Component vs 2 Way Speaker

How much of a difference will switching to componet speakers make vs oem stock speakers.  I know the sound quality will be better but will it be louder?  I would be running them from the hu, kenwood kpc-mp828  22 rms x 4.

I'm looking at some component sets between 50-100 watt rms.  Also I am assuming whatever brand I select cerin vega, boston accustics, kicker they will be head and shoulders above my stock speakers.

Also if I decide to amplify the componet set I would run speaker wire from hu to the amp then to the cross overs from the components then to speakers?  Or does the cross over in the amp replace the crossovers that come with the speakers?

If I do add an amp am I going to have issues with battery alterantor performance? (lights dimming)  I have a 2002 jeep liberty.

I have already spent $260 on the hu.  I was trying to get away with spending around 100-130 max on a component set. I was looking at a boston acustics that was $134, a cerwin vega that was $99 and an infinity that was $124.  I'm not so much  concerned about the name brand but I know of those 3 and I have cerwin vega home speakers that are pretty good.  I have had them about 10 years 2 of which were in college and they took a beating and still sound good.  I have acutally replaced the grill fabric twice on them.

The other option I was thinking about was a amplified sub.  Bazooka tube either 6 1/2 or 8.  I'm also trying to go on the cheap and install the stuff myself, so I have been researching the dash and door removal along with the amplifier install if I go that route.

The sound from the stock speakers is ok.  I really noticed a change when I installed the kenwood Mp828.  I noticed highs I have never heard before.  I get decent bass but its just is not quite loud enough for me.

what other brands of speakers would you recomend for components.  I have 6.5's and I believe 1" tweeters currently.

Also what  brands of amps do you recommend.  I'm not sure what makes an amp good.  I'm assuming if my components are only like 60 watt rms I don't want to go with like a 150 x 4 amp.  I would assume that i would want to be somewhere round 60-75 x 4 rms?  is that correct or does that not matter?

Naww if you are using a HU power, a componet set is a waste of money and installation time.

Find some high efficenciy coaxials.. with 22 watts they'd sound better and *louder* than a componet set.

Try Infinity Reference series or the Boston Acoustics coaxial line.. the "NX" series, sound *incredible* as well.  Both are available fairly cheaply.

Bass tubes are really, really gross, they sound horrid, and I don't care how simple a system is bass tubes are just gross.  Try a a smallish amp and a single 12".

Don't amp your cabin speakers right off.... try replacing your front speakers with those Bostons I mentioned above, then add a small amp and an entry level 10 or 12.

If you aren't happy, *then* add an amp to your front stage.

what do I do with the dash tweeters if I relplace the front doors with the boston acustics you mentioned.

I thought by getting the componet set I was killing two birds with one stone?

Can anyone explain the differences (advantages) of a componet set vs a 2 way speaker.  I am looking at eithe the boston acustics Fs60 component 150 watt rms or the boston acustics Nx67 2 way speaker.  I will be running them off of the hu to start and adding an amp later.

Also can anyone recommend a cheap 4 channel amp?  Not looking for 1000's of watts of output just enought to adequatly power the above mentioned speakers.

Components generally are higher quality speakers and include a much better crossover.  There are some coaxials that will compete with components.  I've not heard the two you mention, but based on the specs the S60 looks like the better choice (larger woofer, soft dome tweeter and higher efficiency rating.)  By the way, the speakers are rated at 55 watts RMS which is what you should target.  What's your amp budget?

Boston Acoustics was JUST taken over by D&M Holdings, the Japanese company who also owns Denon, Marantz, and McIntosh.  Another American company bites the dust.  Expect the Boston lineup to change soon.

Ok I think I'm going to go with the component set becuase it replaces all of the speaker in the front cabin of the vehicle.

If I go with two amps is that going to require a battery or alternator upgrade?  I don't want to get that crazy.  Also what features should I look for in an amp?:  I have seen some in the $75 range also but no names that I recognize.

The FS60's that I'm looking at are rms 150 watts.  What wattage should I look for in my amp.  I believe I will be running them at 4 ohm.

The FS60s are last years model. The new SL 60 replaces them. https://www.bostonacoustics.com/ca_product.asp?Productid=67&CategoryID=14

The component set has a better crossover then the coaxial speakers do. If you want to stick with boston these coaxials (SL65) have a built in crossover and would sound as good or better than the SL 60 component set. https://www.bostonacoustics.com/ca_product.asp?Productid=265&CategoryID=14

Hmm..

I dunno about the Boston componet sets and what not, but I will personnaly attest to the *outstanding* quality of the NX-series coaxials.   I installed a set of those in my friends Sentra and I kid you not they sound *as good* as my JL Audio VR-series componets getting 4x the power. 

Truly, outstanding speakers.  For the $100 they cost, I don't believe I've ever heard better. 

Naww.  Just cuz the hole is there doesn't mean it needs a speaker.  When car makers put speakers holes all over dashes and grills everywhere, its b/c it makes simplistic-minded car shoppers, with the typically stupid American attitude toward cars --> more is better.  They see grills and holes and a CD player AND cassette player in the same car it must be a great, high quality stereo right? 

Anywho, your dash is kinda a crappy place for tweeters anyway, trust me.  Makes 'em really bright and really contributes to nasty side-biasing. 

If you replace your front doors with the Bostons or any other premium coaxial (and those NX-series Bostons are absolutely awesome speakers) , just disconnect the dash tweet's and call it a day. It'll sound quite good, I promise.

Current set up is kenwood kpc-mp828 with 6 factory stock speaker.  I have decided to replace the 4 front cabin speakers with a pair of these boston acustics  Boston Acoustics NX67 6-1/2"

How does this amp look for $99?

https://www.sonicelectrnix.com/item_3755.html

Well let me ask you another question.  If I replace the front door speakers with the boston accustic nsx series which I have been told are very good, I would disconnect the dash tweeters that are stock and just run the bostons in the front cabin.  What should I do with the rear door speakers.  I have read some conflicting comments on rear speakers and what impact they have.   I could either leave stock or replace with another 2 way?  Should I leave them run from the hu or do I really need a 4 channel amp? 

In any event I'm looking to add an amp for max $130.  The boston nsx are $100 and the boston comonent set i was thinking about is $150.  I was trying to stay under 250.

Whoa Jmeese that's a *really* good plan on those cabin speakers.. where'd ya get that good advice?

Rear-speakers are *totally* a matter of personal taste.  Often, extreme sound-quality competetion vehicles only have front speakers... for a tonally perfect response, that setup is often the way to go.  Some *very* smart guys around here really prefer cars without any rearfill at all... it really helps bring out staging and imaging of a system and alot of incredibly good sounding cars forgo the rearfill completely.

*However* some people, myself included, really like a generous amount of rear-fill. From an objective standpoint, I find a generous dose of music from the back really helps even out some of the vicious side-biasing ever present in cars, increases overall volume, and certainly increases the listening enjoyment, albiet not by alot, for others in the car.  Subjectively, I'll tell ya, I hate cars without rear-speakers.  They always lack that immersive, 'listening-capsule' experience that only the best car stereos can give you.  Not only that, if you tilt your head even slightly to the side well driving, the sound goes all to shhh cuz it suddenly sounds like your listening to a set of headphones with only one earpiece working.  IMHO, car stereos are just that.. not a home stereo on wheels.. but kinda a different thing with masturbatory bass and immeserive, all encompassing sound.

I *despise* giving this advice out, but, the truth is, ya have to listen around and see whatcha like, eh?

*IF* you do want to get rear-speakers.. just get another set of the boston coaxials.  You *can* use deck power, but thats kinda an akward situation and far from ideal.  I can explain that to you later, but definately something you'd try and avoid eh?

Hehe.  Now, about that amp.

Ya know what a senior member saw a couple of days ago?

Check this out:

https://www.thezeb.com/p-USacoustics-USX-2050-2-Channel-Amplifier-105480.htm

I kid you not, I'm ordering one tommorow to work as.. you guessed it, my rear-fill amp.  (I'll have 195 watts/channel to dedicate to bi-amping my front speakers... I'm really excited!)

Order two and save on a badass 4-channel.  Those amps are gorgeous. 

In regards to this amp.  It looks as if its 50 watt rms x 2.  If the bostons coaxials are 150 rms do I need a bigger amp to drive them?

Also if I put 2 of these amps in my vehicle am I going to have to upgrade batteries and alternators?  I don't want to get into that but I also dont want dimming lights and dash.

If I do put two amps in I have noticed dual amp wiring kits?  How do these work.  Is it one power cable coming from the battery being split into two lines with the dual fuse box?

How do you think putting a component set in the front and going with the boston coaxials in the rear would turn out?

Yes a couple more if you don't mind.  If I do the component set in the front cabin it will require 4 channels to amplify correct?  Is there any way to power all 6 speakers from the two 2 channel amps?

I think I am going to start with the component set up front with an amp.  My dash is really easy to get to the tweeters.  The dash is sperated into two parts and the part that houses the speakers just pops right off.  I am going to leave the rear stock for now.  I'm either going to get that us acoustics amp or a reconditioned 4 channel.

The boston component set I was looking at seems to be out of stock everywhere.  Can you recommend something around $125.

Ok I thought I had somewhat of an idea of how these worked buy now I am confused.  I thought when you amplified the component set the amp contains the crossovers?  Or are you bypassing the amp crossover in this install method?

If you are running two speakers off of each channel is the wattage then being cut in half?  i.e. I would be running the speakers each at 25 watt rms?  and is that enough power?  I want good loud sound.  I realize the bass will not be real kickin but it has to be better than my factory output.  I would like to gain some considerable volume.

Ok I bought the 2 channel us acustics amp.  I hope it has enough power to drive the boston S60's.  I'm concerned that it won't

So when I wire these up I will have each channel of the amp powering one tweeter and one woofer.  So am I splitting the wattage to 25 watts to each speaker?

I know I have read on this board over and over that you preach listening to product before you buy but can't you logically look at the mfgs specs and make some assumptions regarding speakers.  Granted the mfg is not overstating the specifications.

I'm comparing several component sets on frequency response ranges, sensitivity and wattage.  It appears that alpine has the widest frequency range would that not indicate all things being equal that you would get the widest range of sound from that speaker?

No I have not ordered the components yet becuase the one I really wanted is on back order.  The s60 boston is a little more than I wanted to spend but If I'm going to 150 I noticed an alpine and an mb quart that are at 149 also.

so needless to say I'm looking at those now to determine which one is the best buy?  And I am also having all of this stuff shipped to my employment so my wife does not divorce me when it shows up at home.

Once I start installing the amp I will need some help on adjusting it correctly.  I really have not idea of where to start.  I'm pretty sure I will get it wired and installed correctly.  I plan on running new speaker wire to the new componenets so that should not be that difficult to wire up. 

Ok I will take your word for it. 

I appreciate all the info you have provided.  When you have a chance if you could shed some info on mid bass drivers I would appricate it.  Could they be used in the rear to provide some bass instead of putting in a sub?  So components in the front and mid bass drivers in the rear?

Jmeese wrote:

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Can the crossovers be housed with the amp under the seat?

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That would be a fine place for them. As long as you have room. If you want to put the crossovers and amp under the seat try to mount them as far back from the front of the seat as you can. This will keep people from kicking the amp or crossovers or getting them dirty.

For subs, you can get an idea of how they will perform based on manufacturer specifications.  But it is impossible when you are talking about components.  Higher frequency reproduction is MUCH more complex to where little things like dustcap design, cone materials, or even surround treatments can have a large effect on how the speakers will sound. 

You can use midbasses as subs, but keep in mind that they don't usually have the excursion or cone area larger subs have.  So you will probably not get the output or extention you would get out of a larger subwoofer.  If you are looking to go this direction, I would suggest looking for a driver specifically designed for this.  Here's a good one that might work: https://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=264-832

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

Can someone let me know what you think of this component set?

https://www.sonicelectrnix.com/item_2788.html

Well I think I have made my decision.  I am going to go with these Alpine SPR-17LS

Jmeese, I think those Alpine's are gonna make you really happy.

Congragulations on your new system eh?  Now get the stuff and we'll help ya get in.

Ok since I am over budget which one of these amp kits looks ok.

https://www.sonicelectrnix.com/item_3895.html#

https://www.sonicelectrnix.com/item_4117.html#

Or am I better off buying the componets seperatly, Although where do you get quality cable stuff?  Home depot?