Want to do some car audio upgrades

04-17-2009, 10:57 AM

I am looking to replace the factory speakers in the front doors, and replace the factory sub.

Here is what I am looking at. Either the Boston Acoustics 6 ½ inch S65RC or the Polk Audio 6 ½ DB651. The opening in the door is a 6 ¾ with component speakers, and am going to leave the tweeter in there.

As far as sub’s I am looking at the 8 inch JBL GTO804, or the Polk Audio MM840.

I will also need to find a small in size amp to run the sub.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

kaisersozei · 04-17-2009, 11:03 AM

The only place I go for car audio is here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/

Been using them for over 20 years--multiple components, different cars, you name it I bought it from there and installed it myself using their directions, help, etc. Very highly recommended.

Good luck with your project!

poker · 04-17-2009, 11:08 AM

I was in the mobile audio industry for a few years a long time ago, and although the components are much better today then they were back then one thing remains constant: The output will only be as good as the input. Meaning: clean signal in= clean signal out.
Your components sound fine and yes an amp to drive the subs will be needed, but depending on your budget, I would also entertain the thought of a new head unit and/or multichannel amp.

Also keep in mind that many aftermarket speakers are 4 ohm and many factory speakers are not which could affect actual output quality.

tunes · 04-17-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poker

The output will only be as good as the input. Meaning: clean signal in= clean signal out.
Your components sound fine and yes an amp to drive the subs will be needed, but depending on your budget, I would also entertain the thought of a new head unit and/or multichannel amp.

I have a friend that ran in the car audio circuit for a while, even won a few competitions’. If you are doing nothing more than replacing the OEM speakers with quality Aftermarket speakers I don't think the return on investment is that great. You really need to look at a head unit with pre-amp out, multi-channel amp, wire upgrades, etc., but hey, that's just my

BP22 · 04-17-2009, 01:26 PM

Ray...I run the Polk DB651s (slim) in the cabin of my boat. I power them off of a Alpine PDX 4.100. I am extremely happy with the sound of the DBs even in an open air enviroment. The PDX amps are great...Class D, run cool, effecient, small and you can pick them up fairly cheap online.

Polk DB651s

Alpine PDX

04-17-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisersozei

The only place I go for car audio is here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/

Been using them for over 20 years--multiple components, different cars, you name it I bought it from there and installed it myself using their directions, help, etc. Very highly recommended.

Good luck with your project!

Crutchfield’s is the only place I buy my audio stuff from, and have been for a long time. I have ordered quite a few things out of the catalogs before the internet came about.

I normally do all my work anyway. I have been installing this stuff since before I could drive.

Maybe I am strange or something, but I prefer the stock radio look. I know I won’t get the best sound without changing out the head unit, but one of my door speakers is out so I am thinking of upgrades.

04-17-2009, 01:38 PM

Brandon I think that size is what I need. That way it will fit in the compartment beside where the sub is, and it can stay hidden.

gettysburgfreak · 04-17-2009, 05:33 PM

JBL Polk, and Eclipse are all excellent subs. I agree with what others have said in regards to crutchfield, I bought a sony unit from there and love it.

bigswol2 · 04-17-2009, 06:46 PM

What kind of car is it? I ask because my car came with a really nice Harmon Kardon head unit so I opted to by a Rockford Fosgate 3sixty. This is a wonderful piece that puts a world of adjustment at your fingertips.... well palm powered device. With the signal out of the way I went with MB Quart components (Wonderful) A Precision Power 4 channel and Memphis sub amp and subs. I have the old style Memphis 1000 and as far as power to size that's hard to beat. Are you just replacing to sub or are you building an enclosure?

04-17-2009, 07:34 PM

It is a GMC Yukon.

bigswol2 · 05-07-2009, 01:48 PM

well what did you decide to go with?

BeerAdvocate · 05-07-2009, 02:14 PM

The only head units I have ever owned are ///Alpine

ucla695 · 05-07-2009, 09:15 PM

I'd also recommend a new head unit if you can swing it. Either way, enjoy the new sound.

05-08-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigswol2

well what did you decide to go with?

Don't know yet. My wife advised me to wait until after Fathers Day, so who knows.

rizzle · 05-08-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junior

It is a GMC Yukon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

The only head units I have ever owned are ///Alpine

Tell you what I did in my Tahoe. Put an Alpine head unit in, put Polk Momo 6 1/2" components in the front doors and Polk Momo 6 1/2" coax in the rear doors, a JL Audio 8" sub in the back, and powered it all with a 6 channel JL audio amp. Everything fit where the factory stuff was so no extra cutting, fabrication, or anything. Mounted the amp under the rear passenger seat, nicely tucked away. Everything looks factory except for the obviously the head unit.

Now will it rattle the neighbors windows when I pass by? No, but that isn't what I wanted to do. I wanted good, clean sound without spending a fortune on it, Sirius, CD/MP3, and Ipod controls from the head unit. Check, check, check, and check. Couldn't be happier...well I probably could be if I spent twice as much money. It even wishes me a Happy Birthday, Happy New Year, Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy 4th of July. Pretty freaking cool in my book.

04-17-2009, 10:57 AM	#1
Junior Guest Posts: n/a	Want to do some car audio upgrades I am looking to replace the factory speakers in the front doors, and replace the factory sub. Here is what I am looking at. Either the Boston Acoustics 6 ½ inch S65RC or the Polk Audio 6 ½ DB651. The opening in the door is a 6 ¾ with component speakers, and am going to leave the tweeter in there. As far as sub’s I am looking at the 8 inch JBL GTO804, or the Polk Audio MM840. I will also need to find a small in size amp to run the sub. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

04-17-2009, 11:03 AM	#2
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades The only place I go for car audio is here: http://www.crutchfield.com/ Been using them for over 20 years--multiple components, different cars, you name it I bought it from there and installed it myself using their directions, help, etc. Very highly recommended. Good luck with your project! __________________

04-17-2009, 11:08 AM	#3
poker 1:11 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kelly Location: SoCal Posts: 5,280 Trading: (7)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades I was in the mobile audio industry for a few years a long time ago, and although the components are much better today then they were back then one thing remains constant: The output will only be as good as the input. Meaning: clean signal in= clean signal out. Your components sound fine and yes an amp to drive the subs will be needed, but depending on your budget, I would also entertain the thought of a new head unit and/or multichannel amp. Also keep in mind that many aftermarket speakers are 4 ohm and many factory speakers are not which could affect actual output quality. __________________ Cigar Asylum: A cigar board birthed without agendas, without profiting, and without advertisements. Amor puro Character is what you do when no one is watching

04-17-2009, 01:26 PM	#5
BP22 Raiding Gerry's Zero Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brandon Location: South of the Border (KM 53.5) Posts: 59 Trading: (1)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades Ray...I run the Polk DB651s (slim) in the cabin of my boat. I power them off of a Alpine PDX 4.100. I am extremely happy with the sound of the DBs even in an open air enviroment. The PDX amps are great...Class D, run cool, effecient, small and you can pick them up fairly cheap online. Polk DB651s Alpine PDX __________________ Brandon "Everybody relax, I'm here." Jack Burton

04-17-2009, 01:38 PM	#7
Junior Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades Brandon I think that size is what I need. That way it will fit in the compartment beside where the sub is, and it can stay hidden.

04-17-2009, 05:33 PM	#8
gettysburgfreak Patriot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Mitten Posts: 1,442 Trading: (2)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades JBL Polk, and Eclipse are all excellent subs. I agree with what others have said in regards to crutchfield, I bought a sony unit from there and love it. __________________ Author ofeath, Disease, and Life at War: The Civil War Letters of Surgeon James D. Benton, 111th and 98th New York Infantry Regiments, 1862-1865.

04-17-2009, 06:46 PM	#9
bigswol2 Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 534 Trading: (7)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades What kind of car is it? I ask because my car came with a really nice Harmon Kardon head unit so I opted to by a Rockford Fosgate 3sixty. This is a wonderful piece that puts a world of adjustment at your fingertips.... well palm powered device. With the signal out of the way I went with MB Quart components (Wonderful) A Precision Power 4 channel and Memphis sub amp and subs. I have the old style Memphis 1000 and as far as power to size that's hard to beat. Are you just replacing to sub or are you building an enclosure?

04-17-2009, 07:34 PM	#10
Junior Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades It is a GMC Yukon.

05-07-2009, 01:48 PM	#11
bigswol2 Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 534 Trading: (7)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades well what did you decide to go with?

05-07-2009, 02:14 PM	#12
BeerAdvocate BeerHunter Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Travis Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 1,912 Trading: (45)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades The only head units I have ever owned are ///Alpine __________________ *I Brew the Beer I Drink*

05-07-2009, 09:15 PM	#13
ucla695 Neither here, nor there Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Pool Posts: 3,696 Trading: (5)	Re: Want to do some car audio upgrades I'd also recommend a new head unit if you can swing it. Either way, enjoy the new sound.