philk

Wondering if you experts/experienced folks can help....

I wanted to update my stock system, and was originally going to replace my stock speakers (but that alone didn't sound good - lost a good amount of bass), then I was going to add the Alpine KTP-445.

I am now rethinking the whole thing and looking to replace the stock head unit (in the odyssey van) and try that with the stock speakers (they're stamped at 15W 4ohm, I think). An aftermarket head claims 4x50max and appears to be about 14-18WRMS per channel.

Should I leave it with stock speakers or go to JL C2650X? and if I upgrade to four JL C2650X, is an KTP-445 enough to drive the speakers properly or should I go with a PDXF4 (is that too much). A PDX5 might be nice (in case I ever decide I want to fill in the bass with a 10") - but I'm not into shaking the scene.

I guess I'm approaching it stages .. hopefully decent stuff, but minimalist wiring. I more concerned with powerful rock that punches and clean jazz than I am with announcing my arrival 5 blocks before I get there.

Thanks!

madwarrior

iTrader: (3)

I am a noob as well but you will see more sound quality from buying new speakers first then buying a new head unit. IF you buy a new head unit the speakers will likely blow if you turn it up too much.

As for the amps remember whatever they are rated at as max isnt what they will push out to every speakers.
So for instance:
My sony 500 watt amp (ya ya I know) 4 chanelle
Will push 500 wats bridged to the rear. Bridged.
it will push 250 to each chanelle seperately for the back.
For the front I think it pushes only like 75 watts to each chanelle (so each speaker).



Also even tho all head units claim the same wattage they might not actually be that. Also some head units sound great and some sound like crap. If you go to wal mart and buy a duel head unit to put on your stock speakers you probably wont hear much of an upgrade at all.


But I am a noob still too but all this small stuff is pretty simple and I do have experience replacing head units and spoeakers lol.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

What is the vehicle, the goals and your budget?

philk

Thanks for the quick replies...

Madwarrior - I agree, the aftermarket speakers appeared to have more clarity/quality in sound than the stock speakers. They did seem to lack depth, but I think that is more from not enough power from the head unit, but just guessing here.

MR2NR:
Vehicle: 2007 Honda Odyssey
Budget: approx $800
Goals (in order, high to low ranked):
1) MP3 (via USB or CD; don't care for ipod control/interface as I don't have i-anything)
2) Sound - has to be clean (well clean enough for my ears, and I know I like Boston Acoustics - but no local dealers with speakers I could audition)
3) Double-Din (single-Din w/ dash kit would look out of place)
4) Ease of install (minimal wiring, stock mounting locations)
5) Bluetooth
6) Enough power for Rock (AC/DC, Zeppelin, Eagles, etc) and clean for Jazz

Hope that helps.

sunfired

iTrader: (-1)

Adding an amp while keeping your stock deck is an option as well, that is if your happy with the functionalilty.

RomanticMoments

A double din would take a big chunk out of the budget just for looks... I'd deal with either the factory head, or a single din to invest in speaks and an amp to drive them. The max I could see out of an aftermarket head is 13wrms. Better than most factory systems in terms of power, but if you want to have mp3 and good sound, I'd pick up a decent single din, speaks and a small 4 channel. 45wrms would be a nice starting point considering the budget. Swapping decks is a must if you want mp3 that bad, and if you want good, clear sound, a new set of thumpers and some extra power behind them is what's going to deliver.

philk

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was looking at the alpine 9886 for a single DIN. I'm also looking at a pioneer 3200BT. Above the alpine, the pioneer will give me BT, DVD (maybe better sound processing - not sure if that is true), and an option to add a rear view camera later.

I see that the general idea is that an amp is in my future. Would 75x4 or 100x4 be "too much" for JL C2650x speakers?

Also, what are your thoughts on JL C250x vs alpine type R (SPR-17C) ... or others?

Thanks again - it's all helpful!

RomanticMoments

I used to work with the Type R's daily and they are a great speaker. Depending on where you get them, they can be rough on pricing. I think I personally am biased towards them given the choice between only those two, but you're the listener, so you really need to hear both to decide. Both are solid products. As for power, 75-100wrms is perfect. If its 75-100w peak, they're realistically only producing 40-55wrms, right in line with what I had posted earlier. The Alpine Type R, Alpine 9886, and Alpine pdx 4 channel would be a respectable system, and as an added bonus everything matches, meeting the required criteria for a window sticker lol