Affordable speaker replacements?

[JFrost7]

I replaced my stereo to hook up my iPod, but now I feel the OEM speakers are just not cutting it . I bought a cheap kenwood, and the specs say "maximum output power 50w x 4" Does this mean I'd only be able to get 50w out of any speakers I purchase? What are some suggestions on good speakers? I planned to get Pioneers, Polk's, or Infinities.

[accordztech]

Never look at max power. Only look at RMS. RMS is the power at all times.

For speakers you can get whatever. You wouldnt have to worry about wattage. Just get a speaker that sounds good to you. Then look on ebay to see if it is cheaper.

[SPLCB7]

I replaced my stereo to hook up my iPod, but now I feel the OEM speakers are just not cutting it . I bought a cheap kenwood, and the specs say "maximum output power 50w x 4" Does this mean I'd only be able to get 50w out of any speakers I purchase? What are some suggestions on good speakers? I planned to get Pioneers, Polk's, or Infinities.

It means they can handle 50watts not that they put out 50 Watts they put out sound not Watts amps put out Watts.... get a amp and or speakers that can handle more power I'd start with a 4 channel amp and some components that's just me tho....

[reklipz]

There's a couple of things at play on the technical side, basically ohms law really (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 ohm speakers, etc.) Beyond the necessity to ensure the amplifier can drive the type of load the speaker presents, the only thing the wattage rating of the speaker really means is the physical strength of the diaphragm and cone of the speaker itself, as well as the ability for the coil to stay cool and intact.

[cloudasc]

I have been a fan of Infinities for quite some time. I have still have a pair of 6.5" references from 2001 that has been in three cars in their life and are still going strong to this day. Its what made me choose their shallow mounts for my coupe doors in 08. Also any speaker installed in the rear deck would benefit from some foam cups/baffles (with ports cut into them), as the free air nature of the factory location kills bass response.

[HardInThePaint]

There's a couple of things at play on the technical side, basically ohms law really (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 ohm speakers, etc.) Beyond the necessity to ensure the amplifier can drive the type of load the speaker presents, the only thing the wattage rating of the speaker really means is the physical strength of the diaphragm and cone of the speaker itself, as well as the ability for the coil to stay cool and intact.

OK whatever the hell you're talking about, he's asking a really simple question. I'm not even sure what the fuck that had to do with anything.

For speakers you can get whatever. You wouldnt have to worry about wattage. Just get a speaker that sounds good to you. Then look on ebay to see if it is cheaper.

This pretty much. Anything you get thats somewhat name brand is going to be an upgrade to the wack ass stock speakers.

You can get a pair of door speakers and a pair of rear deck speakers pretty damn cheap these days. Brand name too.

[reklipz]

OK whatever the hell you're talking about, he's asking a really simple question. I'm not even sure what the fuck that had to do with anything.

I suppose his question was simple, but my reply was relevant. Most decks can't drive any load less than 4 ohms, or any load more than 8 ohms. I dovetailed from there into a bit about speaker power ratings and how the design (materials, physical construction, etc.) are the primary influence, and from there the coil rating follows. It doesn't make sense to use a coil that can handle high power when the speaker itself can't physically handle the force.

Anyway, yes, that's a bit technical. Pretty much any aftermarket speaker you'll find in a retail audio store is going to work well with a similar aftermarket deck. I have liked my JVC headunit, and I've had the same pair of Pioneer 3-way 6x9s for 10 years and they're still kicking strong.

[JFrost7]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it! I would have bought an amp for nothing or something along those lines. Right now I'm leaning towards 6 1/2 pioneers, they have great reviews and they are very affordable to switch out all my speakers. Although @cloudasc has me also thinking about Infinities still. From 2001 to this day, that's durability at its finest!

[Soufkackicustom]

Never thought I'd say this...Walmart. The kicker ds 6 1/2's they are kicker over stock...no funny Walmart shit yet.

[accordztech]

Kickers are decent. THe DS line is their lower line but for standard applications they arent bad.

In my years as an installer I came to this:

Infinity has great highs, not much mid bass

Polk is great all around and the sound is "more live"

Pioneer is a great speaker for the price

Kicker has great midbass and some highs.

Some people cant stand high pitches or just sharper tweeters. So those people go away from infinities and go with polk or kicker.

Like I said, find out what sounds good to you.

[BIGRICH]

LMAO.....

lots of worthless or terrible info here....

out of the three you listed.....infinity

pioneer speakers are the punchline of the audio community

polk is even worse.....now.

look at excelon, hertz dieci, and even alpine type s speakers for radio power.....when using only radio power you need to be looking at the lower power handling speakers, but more importantly the sensitivity rating....

[wildBill83]

Kenwood
JBL
Infinity
Excelon
JL Audio

Hell, take sony over Pioneer.

[BIGRICH]

Kenwood
JBL
Infinity
Excelon
JL Audio

Hell, take sony over Pioneer.

but you left out hertz.....have you heard them in a car? they are the only speaker on the market that are meant to play off axis.

[lilg4mdalbc]

Boss,
pyle,
lanzar,
autotek,

these are all the best brands............................................ ....to stay away from

[BIGRICH]

Boss,
pyle,
lanzar,
autotek,

these are all the best brands............................................ ....to stay away from

holy shit, at first i thought you were serious....