Speakers: suggested replacements for stock system
07-04-09, 09:20 AM
#3
What kind or money are you looking to spend?
If you are on a tight budget, Crutchfield has some Polk DB651 speakers that just dropped in price to $70, I was thinking of buying these for my 7. I have the next step up (the MOMOs) in my Miata and they are great, they have a nice balanced sound without being harsh or too bright.
If you are on a tight budget, Crutchfield has some Polk DB651 speakers that just dropped in price to $70, I was thinking of buying these for my 7. I have the next step up (the MOMOs) in my Miata and they are great, they have a nice balanced sound without being harsh or too bright.
07-04-09, 10:33 AM
#4
I just want to make sure that whatever I get will:
1. Fit (6.5" rear and 4" front, right); and ;
2. sound good with the stock system.
I knew a guy who had some infinity speakers (not sure which model) with the stock radio and it sounded sweet.
1. Fit (6.5" rear and 4" front, right); and ;
2. sound good with the stock system.
I knew a guy who had some infinity speakers (not sure which model) with the stock radio and it sounded sweet.
07-04-09, 11:19 AM
#6
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i really like those speakers, they are excellent
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07-04-09, 05:48 PM
#8
Smoke moar
I have those in the front and alpine in the back, sounds amazing not even sure if I'm going to add a subwoofer.
07-05-09, 09:47 AM
#13
i've got kicker ds 400 in front and sony x-plode on rear, not bad sounding, but you can definitely tell a difference in quality from front to rear. don't know if i want kickers in rear also. they're great and very clear in sound, but i wish they had a bit more bass, i definitely like something with a bit more punch on the back. i did used to have a 12" mtx with a 1000W amp so it sounded great the kickers handled the high pitch very well, so good that i didn't need any tweeters at all lol.
07-05-09, 03:15 PM
#14
I did some price checking, and it looks like you can find Infinity Kappas for the same price as the Polk's I had mentioned before. I prefer the higher end Polks (the MM series) but Kappas for around $80 a pair is a much better buy. I think I'm going to order some Kappa 62.9i's for my FB. The fronts can wait, I don't think I want to go with 4" speakers, I might try putting some 5 inchers in the doors sometime.
07-05-09, 03:44 PM
#15
Thx JKM! Do you have any recommended stores to purchase from? I almost pulled the trigger on ebay last night, but then I started getting paranoid about counterfeit gear. For items like speakers, I think I'd rather go through a more legit source.
I should double check to ensure that the Kappa models are as efficient as the Reference. Remember, I am using the stock amps and head unit from the SE.
I should double check to ensure that the Kappa models are as efficient as the Reference. Remember, I am using the stock amps and head unit from the SE.
07-05-09, 04:28 PM
#17
Crutchfield would be the most reliable source, definately. Best Buy has the reference series, but not the Kappas. Personally, I'm not too worried about buying fake speakers on ebay unless the seller is in Hong Kong. Chances are you'll get the real deal BUT since ebay sellers aren't official Infinity retailers they will have no warranty except from the sellers themselves. Crutchfield is a authorized seller.
Last year I bought some Polk Momo MM650's for $100 for the MIata. I wish I had bought another pair now, the things are nowhere to be seen now.
I believe the Kappas are more efficient than the Reference, however I have read reviews that say the speakers don't really wake up until you put some amped power into them. There is a video review on Crutchfield for the Kappa series and they claim it will work fine with anything from stock head units to amps pushing 150 watts. My Polk speakers worked well enough with head unit power, much better than the Pioneers they replaced, but they absolutely came alive when I pumped in 100 watts RMS from an awesome amp. I would suspect the same out of the Kappas.
The Reference may be better as "stock replacements" at lower power levels though. I just can't see not buying the Kappas though when there is only a $20 difference on ebay, they would probably sound the same as the Reference on a stock stereo, but if you decided to upgrade your equipment they should sound amazing, without having to buy more speakers.
Last year I bought some Polk Momo MM650's for $100 for the MIata. I wish I had bought another pair now, the things are nowhere to be seen now.
I believe the Kappas are more efficient than the Reference, however I have read reviews that say the speakers don't really wake up until you put some amped power into them. There is a video review on Crutchfield for the Kappa series and they claim it will work fine with anything from stock head units to amps pushing 150 watts. My Polk speakers worked well enough with head unit power, much better than the Pioneers they replaced, but they absolutely came alive when I pumped in 100 watts RMS from an awesome amp. I would suspect the same out of the Kappas.
The Reference may be better as "stock replacements" at lower power levels though. I just can't see not buying the Kappas though when there is only a $20 difference on ebay, they would probably sound the same as the Reference on a stock stereo, but if you decided to upgrade your equipment they should sound amazing, without having to buy more speakers.
07-06-09, 10:58 AM
#20
My 7 is my girlfriend.
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The rears are actually 6.0", but there is room to trim the surrounding metal for 6.5"s to fit. I'm running Rockford Fosgate 5 1/4" 100W component speakers up front in custom made pods and Rockford 6.5" 50W 3-ways in the rear with a Rockford 400W 4 channel amp. Alpine deck with an IPod. Sounds great, usually I have it cranked and I love it. I bought everything except the rear speakers - bought at Best Buy a couple years earlier - from eBay and spent probably about 1/2 what I would have if I went to a store. There are a lot of decent sellers on eBay, just check the recent feedback before buying. You can see how I put the system together on my cardomain site in my sig.
07-06-09, 09:40 PM
#22
Sleeper but still slow
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I've got Pioneer all around but it's like the bottom of the barrel cheap i their lineup, I have NO base. I want to redo it soon, but at the time I was gonig from no sterio to somehting and I didn't know if I was keeping the car or buying another 2nd gen turbo, I decided I think th eFB is more fun and rewarding so I'll take soem advice in this thread too! I don't reccomend the most basic Pioneer speakers.
07-09-09, 10:45 PM
#23
Just a little update-I got the Infinity Kappas today and installed them into the FB. Squeezing modern speakers into the rears has always been a little tricky with the odd bolt pattern and lack of flat surfaces, and these were no exception. Infinity includes an adapter plate that did screw into the stock location, but it caused some mild vibration in the right speaker so I took it out. I ended up just drilling some new holes and mounting the speakers without using any of the adapter rings, and it fits perfectly.
The speakers work well, although I can't give a thorough SQ review since I have it hooked up to a really old crappy Aiwa stereo. The directional tweeters help a bit with imaging, but the sound is right heavy since the left tweeter is pointed at the back of the drivers seat. I desperately need to put in a new stereo and some front speakers for it to actually sound good.
Overall I'm happy, especially at the price, but I think I'm going to have to order some matching front speakers, and a better head unit down the road. I'm not going to go crazy though, my Miata already has a badass sound system since it is the relaxing car.
The speakers work well, although I can't give a thorough SQ review since I have it hooked up to a really old crappy Aiwa stereo. The directional tweeters help a bit with imaging, but the sound is right heavy since the left tweeter is pointed at the back of the drivers seat. I desperately need to put in a new stereo and some front speakers for it to actually sound good.
Overall I'm happy, especially at the price, but I think I'm going to have to order some matching front speakers, and a better head unit down the road. I'm not going to go crazy though, my Miata already has a badass sound system since it is the relaxing car.
07-10-09, 02:28 AM
#24
i'm a poser
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i really ought to get those kappas. hmm i'd like to have better front speakers first though(actually i have 0). i hate the stock location, and i don't really want to cut up my door panels... what can i do?
07-11-09, 09:46 AM
#25
My 7 is my girlfriend.
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Check my sig. The pods bolt onto the door using existing screw holes. The guys at the shop cut a small piece of the carpet at the bottom of the door out, but depending on the depth of your speaker you may not have to. Aside from the stock location or a total custom fiberglass job, that's really your only option.
