Car Speaker Upgrade

[Clincher09]

So I put a new stereo in my car, and the speakers sound like crap. I just want to know what is the cheapest set (2 front, 2 back) of good sounding speakers I could get. I just want something that can actually handle the stereo I put in the car. The ones now click and can't get very loud without breaking up. I have a 1994 Taurus, so something better than 14 year old factory speakers would be fine.

[GreatDane]

It's very likely that the foam surrounds are rotted on your factory speakers.

I wouldn't spend less than around $100/pair. Look at Crutchfield for some ideas.

[Clincher09]

Heh, I guess 2 $20 duraband speakers won't cut it. I will probably only spend as high as $50 a pair though.

[breakfastchef]

The cheapest speakers you can buy are already in your car. Great Dane is right, check out Crutchfield. They have an good product selection, excellent customer service and top notch tech support. You might be able to score something from Crutchfield in that $50+ area.

[Sovkiller]

For the Taurus Part Express has a good set, just ask them, but do not spend a fortune, I have a 2000 and the position of the speakers is miserable, as in many cars, usually i do not upgrade from stock for that reason...

[frozenice]

It looks like the rear deck speakers are 6" by 8". I would recommend buying a good set of rear speakers for the $100 and then later if you want add decent front speakers. I have owned Alpine, Infinity 2-way, Infinity 3-way components and JL Audio 6"by 9" speakers and spending the extra money for good rear speakers will get you much better sound than buying $50 speakers time two.

[gritzcolin]

Invest in some kick panels or build your own and get a midrange pair of speakers that will fit it and lose the rear speakers. Rear speakers are pretty much pointless unless you have lots of passengers back there. With the kick panels the sound is actually directed at your ears, I have heard many a car with them and they do sound much better than speakers you have to over drive to get any sound out of because they are in horrible positions.

Parts Express is a good place to buy from.

[Lock]

Jesus!!!! do not take the unqualified advice on this thread so far!!! You will end up disapointed.

edit* (Gritzcolin - apologies, just read your post and it is good advice!!!)

Firstly what 'Stereo' did you upgrade to.
Second. what do you want to achieve are you after SQ, SPL, or somewhere in the middle.
Third. What kind of music do you mainly listen to?
Fourth. Do you intend to use any kind of sub?


I was very much involved in car audio for a time, I've grown up now and my home hifi and portable set up is more imporatant now.

Anyway. I will make some assumptions and provide my thoughts, but I'd think about those questions before you buy anything else. Cars by their nature are an awful place for good sound reproduction, making the right decisions up front is very important.


OK, so some general rules and info.
Front speakers are most important. rear speakers in the doors or parcell shelf are much less important.
6x9 rear parcel shelf speakers were originally developed as 'fill' speakers to fill out the gap in the mid range between fronts and your sub. The quality and range put out by decent speakers now make this often unnecessary.

Most Head Units cannot properly drive even average speakers. A separate amp would be a very good investment if you are after average SPL (volume) but SQ (sound quality) is important to you.

JL are the daddies for Sound Quality in my opinion. their 'e' series amps are on the cheaper side but are absolutely brilliant. Alpine would be next on my list. Cheaper than JL but very close in SQ and much better value. You could also look at Phoenix Gold if they have them in the US. They are actually made by JL but are cheaper..

For speakers it is a case of take your pick. I would recommend you ditch your rear speakers, and spend all your money on a decent set of Front components. These have separate tweeters alowing much better placement on the dash. Look at the Alpine E and S type speakers. These are budget but surprisingly good for the money. If you can stretch your budget look at some Phoenix Gold components.

I would also spend $50 on some 'Dynamat' or similar (you can use roof cladding if you can find suitable stuff) and stick a sheet in the door behind the woofer. It is not a gimick this stuff really does work.

If you can get a 4 channel amp look some decent 3 way rear speakers but I personally wouldn't bother.

I could post links etc but best you say what you are really after first.

The alternative to the above is just by the budget replacements as suggested above and run off the HU. For use in cars, I would not expect you to get a nice sounding set of front speakers for less than $150.
I'm a big fan of the Pioneer TSE range in the UK. These start at about $200 and are considered cheap for car speakers!!!.

[GreatDane]

Originally Posted by Clincher09

I will probably only spend as high as $50 a pair though.

Qualified? Jesus!!

[Lock]

Originally Posted by GreatDane

Qualified? Jesus!!

Oops..... I guess my post was overkill then haha.

no offence intended. I didn't meen qualified in the sense of a 'formal qualification' like a degree. I meant qualified in terms of an 'explanation' of what would be best in his situation.