School me on speakers for the tow rig...

farmboy

farmboy

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I blew a speaker in the F-350 on the passengers side. Heck, I don't even listen to the radio loud! Anyway, I need to get a new set, but on a budget. What's going to be a little better than stock without breaking the bank? I'm no speaker expert, and I don't want subs, or an amp, or anything like that - but I wouldn't mind a little better sound. I grabbed a set of 6x9 Sony Xplods from walmart, rated at 240 watts, but a few folks have told me that they are too big for that area without a few small mods (no problem there...) and that the Sonys are junk. What do you guys think? Any suggestions? Thanks!

2004 F-350 Lariat - stock 6 disk changer

- Mac
 
Thanks Greg! I'm certainly no audiofile, so they will probably work for me. I'm not ready to drop serious coin on Aplines, or any high dollar speakers.
 
It looks that you prob need a 6x8 speaker, but with mods a 6x9 will fit..... and hte 6x9s are alot cheaper typically... Like said bfor, as long as youre not an audionut you prob wont be disappointed in the sony's..... If u have the time, you could always goto a best buy, or circuit city and listen to the different brands of speakers they have to get a gist of how they sound

Are you replacing all 4 or just 2? If just 2, depending on the factory speakers in the truck, you may haveto readjust the balance becasue of the increased resistance of aftermarket speakers
 
There is a Best Buy close to the house, so I will go by there and check it out - but since I have the 6x9's, I might just make them fit, as long as there are no big objections to the Sony Xplodes. For another $60, I can replace the rears as well. Thanks!

- Mac
 
Check with one of your local car stereo shops. JL Audio has a cheaper line called TMA if you can find these, they rock for the money. I have been selling this stuff for 6 months and have had no returns yet. You should be able to get a set of
5x7's for around 60.00. If you want PM me and I will price you a set shipped to your door.
 
If it was me, I'd see if you can pull some stock speakers from a junker. Either that or troll some of the forums and see if you can get some stock speakers from someone who is upgrading. I'd give you mine, but I think I already tossed them.

In my opinion, you're rarely going to see improvement by adding an aftermarket speaker to a stock stereo. In fact my experience has been the opposite. You're milage may vary, but typically the aftermarket speakers are going to demand more power than the stock head unit will provide.

Jeff
 
You should really rethink the whole no subs, amp, dvd player, show system. After all we need to overkill everything we do. In all seriousness the xplodes aren't bad. I have had them and with a stock head unit or even a cheap aftermarket one you will get more distortion through the wires and radio. Sad thing is that I can't wait until I save up enough for the $60 speakers for mine.
 
If you arent looking for the best quality and are ok with the volume level that you have just replace the front ones with better quality. Id return the 6x9's and buy some 5x7's or 6x8's. Audio Masters in Pineville sells TMA and Memphis Audio. Cheap lines with great sound. With the 6x9's you might run into a depth problem with the window track or even the window. (if you are talking about the door) If it is a rear speaker put the new ones in the front and one of the front ones in the rear. (you dont sit back there)
 
X2 on checking the depth.... it may be an issue for you.... and as before if the aftermarket speakers have more resistance then the stockers (4-8 ohm, compared to 2) then youll haveta turn the radio up more to get the same volume level.... but a higher resistance speaker typically has better sound quality
 
So I guess that bigger isn't always better when it comes to speakers. Is it a problem that these are rated for 240 watts? I'm not even sure what that means. I'll check and see if there's a depth problem. If there is, I'll check out AudioMasters. Thanks for all of the suggestions guys!
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
X2 on checking the depth.... it may be an issue for you.... and as before if the aftermarket speakers have more resistance then the stockers (4-8 ohm, compared to 2) then youll haveta turn the radio up more to get the same volume level.... but a higher resistance speaker typically has better sound quality
Click to expand...



98% Of car audio replacement speakers are 4 ohm so that shouldnt be a concern.
 
jeepn-jason said:
98% Of car audio replacement speakers are 4 ohm so that shouldnt be a concern.
Click to expand...

yeah i know... but there are alot of factory systems that set their audio up to run 2ohm speakers... atleast I know a lot of DC stuff is that way

not a big issue either way for 95% of the population as youll prob never notice it, just as you may never notice the diff between low or high end speakers
 
I replaced my stock speaker with Kenwood 2 ways a few years ago. then I added some small 8" kicker subs and some tweeters. I have since lost the subs, but the Kenwoods still sound great with little distortion, even with the head unit cranked up. I think I spent a total of around $150 for the speakers (Best Buy) and they are 5x7 / 6x8 speakers in the doors.
 
farmboy said:
So I guess that bigger isn't always better when it comes to speakers. Is it a problem that these are rated for 240 watts? I'm not even sure what that means.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about the power rating.. It's near useless anyway. It's like those UTQQ (or whatever the AA, A, B, C traction/temp thing is) ratings on tires. :lol:

Even if you're not an audiophile, do grab a CD and go listen to a few different ones... you might find that more $$ doesn't = better when it comes to what sounds good.
 
I ended up going to Best Buy, and got a set of Infiniti 6x8 speakers on sale for $55, normally $105, so I'm happy! They sound great, and bolted right in. Nice and easy. Did them in the driveway in about 15 minues on Friday night. They sound better than stock, for sure. I took the Sonys back to Wally world.

- Mac
 
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