Car Audio gurus.

[userman]

Im thinking about installing new speakers and an amp in the firebird. The current amp is ****** and blew all the speakers.
The radio itself is good. Its and Pioneer mosfet 50 wx4 and if possible i would like to keep it.

Anyone know of a good kit I could buy that comes with subs and front speakers/tweeters? and a good amp?

It doesnt have to be the best sounding system but hopefully $500.00 or less

 

[Howard]

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=1090

These aren't bad, but you need to check if they'll fit.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: userman
Im thinking about installing new speakers and an amp in the firebird. The current amp is ****** and blew all the speakers.
The radio itself is good. Its and Pioneer mosfet 50 wx4 and if possible i would like to keep it.

Anyone know of a good kit I could buy that comes with subs and front speakers/tweeters? and a good amp?

It doesnt have to be the best sounding system but hopefully $500.00 or less

Are you running on stock deck?

 

[userman]

I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

 

[userman]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

No im not an audio guy. plus my wife drives it way more than I do.

and not its not the stock deck. The stock was a delco something.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

 

[Howard]

userman, you any good at woodworking?

 

[userman]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

It depends. I worked at my dads construction company for a few summers.

I can build a wooden box if thats what you are asking.

 

[Howard]

Right-o. Possible solutions:

TC Sounds TC-7 in a ~2 ft^3 sealed box, internal volume of course
Dayton Audio RSS315HF-4 in a 2-3 ft^3 sealed box
Dayton Audio RSS315HO-4 in a ~2 ft^3 vented box tuned to ~25Hz, for up to 6dB more output than the preceding system

All solutions will likely require EQ to be flat in the cabin, though your head unit should be able to handle that.

A box with thicker walls and more efficient bracing will allow for less secondary output. matrix bracing - overkill for car audio, but you should throw in at least one cross-brace on the widest sides. Remember to stuff (polyester fiber or whatnot) sealed boxes to increase internal volume for free. Vented boxes can make good use of stuffing as well - see here.

 

[deerslayer]

I'm assuming you want a component set AND subwoofers?

Or by "subwoofers" do you really mean "midrange".

Regardless, Howard knows his stuff. I haven't kept up on car audio stuff, but when I was into it, I heard good things about CDT component sets.

 

[userman]

Im looking to replace every speaker in the car. regardless of what it really is. Also I need a new amp. 500.00 is the limit.
Ill get the specs on the speaker size tomorrow. The doors im sure are 6.5 with like 2 inch tweeters? The subs in the trunk i am not sure of the size.

 

[Black88GTA]

What year Firebird?

And FYI, it's not usually amp quality (or lack thereof) that causes speakers to blow out. What probably happened was that the speakers couldn't handle the extra power coming from the amp - or, potentially harmful frequencies weren't being filtered out. In other words, a pair of 3.5" dash speakers won't last long if played at high volumes without some sort of device to filter out bass frequencies (x-over, bass blocker, etc) even if the power levels are appropriate for it.

With the budget you have, I would concentrate on replacing the blown out speakers first. Get something that is a better fit for your existing amp (in terms of RMS wattage), and make sure that everything is crossed over properly. This means high frequencies (and nothing else) for tweeters, midrange frequencies (and nothing else) for mids and mid-woofers, and bass frequencies (and nothing else) for subs. Running everything full-range is a good way to ensure a system that sounds muddy and terrible, and is also an excellent way to damage good speakers.

Do this first, and then decide if you need another amp. $500 will get you a lot farther if you only have to replace speakers (and maybe a crossover) than it will if you have to factor a new amp in there too.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

Actually it does, it reflects on how big of an audiophile he is.

He doesn't know the name of the amp, or subs, and I've never even HEARD of delco for decks.

My first thing would be to replace the deck, then speakers, then worry about the subs and amps later.

Theres no sense in getting a nice amp and sub if you're going to be getting poor sound from the deck.

 

[Shawn]

http://www.discountjungle.net usually has some really good deals.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

Actually it does, it reflects on how big of an audiophile he is.

He doesn't know the name of the amp, or subs, and I've never even HEARD of delco for decks.

My first thing would be to replace the deck, then speakers, then worry about the subs and amps later.

Theres no sense in getting a nice amp and sub if you're going to be getting poor sound from the deck.

"reflects on how big of an audiophile he is"

So what exactly is that supposed to mean, anyway? Are you an audiophile? Why are you an audiophile? Does your reason have anything to do with, I don't know, music?

Compared with a discrete amp, components, and a sub, the head unit doesn't offer much by way of bang for the buck. Unless you're saying the DAC is the bottleneck...?

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
What year Firebird?

And FYI, it's not usually amp quality (or lack thereof) that causes speakers to blow out. What probably happened was that the speakers couldn't handle the extra power coming from the amp - or, potentially harmful frequencies weren't being filtered out. In other words, a pair of 3.5" dash speakers won't last long if played at high volumes without some sort of device to filter out bass frequencies (x-over, bass blocker, etc) even if the power levels are appropriate for it.

With the budget you have, I would concentrate on replacing the blown out speakers first. Get something that is a better fit for your existing amp (in terms of RMS wattage), and make sure that everything is crossed over properly. This means high frequencies (and nothing else) for tweeters, midrange frequencies (and nothing else) for mids and mid-woofers, and bass frequencies (and nothing else) for subs. Running everything full-range is a good way to ensure a system that sounds muddy and terrible, and is also an excellent way to damage good speakers.

Do this first, and then decide if you need another amp. $500 will get you a lot farther if you only have to replace speakers (and maybe a crossover) than it will if you have to factor a new amp in there too.

Depends, I don't even think this guys speakers were wired through his amp, given his lack of knowledge I'd assume that everything in this car was done pretty cheaply.

Namely an analog run from the amp to the cheap deck (I doubt it has digital outputs), with the speakers still running from the deck.

My first suggestion would be start with the deck, get a quality deck for around 200 bucks that can power your speakers, so you don't have to spring for a 6 channel amp, which to be honest, won't provide tons of power for your sub anyways. Replace the speakers.

Then get a mono block for a single sub, or a 2-channel amp for your 2 subs.

To replace everything well and to get good sound you're looking at

175 -- Deck
200? -- Speakers maybe more
200-300-- monoblock or 2 channel amp

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

Actually it does, it reflects on how big of an audiophile he is.

He doesn't know the name of the amp, or subs, and I've never even HEARD of delco for decks.

My first thing would be to replace the deck, then speakers, then worry about the subs and amps later.

Theres no sense in getting a nice amp and sub if you're going to be getting poor sound from the deck.

He mentioned in the OP that he has a Pioneer 50x4 deck. The stock deck in most GM vehicles is Delco brand.

This would be easier if he had some sort of specs on the amp though.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

Actually it does, it reflects on how big of an audiophile he is.

He doesn't know the name of the amp, or subs, and I've never even HEARD of delco for decks.

My first thing would be to replace the deck, then speakers, then worry about the subs and amps later.

Theres no sense in getting a nice amp and sub if you're going to be getting poor sound from the deck.

"reflects on how big of an audiophile he is"

So what exactly is that supposed to mean, anyway? Are you an audiophile? Why are you an audiophile? Does your reason have anything to do with, I don't know, music?

Compared with a discrete amp, components, and a sub, the head unit doesn't offer much by way of bang for the buck. Unless you're saying the DAC is the bottleneck...?

I'm just saying that this whole sub could be done better, plus this guy hasn't really provided us with a ton of information.

Are we to assume he has a 6 channel amp powering his subs and speakers? He hasn't told us that it's that, or whether it's wired into his deck.

It would be alot easier to assess the problem if we knew all the details about the system.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

Actually it does, it reflects on how big of an audiophile he is.

He doesn't know the name of the amp, or subs, and I've never even HEARD of delco for decks.

My first thing would be to replace the deck, then speakers, then worry about the subs and amps later.

Theres no sense in getting a nice amp and sub if you're going to be getting poor sound from the deck.

He mentioned in the OP that he has a Pioneer 50x4 deck. The stock deck in most GM vehicles is Delco brand.

This would be easier if he had some sort of specs on the amp though.

Well then, assuming that his deck powers the speakers (which if he has a pioneer 50x4) I assume it does, then the amp wouldn't have anything to do with blowing the speakers.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
What year Firebird?

And FYI, it's not usually amp quality (or lack thereof) that causes speakers to blow out. What probably happened was that the speakers couldn't handle the extra power coming from the amp - or, potentially harmful frequencies weren't being filtered out. In other words, a pair of 3.5" dash speakers won't last long if played at high volumes without some sort of device to filter out bass frequencies (x-over, bass blocker, etc) even if the power levels are appropriate for it.

With the budget you have, I would concentrate on replacing the blown out speakers first. Get something that is a better fit for your existing amp (in terms of RMS wattage), and make sure that everything is crossed over properly. This means high frequencies (and nothing else) for tweeters, midrange frequencies (and nothing else) for mids and mid-woofers, and bass frequencies (and nothing else) for subs. Running everything full-range is a good way to ensure a system that sounds muddy and terrible, and is also an excellent way to damage good speakers.

Do this first, and then decide if you need another amp. $500 will get you a lot farther if you only have to replace speakers (and maybe a crossover) than it will if you have to factor a new amp in there too.

Depends, I don't even think this guys speakers were wired through his amp, given his lack of knowledge I'd assume that everything in this car was done pretty cheaply.

Namely an analog run from the amp to the cheap deck (I doubt it has digital outputs), with the speakers still running from the deck.

My first suggestion would be start with the deck, get a quality deck for around 200 bucks that can power your speakers, so you don't have to spring for a 6 channel amp, which to be honest, won't provide tons of power for your sub anyways. Replace the speakers.

Then get a mono block for a single sub, or a 2-channel amp for your 2 subs.

To replace everything well and to get good sound you're looking at

175 -- Deck
200? -- Speakers maybe more
200-300-- monoblock or 2 channel amp

OP, it would be very helpful if you could provide details about your existing deck, amp, speakers, etc., and also some system connection details (which speakers are amplified and which are running off the deck, how much RMS wattage the amped speakers are getting, whether or not any crossovers are in place, etc).

Often, speakers will blow out because they are underpowered as well. If a speaker receives "instructions" from the deck to play at a certain volume, and the wattage isn't there to back it up, the speaker will distort and blow out.

Almost all aftermarket speakers 5-1/4" and larger should be able to handle the power output from any headunit, but will pop if asked to perform tasks for which they were not designed (heavy bass from door speakers, for example).

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

Actually it does, it reflects on how big of an audiophile he is.

He doesn't know the name of the amp, or subs, and I've never even HEARD of delco for decks.

My first thing would be to replace the deck, then speakers, then worry about the subs and amps later.

Theres no sense in getting a nice amp and sub if you're going to be getting poor sound from the deck.

He mentioned in the OP that he has a Pioneer 50x4 deck. The stock deck in most GM vehicles is Delco brand.

This would be easier if he had some sort of specs on the amp though.

Well then, assuming that his deck powers the speakers (which if he has a pioneer 50x4) I assume it does, then the amp wouldn't have anything to do with blowing the speakers.

He stated in the OP that "the current amp is ****** and blew all the speakers." I assumed he was running a dual-amp system, and that he was blaming the speaker amp for knocking out his speakers. I also assumed he knew which speakers had external amps, and which didn't...maybe I'm assuming too much.

BTW, I have a Pioneer 50x4 deck...running through the car's factory amplifier. This will be changed as soon as it warms up (I will be adding a decent amp and not using the deck power). Point being, just because he has a 50x4 aftermarket deck doesn't necessarily mean that he will be running the speakers off of the internal amp in the HU.

 

[QueBert]

He wants to spend 500 total, that ain't much to work with, my opinion would be to Ebay it all.

You could pick up a nice refurbished 4 channel Kicker amp for about 150 that should do hi/low, could run 2 channels to your fronts and bridge the other 2 to the sub.

speakers hummm get Polk Momo's, the older ones (they rock hard) for about 150 on ebay. that'll leave you about 200 bucks, get a single 12" Kicker Comp VR sub and a nice box you should be under your $500 mark and your system will sound hella good.

I am not 100% sure if the Kicker amps can do hi & low combined, but I know many amps do exist that'll let you run both. the Momo's sound SWEET they suck up juice, but the Kicker amp should do just fine.

kicker amp

Polk Momo's

Kicker Comp VR 10"

I suggest a Comp VR sub because they're inexpensive and can run clean as hell without needing a whole lot of watts.

 

[NaOH]

I have a set of good alpine Type S components. They were also 6.5" and satisfy me fine. I also have the rears and they're running off an alpine amp. Good stuff, I'd get a sub but I'm fine with the sound and will be putting money towards a car more worthwhile Everything cost a little below 500.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: userman
I think that I have 6.5 and smaller tweeters in the driver and passenger doors. Im not sure what the subs are.

You don't even know what subs are in your car?

Does it matter? He wants new ones.

Actually it does, it reflects on how big of an audiophile he is.

He doesn't know the name of the amp, or subs, and I've never even HEARD of delco for decks.

My first thing would be to replace the deck, then speakers, then worry about the subs and amps later.

Theres no sense in getting a nice amp and sub if you're going to be getting poor sound from the deck.

He mentioned in the OP that he has a Pioneer 50x4 deck. The stock deck in most GM vehicles is Delco brand.

This would be easier if he had some sort of specs on the amp though.

Well then, assuming that his deck powers the speakers (which if he has a pioneer 50x4) I assume it does, then the amp wouldn't have anything to do with blowing the speakers.

He stated in the OP that "the current amp is ****** and blew all the speakers." I assumed he was running a dual-amp system, and that he was blaming the speaker amp for knocking out his speakers. I also assumed he knew which speakers had external amps, and which didn't...maybe I'm assuming too much.

BTW, I have a Pioneer 50x4 deck...running through the car's factory amplifier. This will be changed as soon as it warms up (I will be adding a decent amp and not using the deck power). Point being, just because he has a 50x4 aftermarket deck doesn't necessarily mean that he will be running the speakers off of the internal amp in the HU.

If you dropped enough coin to get two amps or a 6 channel amp, he'd know it.

He doesn't.

I'd assume that what I said is correct for the time being.

I'm not sure what would cause the speakers to blow. Maybe the deck wasn't gounded properly.