csj0952

Is the Alpine Type S speakers still the best option for me if I don't want to upgrade my AMP?

Is there any other options that are as easy to install and require no cutting?

The Alpine thread is dating back to 2004 so I wanted to make sure there's nothing better 3 years later that can be driven by our factory AMP and be a huge improvement over stock speakers.

Thanks,
Chris

Jeff_B

I've heard that Alpine Type S really aren't that good from a lot of people on other forums, etc. Generally, brands such as DLS, Polk, MB Quart, etc, are a lot more respected. With that said, you don't want to use a speaker that needs a lot more power than the factory amp can provide.

I just ordered DLS 225 for the front doors and Boston Acoustics S95 6x9 for the rear deck, and am going to be using the factory amp. I'm going to disconnect the rear doors. I haven't gotten the parts in the mail yet, but once I install I'll post a thread on how it turns out.

bullyx2

Jeff. You are aware that the signal going to the rear deck isn't full range, and is only bass, correct?

Jeff_B

Yes. If I want full range going to the 6x9s, I'll just wire the rear door speaker outputs to them... but I'll probably leave it alone since I want most of the mids and highs coming from the front of the car, not the rear.

vthree

iTrader: (1)

i really like the way my infinity references (6x9s and 6.5s in the front) hit hard... while still using the stock amp.. also you dont have to cut the wires, you can just use the metra adapter... it plugs into the stock plug then has prongs on the other end... i think my inifinity's actually hit harder than the alpines 6x9s... alpines seem to be better for clarity, but when it comes to bass. i think the infinities win.

minkl81

iTrader: (2)

TypeS isn't that bad speaker for money. But not the best though. I prefer Infinity Kappa

Jeff_B

The Kappas are good sounding speakers, but all the ones I looked at were 2-ohm and I didn't want to run 2-ohm speakers with the factory amp. With that said, the Kappas seem to be pretty efficient, so you shouldn't need to crank up the volume and risk causing any damage.

bullyx2

Are you talking about Kappa co-ax or components? I have used both in the past in other cars and really liked them. But I would be afraid of Kappa tweeters in the TSX dash location since they are soooo bright.

csj0952

So what is the most efficient speaker that will be a decent upgrade for me with an easy installation? So far I'm looking to just install the rear deck and side doors. I'll probably leave the front tweeters alone since they seem like a pain to switch out?

I am not looking for something that is too boomey as I don't listen to hip-hop or heavy bass. I like clarity and midrange.

Thanks,
Chris

csj0952

I've heard that the MB Quartz are good for midrange, can I run these on a stock amp?

minkl81

iTrader: (2)

actually any decent aftermarket speakers will sound better than oem speakers. i've been running aftermarket speakers with stock amp for two years and they sound much clearer. now all of them are powered up with JL 6450e.

csj0952

So what's a good speaker for solid midrange? I am more of a listener of Rock, Acoustic, etc. than boomey HipHop. I like clarity and being able to hear vocals and guitars....

Can I get a couple of suggestions? Including model numbers please.

Thanks,
Chris

jlukja

Chris,
What price range are you looking in?

bullyx2

Speaker preferences are very subjective. What someone here recommends might sound like garbage to you, while something you like might sound awful to me. Go visit a few shops with some famiiar CD's and listen. We can all give our opinions, but at the end of the day, you're the one who has to live with them.

n1ke5h

i love my alpines and definitely thing feel that ive have gotten the most "bang" for that buck no but really i spent about $170 total for 2 pairs of the 6.5's and 1 pair of the 6x9's shipped. installation was a breeze with the bracket they provide (does require drilling but not too bad, i had never installed any electronics in a car in my life before i did this). the sound is amazing compared to stock, and you cant dog on the 6x9s in the back, they hit almost as hard as if i had 1 10" sub. and theyre clear all the way up to the volume set to 40 on the stock amp. decibel wise the volume may be a tab bit lower than with the stock speakers, but you cant play the stock speakers past 35 without them starting to sound like ass. i can put my treble and bass boosted to +6 without distortion, however i usually keep my treble at 0 because the tweeters on the 6.5s are really clear already, and the bass i keep at +3 to keep from going deaf when i have the music turned up all the way. i still wish i had a sub, but thats just because i crave bass that makes you feel like your gonna skip heartbeats. the only thing i would have done differently if i could go back would be to get one set of component 6.5 for the front and replace the stock tweeters with the alpine ones, minus the crossovers since you dont need them, however i can probably find better tweeters for cheaper, especially since i wont have to spend more money on the crossovers - oh yea now i remember why i didnt get the crossovers

the seller called discountjungle on amazon.com is where i got mine for so cheap - i dont think he has many sets in stock left though...
http://www.amazon.com/b/104-3053428-...A2TGMCZ4O2P52Z

Jeff_B

I installed the DLS 225s in the front doors and am really impressed with the sound quality, even using the factory amp. Installation was easy using the brackets from http://www.millionbuy.com/aihsb518.html and adhesive foam tape. I haven't heard the Alpines so I can't compare, but if you are looking for coaxials for the front doors I can definitely recommend the 225s.

One is the things that surprised me most was the big improvement in bass given the fact that I downsized to 5.25". I still haven't installed the Boston S95s in the rear deck.

daicacharco

do you know what size the tweeters are?

Jeff_B

The tweeter is 16mm (.63"). I wanted to use the DLS 425s which have a 20mm silk dome tweeter, but I don't think the magnets will fit in the hole without cutting and thought they'd be underpowered. The 80mm magnet on the DLS 225 barely fit (but it does fit without rubbing or touching the metal).