So Im sure this question has been posed before... I was searching the forum for a thread that might help but havent found one yet...

my current set up is a mixed bag... Kenwood 5 channel amp, fosgate 10 sub, cadence 10 mid range in the doors with alpine tweeters, and topped off with a pioneer head unit...

Im looking for a good filler speaker for the rear and the alpine 5,25s are not cutting it... Im just not getting the complete sound Im looking for -

Any suggestions? Im not too up on the audio stuff, and this system came with the car upon purchasing...

Any help would be appreciated... Cheers

 

There are many choices. Any good set of quality 5.25 coax should work good, especially fed with an aftermarket amp. Im using JL XR-525's getting 70w each. I have the gains set down so my front JL C5-650's are leading the way.

How much power are you giving the fronts?

 

I'm running Hertz ECX-130 coaxials in the rear and they sound nice. These are amped with an ARC Audio mini-amp pushing 75 watts to each speaker. Check these out at an audio store and I think you will be impressed. You can pick a pair of these up for around $130.00 but shop around.

 

Polk DXI are nice... quality, not overly expensive, high sensitivity. I think you'd want DXI525. Also can go with the DB series... DB521. It is kind of like asking what is the best color though. It's a shame with Alpine... such good product until it comes to their speakers. They have released a high end line, but they are NOT cheap.

 

I went with the DB series...noticeable improvement.

 

Define your "complete sound." Mine is a great soundstage. I have no rears at all, and when people get in and I kick it up just a touch for them, I usually get "Holy crap I feel like I am sitting in the front row of a concert."
For example, I have a converted to CD, Audio Fidelity Album called Percussive Jazz, Doctored for Stereo and it is specifically setup to place the instruments in different locations across the soundstage. It is my sound system test CD.
For instance the brass instruments are on the left going toward the center, wood instruments on the right going toward the center, drums in the center with the exception of the cymbals, which will come from either the left or right depending on which side of the drum set is being used. Rhythm guitar is right center, lead guitar is left center. Bass is mono. The xylophone and the piano go from one speaker to the next, based on where the player is playing on the keyboard. The higher the notes/chords the more to the right the sound, the lower the notes/chords it moves to the left. if the piano player runs the keyboard it moves across the car as his hand moves across the keyboard.
These are not subtle locations that take a discerning ear to make out, they are very obvious, people love it when I play that one.
Listening to that CD with rears, messed all that up, so I pulled them. That was 15 years ago. Every car I own now has the rears unplugged.
That is my complete sound.

So, rather than guess at 42 different speaker combinations give us an idea of what is not working and what is working and what you are looking for. We should be able to get you the sound you are looking for.

 

I appreciate all the help guys - not sure how much power Im currently running... the poor vette is in the storage unit as the northwest is currently a winter wonderland -

I agree about the Alpine stuff too... the previous owner must have shelled out a fortune for this mis-matched set up -

Thanks again fellas

 

Wow... Sir it sounds as if you are one of the few that have took the musical experience to a whole other level

Very impressive indeed... As a musician I can appreciate the very refined taste of your sound system, which almost sounds other worldly...



The complete system Im looking for is quite simple really... hard hitting bass, clear and noticeable mid range completed with nice highs from the tweeters... I've actually heard that yanking the rears out is the way to go... I work as a professional pilot and my mechanic also suggested this.

That peeked my curiosity as what other guys/gals might be running in the rear...

Thanks again

 

Glad Grz posted as he really does understand

I have not had rear speakers in, forever, but I do sell some for those that just have to have them which is fine by me.

I have systems in 5 vehicles, none have rear speakers, all are very good systems.

I have been an audio competitor, beaten a prior world champ, been a judge at one time, etc...I only saw a few ever have rear speakers and those that did had one usually, rarely two, no tweeters, just a midrange at very low output level and very narrow bandwidth.

But, if you want a great deal on some really good rears let me know as I have more than I need in stock, even some refurbished ones at a better deal yet.

Though I have to ask that you wait until after the 1st, I am slammed with the Christmas rush and finishing up the system and other things to get our Duramax ready for a winter road trip starting on Friday.

Thanks
Rick

 

Got it... When you get a chance try shutting down the rears and drive around/listen for awhile and see what you think. I would also flip your balance one or two notches to the left and see what that does for you. The stock speaker location on the left for the mids are covered by your leg, and the right side has a direct shot at your ear. I need to offset that by reducing the right side and increasing the left. Same for the rear, the right side has a direct shot to your ear where as the left is right behind you and doesn't project well to your ear.
Some Pioneer HU's have dynamic speaker timing alignment. Where it detects the distance from each speaker to the driver and adjusts the sound from each speakers so it gets there at the right time. The wife has it with her Alpine HU and it really works well. I would make sure that is turned on, if it is available and see what that does for you.
Also make sure your X-overs on your amp are set correctly.

I don't remember what mine are set at, but I think there is a slight overlap of my sub and speakers around 75 -80 HZ.

If you are looking for a bit more rear fill, then definitely talk to Rick, and he can set you up with the right speakers.

Thanks Rick, appreciate the compliment.

 

You are most welcome and thanks as well

Rick

 

Rick, I greatly appreciate the insite... Thanks again for all the info

Merry Christmas Guys

 

Sure buddy, glad I can help once in awhile, I wish I had more time on this forum but I am busy on a few, run my business and build my cars, trucks, trailers, home audio stuff, etc.....and have a sweet wife and two huge puppies that need my love and attention

Rick