Speaker Recommendations Wanted
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From: Tucson AZ
Speaker Recommendations Wanted
I have an '02 Convertible. I have decided to go with a JL Audio Stealthbox. Now I and am looking for recommendations for better front and rear speakers. Thanks...............
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (FYNL4)
Tell us how much you want to spend.
And no rear speakers :)
Now what kind of sound are you looking for.. hmn?
CDT - Warm and Smooth (Just ordered a set for my dailydriver cdtHD52)
Dynaudio - Natural and very flat sound
Focal - Emphasized details (own these, 165w Utopia set)
MBQuartz - Tinny and shrill
JL XR series - good robust mid end speaker, but left in the dust by the likes of cdt, dyn, and focal.
There are various lines within each of those, for example, Focal Access are $250 retail, and utopias are $1100 retail, with various lines ni between (polykevlar, polyglass, etc etc)
The best thing i can suggest is listen to speakers in a lot of high end audio stores, and as many of th ose brands as you can, and find the one with the right sound for you.. then buy it online for half as much.
[Modified by Nevermind, 11:32 AM 12/23/2002]
And no rear speakers :)
Now what kind of sound are you looking for.. hmn?
CDT - Warm and Smooth (Just ordered a set for my dailydriver cdtHD52)
Dynaudio - Natural and very flat sound
Focal - Emphasized details (own these, 165w Utopia set)
MBQuartz - Tinny and shrill
JL XR series - good robust mid end speaker, but left in the dust by the likes of cdt, dyn, and focal.
There are various lines within each of those, for example, Focal Access are $250 retail, and utopias are $1100 retail, with various lines ni between (polykevlar, polyglass, etc etc)
The best thing i can suggest is listen to speakers in a lot of high end audio stores, and as many of th ose brands as you can, and find the one with the right sound for you.. then buy it online for half as much.
[Modified by Nevermind, 11:32 AM 12/23/2002]
Thread Starter
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From: Tucson AZ
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (FYNL4)
I'm not really sure how much I want to spend. I looking for good, moderately prices speakers but don't have an unlimited budget. Maybe about $500.00 or so for both front and back. By the way, my 'vert does have 2 back speakers. Smaller than the front, tucked away just in back of each seat on the side panels just under the cover that hides the top when it is down.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (FYNL4)
Forget back speakers my friend. They mess up your imaging and sound quailty.
Here's some nice speakers in your price range that will be VERY loud with 100 watts or so: http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/CDTHD62ST (I just ordered the 5.25" version of these)
http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/FOC165K2 (Son has these)
http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/CRYCSC60S
What about an amp? How much do you want to spend? A/D/S, ARCAudio, Zapco, Phoenix Gold...
I use a set of Focal Utopias up front at 100+ watts a side. They play at about 120db without audible distortion. For reference, hearing damage begins at 115db.
[Modified by Nevermind, 11:58 AM 12/23/2002]
Here's some nice speakers in your price range that will be VERY loud with 100 watts or so: http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/CDTHD62ST (I just ordered the 5.25" version of these)
http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/FOC165K2 (Son has these)
http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/CRYCSC60S
What about an amp? How much do you want to spend? A/D/S, ARCAudio, Zapco, Phoenix Gold...
I use a set of Focal Utopias up front at 100+ watts a side. They play at about 120db without audible distortion. For reference, hearing damage begins at 115db.
[Modified by Nevermind, 11:58 AM 12/23/2002]
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From: Tucson AZ
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (Nevermind)
Thanks for your reply Nevermind. I'm a neophyte when it comes to audio so I'm really unsure about how to approach this. I'm totally lost regarding speakers and amps etc., Are you saying I should not use the rear speakers at all? As I said, I am on a limited budget (if I want to stay married) so want to approach the upgrade in steps as budget allows:
1.) JL Audio Stealthbox (not sure which amp to use).
2.) Front and rear speakers (maybe just front?)
3.) New head to replace the stock Bose system.
I am not exactly an audiophile, so I want a fairly good system but it doesn't have to be state-of-the-art or top of the line but definately better than what I have now. Any and all suggestions and/or comments are appreciated since it is obvious there are a lot of very knowledgable people on this forum.
Thanks.....................
1.) JL Audio Stealthbox (not sure which amp to use).
2.) Front and rear speakers (maybe just front?)
3.) New head to replace the stock Bose system.
I am not exactly an audiophile, so I want a fairly good system but it doesn't have to be state-of-the-art or top of the line but definately better than what I have now. Any and all suggestions and/or comments are appreciated since it is obvious there are a lot of very knowledgable people on this forum.
Thanks.....................
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (FYNL4)
The speakers I listed are pretty close to the top.
Head unit.. you can buy anything, as long as it's an Alpine. I also like Clarion.
As far as the problem with rear speakers... well there's a few
1) Cancellation. The biggest issue with them I think.
2) Stereo is recorded in 2 channels
3) Imaging. Ideally you want to be as far away from the speakers as possible. And at equal lengths. This is impossible in anything short of a Mclaren f1. Usually the sound will be in the wrong "spot" with 4 speakers.
alpine head units have a neat feature that allows you to delay channels and "patch" this problem easily on front only speakers. its a band aid on a bad wound when using 4, at best.
How about a budget for your amplifier?
Head unit.. you can buy anything, as long as it's an Alpine. I also like Clarion.
As far as the problem with rear speakers... well there's a few
1) Cancellation. The biggest issue with them I think.
2) Stereo is recorded in 2 channels
3) Imaging. Ideally you want to be as far away from the speakers as possible. And at equal lengths. This is impossible in anything short of a Mclaren f1. Usually the sound will be in the wrong "spot" with 4 speakers.
alpine head units have a neat feature that allows you to delay channels and "patch" this problem easily on front only speakers. its a band aid on a bad wound when using 4, at best.
How about a budget for your amplifier?
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (Nevermind)
Boston Acoustic is a good speaker
as for rear speakers. I run my fader very far forward. the rears provide a nice balancing fill... no problems...
as for rear speakers. I run my fader very far forward. the rears provide a nice balancing fill... no problems...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Tucson AZ
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (bogus)
Thanks for all the responses, I'm learning a lot. Amp budget? What does it take to get a decent one? I'm guessing about $400.00, but don't want to scrimp if I can't get a decent one for that. Should I stick with JL Audio or mix and match?
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Brett Foote
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: Speaker Recommendations Wanted (FYNL4)
$400 for just fronts? Then it's an ARC2100, I have one, and it's incredible in every aspect.
$400 total for fronts and subs? Well, JBL makes budget sub amplifiers. I have not used one, but they are popular and available from http://www.ikesound.com
I believe the stealthbox is 4 ohm, so you would want to watch the 4ohm power rating.
from mmxpress.com you can get a 125x2 Phoenix Gold t500.2 amplifier. I hear good things about them.
$400 total for fronts and subs? Well, JBL makes budget sub amplifiers. I have not used one, but they are popular and available from http://www.ikesound.com
I believe the stealthbox is 4 ohm, so you would want to watch the 4ohm power rating.
from mmxpress.com you can get a 125x2 Phoenix Gold t500.2 amplifier. I hear good things about them.