Replacing car speakers

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StoleMyOwnCar

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I recently bought a new Subaru Impreza. I really don't care for the stock speakers that come with it by default, and am looking to replace them. My car mechanic has a cousin that does this for a living (the guy is pretty competent and honest so I am hoping his cousin is as well), so I'm going to go see him about this sometime soon enough. I'm curious as to what some good budget suggestions for car sound would be.

I'm not really a bass person. Priority is on the highs and mids. Subaru did have some kind of upgraded sound package that you could do, but "Kicker" audio just screams "WE'RE BASS ORIENTED" to me, so I'm not really jumping on that train. Would prefer to install my own choice in there. Not that I mind bass, but I want it to be controlled and not overpowering.

So yeah. Curious as to what some well-priced options would be that he might suggest, or that I should maybe buy. I know there's all that jazz about room treatment and cars being terrible places to listen and etc etc... but there are still good and bad woofers and tweeters regardless. These are bad, I want good. Any thoughts?
 
I did this list off the top of my head. I'm sure that there are many more terrific manufacturers to choose from. ;)

Focal makes damn nice car stereo mids and highs.
http://www.focal.com/en/43-car-audio-systems

JBL is awesome also at everything car audio. They even have devices to integrate into the factory system if you want more power, change speakers, etc but keep everything else like the head unit factory. They even have time alignment gear. :) :) :)
http://www.jbl.com/car-audio/

Zapco makes some sexy amplifiers.
http://zapco.co/

Rockford Fosgate has stood the test of time. I used to covet their amplifiers.
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/

MTX makes some terrific amplifiers. I always wanted a XTANT amplifier.
https://www.mtx.com/

DD Audio makes great subs and amplifiers. One of their 8" subs like I'm about to link fed with a 400 - 800 watt RMS amplifier would rock your world and sound great.
http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobile-audio/woofers/sw2508


Places to buy from.
Local shop of course is easiest.

Many manufacturers sell direct on their website like JBL, DD Audio, etc does when there isn't a local dealer. Look on the manufacturers website or give them a quick call to see how they warranty items bought over the internet. With that said here are some places to buy car stereo over the internet.

WoofersEtc.
http://www.woofersetc.com/

Sonic Electronix
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/

Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/

Crutchfield
http://www.crutchfield.com/

Great place to hang out and dream about what to add next to your car stereo.
http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/
 
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So for JBL and Focal, what would you folks say is the sweet price point for them? I'm looking over their options and some of them seem pretty reasonable. I'm looking for like maybe 500-700 (1000 max) for replacing the all of speakers, since it'll take some labor.

I'm leaning towards Focal because they look like they generally review well on Crutchfield.

Moving on... do all of these need aftermarket amps? I'd kind of prefer to just run off of stock for now. Since this is a brand new car, I'd prefer to make as few modifications as possible. Replacing speakers seems like it'd just be a quick wire splice and swapout for the experienced hand (ie whoever I am taking this to), but putting in amplifiers sounds a bit deeper than I want to go at the moment. The Impreza speakers just really suck. Honestly, I think most things would be an upgrade. I'm just looking for the most economical at the moment. I know speakers make the biggest difference when upgrading sound, so I'd like to just start with something that would work with stock amp.
 
I don't think either company has a bad line of speakers. Personally I would get the nicest front stage set I could afford and skimp on the rear speakers if there was a budget crunch. Heck if I had access to a nice installer friend over a period of time, I would just upgrade the fronts for now, and then look into something like this factory integration system from JBL.

Don't cry at the price just yet.
http://www.jbl.com/car-amplifiers/MS-8.html?cgid=car-amplifiers#start=1

Here is the unit at Sonic Electronics for almost 1/2 off.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_27642_JBL-MS-8.html

It features a 8 channel, 20 watt per channel amp. It has automatic time alignment and saves presets for various seating positions in the car. A 31 band equalizer. You can add larger amplifiers to your system at a later date if so inclined. And a ton of more features that you can read about on the JBL website. No wire cutting as your installer should be able to find adapters for the factory wiring.

There are other manufacturers that have similar OEM integration systems. Audiocontrol is a damn good company that also does high end home audio! Car stereo companies in general are happy to talk to you about their products over the phone. If you decide to sell the vehicle at a later date, the entire factory system can be reinstalled.
 
The main thing that bugs me is that I was looking at all of these speakers at Crutchfield after selecting my Impreza model... every single speaker I looked at, said that it would require drilling holes to mount the speakers. This both bugs me and doesn't really make much sense to me. Kicker audio for instance is the Subaru-endorsed audio upgrade to the car... why would it require drilling holes to mount even those? It doesn't make any sense to me. Does it really require drilling holes? o_0

Thanks for all of the info so far by the way.
 
Just call Crutchfield or use their live support chat. They are very knowledgeable and can tell you exactly what will have to be done to install the speakers. It's like having a local installer to chat with.
 
Google for audio upgrade kits for your car model if you don't want to drill holes/mod.
 
I did do some research. Looks like the key to not having to drill holes is something like this (either that or using 2 screws, maybe; hard to say):

http://www.car-speaker-adapters.com/items.php?id=SAK026

But really, 25$ for some rather basic looking adapters? I'd almost rather glue the things in. Well then again I suppose these aren't mass marketed because most people probably don't do this. 100$ out of the budget just for adapters. Sigh. But I'd rather not just buy a kit because I don't want to be limited on speaker choice.

Also, I looked and realized that pretty much every Focal speaker appears to be 5 1/4in according to Focal. That means it only fits in the rear door, at least according to Crutchfield. I also realized that spaceman said "JL" not "JBL". So I looked up JL and found these:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136TR600CX/JL-Audio-TR600-CXi.html?tp=95

Price seems reasonable. The only complaints are about the bass.

How about Infinity? I see these are fairly well reviewed, at least on the site:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R6500CX/Infinity-Reference-X-REF-6500cx.html?tp=105
The sensitivity is quite high, too. That would probably be good for a likely very underpowered default amp.

Kind of the list I'm looking at:
Very Long URL


Hertz isn't on Crutchfield, so I had to look it up elsewhere. Woofersetc has an Amazon front:
http://www.amazon.com/HCX-165-Hi-Energy-Coaxial-Speakers/dp/B003VCK7WK

Price seemed okay until I realized that... this wasn't a pair? At least I don't see the word "pair" mentioned anywhere on there. So this is apparently 540$ per pair. They do look nice... but I don't know about half a grand nice, at least for right now.

This is more reasonable but there are only two reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Hertz-ECX-165-5-Coaxial-Speakers/dp/B00B5GK05I


At this point after all this research I'd probably be able to install them myself, but I kind of don't trust my hands. I'm semi clumsy in some ways and it's brand new...
 
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Speakers come in all shapes and sizes, if you can't find ones that fit your car you're just looking at the wrong place.

Check the sizes of your mounting places and get a 2 or 3-way car audio set with a crossover. You will need to remove protective grills and perhaps even drill a screw hole or two but the end result should be vastly improved sound. See here for example:

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/selector/mobile-speakers/power-speakers
 
Quite often, OEM speakers aren't a common size and/or mounted directly in the door or deck. My Corolla for example, has an odd sized factory speaker mounted into a plastic adapter (which also likely doesn't use a "standard" screw pattern. You typically need an adapter and/or you typically need to drill new holes (it varies from car to car).

And yes, even the factory sub options often require drilling. It has to be mounted in the car so that it doesn't move.
 
Edit: Lol I got Ninja'd by Krispy Kritter. This reply is to B00nie.

Well no, all of the ones I linked above do fit the car. If you look at that Crutchfield search I linked, I specifically narrowed it down to 6.5inch and 6.75inch (the latter also fit into 6.5 slots) sizes (among other filters). According to Crutchfield that fits in both the front and back doors. It's just that the mounting holes are misaligned. It looks like Subaru uses some kind of weird 3 hole mounting mechanism.

They mention drilling holes to mount the speaker... if they mean drilling them in the door, that just doesn't work for me... I mean if they need to do that for OEM installs, I guess, but still... I kind of would prefer to avoid it. So, a lot of people have made things like spacers in order to mount speakers in the door, like this:
stereo39.jpg




Edit 2: And again, anyone know anything about those Infinity speakers I linked?
 
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Okay, I read that the Hertz does come as a pair. So at 280 per pair it's kind of reasonable if they're really that nice. The sensitivity looks high so they'll probably do fine with stock amp. Here's kind of what I've narrowed it down to:
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9609-hcx-165-hertz-65-2-way-hi-energy-coaxial-speakers.html
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108R6500CX/Infinity-Reference-X-REF-6500cx.html?tp=105
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136TR600CX/JL-Audio-TR600-CXi.html?tp=105

Maybe these, but I'm not sure about how the sensitivity would play with my stock amp:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136C3600/JL-Audio-C3-600.html?cc=02&tp=105'

I'm just not sure if I'm going too high priced since I'll initially just be using stock amp anyway. Not sure if there's anything else to consider. I'm hoping that dude I'm gonna ask to install this stuff maybe has a few of these around so I could listen to them.
 
If you plan on updating the amp (at some point), then there is no reason to get good speakers now.

In my experience, the weakest part of OEM audio is the amplifier. Factory amps are often underpowered I've had numerous cars where upgrading the amp made a huge difference in audio quality. Even my 2013 Camaro with "premium audio" suffers from the same problem.
 
New amp is always a great upgrade. :) And if you buy a nice one, it will last you for decades. Remember you don't have to get everything at once.
 
Just want to throw it out there that there is a car audio Sub-forum in Genmay. :D
 
I have the same car as you, and I already bought everything I am going to put in mine (and did all the research over in NASIOC). If you haven't ever looked, NASIOC is a great resource for us Subaru owners.

So, the basics of our cars are we have 6 1/2 speakers in the front and rear doors (I have the WRX 2015). Rear doors are strictly Coxial. The front door speakers are also coaxials, but if you look close, you have tweeters in the top left and right of your dash.

So what I did, I bought 2 sets of the JL Audio C3-650's. I like these because they are "convertible" 6 1/2 components. So I can transform one set into coaxials for the rear, and use the second set as components in the front.
http://www.amazon.com/JL-Audio-C3-650-Convertible-Component/dp/B003WMCLFA

I was able to source them from my local car audio shop for about $250 new a set.

I also ordered some 1/8 and 1/4 inch PVC sheets from Amazon (about $20) to make my spacer rings for the doors. You can make them yourself, or if you search in NASIOC, there are some members in there that make and sell them as well if your not talented with a jig saw.

Amplifier, I am using my ol' JL Audio 900/5 so I can power all 4 doors and my Sub (JL 10W6v3) from one amp. I was able to get my Amp a few years ago from the same local car audio chain for about $700 new.

What are you doing for a head unit? If your keeping the stock head-unit, I would advise at looking at an Audio Control LC6i, to help clean those SUPER WEAK stock head-unit signals up before amplifying them.

Please don't upgrade speakers and leave the stock head unit (Without an amplifier and possibly LC6i). I think this thing is maybe 10 watts RMA per channel. If anything, replace the head-unit first, then the speakers.
 
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Also get a car player with DSP. You're going to need it to bring any coherence to the sound if you use dash and door mounted drivers.
 
cageymaru said:
New amp is always a great upgrade. :) And if you buy a nice one, it will last you for decades. Remember you don't have to get everything at once.
Click to expand...

I'd prefer to get everything out of the way all at once though.

cybrnook said:
I have the same car as you, and I already bought everything I am going to put in mine (and did all the research over in NASIOC). If you haven't ever looked, NASIOC is a great resource for us Subaru owners.

So, the basics of our cars are we have 6 1/2 speakers in the front and rear doors (I have the WRX 2015). Rear doors are strictly Coxial. The front door speakers are also coaxials, but if you look close, you have tweeters in the top left and right of your dash.

So what I did, I bought 2 sets of the JL Audio C3-650's. I like these because they are "convertible" 6 1/2 components. So I can transform one set into coaxials for the rear, and use the second set as components in the front.
http://www.amazon.com/JL-Audio-C3-650-Convertible-Component/dp/B003WMCLFA

I was able to source them from my local car audio shop for about $250 new a set.

I also ordered some 1/8 and 1/4 inch PVC sheets from Amazon (about $20) to make my spacer rings for the doors. You can make them yourself, or if you search in NASIOC, there are some members in there that make and sell them as well if your not talented with a jig saw.

Amplifier, I am using my ol' JL Audio 900/5 so I can power all 4 doors and my Sub (JL 10W6v3) from one amp. I was able to get my Amp a few years ago from the same local car audio chain for about $700 new.

What are you doing for a head unit? If your keeping the stock head-unit, I would advise at looking at an Audio Control LC6i, to help clean those SUPER WEAK stock head-unit signals up before amplifying them.

Please don't upgrade speakers and leave the stock head unit (Without an amplifier and possibly LC6i). I think this thing is maybe 10 watts RMA per channel. If anything, replace the head-unit first, then the speakers.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for all of the information. I didn't really notice the coaxial vs component difference, but aren't all component speakers technically convertible into coaxial speakers? I mean it seems like they just have a bit of separation separation of parts, but can be combined into a whole if desired. So basically though, is the front speaker separated into woofer down bottom and tweeter up top on the dash?

Anyway, I think your particular setup might be a bit too expensive to me.

Supposing I went with these speakers:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pcdtEXrtrEG/p_108R6500CX/Infinity-Reference-X-REF-6500cx.html?tp=105

What would be a good complementary budget setup to just get everything up and running? The amps and head units and stuff are components that I would have to do more research on otherwise, because I basically have no experience in the field of card audio. So maybe just a minimum baseline setup to get everything going well with those speakers, while keeping everything as stock as possible (no modifications that are not easily reversible). That's essentially my goal.

B00nie said:
Also get a car player with DSP. You're going to need it to bring any coherence to the sound if you use dash and door mounted drivers.
Click to expand...

Is that car player synonymous with head unit, or are you speaking of something else. The rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper, so I'm going to need to look up a glossary of this stuff at some point.
 
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StoleMyOwnCar said:
aren't all component speakers technically convertible into coaxial speakers?
Click to expand...
Not really, they are normally sold separately. Some units (JL C3-650) have the ability out of the box to do both, but outside of that you would need to build custom brackets if you wanted to make a component setup a coaxial. (I.e. rigging a bracket to face mount the tweeter in front of the woofer)
StoleMyOwnCar said:
is the front speaker separated into woofer down bottom and tweeter up top on the dash?
Click to expand...
No, you have coaxial's in the front doors (bottom) and just ad add on tweeter in the dash. So the front has 1 set of woofers, and 2 sets of tweeters.
StoleMyOwnCar said:
What would be a good complementary budget setup to just get everything up and running? The amps and head units and stuff are components that I would have to do more research on otherwise, because I basically have no experience in the field of card audio. So maybe just a minimum baseline setup to get everything going well with those speakers, while keeping everything as stock as possible (no modifications that are not easily reversible). That's essentially my goal.
Click to expand...
In all honesty I think your best bet (again I would advise on doing a head unit first) if you want to replace the speakers first with leaving the stock head-unit, AND are expecting a great return on investment.... Just buy the kicker upgrade kit for your car. It's all pug and play, the speaker harnesses are already there, the spacer rings and mounts are already included. It's all virtually plug and play.

You can find them the cheapest here (unless you go ebay):
tweeters for front dash ($95 for the set and brackets)
https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/...=1839&osCsid=2a816a2e501c939d9851c133c404ed6c

front and rear speakers with harnesses and brackets ($197 for all 4):
https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/...=1840&osCsid=2a816a2e501c939d9851c133c404ed6c
 
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Well I was kind of wanting to control the sound signature of the speakers. Have you ever listened to the Kicker speakers? I mean you are right that it would definitely be the easiest solution, but this is something I'm planning to do just once and then leave alone. Much like I decided on my Beyerdynamic T1's early on and now I don't have to mess with headphones for very likely the rest of my life (well if the cord gets flaky I will need to replace it, which might happen earlier than I want considering how often my computer chair runs over the dang long thing). Plus I got a fairly good deal with them. I kind of want the best deal here, too.

Also, I'm probably going to totally rule out replacing the head unit.
http://ae64.com/aftermarket-HU-install-parts-IX2012.htm
I looked through this guide, and it's just too much crap that they have to mess with. To top it all off, the mic won't even work. I like my car's mic. I like it working, too. Not to mention the backup camera. Now, I have experience with digital and analog circuitry, but I don't want to have to test out my rusty experience on a brand new car. I do want to do it as a hobby at some point, but not right here.

After looking through my options, I'm strongly considering this unit that cageymaru suggested:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_27642_JBL-MS-8.html

I'm not sure where to install it (logic says that it would have to sit somewhere between the HU and the speakers, the question is where the hell do they mount it and how do they get power to it)... but I'm sure most car places that do this stuff wouldn't have any issue with it. So I'm pretty much set on buying either that or some other stock integration unit. I might need to ask on those forums you linked earlier which one would work best.

With that, I'd need to replace the speakers... and there are actually adapters for those as I linked earlier. Worst case scenario I'll just grab all four of those adapters and then pick out some speaker choice. Not sure where to go to audition car speakers but it'll work out. I think Best Buy has a spot, though I don't trust common stores having good stuff there.

This is kind of annoying, tbh. Subaru did a lot of proprietary mounting and other bullcrap to keep the car from being easily modified. I just keep reading more and more and it's just annoying me more and more. I mean it's a great car, but why do they make the default audio so bad...
 
Well, I already replaced my HU in my car, and just an FYI the backup camera works fine, it does not go through your Headhunt. (Notice its on the display in your upper dash, not your radio). Its your typical radio swap, you would need dash kit, and wire harness. Then a steering wheel control adapter if you wanted to keep steering wheel controls. Yes, you will lose the microphone, but you also lost the radios phone capability anyways (and sat radio if you had it), that's why you want to look for a headunit that has that built in (bluetooth phone and sat adapter).

My recommendation, just use the same deck I did, you can get the Pioneer AVIC-8000 or the 8100 (more android catered) for $850 all day. Kenwood makes some nice models as well, and have built in Garmin. But I always found the Kenwood GUI to be very slow. With that said, you will get a beefier amp than your stock headunit, and the deck comes with its own mic for phone calls (and has navigation). The sound you would get from that alone may be what your looking for. Then you have the units onboard DSP to play with all you want and EQ adjustments. PLUS, you dont have to crack open those door panels and swap speakers. You can do that down the road if you still want more. As well, the HU is something you can always directly swap back in when you sell and take it to your next car. Chances are the speakers you will say forget it and sell them with the car. (my past experience)


The issue with trying to help you now is that you are making (and please don't be offended, I am not trying to be mean. It's very common for people new to automotive audio, just no other way to say it) a rookie mistake. Keeping the deck (and stock deck amplifier), you already know how bad it sounds (Because it has no power), but wanting to replace the speakers to get a drastic sound stage improvement just wont happen. If you REALLY want to improve your sound in your car (while keeping your factory head unit), I would go back to my original suggestion that you need:

Audio Control LC6i (Sound processor for integrating into factory HU)
$150 - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6359_AudioControl-LC6i-Gray.html

4 Channel amplifier to sit behind the LC6i (50 - 75 watts x 4 RMS would be fine)
$150 - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_94839_MB-Quart-DA1-600.4.html

and a nice set of coaxial's for the rear, with a set of components in the front.
$322 a set (you need 2) - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_24221_JL-Audio-C3-650.html

It's going to be tricky to keep it under your $1000 budget, but could be done as shown above (total $944).

You will still need to invest in speaker wire, a car harness (male and female to piggy back your stock harnesses going into your factory deck), 4 channel RCA's, and a 4 - 8 Gauge Amp kick. This is just me trying to share my knowledge with you. I worked in my teenage years at a few custom car audio shops, and in my twenties I managed a few install bay's. I still love car audio, but only do it for myself and family these days. Takes too much time and effort when I work full time :)


You will have the best 2 out 3 three requirements that you want.

Your asking for Power/Sound Stage Control, Budget, and Easy install of Equipment. Pick 2 out of 3 is what I would say :).
 
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Well yes, I understand that I need an amp and some kind of postprocessing unit. I'm guessing you are recommending a combo of those two to keep the costs down, over the JBL unit I linked correct? The thing is, that's only if I want to get those speakers that you linked, right? I'll have to see if there are other speaker options. If what everyone says is true and the amp/dac are the weakest point of the car setup by far, then maybe more money should go to those.

Also yeah feel free to call me a rookie. It's totally accurate and I don't mind it.

But a minor correction: your car appears to be a little different from mine. For me, the rear camera does actually go through the head unit. The top just has a small one-line display with time and miles until the next gas refill on it. That's pretty much it. So again I'd prefer not to mess with that. That just requires more trust than I'm willing to place in any installer, not to mention good head units are just very expensive.

And also I want to clear up some misconception if it exists: I don't play music loud at all. I actually play it fairly quietly, comparatively speaking. My ears are sensitive compared to most of my friends that have blown their ear drums out with loud music. So I understand an amp for richer sound (I've experienced that difference even at the same volume), but I don't need it for just blasting watts through speakers. Curious, what are the current sensitivity characteristics of the stock speakers? Because I've never really desired them to be any louder... Just better.
 
Thanks for the clarification on the location of your BU display. I assumed wrong that Suby kept close to home the WRX and the Impreza as they have in the past :-(

But, let's agree now that we are keeping your stock HU. (So you can of course keep all the factory integrated goodies that come in your car).

The baseline, you want better sound not only at high volumes, but at low volumes as well, that can be adjusted to your liking. That leaves speakers and amplification.

Factory radios use something called bass roll off, so when you crank the volume very high, or very low, the firmware of the radio roll's off certain frequencies to make the audio still sound like music. It's cheap and is cheating, you will lose at lot of your imaging with this. (But when they have to warrant this stuff, no surprise there are things like this). The LC6i (the budget oriented processor) not only cleanups up your factory radios output and converts it into a nice clean amplifiable signal, it also assists in restoring the roll off that your radio is doing.

The subaru radios just happen to be some of the worst sounding radios I have ever heard (Google it, it's been notorious for years). Thats why they are doing so great in upselling the infinity package. (Which I did not buy because I knew I wouldn't be happy with that either). So you need to clean that signal up and add some "oomph" behind it anyways. The LC6i is part one (there is also the JL Audio clean sweep, but much more $$$ and not needed for your application. Not money well spent).The second part is amplifying that signal. This helps NOT ONLY in high volumes, but low volumes as well. You will have a much more rich, present sound in the car at any volume. Your frequencies will carry throughout the volume range. (Meaning deeper bass at lower volumes, as well as great Mid and High range reproduction. Nothing is being cut).

In some other cars, VW to be more precise, I used to sell and install LC6i's and 4 channels all the time in VW's while LEAVING the factory speakers. 1, because the factory speakers are built into the door, so the only way to swap them is to destroy them. And 2, you will find a lot of times, that you can get great sound even from your factory speakers as long as your system is tuned properly.It at least gives you a starting point. (Meaning you can swap speakers if your still not happy).

And of course, feel free to substitute the amp and speakers for whatever brand you see fit. I was just trying to illustrate my point of what you needed and being budget oriented.

The JBL unit linked may be great in certain applications. But I see that for someone who maybe has a stock Bose system, or maybe the Mark Levinson (BMW). Basically an already amplified and multi channel stereo. (Notice its for up-to 8 channel stereo). Not sure this is what you want on a ~10 watt x 4 RMS x 4 speaker setup in the subaru.

And you said "If what everyone says is true and the amp/dac are the weakest point of the car setup by far, then maybe more money should go to those": you realize that's your headunit, solely.
 
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