speaker replacement question
speaker replacement question hey guys sorry if this has been asked before. i recently had a blown pass. side door speaker i replaced it and its blown again and i dont just turn up the volume and think everythings going to be all good and gravy i know that they arent top of the line.its a stocker by the way,i also threw in a aftermarket deck and have noticed it dont sound so good. i read before about something with stock amps somewhere in the car and thats why it dont sound good with aftermarket decks. so do i have to take those out and run all new speakers and all that to get quality sound? or am i stuck with a crappy sounding audio system? thanks guys
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
For it to sound good, at the minimum, you must replace headunit, speakers, and IMO do your own speaker wiring (though you could cut and tap into the factory wires if you wanted - I'm against cutting stuff in my car). Just unplug the stock amp, or if you don't plan to sell the car, take it out and make a few bucks on Ebay (not that much, but it should sell, at least).
Also, our doors aren't very well damped, so throwing some damping in them will really help. You don't have to do the whole car for a moderate system, but the doors will definitely help.
Also, our doors aren't very well damped, so throwing some damping in them will really help. You don't have to do the whole car for a moderate system, but the doors will definitely help.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
There's no reason that you shouldn't get a noticeable improvement in sound by installing a quality aftermarket head unit and making no other changes. The comment "threw in a [sic] aftermarket deck" makes me wonder if perhaps it was some WalMart special. The worst part of the Monsoon system is the head unit (deck) followed by the speakers. The factory amp is actually pretty good and should be left alone unless you want to rewire and add your own aftermarket amp.
The distortion from the factory head unit is the primary cause of blown speakers. That also makes me think that a budget aftermarket deck is what's causing your speakers to blow again. Distortion is a speaker's worst enemy.
The distortion from the factory head unit is the primary cause of blown speakers. That also makes me think that a budget aftermarket deck is what's causing your speakers to blow again. Distortion is a speaker's worst enemy.
hmm ok maybe ill just breakdown and get some speakers to add in to my car and rewire them and just leave the amp alone unless i get some subs the deck is a alpine its pretty good not no $50 special i dont use cheap stuff lol but im sure others have haha but thanks guys hopefully it helps
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
The funny thing about replacing stock stereo stuff is that, once you replace one part, you'll see just how lacking the other parts really are. Most stock speakers are made of paper. If you replace the H/U, you will notice just how crappy those paper speakers sound. To be able to appreciate your H/U, you should change out your factory speakers with a decent set of after-market ones.
You could use the stock wiring and amp and still have a noticeable difference. If you wanted to go a step further, then I'd change out the speaker wiring as well (and an aftermarket amp for an even further upgrade) Right now, changing out the speakers should make a huge difference.
You could use the stock wiring and amp and still have a noticeable difference. If you wanted to go a step further, then I'd change out the speaker wiring as well (and an aftermarket amp for an even further upgrade) Right now, changing out the speakers should make a huge difference.
honestly, stock stuff isnt necessarily crap, but its meant to all work together. barring any malfunctioning items (and of course wear and tear) the stock stereo, when played at normal and slightly higher than normal levels, shouldnt blow stock speakers.
now i havnt measured the distortion levels from this deck, but most decks in newer cars are pretty decent. from my experience (12 years) ive seen that the largest improvements are noticed after adding an amp/sub combo, then replaceing speakers. to improve sound, the deck is the last thing id change.
changing the deck doesnt mean that the stock speakers will sound any better. they are designed to handle the distortion levels of the stock deck, and thus will not sound as loud with a cleaner signal that comes from the new deck.
oh, and my $1200 MB Quarts had a paper cone. it is argued that paper cones have a more natural sound to them.
now i havnt measured the distortion levels from this deck, but most decks in newer cars are pretty decent. from my experience (12 years) ive seen that the largest improvements are noticed after adding an amp/sub combo, then replaceing speakers. to improve sound, the deck is the last thing id change.
changing the deck doesnt mean that the stock speakers will sound any better. they are designed to handle the distortion levels of the stock deck, and thus will not sound as loud with a cleaner signal that comes from the new deck.
oh, and my $1200 MB Quarts had a paper cone. it is argued that paper cones have a more natural sound to them.
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Well, you're right I guess I mis-spoke when I said that they were "crap". Paper lamanent cones nowdays are pretty good and give you a nice sound if used properly. Unfortunately, most stock speakers don't exactly use the best materials in order to keep the cost down. My biggest concern with paper cones is their overall life in extreme weather conditions. Where I live, the outside temp. can get well over 100 not to mention how hot it gets inside a vehicle. In the winter it gets as low as 20's and 30's. Not many paper cones are designed to withstand that wide of a temp. swing for very long. (Hell, most composite speakers aren't either).
As you said, they are designed to work in conjunction with the system as a whole. Of course, once you change out the factory H/U, then the problem of sound quality comes into play for the stock speakers. Then they begin to sound "crappy"...or at least don't fit the expectations...when being run with that new H/U.
There has been a lot of talk about how sub-par the audio is in my car. Having come from a vehicle with a good, high-end system, I do admit that it's not the greatest but...considering how difficult it is to change out just the speakers (let alone the H/U) I'm learning to enjoy how well the components work together. Yes, basically I'm learning to live with it until I can't stand it any more, and then I'll replace them all at once.
As you said, they are designed to work in conjunction with the system as a whole. Of course, once you change out the factory H/U, then the problem of sound quality comes into play for the stock speakers. Then they begin to sound "crappy"...or at least don't fit the expectations...when being run with that new H/U.
There has been a lot of talk about how sub-par the audio is in my car. Having come from a vehicle with a good, high-end system, I do admit that it's not the greatest but...considering how difficult it is to change out just the speakers (let alone the H/U) I'm learning to enjoy how well the components work together. Yes, basically I'm learning to live with it until I can't stand it any more, and then I'll replace them all at once.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
I actually thought about the issue of longevity of paper cone speakers in doors myself. But, as it turns out, the contenders for my door were all poly and aluminum anyway, as Scan Speak is a biiiiiit out of my budget. I ended up choosing Dayton RS which is aluminum.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by fast01z28
now i havnt measured the distortion levels from this deck, but most decks in newer cars are pretty decent. from my experience (12 years) ive seen that the largest improvements are noticed after adding an amp/sub combo, then replaceing speakers. to improve sound, the deck is the last thing id change.
changing the deck doesnt mean that the stock speakers will sound any better. they are designed to handle the distortion levels of the stock deck, and thus will not sound as loud with a cleaner signal that comes from the new deck.
changing the deck doesnt mean that the stock speakers will sound any better. they are designed to handle the distortion levels of the stock deck, and thus will not sound as loud with a cleaner signal that comes from the new deck.
thanks for the explanation on the diff. types of speakers i honestly learned something new.what size's should i get for replacements and whats the best bang for the buck thanks all
whats the best all depends on your budget. the good thing is, with your new head unit, youll have an RCA out to add am amp. this means that the sky isthe limit. also, 6.5" components are a very popular choice, and thats what our doors take. the only problem is tweeter placement (since the components have a separate tweeter).
you can look around on here, theres several solutions for this, i saw a guy is making a-pillars that hold a tweeter. this will bring your sound stage up, and allows you to get some high end speakers. youll also need an amp tho if you get any real highend speakers.
first step is to come up with a budget. the cheapest is probably $150, and the most expensive is in the $2000 range (maybe more). i NEVER recommend low end speakers since they aren not a major improvement over stock speakers.
you can look around on here, theres several solutions for this, i saw a guy is making a-pillars that hold a tweeter. this will bring your sound stage up, and allows you to get some high end speakers. youll also need an amp tho if you get any real highend speakers.
first step is to come up with a budget. the cheapest is probably $150, and the most expensive is in the $2000 range (maybe more). i NEVER recommend low end speakers since they aren not a major improvement over stock speakers.