Car audio illiterate, desiring loud and clean audio

[H311RA151N]

I'm looking for a set of 6x9's and an amplifier. It's not for an Accord but for this discussion I don't see that it matters. They will be going in the doors of a standard cab truck. The audio system will only have two speakers and I plan to use a Kenwood KDC-BT362U or similar stereo.

I have been told but cannot recall where that for this purpose I will want 6x9"s. Which I will have to cut sheet metal to fit as the factory speakers are 6.5's or maybe even the oddball 6.75"'s but that's ok. If this size isn't optimal by all means let me know and give me your input.

I assume I want an amplifier to push the 6x9's as I want it to be loud. I'm unsure of what I need as I've been out of car audio for a long time. I could relearn the modern stuff but I don't really have the desire nor do I mess with this stuff much anymore. In this truck I just want really loud and clean tunes. Not a lot of thump and bump just as long as it sounds as it should according to the song or whatever.

Any input is greatly appricated. Even if I have the whole git-up wrong from the start let me know. I know this area is not my strong point. And a lot of you on here know this kinda stuff pretty darn well as I see whats on here from time to time.

Because I remember years ago walking into a Car-Fi store the first thing they asked was "what kind of music do you listen to" I will link two songs to give a good idea of what I listen to most of the time.

[cb7 calling]

Well I always recommend an amp. You may not need to adjust the door speaker size though. The 6x9 speaker will have more cone area than a 6.5 round but thats where the advantage stops. A nice set of 6.5 would be better than a bad set of 6x9. I would only ever cut holes if I got a 300 dollar set of speakers for 100 bucks and that was the only size available.
The amp is key here. If the weakest point is the speakers the amp can make up some difference in the chain. The best speakers in the world cant sound good on a crappy amp. I'm not talking about power im talking about sound quality, which in the end equals loud sound.

[H311RA151N]

Not cutting holes is easier than cutting holes. So I would be cool with that if that's the best route to go.

Aside from the stereo, I would like to cap the budget at about $300-$400 for the speakers and the amp. That's likely a little high but that's the amount I'm not willing to go over. I'm under the impressing that should be enough on second thought...

As for the stereo I tend to like Kenwood's in the $100 area. Which hopefully isn't going to hinder the end result. I don't think it would but I really don't know for sure.

What companies make good audio products anymore?

[sonikaccord]

I found a full set of working MB quarts in the junk yard if you really wanted a deal, you should check there

I'm going to say your source quality is going to be your weakest link. CD quality is the best and most convenient. Followed by a high quality compressed audio format, then typical mp3, then streaming services.

Honestly, I don't follow many of the big box companies anymore. Silicon and technology has progressed so much, that even the lower end of amps are really good, relatively of course.

I agree with the holes...I should know My infinity 6x9s I had almost 10 years ago were some of the best speakers I've had that were car audio specific. Idk about their quality now, but I would check them out.

[H311RA151N]

Some of those words are beyond me sonikaccord but that can only be a good thing as you surely know more than I do!

I have about everything I listen to on original CD. Since about half of what I listen to is 60's 70's and early 80's country CD's are cheap. So I guess that shouldn't be much of an issue.

I'm too lazy and it's too hot to go to the junk yard and look for speakers. Plus I'll blow all my speaker any amplifier money and not have any speakers or an amplifier... lol

I remember when the Infinity Kappa reference series speakers came out. That was a couple years before I could even drive. I'll check out Infinity.

[BIGRICH]

check out the Hertz speakers....you wont go wrong. Dieci series if deck power or small amp....Energy for about 100 watts per....or the HiEnergy for 150-200 watts per. I have them in the accord, the civic, and my daily civic. Its all I recommend for the most quality sound.

[H311RA151N]

check out the Hertz speakers....you wont go wrong. Dieci series if deck power or small amp....Energy for about 100 watts per....or the HiEnergy for 150-200 watts per. I have them in the accord, the civic, and my daily civic. Its all I recommend for the most quality sound.

I have heard about Hertz Millie line. Super high dollar or was at the time but had unmatched performance.

I was unaware one could even get ahold of Hertz stuff without going to a dealer. I remember years ago Hertz wanted to keep it that way. But it must not be like that anymore which is awesome. Thanks for the heads up!

[93cb7h22a]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MRY...SjL&ref=plSrch nice $112 stereo with bluetooth.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00363...3GL&ref=plSrch $135 shipped set jl 6x9s

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004ML...059NZMD4MYJF61 $170 shipped jl 360 4 channel, would have no problem powering the speakers you could even get another set. So for about 430 ( you will still need you metra wiing harness and a double or single din dash kit depending)
You will sound great jl is still made in the usa and is warrantied got questions let me know happy to help

[cb7 calling]

Do not under estimate the cost of power/ground and rca wires. Even with smaller wattage get the biggest power/best rca's you can afford/justify.

[tgdrums1990]

Do not under estimate the cost of power/ground and rca wires. Even with smaller wattage get the biggest power/best rca's you can afford/justify.

I can see him being just fine with ur basic 4gauge cca wire. Hes not doing competition sound and dosent seem to have the urge for a 1000 watt system. Hell be fine with the basic el cheapo wire. Just my .02

[H311RA151N]

93cb7h22a, cb7 calling and tgdrums1990, I am still paying attention to this thread and I appreciate each of you providing input!

Of course I don't want to waste money, I'm just after have loud and clean audio. I have looked at several sets of speakers. I looked at Hertz and the only set I can afford in 6.5" is $110 a pair and most are $200 to $200 a pair which pushes i a bit over budget. I've looked at MB Quart, Alpine and some others. Later this evening I should have more time to look.

[lbus9168]

HellRaisin,

If there is one piece of advice i can give you: its this.

DO

NOT

USE

6x9's!!

Total waste of time. the only reason to ever use them ever is on place of a sub, they are always inferior quality, and trying to do too many things at once.

In regards to A good way to get Good, Clean audio, You will need a few things

For a budget install i reccomend a 2.1 System. Infact even in the best systemsn i dont see much use for any rear speakers. Audio is only ever two channel so why bother with rear fill? its just distortion to add to your audio issues.

What i would do first in a Complete system, is start with the Head unit.

I reccomend basically anything pioneer, they work very well and are quite reliable. Any pioneer headunit with the items you require will work. You need at least one Amplifier Pre-out.

Next you should replace the Front speakers with a nice set of Component 6.5" speakers. they are the standard for a good reason. Do not use coaxial! again a awaste of time.

a good set of Component 6.5'1 are the Polk audio DB6501.

Next i reccomend a subwoofer. As you have a truck, which i assume does not have any rear room, Id reccomend a Slimline subwoofer. I reccomend an Alpine SWE-1500, or maybe a Kicker Substation. then you need a 2 channel amplifier for the Front stage, Rockford Fosgate Power T400X2ad would do nicely.

Of course, this totals well over $1000 so Swap out components to your needs, but thats how id set it up.

Honestly though, Some people are happy with just good front speakers. the biggest thing i could reccomend ever is Sound dampening first. Dampen your doors first, Then decide on the next step.

[sonikaccord]

And why are 6x9s crap? Good 6x9s, not the cheap stuff.

Coaxials are bad too? Please explain.

[lbus9168]

Regarding 6x9's, not all are crap but a 6.5" gives much better results. heres a few links.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.ph...48125&t=148125
http://www.caraudioforum.com/showthread.php?t=295745
http://www.caraudio.com/forums/subwo...9s-so-bad.html
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...-speakers.html

Im not saying every single 6x9 is bad but they just dont ever work as well as 6.5's. as 6.5's are the standard now there are heaps more options too.

Regarding coax speakers, Not being able to seperate the tweeters leads to a muddled high end and lower sq. Hence why it is the standard to use component in higher end stuff.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-or2gguJ...-the-test.html
http://www.caraudiohelp.com/newslett...omponents.html
http://cartech.about.com/od/Car-Audi...s-For-Cars.htm

to me atleast, the seperation in frequencies makes for a much better listening experience.

[Ralphie]

$300-$400 seems a little tight for a budget that includes Speakers AND an amp.

I think if you do this on a budget you will not be happy with the sound.

Audio typically needs to be invested in in order to get good results.

Not saying you can't do a budget audio setup, I am sure thousands of people do, but to get any good results especially at high volumes I would think you would need to spend just a tad more then what you have allocated.