Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Question about Component Speakers

I am looking into building my own set of 2 way components what would be a good freq. range for the mid base driver??? and then again for the tweeter???

What are you doing about the crossover, building your own or using a pre-made one? Take a look at the frequency response of each (tweet & mid). You'll want them to overlap at least a little, so you can design a good crossover. For the tweeter selection, the fs should be about half (or less) the intended crossover frequency.

Do you have a subwoofer? You'll want a midrange that will blend well with the sub. If the sub is only really good up to 80Hz, then you'll want a good mid-range that will handle that or lower so look at a decent (>3mm) xmax.

Where are you shopping for these components and what is the budget?

If you don't have or don't plan on adding a sub, I'd buy a mid with as low as frequency response as possible and up to around 3,000Hz on the high end. Then, just pick a tweeter that will play at least below 3,000Hz.

(3,000Hz is just an example, just used it because many pre-made x-overs are in this area)

If you have a sub or plan on adding one, you can easily get away with a mid that will only play down to 60 or 70Hz as you'll cut your sub around 80Hz.

From my personal experience, I've found it's difficult to find a mid that has both excellent mid-range and mid-bass. They tend to be skewed towards one or the other (well, in my price range anyways). That Peerless mid in my recent cheap component post is a nice, bargain choice for a system with a sub. BTW, I'd recommend silk/fabric tweets as metal can sound harsh/shrill, unless those are your tastes.

Aaron,
does Rarts Express sell any good component sets that come in a 6x8 plate to fit the front doors? I have 6x9's in there right now which I plan to relocate to the back doors, where 6x8's sit right now.

I don't like the 6x8's I have back there and thought that if I was to upgrade I would move the 6x9's from up front and then improve from there. And from the past I know that you have a keen eye from deals at Parts Express.

How much are you looking to spend?

Not much. I am not forking out MUCHO DINERO for Infinity's or anything like that. I KNOW Aaron or dnewma have suggestions for cheaper than the high-end name-brand stuff.

Staz,

No one sells components in a 6x8 plate for drop in. I made some plates for the truck (also 6x8) that house a 5" mid and a 1" tweeter. I just used some 1/4" MDF. I could cut you a couple with spare wood I have if you'd like. Is this what you'd like, the mids and tweeters in the plate? The crossover I used was mounted on the door, not part of the plate. If you want a pre-made thing, Crystal Mobil Sound has some decent 5x7 plates with external crossover, but I think the crossover is only 6dB/oct and on the twee only. Not that great IMO, but for $60 not bad. Parts Express doesn't sell much as far as retail speakers. You're best bet is Crystal or make your own.

What's your exact budget? What sucks is the crossovers are now $30/pair. They are better than the old ones PE sold, but hurts for super budget speakers. I paid $60/pair for my 5" Vifa mids, and $42/pair for the Audax tweeters. I recommend both, or we can find cheaper if you want. There is a really good $10 5" midrange that doesn't play much bass (fine with a sub). And some tweeters for $17/pair.

Hey Aaron,

How do you like the Vifa mids? Did they meet your expectations?

I'm moving mine over to my car and will eventually be running some Axon 6.5's in their place (the darn Vifa's were out of stock when I placed my order so I substituted the Axon's).

I'd recommend that $10 Peerless mid for a budget component system. I'm currently using them in my truck and my wife's Miata. They sound nice in both, and really benefit with the addition of a sub.

OK well I wouldnt want to spend over 200 dollars so that leaves it wid open pretty much and I was looking at parts express for the parts I am planing on doing a custom install that would use the door panel so that it would require less work to replace anything. And yes I do have a sub its a 12" rockford HE in a sealed enclosure and I would prolly be building hte cross over if i cant find a good pre-made one. I was looking at bullet tweets they looked like they had a really good frequency range and all. Plus they would look good. See plan for my interior is blue vynal and i would be doing the doors in this and would be removing the factory speaker grill and replacing it with a peice of plexi glass that the speakers will be mounted into. I hope this would work, I figure I will prolly need to do some bracing and all but oh well.

Vifa's are currently powered off the factory HU until it gets warm enough to continue working on the stereo. So, it is hard to judge. You were right, more bass than I expected. Not as defined depth and clarity as my Contour setup was with some Audax mids. But, I have a feeling more headroom will fix that.

I have a pair of those Peerless drivers in my RX-7 in the back. I need to put some crossovers on them (high and low), though. That whole setpu needs some crossover help so I reserve judgement on them. I also have another pair of them I was going to use in the rear of the above truck, powered off the HU. But I figure I'd run int othe same problem now with the RX-7 so I may just turn them off with the fader. Anyway, I read your post on these guys and with my limited experience can recommend, especially for the price.

I've got a pair of the old PE crossovers pying around still. Maybe I can sell them to Stazi along with making two 6x8 baffle boards for $15/pair. That is if he doesn't want to spring for the $30 PE ones.

APT