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  • #1

    need your opinion on speaker upgrade

    what's up all, what's the best speaker upgrade for a stock '96 firebird? I don't want a sub, just to replace the four factory speakers. I have an alpine CD deck in there, i remember it's 50W x 4.

    My goal is to get the best sound quality possible from upgrading the four speakers and nothing else. Right now, the Alpine deck at volume setting 9 or 10 is plenty loud on the factory speakers, but the clarity is definitely lacking.

    I don't know much about car speakers... and it's really hard to get a good feel in places like bestbuy.

    Thanks in advance!
    \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)
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  • #2
    do you want to use external amplifiers to power these speaker replacements? or do you just want to use your alpine deck to power them ?

    Comment

    • #3
      It also depends on your budget too. For a decent priced speaker with good sound I went with Fusion. They make crisp clear speakers for cheap. Better than Infinity, Polk, and similar speakers and usually 15% - %20 less for comparative speaker ratings.
      98 Silver Camaro V6<br />15.238 @91.74 w/ 2.288 60\'<br />Mods: K&N, FTRA, Pacesetter Headers, Spec 3 Clutch, 160 Thermo, TSP Rumbler, 3\" Catco, Whisper Lid, 3.42\'s w/LSD, Aluminum DS, Man Fan Switch<br /><br /> <a href=\"http://www.cardomain

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      • #4
        umdcam, for now I am not considering external amps, just the alpine deck. Is that a decision that I have to make now, or can the external amp be worked in later? But anyway, I know for sure I won't include any external amp in this upgrade.

        Nathan, my budget is the norm for a college junior... [img]smile.gif[/img] Obviously, I have to shoot for the most "bang for the buck". I am all about sound quality though, and I won't mind paying up if the quality's there. I guess you can say I am a budding audiophile hehe I will go for it if the speakers can really perform. I've just finished saving up enough to get a Gradeo SR-125 (headphone), and I am more than happy to start another round to upgrade the firebird.

        I just couldn't stand listening to those speakers in the firebird.... CDs sound so bad and muffled on them, almost sounds like they are down-sampled to radio quality.

        Are there any prominent websites or magazines that do good reviews of car speakers? I know they must exist, but I guess I haven't had much luck finding them. I'll google Fusion later today to see what I can dig up, but I'd appreciate further suggestions & info!
        \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

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        • #5
          keep in mind I won't be using a subwoofer now or in the future, so I am looking for speakers with good overall response.
          \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

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          • #6
            by the way, what does it mean by "component" speakers? Is that the type of connection used?

            so far still no luck on google... can't seem to find a good site (or any site for that matter) that reviews car speakers.
            \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

            Comment

            • #7
              what about this set of Infinity at circuit city:

              http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&oid=67918&m=1

              it's $99 for a pair of 2-way 6.5 inch, and 50% off for the 2nd pair.
              \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by lostatlantis:
                I've just finished saving up enough to get a Gradeo SR-125 (headphone)
                I assume you meant Grado.... [img]tongue.gif[/img] .... I just got a pair of Etymotic ER-4P's for myself. :D

                Sounds like your a perfect candidate for this thread. [img]smile.gif[/img] And a component set consists of 6 things. 2 woofers, 2 tweeters and 2 crossovers. Amp output (or headunit output) goes to the crossover. The crossover sends high frequencies to the tweeters and the lower frequencies to the woofer. Simple and easy to install. Builds a solid front stage.
                Red 96' A4 Firebird
                Audio Audio and Autotek
                Check it out here!

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by lostatlantis:
                  what about this set of Infinity at circuit city:

                  http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&oid=67918&m=1

                  it's $99 for a pair of 2-way 6.5 inch, and 50% off for the 2nd pair.
                  I have four of those in my car running off the stock HU, and they sounded incredible compared to the factory ones. I don't notice it as much now, but I had the rear ones only for a day until I had time to put the front ones in and I was turning off the front speakers just to hear the back ones.

                  I work at Circuit and everyone I know in the Roadshop is running those speakers. They're not the best thing out there, but they're pretty good for the price.
                  <a href=\"http://webpages.charter.net/camarov6/Car%20Pics/New/IMG_0085.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Black 2002 Camaro M5</a>-SS takeoff muffler, B&M Ripper, K&N Filter, 35/20% tint, Infinity speakers, Viper alarm, perpetually breaking clutch return spring mod. 15.49@90.15<br /><a href=\"http://webpages.charter.net/camarov6/Car%20Pics/P14.JPG\" target=\"_blank\">Pewter 2002 Firebird M5 (Dad\'s Car)</a>

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                  • #10
                    yep 96firebird311, that was Grado, sorry for the spelling [img]smile.gif[/img] and congrats on your new headphones!

                    The component setup seems to be the way to go, but I think for my budget that's outta the question. I am looking to just replace the speakers easily. Yeah I understand the soundstage and imaging will still be screwed up, but as long as the sound is clear then that'll do fine for now.

                    02PewterBird, I bet you got some nice discounts off those speakers from CC... [img]smile.gif[/img] I worked at Circuit City during high school, and I know the huge employee discount they have for car audio. Almost everyone had a setup going. I got the alpine deck through that too. Anyway, I basically found the infinities just browsing through CC's website. Is that the best for $150? I am going to get all four speakers replaced, and $150 is a reasonable budget. Do you know if there's any big sales coming up, at CC or any other place?

                    by the way, do stores install speakers for free? and also, I noticed the firebird's speakers are actually 6 3/4 in, a somewhat odd size since most speakers are 6.5 in. Does that even matter at all?
                    \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

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                    • #11
                      Found another interesting set:

                      http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....6&type=product

                      it's Sony's XS-V1630A... $69.99 for a pair, so it's just under the $150 for the infinity for all four speakers. This one's 3-way vs Infinity's two way. In theory I know 3-way should be better, but then again other factors come into play as well. Any comments/suggestions on this Sony set? Do they even make decent speakers?
                      \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        right now, I am leaning toward the infinity at Circuit city... but I am not sure if they have free installation or not. Also the sale price is good thru June 26, so I have to decide within the next two days.

                        so if you want to give your input, do it now! [img]smile.gif[/img]
                        \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by lostatlantis:
                          Found another interesting set:

                          In theory I know 3-way should be better, but then again other factors come into play as well.
                          :rolleyes: Why?

                          "In theory," would a 4-way be better than a 3-way? What if Infinity made a 10-way? Wouldn't that be 10 times better? You're falling for a marketing ploy hook, line, and sinker. You also said that your HU's amplifier is a 50x4. I doubt it. It's probably a 22x4. Check your owner's manual for the RMS rating, not the peak rating on the box.

                          For $150, those Infinity two-ways sound like a decent deal if you're willing to settle for a mid-range speaker. The higher end manufacturers like CDT and Focal have 6.5's that go for about $130/pair. If that's out of your price range, then I'd settle for the Infinity's.

                          Then again, if I were you, I wouldn't even bother with replacing the rear sail speakers. They only make a minor contribution to the soundstage. I'd spend the $130 on a pair of Focal 165CA's . They're extremely efficient drivers and do well down low for systems that lack subwoofers.
                          ╓<br />║ Matt M<br />║ <a href=\"http://home.austin.rr.com/morrism/3800/sunset_logo2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Down with the Sixxness</a> <br />║ Polo Green 1995 3.8 Camaro<br />║ intake, cat, catback, shocks, 3.42\'s, and 12\'s in the trunk<br />╙

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                          • #14
                            good point man. Like I said before, there are many other factors that affect sound quality, with the number of woofers/tweeters being just one of them.

                            And yeah I know the Alpine HU most likley isn't 50W RMS; I never said it was. Like you said, that's probably peak power. I remember the manual didn't list RMS info, and I had to go online to look it up. However I forgot the model number of the unit and right now I am too lazy to walk 15min to the campus garage [img]smile.gif[/img]

                            your reply is actually what I've been waiting for. I've been searching for higher end car speakers but I honestly couldn't find much useful info. What are some other good high end manufacturers beside CDT and Focal?

                            Not replacing the back speakers is a good idea... haven't thought of that. But our front speakers are in pretty bad locations near the feet area, I always thought the rear speakers contributed more because of that. The 165CA's sounds great - exactly what I am looking for, efficient and good bass w/out sub. Is $133 a "good" price for it or just average?

                            time for bed~
                            \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

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                            • #15
                              by the way, what are some serious websites for reading and researching car speakers?
                              \'96 dark green V6 Firebird<br />Y87 Performance package<br />front license plate with silver firebird insignia<br />alpine CD deck<br />T-top<br />Tinted windows @ 27%<br />low mileage (just broke 45000 not long ago!)<br /><br />waiting for first performance mod :)

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