Hello all,

I went down to Audio Electroincs in Indy today to get some advice on my Bose stereo. Basically, they told me that the amp filters out sound in a way that makes everything sound muddy or blended - which along with my uneducated, perceived lack of mids and highs is my complaint.

They suggested:

1) do the 10uf upgrade on the stock tweets - $60 for them to do it

and either:

2) add (not replace) tweets. Put in an amp and run to the tweets if possible or just add a set of good tweeters. $230 w/o amp - $450 w amp

or

3) replace the front door speakers with Orion 3ohms that have built-in tweeters. They are 6.5 inchers. $250

What do you think would be the best bang for my buck? I want crisper, clearer sound if possible. I am not an audiophile and I really don't have more than $500 to put in this problem anyway.

Thanks for your expert advice.

Homie.

 

I would buy a set of components and replace the stock mid and tweeter up front. You don't even need to change the amp. I upgraded my 03 sedan to the Polk EX3560 system and it made a huge improvement with no new amp.

I'm doing the same thing to my 05 coupe next week, but I'm using a Kenwood component system this time. You can get a good set of components for $100 - $300 and install yourself for free.

Here's a pic of my install in my old sedan:
http://www.columbusinteractive.com/G35/tweeters/
You can see pics of the Polk tweeter and mid installed there.

 

Great! That is a very helpful DIY you linked to.

Let me ask a couple of questions...

1) have you heard of the Orions? Do they stink?
2) Are your Polks and now your Kenwoods 2/4 or 8 ohms? Does it matter what I put in there?

Thanks!!!!

 

All are 4 ohms, tweeters and mids.

I do not know about Orion, I would ask on a board like Icix: http://www.icixsound.com/vb/

 

For 60 bucks you can put Polk tweets in and the sound is incredibly more clear up high. They even include a directional positioning mount for mine. Changing the crossover by cutting out the exisiting one involves cutting and splicing into 2 wires per door and the capacitor is $1.29/each at radio shack. Just changing the crossover should help tremendously and if you don't find it works well enought the Polks have a heavier magnet and may sound better overall. I never changed just the X-over so I can't shed much light on what both sound like in comparison.

If you are not an audiophile don't spend 250 on speakers. Also there is a DIY on taking the door panels off - even one for the Polk upgrade too. Door panels take about 5 minutes to get off.

 

So no problems putting 4 ohm speakers in to replace the 2 ohm front door speakers?

I was considering leaving the stock tweets as is and putting Orion Cobalt 63CX mids w/built in tweeters in the door to replace the stock paper things.

Either that or just adding new tweeters to the mix.

 

I believe the polks are the standard 4ohms and no problem. Search for the thread for over 1.5 years ago and see what you can find. I'll look for the thread since it's super old and my sig may screw your search up...

 

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...ight=capacitor

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...ight=capacitor

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...weeter+upgrade

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...weeter+upgrade

http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthre...e#Post67425116





Apparently some cut the polk x-over out and put the radio shack one in with an even lower cross for an even better effect. I actually have the capacitors in my shop for over a year and haven't added them as I like the sound the way it is ..and I am a lazy *****.

 

Thanks!! I will read these threads tonight when I get home.

Maybe I should stick to the Tweeters first. Just need to decide if I add tweeters or replace the existing Blose.

I am a little worried about 4 Ohm speakers to replace the 2 ohm fronts. Should I be? The guy at the shop said I should just adjust the fader to make up for the lack of power.... I am skeptical.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

 

No problem. Can you tell me about the difference between stock and current tires. Did you use to have the Turanza's?

 

SixFive, I PMed you on tires.

Great linked threads, thank you! When I was referring to my concern about a 4 ohm replacement speaker I was referring to the mid's in the lower door panel.

Basically, I am thinking that if I have to pay to have someone remove the door panels anyway, I might as well have them put a couple of improved mid's in the door at the same time we swap out the tweeters. I can either order a 2 ohm ID set, buy the Orion Cobalt 3 ohms, or just go with a set of standard 4 ohms.

I am just concerned about loss of power, volume and "substance" in a pair of 3 or 4 ohm mids to replace the 2 ohmers that are stock with my Bose system.

Is this a valid concern? Remember, no new amps right now...

Thanks!!

 

When you double the ohms you reduce output by 3dB. That isn't a significant decrease, but you should be able to hear it. For some reason though, I was thinking the door speakers in teh coupe are 4 ohms, maybe they are different in the sedan???

I'll do the caps in the door for $50, haha

 

I don't think you'll need better door speakers unless you are more of an audiophile than you say you are. They are strong down low and they match well with a more refined high that allows for the cymbals and hi hats to balance better with the middys.

 

Yeah, I think I would just do new tweeters first if it weren't for the fact that I can get a good deal on a pair of 3 ohm mid's with attached tweeters. Kind of kills two birds with one stone. I could set a lower crossover on the integrated tweeters and clean up the mids a little at the same time.

3 ohms though, but that probably isn't a big deal. Ya think?

 

Not sure - Kpierson's the man to talk to on ohms