Help decide which speakers are the best for me

[KillerJ59J]

I'm driving a Honda Accord '96 LX Coupe (6.5 front and 6X9 rear deck)
with a Pioneer head unit and stock speakers. The speakers sound
absolutely horrible, so any aftermarket set will be an improvement.
I'm not particular a bass-fanatic, but later a may add a sub. Which
speakers do you think would be the best in my situation? Quality comes
first, but I'd like speakers that have good highs, mids, as well ad
decent bass. I'm new and ignorant about car audio, so I'd really
appreciate any advice you can give me...

I've narrowed it down to either Pioneer or Infinity Kappas. I'm a
little confused on the Kappas, though. I do not plan on getting an amp
for them, but running 2-ohm speakers on a 4-ohm head unit shouldn't be
a problem, right?


Please enlighten me :P, thanks

[Mariachi]

On Oct 28, 11:05 am, KillerJ59J > wrote:
> I'm driving a Honda Accord '96 LX Coupe (6.5 front and 6X9 rear deck)
> with a Pioneer head unit and stock speakers. The speakers sound
> absolutely horrible, so any aftermarket set will be an improvement.
> I'm not particular a bass-fanatic, but later a may add a sub. Which
> speakers do you think would be the best in my situation? Quality comes
> first, but I'd like speakers that have good highs, mids, as well ad
> decent bass. I'm new and ignorant about car audio, so I'd really
> appreciate any advice you can give me...
>
> I've narrowed it down to either Pioneer or Infinity Kappas. I'm a
> little confused on the Kappas, though. I do not plan on getting an amp
> for them, but running 2-ohm speakers on a 4-ohm head unit shouldn't be
> a problem, right?
>
> Please enlighten me :P, thanks

If you want coaxials... I would go for the Polk Audio db651s (don't
get the shallow mount version though). I had a pair of Polk dB650s
(the old version) and they never distorted no matter how much power I
gave them, and they sounded great.

I wouldn't get pioneers, my friends say that his pioneer speakers were
worse than his crap sony speakers. That's just what I heard anyways.
Kappas are most likely better than Pioneers. If you are just powering
the speakers off of the head unit, I wouldn't get anything that is
below a 92 dB sensitivity.


Polk db651 for $99
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=52000&i=107DB651&tp=95&tab=review

or Alpine SPS-17C2
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=52000&i=500SPS17C2&tp=95&tab=review

If you get components, I would suggest you definitely get a 2-channel
or 4-channel amplifier.

If you have a car audio shop around your area, I would go there and
listen to different sets of speakers to see what you like. And
remember, installation is important in order to get good sound
quality.

[KillerJ59J]

On Oct 28, 10:57 am, Mariachi > wrote:
> On Oct 28, 11:05 am, KillerJ59J > wrote:
>
> > I'm driving a Honda Accord '96 LX Coupe (6.5 front and 6X9 rear deck)
> > with a Pioneer head unit and stock speakers. The speakers sound
> > absolutely horrible, so any aftermarket set will be an improvement.
> > I'm not particular a bass-fanatic, but later a may add a sub. Which
> > speakers do you think would be the best in my situation? Quality comes
> > first, but I'd like speakers that have good highs, mids, as well ad
> > decent bass. I'm new and ignorant about car audio, so I'd really
> > appreciate any advice you can give me...
>
> > I've narrowed it down to either Pioneer or Infinity Kappas. I'm a
> > little confused on the Kappas, though. I do not plan on getting an amp
> > for them, but running 2-ohm speakers on a 4-ohm head unit shouldn't be
> > a problem, right?
>
> > Please enlighten me :P, thanks
>
> If you want coaxials... I would go for the Polk Audio db651s (don't
> get the shallow mount version though). I had a pair of Polk dB650s
> (the old version) and they never distorted no matter how much power I
> gave them, and they sounded great.
>
> I wouldn't get pioneers, my friends say that his pioneer speakers were
> worse than his crap sony speakers. That's just what I heard anyways.
> Kappas are most likely better than Pioneers. If you are just powering
> the speakers off of the head unit, I wouldn't get anything that is
> below a 92 dB sensitivity.
>
> Polk db651 for $99http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=52000&i=107DB...
>
> or Alpine SPS-17C2http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=52000&i=500SP...
>
> If you get components, I would suggest you definitely get a 2-channel
> or 4-channel amplifier.
>
> If you have a car audio shop around your area, I would go there and
> listen to different sets of speakers to see what you like. And
> remember, installation is important in order to get good sound
> quality.

Ah, yeah thanks. Any word on running the Kappas(2-ohm) with the 4-ohm
head unit? I think it should be fine... logic says it shouldn't hurt
the radio, only the speakers. And since the radio's only putting out
50-watts, the speakers should be fine too. They have a 95dB
sensitivity rating, and I've only heard good things about them... I
think I may go ahead and try them. I don't really have a way to get to
a audio-shop... so... I may just get them and sell them later if my
tastes aren't satisfied. Thanks for the advice... I don't think I'm
going to waste my money on the Pioneers.

[Vitamin R]

"KillerJ59J" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I'm driving a Honda Accord '96 LX Coupe (6.5 front and 6X9 rear deck)
> with a Pioneer head unit and stock speakers. The speakers sound
> absolutely horrible, so any aftermarket set will be an improvement.
> I'm not particular a bass-fanatic, but later a may add a sub. Which
> speakers do you think would be the best in my situation? Quality comes
> first, but I'd like speakers that have good highs, mids, as well ad
> decent bass. I'm new and ignorant about car audio, so I'd really
> appreciate any advice you can give me...
>
> I've narrowed it down to either Pioneer or Infinity Kappas. I'm a
> little confused on the Kappas, though. I do not plan on getting an amp
> for them, but running 2-ohm speakers on a 4-ohm head unit shouldn't be
> a problem, right?

I'm not a fan of either Pioneer or Infinity, but if you're stuck choosing
from those the Infinity would be better speakers. However, I would look into
some Clif Designs (CDT Audio) speakers..once you hear them you'll wonder why
you even considered either of the previous two.

And unless your head unit is designed for a 2 ohm load you definitely don't
want to wire for 2 ohms. That's the best way to fry your head unit. It
sounds like you're thinking backwards with impedance. A 2 ohm load requires
twice as much work than a 4 ohm load (not to mention the heat involved)..and
since it's designed only for 4 ohms it's not really an option for you
anyway. 2 ohms = a huge no no with that unit.

Here's a link for the speakers:
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=9&mfg_account_ID=21&sort=account_name&=Update+Selection

[KillerJ59J]

Ok, I also heard that 6X9's are weak on bass, since I'm inexperienced,
could you help me out on this? I was given the idea that 6X9's were
the "big-daddy" of mid-range speakers, but now that I investigate the
more technical scene it seems to be different. Someone told me that
because of the oval shape the bass was awkward. True? Thanks.

[Mariachi]

On Oct 28, 2:58 pm, "Vitamin R" > wrote:
> "KillerJ59J" > wrote in message
>
> oups.com...
>
> > I'm driving a Honda Accord '96 LX Coupe (6.5 front and 6X9 rear deck)
> > with a Pioneer head unit and stock speakers. The speakers sound
> > absolutely horrible, so any aftermarket set will be an improvement.
> > I'm not particular a bass-fanatic, but later a may add a sub. Which
> > speakers do you think would be the best in my situation? Quality comes
> > first, but I'd like speakers that have good highs, mids, as well ad
> > decent bass. I'm new and ignorant about car audio, so I'd really
> > appreciate any advice you can give me...
>
> > I've narrowed it down to either Pioneer or Infinity Kappas. I'm a
> > little confused on the Kappas, though. I do not plan on getting an amp
> > for them, but running 2-ohm speakers on a 4-ohm head unit shouldn't be
> > a problem, right?
>
> I'm not a fan of either Pioneer or Infinity, but if you're stuck choosing
> from those the Infinity would be better speakers. However, I would look into
> some Clif Designs (CDT Audio) speakers..once you hear them you'll wonder why
> you even considered either of the previous two.
>
> And unless your head unit is designed for a 2 ohm load you definitely don't
> want to wire for 2 ohms. That's the best way to fry your head unit. It
> sounds like you're thinking backwards with impedance. A 2 ohm load requires
> twice as much work than a 4 ohm load (not to mention the heat involved)..and
> since it's designed only for 4 ohms it's not really an option for you
> anyway. 2 ohms = a huge no no with that unit.
>
> Here's a link for the speakers:http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&categ...

In regards to the CDT CL-6EX... I've been reading around the internet,
and people use them for rear fill. Is that just because they put
something more expensive for the front stage, and thus use the cheaper
CDT CL-6EX for the rear? I'm guessing you can use them for the front
stage as well, but ideally you want a component set for the front
stage.

[KillerJ59J]

I'm looking for speakers that have a good full, rich, and deep sound.
I think I've narrowed my choices to either Alpine, Polk, or Boston
Acoustics. I'm going to go for 6" 1/2 in front and 6X9's in the rear
deck just pushed by the 50watt head-unit making sure the sensitivity
is >=92. Any more advice you could give before I decide?

[Mariachi]

On Oct 28, 10:31 pm, KillerJ59J > wrote:
> I'm looking for speakers that have a good full, rich, and deep sound.
> I think I've narrowed my choices to either Alpine, Polk, or Boston
> Acoustics. I'm going to go for 6" 1/2 in front and 6X9's in the rear
> deck just pushed by the 50watt head-unit making sure the sensitivity
> is >=92. Any more advice you could give before I decide?

keep in mind that the head unit doesn't actually output 50 Watts. You
are looking at the peak power rating. Most decks output around 17-21
Watts RMS. The RMS power is what counts, not the peak.

[bob wald]

running them off 15rms from the radio.isnt worth alot of thought..just
buy any speakers n be done with it.
go infinity ot earthquake speakers.
or maybe hifonics car speakers.

[KillerJ59J]

On Oct 28, 9:59 pm, Mariachi > wrote:
> On Oct 28, 10:31 pm, KillerJ59J > wrote:
>
> > I'm looking for speakers that have a good full, rich, and deep sound.
> > I think I've narrowed my choices to either Alpine, Polk, or Boston
> > Acoustics. I'm going to go for 6" 1/2 in front and 6X9's in the rear
> > deck just pushed by the 50watt head-unit making sure the sensitivity
> > is >=92. Any more advice you could give before I decide?
>
> keep in mind that the head unit doesn't actually output 50 Watts. You
> are looking at the peak power rating. Most decks output around 17-21
> Watts RMS. The RMS power is what counts, not the peak.

I believe it outs 22watts RMS.

[who cares[_2_]]

"KillerJ59J" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I'm driving a Honda Accord '96 LX Coupe (6.5 front and 6X9 rear deck)
> with a Pioneer head unit and stock speakers. The speakers sound
> absolutely horrible, so any aftermarket set will be an improvement.
> I'm not particular a bass-fanatic, but later a may add a sub. Which
> speakers do you think would be the best in my situation? Quality comes
> first, but I'd like speakers that have good highs, mids, as well ad
> decent bass. I'm new and ignorant about car audio, so I'd really
> appreciate any advice you can give me...
>
> I've narrowed it down to either Pioneer or Infinity Kappas. I'm a
> little confused on the Kappas, though. I do not plan on getting an amp
> for them, but running 2-ohm speakers on a 4-ohm head unit shouldn't be
> a problem, right?
>
>
> Please enlighten me :P, thanks

Given the choices that you presented, I would say Infinity. However, if you
are open to other suggestions, I have a couple of other options for you to
consider (aside from CDT, which is also a great speaker):

1. Zapco I-Force. We have installed dozens of these with great results.
They are priced like an entry level, but sound as good or better than most
brands top-end.

2. Macrom. Great speaker all around. Would recommend them to anyone, even
though my shop doesn't sell them.

Chuck
Trafik Jamz