titleist731

i know there have been some threads on this in the past, but it seems there are some new options out there now as i was browsing through crutchfield. im thinking of either the polk db351 or boston acoustics s35, but i see some other JL audio models etc.

im def not upgrading the NAV or radio head unit, just looking for the best speakers. i will replace the rears as well, thanks

EVRose

I got the Polk's in mine and kept the factory HU. They are light years ahead of the junk that GM put in there. To get the best sound though you really need to power them with an aftermarket amp. I'm not using rear speakers. Just disconnected them and the center one. You really don't need any in the rear. I added a second amp and a 10" sub in the back and I'm very happy with this set up.

pentavolvo

polks get my vote, disconnect center channel also

titleist731

what's wrong with putting a better aftermarket speaker in the center channel? since its buy one get one half off anyway, i figured id just sell the extra speaker i have left to another member who needs a center channel?

markcz

It's not the quality of the center speaker that everyone has issues with, it's the fact that it's even there. It is a sum of the left and right signals, so it pretty much screws up any stereo effect that you get. Replacing the door twiddlers makes it more obvious also.

hokieZ

See it wasn't just me yesterday....

Pentavolvo helped me out with basic advice when I went through your situation a couple years ago. I had to get a separate amp for my Polk dB speakers.

pentavolvo

unhook the center and the stock speakers will magically sound better

Grzldvt1

I posted this in another discussion about "front stage" Hope this helps explain why you want to get rid of the center speaker.

To add to the discussion, depending in the engineer/producer, with a pure front stage(2 speakers) you should be able to hear the sounds spread across in front of you.
For instance, I'm a Man by Chicago The Band(The long version) has a simple percussion session in it that is perfect for testing the soundstage.
In my car I am literally on stage with the band. Drums are centered, sandpaper blocks come from the right, the triangle is just off center left in my right ear, percussion blocks on the left, all distinctly laid out.
With a 4 speaker system they seem to be blended together.

I have another album called Repercussive Jazz, Doctored for Stereo, that was out in the early 60's by Audio Fidelity, and it is the perfect test album. Note it is vinyl and I created lossless wav CD, although I did find an MP3 torrent that is pretty decent.
Imagine a piano keyboard laid out across your dashboard and each key has it own distinct sound and location. The low notes are on the left, the high notes on the right. Middle C, is exactly that in the middle. As the piano is played, you can very distinctly tell where each key is, based on it's location across the dash. They do the same thing with a Xylophone. Each distinct note has a unique location. They have melodies that take advantage of key/note location. When I play it for people they are simply blown away.
When I play it in a 4 speaker car, or stock Vette system with the center and rear mono speakers hooked up, ALL of that gets lost. Most people keep the fader balanced which moves the soundstage towards the back and blends it together, or the system is simply incapable of correctly reproducing the sounds and their locations properly.
Many claim that a car is no good for a decent soundstage, but I disagree. With the right setup it can sound great even at 65mph.

titleist731

what model polks go in the backs? since its buy one set get one half off i might as well replace both front and backs.....

EVRose

Don't know what model Pollks will fit but the factory one's are 5.25".

titleist731

anyone with polks in the back have the model numbers of the one's they bought?

markcz

db521

titleist731

the db521s fit direct drop in? crutchfield says "does not fit" please help?

hokieZ

I installed Polk MOMO MMC525 for the rear which fit, but most people use Polk db521.

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/pr...525/?reviews=1

Bgreenard

What is a good replacement for the twiddlers?

markcz

Polk db351 and Boston Acoustics S35 are very popular.

Bgreenard

Thank you

titleist731

yeah i just bought the 351s and 521s, cant wait till they come, less than $100 for all 4

titleist731

i keep hearing from the car stereo stores that the aftermarket speakers wont work with the bose amp.....something about 2 ohms vs 4ohms, i thought a bunch of guys just drop these in.....

markcz

In C4 it can't be done. In C5 or C6 ANY standard 4 ohm speaker will work in place of the oem door or rear twiddlers (door subs are a completely different story). You may need an adapter plug if you don't want to splice the oem connector, but there is plenty of wire available for a splice.

If you talk to a shop who insists that's not true just tell them you're taking your business to someone who knows what they're talking about and walk away.