Car Audio and Electronics Custom car audio/electronics questions and discussion

I need help understanding something.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 23, 2004 | 04:05 PM
  #1  
Ramune's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 288
From: Minnesota
I need help understanding something.

I don't have the monsoon system, if that helps anyone.

My current head unit has these stats:

Maximum Watts per Channel 52 x 4
RMS Wattage 23.2 x 4

So, if I'm looking for new speakers, I just want a set of speakers that can run under the RMS wattage of 23.2, right? So I ask, why would the people at the shops be preasuring me to buy some expensive *** speakers that can handle 50 watts RMS? Well, other than the obvious reason.
Old Aug 23, 2004 | 07:20 PM
  #2  
97FormulaWS-6's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
Re: I need help understanding something.

Well, I can tell you that that HU puts out that much power with a TON of distortion, which is NOT good for speakers.

Typically running your speakers off your HU is ok, it's not great, but it works. The reason for recommending speakers like that is because most decent speakers which are worth you spending $$ on, all have a RMS rating of atleast 50W, if not 75Wrms. Not to mention if you ever want to upgrade later, you'll have to buy everything again.

BTW what HU are u running?
Old Aug 23, 2004 | 09:45 PM
  #3  
Ramune's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 288
From: Minnesota
Re: I need help understanding something.

I'm using this.

No way I'm buying another amp for speakers. Since such is the case, am I better of just sticking with my stock speakers?
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 06:37 AM
  #4  
97FormulaWS-6's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
Re: I need help understanding something.

No, aftermarket speakers will sound better than stockers. What speakers where you thinking of buying?

I'd recommend the following:

Alpine
Infinity
CDT
Kicker

Pioneers are ok, nothing impressive
Avoid Sony's, Pyles, and other no-name brands

Probably a decent set of base-model co-axials should work just fine for you. Those were suggestions for brands that are most likely in your price range.
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 08:56 AM
  #5  
Lions3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 438
From: Winnipeg
Re: I need help understanding something.

One of my co-workers is running a set of Alpine SPX-177A's off his head unit, and they sound awesome! Obviously they'll sound better on an amp.

For what you have though, I'd actually recommend Infinity Reference series co-axials. They'll sound nice off the head unit, are very efficient, and the uni-pivot tweeter helps with imagining.
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 10:19 AM
  #6  
LWillmann's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,831
From: Middle Tennessee
Re: I need help understanding something.

If anything you want a speaker that will handle MORE RMS power than your head unit puts out.

RMS power is the key, so some speakers that will handle 35-50watts RMS would be a great choice.
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 03:21 PM
  #7  
Ramune's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 288
From: Minnesota
Re: I need help understanding something.

Hmm... thanks for the new info. Going with that, I'd probably get one of these.

Kicker

Alpine

Infinity

As for the cables, I'm probalby going to have a place like bb install the speakers if I do this. I don't feel like I'm qualified to do it myself. I could probably buy the parts myself and not have to pay their prices. Where would you buy the coaxials?
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 04:15 PM
  #8  
97FormulaWS-6's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
Re: I need help understanding something.

I don't personally know of any install shop that will install equipment that they did not sell you, so that idea maybe outta luck.

Those speakers are all co-axial speakers; that means the tweeter is on the same axis as the driver, typically mounted together. The other type are components, where the tweeter comes seperate from the driver.
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 09:21 PM
  #9  
Lions3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 438
From: Winnipeg
Re: I need help understanding something.

Most shops should install anything you bring in. The only thing is they don't honour the other manufacturers warranty, so you'll have to pay to have them removed and sent off should they blow.
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 09:47 PM
  #10  
Ramune's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 288
From: Minnesota
Re: I need help understanding something.

Originally Posted by 97FormulaWS-6
Those speakers are all co-axial speakers; that means the tweeter is on the same axis as the driver, typically mounted together. The other type are components, where the tweeter comes seperate from the driver.
Heh, swing and a miss from me.

Most shops should install anything you bring in. The only thing is they don't honour the other manufacturers warranty, so you'll have to pay to have them removed and sent off should they blow.
That's what I've seen around here.

So, which of those speakers do you think would be the best?

Edit: Also, they fit right? It's 6.5 for the regular old firebird?

Last edited by Ramune; Aug 24, 2004 at 10:43 PM.
Old Aug 25, 2004 | 07:00 AM
  #11  
moparman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 2,761
From: Louisville, KY
Re: I need help understanding something.

The normal speaker size in a F-Body is 6.75 inches, also known as oversize 6.5 inches. Go to Crutchfield's site and play around with their speaker selection interface.
Old Aug 25, 2004 | 12:25 PM
  #12  
Ramune's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 288
From: Minnesota
Re: I need help understanding something.

Originally Posted by moparman
The normal speaker size in a F-Body is 6.75 inches, also known as oversize 6.5 inches. Go to Crutchfield's site and play around with their speaker selection interface.
Hah, now that you mention that, the reason I asked is because crutchfield didn't list any of the 6.5s as being able to fit my car.
Old Aug 25, 2004 | 06:54 PM
  #13  
LWillmann's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,831
From: Middle Tennessee
Re: I need help understanding something.

If you buy the speakers from Crutchfield, they will include detailed instructions and the wiring harnesses to connect your new speakers to your factory wiring without cutting a thing... Plus the free technical support you'll get via the phone for live, it's great...

6 3/4" coax and tri-ax speakers at Crutchfield: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IqkYycf...&avf=Y&search=

6-3/4" component speakers at Crutchfield: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IqkYycf...&avf=Y&search=

I had it list speakers for a 1997 Pontiac Firebird....
Old Aug 25, 2004 | 09:33 PM
  #14  
Ramune's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 288
From: Minnesota
Re: I need help understanding something.

Funny thin about crutchfield, I always go to them whenever I've looked for something, but I always go somewhere else to buy. Crutchfield is so helpful, but their prices are higher than most. Case in point, I listened to the advice of Lions3, and bought these particular speakers. However, I managed to snag them for 50 bucks a pair.
Old Aug 26, 2004 | 07:13 AM
  #15  
moparman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 2,761
From: Louisville, KY
Re: I need help understanding something.

I agree that Crutchfield is higher priced that most. Other than that, Crutchfield may be the most trusted internet retailer there is.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:09 PM.