I am replacing the front door speakers on a C5 (1997). I am concerned with the sizing and what other people have used. I have looked into other threads, and don't really a clear winner (although I know it is also a matter of preference).

I am looking at the:
Polk DB6500
JL Audio 2-way and 3-way component
Infinity Perfect 6.1

Have other people used these, and what have the results been? Also, are these options usable with Vrum Vrum speaker mounts?

Thanks.

 

Solid choices. 3 ways generally require a bit more of a custom install (IE where do you mount the tweeter) as well as a portion of the midrange speaker is blocked behind the factory grill. To most would not be a big deal however.

2 way set ups allow you to throw the tweeter in behind the factory grill with a nice surface/angle mount and remain completely stock looking. You may even be able to mount the crossovers on the same plate.

Both set ups can use a vrumvrum plate (great piece) you just have to give him the hole measurements for your speakers. He may even have them on file.

The major question is do you still have the factory deck? And if so in order to put a component system in and replace both factory front speakers you need to have an adaptor and an external amp. The stock woofers are self amplified. The 3.5" twiddlers are powered by the deck (not well at that). The rear speakers are powered by the deck as well.

Popular fixes are to replace the front twiddlers with a true mid/tweet 3.5" combo and replace the rear speakers with a nice set of coaxials. Some people are quite happy with the improvement that this makes.

Basically if you want an entirely new set of speakers in your car, you need to put an entire system together

Fej

 

Thanks for the advice.

I am planning on doing a whole new system. I am waiting for the Alpine CDA-9857 to come out for my head unit (IPOD ready with cable). I have a Infinity 1020W 10" subwoofer and custome enclosure. Hifonics Zeus 81006 5-channel amplifier to power the sub and front speakers (maybe rear also).

Whatever I choose for the front speaker, I will get the matching pair rear coaxials from the same manufacturer.

 

One other note.

I have seen some setup of the tweeter in the door pull. That looks like a very nice setup and not terribly hard to do. Plus, it would allow the tweeter to be mounted close to my eye level.

Even with a 2-way system, you could still put the tweeter in the door pull. Is the biggest drawback to this having to cut a hole in the door pull (hence not having a stock look)?

 

I have mine in the door pulls. It works well, images pretty decently, and does not draw a lot of attention. If you drive one arm up on top of the wheel you will block your left tweet a bunch. I messed around with having them down below behind the stock grills but the door pull was better.

If you are going to run a 3 way set up with a 5 channel amp I would like to make a suggestion. Run channels 1/2 to the mid and tweet, channels 3/4 to your midbass speakers and obviously channel 5 to the sub. It is what I am doing now with my system and it is working quite well. Allows a bit more gain to the power needy midbass speakers and allows you to dial in the mid and tweet so they are not overpowering.

I do not know the specs but it might be worth looking at the crossover options on that 9857. If you could bandpass the midbass (control the low point and high point that the speaker plays) I think you would be doing quite well for tuning in your system.

Another option depending upon your amp would be to bridge the 4 channels (1/3 and 2/4) to your crossovers for your 3 way system to boost the power they see.

One last thing .. depending upon your price point I would like to throw the 3 way Focal Polyglass set in as it is a great set of speakers for the money IMO. Might want to check in with Elliott at Zalytron.com. Nice options there.

Fej

 

So if I used 1/2/3/4 for the front speakers, would you suggest to run the rear coaxials off the HU? The 9857 is rated around 18W RMS, that should be decent for rears....I think

 

If you make the effort to put a 3 way setup in the car I would forego the rear speakers altogether. It will just pull your "stage" to the rear of the car and usually into the sweet spot over your right shoulder while driving. Nothing personal but you are somewhat defeating the purpose of making the effort to put a 3 way set up together IMO. If you stay 2 way set up you could go with the rears and certainly be happy. Stereo is always subjective though so do what sounds best to you. You could run the rears off of the deck no problem.

Fej