sick and tired of plain ol' 2 way speakers.....time to upgrade to components!
07-15-2009, 08:23 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 79
sick and tired of plain ol' 2 way speakers.....time to upgrade to components!
It's my first time looking for a set of components. I have a 2002 nissan sentra gxe and I believe that the front and rear speakers are 6 1/2", with just FS bought mtx 2-way speakers. They sound......ok. The main issue with them is I GET NO BASS out of them. It sounds pretty weak, but I also had to make some modifications to the original speaker mounting bracket in order to get them in. Could it be possible that the speakers just suck? or possible that there is air gettin through the bracket? The onlyu reason I ask about my current speakers is that, my mother's 2000 focus wagon KILLS my current speakers. HOW!!!?
Now onto the components side of things. I've never really looked into them before but really wanting to buy a pair, but not sure where to start. I kind of don't want to spend more than 300-350 bucks for a set. Could I get a decent pair for that amount? Also, would I need to get different speakers for the rear? Now in the back there is a (from what I gather) 7" little sub-woofer like speaker in the back in the middle of my 2 6 1/2" speakers. Should I just get rid of it? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, just wanting to start and get my car sounding great
Now onto the components side of things. I've never really looked into them before but really wanting to buy a pair, but not sure where to start. I kind of don't want to spend more than 300-350 bucks for a set. Could I get a decent pair for that amount? Also, would I need to get different speakers for the rear? Now in the back there is a (from what I gather) 7" little sub-woofer like speaker in the back in the middle of my 2 6 1/2" speakers. Should I just get rid of it? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, just wanting to start and get my car sounding great
07-15-2009, 08:43 AM
#2
it sounds like you just have a stock setup for the most part. getting into components will require quite a bit of work compared to 2 ways
you are going to need to run and mount your tweeters to an appropriate locations. the whole idea with components is so that you are able to raise your front soundstage by mounting the tweeters higher up, rather than at your feet in most cars.
you will see a slight increase in bass in component over 2 ways, however its isn't going to be a dramatic difference to warrant spending 350 just because.
if lack of bass is your issue, the problem is most likely elsewhere. deaden your doors, check to make sure your speakers are in phase etc. and most likely if you are runnning a stock deck with no processing, you do not have control over your crossover points, which will determine which frequencies are going to be played through those front speakers.
also, if you want more bass, don't remove your sub. thats what it is there for, to play those lower frequencies which cannot be handles by 6.5" speakers.
you would probably be best off spending that 350 on a deck and small amp for your sub.
you are going to need to run and mount your tweeters to an appropriate locations. the whole idea with components is so that you are able to raise your front soundstage by mounting the tweeters higher up, rather than at your feet in most cars.
you will see a slight increase in bass in component over 2 ways, however its isn't going to be a dramatic difference to warrant spending 350 just because.
if lack of bass is your issue, the problem is most likely elsewhere. deaden your doors, check to make sure your speakers are in phase etc. and most likely if you are runnning a stock deck with no processing, you do not have control over your crossover points, which will determine which frequencies are going to be played through those front speakers.
also, if you want more bass, don't remove your sub. thats what it is there for, to play those lower frequencies which cannot be handles by 6.5" speakers.
you would probably be best off spending that 350 on a deck and small amp for your sub.
Last edited by jstoner22; 07-15-2009 at 08:50 AM.
07-15-2009, 10:55 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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well my car already has stock tweeters in the pillars and I have the alpine Ida-x305 deck. Really the main issue is the bass from the speakers. The speakers also seem to "give out" on loud and bassy parts. Just how can I Check to make sure the speakers are nclosex properly and this deadn thing. It just seems weird that my parents focus speakers from the stock deck sounds way better. Would you suggest a seperate amp for the speakers? I geuss it would clear up the sound as well and take strain off the deck too.
07-15-2009, 11:09 AM
#4
are the speakers distorting when they try adn play low frequencies? or are they simply not playing them(or just not near as loud) ??
if they are distorted, they simply can't handle the bass..raise your crossovers, or get speakers that can
if they are not playing them or alot quiter, lower your crossovers and see how they sound....you may find your self in the situation above though.
if you already have stock tweeters in the a pillars, then thats great if you plan on putting in components...just make sure the aftermarket tweeters fit, unless your plan on doing a custom install.
a separate amp for the speakers would absolutly make a difference...but again, if its just bass you are looking for, you may be better off spending that on a small amp/sub package.
as far as bass from the speakers, check your crossovers!! what are they set at?
your deck has a high pass filter at OFF/80/120/160Hz try each of the crossover points. you aren't going to have any mid bass come through at 160 though...80 or 120 would be your best bet, depending on what your speakers can handle.
if they are just two way mtx speakers from futureshop...they probably can't handle much at all. lol, that may be your problem right there.
for $350 go to custom auto radio in whitby. you will be able to pick up a nice set of focals, or some of the nice hertz stuff. they are a world above anything at futureshop.
like i said though... 1st thing = make sure they are in phase
2nd=check your crossovers
other than that, there isn't really anything you can do without spending money.
in that case, if you are going to spend money, i'd say depending on what kind of bass you are looking for , either a small amp/sub package, or upgrade your fronts nad get a small amp for them.
your fronts shouldn't really be putting out alot of bass anyways...they should provide mid bass ....the less broad the spectrum of frequencies a speaker has to drive, the more efficient, loud, and clear it will be. designate your bass for a sub ...most fronts can't handle that low
....im betting its either your crossovers, or its simply because they are 2 way mtx speakers with only about 20 watts going to them. ...you could always deaden the doors...does wonders, but its a bit of time and money
if they are distorted, they simply can't handle the bass..raise your crossovers, or get speakers that can
if they are not playing them or alot quiter, lower your crossovers and see how they sound....you may find your self in the situation above though.
if you already have stock tweeters in the a pillars, then thats great if you plan on putting in components...just make sure the aftermarket tweeters fit, unless your plan on doing a custom install.
a separate amp for the speakers would absolutly make a difference...but again, if its just bass you are looking for, you may be better off spending that on a small amp/sub package.
as far as bass from the speakers, check your crossovers!! what are they set at?
your deck has a high pass filter at OFF/80/120/160Hz try each of the crossover points. you aren't going to have any mid bass come through at 160 though...80 or 120 would be your best bet, depending on what your speakers can handle.
if they are just two way mtx speakers from futureshop...they probably can't handle much at all. lol, that may be your problem right there.
for $350 go to custom auto radio in whitby. you will be able to pick up a nice set of focals, or some of the nice hertz stuff. they are a world above anything at futureshop.
like i said though... 1st thing = make sure they are in phase
2nd=check your crossovers
other than that, there isn't really anything you can do without spending money.
in that case, if you are going to spend money, i'd say depending on what kind of bass you are looking for , either a small amp/sub package, or upgrade your fronts nad get a small amp for them.
your fronts shouldn't really be putting out alot of bass anyways...they should provide mid bass ....the less broad the spectrum of frequencies a speaker has to drive, the more efficient, loud, and clear it will be. designate your bass for a sub ...most fronts can't handle that low
....im betting its either your crossovers, or its simply because they are 2 way mtx speakers with only about 20 watts going to them. ...you could always deaden the doors...does wonders, but its a bit of time and money
Last edited by jstoner22; 07-15-2009 at 11:16 AM.
07-15-2009, 11:12 AM
#5
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 478
If you really want to increase bass output, I would start with deadening your doors. This makes a considerable difference in the woofer output.
Next thing I would consider is running an amp for your speakers.
If your speakers are "giving out" it could be a few things.
Just off the top of my head..
1. Your deck is sending a distorted signal because you are running it at high volume. Solution... lower volume or amp your speakers. I usually set the gains on my amps so I don't have to go over about 70% volume (70% is basically the max volume my speakers will handle without distorting the way i have my setup).
2. You are sending frequencies that the speaker cannot handle. Try changing your high pass filter to around 60hz. If it is still a problem, try the 80hz range. Small woofers (for the most part) can't handle frequencies below the 60hz range efficiently and often can't really handle power down to even 60hz.
*edit*
jstoner22 beat me to the punch.
Next thing I would consider is running an amp for your speakers.
If your speakers are "giving out" it could be a few things.
Just off the top of my head..
1. Your deck is sending a distorted signal because you are running it at high volume. Solution... lower volume or amp your speakers. I usually set the gains on my amps so I don't have to go over about 70% volume (70% is basically the max volume my speakers will handle without distorting the way i have my setup).
2. You are sending frequencies that the speaker cannot handle. Try changing your high pass filter to around 60hz. If it is still a problem, try the 80hz range. Small woofers (for the most part) can't handle frequencies below the 60hz range efficiently and often can't really handle power down to even 60hz.
*edit*
jstoner22 beat me to the punch.
07-15-2009, 11:32 AM
#7
you want to make sure the negative wires are going to the negative terminals and positive to positive on each speakers. if you have them reversed from one another by accident, they will be out of phase.
if they are out of phase, the sound produced from the speakers will cancel each other out...most noticably the bass.
i'd recommend checking the other stuff first however, since this will require you to take off your doors most likely.
...people always think there is no way they could have mixed it up, but this happens all the time. lol, you should hope this is your problem, as it is a free and easy fix!
07-15-2009, 02:24 PM
#10
Then possibly go to as many car audio places as possible and listen to some sets... even hit up an audio comp or two and have a listen to different speakers in actual vehicles. Then decide what you like (by ear) and go with something along those lines.... 
