does a good job. It does not need to be heated when applied either. Stiger pro series deadening is nice as well check out some cheap alternatives at www.mcmaster.com as well

Annunaki,
Thanks for the feedback. What I wanted to know was if some of the budget 2-4 channel amps would be a decent improvement over the sony deck or if they are garbage. What are some good budget amp brands? What is a reasonable price range?

I will also check McMaster for the sound deadener, but some of the eD stuff is less expensive.

 

[GlocksRock]

I have heard some MB Quart car audio speakers in the past and I loved them. I think I remember reading somehwere that they have been bought out, but I could be wrong. I have JL Audio XR series components and coaxials in my car, and they sound good, but if I had it to do over again, I would go with a system that has soft domed tweeters like their VR series. I have also heard some really good things about the eD speakers. Boston makes some really good sounding car speakers as well. But just like home audio where your room makes a difference in how the speakers sound, your vehicle, and how good of an install is done makes a huge difference in how they sound.

 

[zumbo]

If you are going to use an external amp, I would step-up to the reference line. Both tweeters can be mounted in a coaxial position.

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16676

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17704

Decent little Alpine amp for a fair price.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16413

A little more power.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16956

And, a little more power.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17700

Lowest price Alpine head-unit with included remote.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17996

Eclipse has the best head-units, with Alpine second. Sony is not even in the top ten.

 

[annunaki]

Annunaki,
Thanks for the feedback. What I wanted to know was if some of the budget 2-4 channel amps would be a decent improvement over the sony deck or if they are garbage. What are some good budget amp brands? What is a reasonable price range?

I will also check McMaster for the sound deadener, but some of the eD stuff is less expensive.

I would look into Total Mobile Audio for a decent quality budget amplifier. A 50 watt x 4 continuous amplifier would work very well. Nearly any amplifier that can supply a real 25+ watts rms will be a substantial improvement over a deck. Most head units are rated at about 12 watts rms at .1% thd (verge of clipping).

 

[annunaki]

If you are going to use an external amp, I would step-up to the reference line. Both tweeters can be mounted in a coaxial position.

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16676

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17704

Decent little Alpine amp for a fair price.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16413

A little more power.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16956

And, a little more power.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17700

Lowest price Alpine head-unit with included remote.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17996

Eclipse has the best head-units, with Alpine second. Sony is not even in the top ten.

Clarion's top of the line DRZ9255 would by my choice in the current head unit offerings out there. Alpine seems to have stopped caring about the high end and quality aspect of car audio.

The step up Alpine amplifier is a good buy as well. The Total Mobile Audio I mentioned earlier is a great bang for the buck though. http://tma.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=423

 

[zumbo]

Clarion's top of the line DRZ9255 would by my choice in the current head unit offerings out there.

Nice. Clarion has always taken a back-seat to Alpine for me. They would be my third choice overall. With anything, current offerings determine the end choice. It's just like Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti, and Honda/Acura. As you go through the model lines for each year, anyone may have the upper-hand.
I would buy any of the three auto brands, and I would buy any of the three head-unit brands. But, it stops there. I wouldn't consider any other brand.*

*(Exotic auto brands excluded)

Alpine seems to have stopped caring about the high end and quality aspect of car audio.

I noticed this years ago when Elclipse knocked them off their block. Hey, you can't stay on top forever. Still, current offerings seem to be an excellent value.

The step up Alpine amplifier is a good buy as well. The Total Mobile Audio I mentioned earlier is a great bang for the buck though. http://tma.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=423

Looks like a good product to me, and it has the best bang/buck factor.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18634

 

[zumbo]

If you have the desire to have the best, you could look for Linear Power on eBay, or check TIPS.
http://www.linearpower.com/lpforsale.html

These are old-school raw power amps. No crossovers, or any other junk that is not needed. Just superior, clean power. I have four. 952IQ, 1502IQ, 2202IQ, and a 2202 modified. None of mine are for sale. They appreciate every year, and are no longer made.

Company history provided by TIPS.
http://www.linearpower.com/lphistory.html

 

[dpnaugle]

I have the MB Quart Discus 216 in my honda civic and love them. They are very rich in the high end. I hear some saying to much high end but I think you have to balance that out when putting you car system together. I forget what I paid, but $250 sounds about right. You will need some bass to round it out. If you are willing to go used all can be had much cheaper.

 

[klipschfan]

The JL Audio equipment sounds very similar to the MB Quart. Indeed I believe the drivers for each are supplied by Bravox and are of the same line.

If you don't mind bright yellow speakers, try finding the Pioneer REV line of speakers. Very good sounding and can be had for less than $100 online.

Most any aftermarket amp will sound better than using just the cd players built in amp ( which at best will give you 12 watts per channel, don't believe the 50 watt stated spec ).

There are other brands than Sony that can do the wired remote for the headunit. Kenwood has a decent one, I think Pioneer does as well.

 

[cbraver]

Tomorrow, a member here, is the only member who has taken my advice on MB Quart. PM him and ask what he thinks of the MB Quarts he purchased.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/member.php?u=8596

I also have MB Quart!! I run MB Quart Q line components powered by Kicker amps. My subwoofer is a 12" Image Dynamics IDMax:

http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com/products_page.php?id=idmax&type=sub

The sub also uses a Kicker amp. My headunit is a Kenwood KVT-DVD915. Lightning Audio capacitor. Most of the truck is dampened with Dynamat also.