I like how much bass I have in the car. My JL 10w3 hits hard and sounds good however I feel like I'm just lacking some of the vocals on songs. I didn't want to spend very much on some new speakers. What are some possible speaker combinations for the car on a budget? Maybe someone can mention some and some prices.

Also is it even worth getting speakers on a budget, or I've heard dynamatting the car improves the Bose a lot? Would they be comparable.

Any suggestions?

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's

 

The Bose system has a serious lack of highs because the only tweeters in the whole system are the tiny ones in the door. Many aftermarket speakers have tweeters in the cone which really help.
What kind of budget are you talking here? Dynamat does help, but it can get kinda expensive depending on how much you use. I would say replace the front components and rear 6x9's and get a decent amp. I'm not sure if just replacing the speakers is good enough.
Anyone else have any ideas?


My 350GT

 

I'm not really sure as far as budget goes but I'm not sure I can get into the range of MB Quartz and spending that much at least. IMO its not necessary for me. Maybe you have some suggestions and is it worth it to get 6 x 9's in the back as well or just the front?

Thanks.

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's

 

If you're looking to kill road noise, go with the dynamat. If you're looking for better sound, upgrade the speakers. I'd recommend the infinity kappas (not kappa perfects) if you're on a budget. You should be able to pick up a pair for not too much $$$ and they'll make a world of difference. The power from the stock amp will be enough. Don't worry about the 6x9's. In fact, I'd probably unplug them since you already have a sub.

 

Yeah, I've got the kappas in my ride and also dynamat extreme. Do some price comparisons on a site like Crutchfield.com


My 350GT

 

Thanks guys I'll look into that. Do you really think just those Kappa's with the Bose amp is going to make that much of a difference? I know the Bose speakers aren't great but will it be that noticeable? What are the sizes in the front doors?

Also, I can probably test how it sounds with the 6 x 9's either hooked up or not but do you guys actually unplug them?

Thanks for your help.

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's

 

here's a cut and paste from another thread:

For a factory stereo, the bose have above average bass performance. However, the system handicaps itself with the 'components' up front. The tweeter is regulated (has a passive in-line crossover so it only gets the tweeter frequencies) but the 6.5" mids are not regulated. That might be acceptable in a base model but Bose should be ashamed of themselves for not putting in a .25 cent passive crossover to filter out the tweeter frequencies from the 6.5" speakers.

As a result, I noticed some resonance as the 6.5" speakers tried to reproduce everything from sub frequencies (below 200 hz) and the ultra high tweeter frequencies (~5 to 32khz). Asking a top quality speaker to handle this is asking too much let alone a $5 paper speaker.

Changing the comps up front will make a big difference. They're 6.5" BTW.

Go ahead and unplug the 6x9's. They won't sound as good as your JL and at higher sound levels, they'll distort much more quickly.

 

Hey thanks again Al. Does the Bose amp power enough for the Kappa's? How about the Kappa Perfect's if I were interested in those? I'm leaning towards the Kappa's anyways but just wanted to see everything that is out there.

Thanks.

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's

 

yeah. the infinity's do well with very little power. However, the stock amp should give it enough juice so it shouldn't be an issue. The perfects are very good. I installed a set in my bud's coupe and they sounded crystal clear (after a week of break-in). I think they're running around $250 or so on ebay which is a great deal. I don't know if you'll notice that much of a difference between them and the kappas though. I'd get the kappas and spend the difference (or a little more) and get a bulk pack of dynamat. It really helps with the road noise.

 

Thanks Al. I really do value your opinion. One last question though. You can get the Kappa's on EBAY for around $80 shipped while they cost also 150 on Crutchfield. I knwo off EBAY I can't get the 3 year warranty. You think its worth the difference or I shouldnt have any problems with them anyways? Also what are the different versions of the Kappa's I see? 62.5i and 63.5i?

Good call on the dynamat. I'll have to put that in sometime.

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's

 

you're probably looking at the coaxials for that price. The kappa components (tweeter is separate from the mid bass) run around $150-170 on ebay. They run around $250 on crutchfield I believe. Not many of the neighborhood audio shops will discount their prices but they will occasionally. If you are worried about a warranty (and rightfully so) then it may be worth calling a few places and asking if they will come down on their prices a little. If you could get something in between retail and ebay, I'd take it.

 

If you are planning several audio upgrades, I woud wait and do it all at once. It saves money, time, and the headache. I'm sure you don't want an audio shop or yourself ripping the car apart several times to do small audio upgrades here and there. Get a budget together, save if you need to, and then do the upgrade all at once.

I agree, get rid of the 6x9s.

Good Luck


<font color=red>Shibal G-Thang</font color=red>
<font color=blue>'04 TB 6MT Graphite: Aero Pkg, Premium</font color=blue>

 

OK I see. I wasn't looking at the component speakers. I think you are talking about these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=38646

Not sure what the 60.5CS means however.

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's

 

yup. those are them.

 

Thanks Al. I'll take a look around and let you know how they sound whenever I can get them in.

D. Graphite/Graphite | Premium | Splash | Clears | Pedals | 35% TINT | Z-Tube | 4080 Stealthbox - JL 10w3 | Escort 8500 | PIAA's