finally upgrading!! 5x7 6x8

Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives

After 6 years of ownership, I'm finally going to replace my interior speakers. The right rear speaker sounds as if it's on it's last legs. Obviously, I'm not a huge audio junky, or these speakers wouldn't have lasted a week from me rolling it off the Ford lot. I've searched on here, and a few other places online. Just wanting to see what everyone is running, and if they were a drop-in type speaker. Right now, I'm looking at going with some Alpine Type S, or maybe the Type R's if I can find a good deal on them.

I'd prefer not to have to amplify them. I'm running an Alpine deck, which I'm not sure of the model#, or the wattage, but it's about a year old. The stock amplifier has been bypassed. I should probably mention that I have a 10" sub in the rear deck that will also be hooked up, and want something that I'll be able to hear, even with a little bass.

So would either the Type-S or Type-R be a good drop in replacement? I don't really need 100% top of the line here, so $200+ a pair speakers are out of the question. TIA!!

Mark

I've heard some Infinity's in a Focus and it sounded great. Wish I would have gone with those instead of Pioneer. They sound like crap. I know he got a deal on Ebay for them. Not too pricey.

I've been running Polk Audio Momo 5X7's for a while now and have been really happy with them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-MOMO-MMC570-5X7-6X8-COAXIAL-SPEAKERS-NEW-PR_W0QQitemZ270018802524QQihZ017QQcategoryZ14940QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You could always make some adapter plates out of 1/2" mdf and run 6.5's. That would open your options up a little more.

Look for speakers with a higher db rating, they will be more efficient with H/U power and be a little louder since you don't want to run an amp. Worry more about the speakers in the front then in the rear since the rear will mostly be just fill. Hell, just replace the front speakers first and disconnect the rears and see if you like it that way.

Best thing to do is go out to your local stores and listen to everything. It won't be optimum listening environments but it will be better then nothing. Also why you are at the stores listening, take a look around for open box and clearence speakers. I have gotten some pretty good deals that way.

Originally posted by captainoblivious:
You could always make some adapter plates out of 1/2" mdf and run 6.5's. That would open your options up a little more.

Look for speakers with a higher db rating, they will be more efficient with H/U power and be a little louder since you don't want to run an amp. Worry more about the speakers in the front then in the rear since the rear will mostly be just fill. Hell, just replace the front speakers first and disconnect the rears and see if you like it that way.

Best thing to do is go out to your local stores and listen to everything. It won't be optimum listening environments but it will be better then nothing. Also why you are at the stores listening, take a look around for open box and clearence speakers. I have gotten some pretty good deals that way.

Since drop-ins are available, I think I'm going to stick with them, just for ease of install.

I'm not against running an amp, but I figure running them off of my Alpine H/U will be sufficient. I'd just like it a hair louder than what I can go now, with some better clarity/sound.

The reason I'm actually looking for upgrades, is because one of my rear speakers is going out. Starts to distort, even at not-so-high volumes. I figure I'll just do all 4.

I was at Best Buy the other day with a buddy of mine, and thought I'd see what they had. All they had were some Alpine 2-ways for around $110/pair, and some Pioneer 3-ways for $81/pair. The Pioneers sounded better I thought, but I just hate Pioneer.

Oh, I love open item! If it weren't for open item stuff, I probably wouldn't buy anything!

Mark

i have 2 set of pioneer TS-A6871R since 1 month and i was satisfied with it but this huge demo price staff purchase came out at work so im going with 2 set of infinity kappa 6X8

PM me if you're interested

Originally posted by Y2KSVT:

I'm not against running an amp, but I figure running them off of my Alpine H/U will be sufficient. I'd just like it a hair louder than what I can go now, with some better clarity/sound.

... I figure I'll just do all 4.

Like I said, look for a higher db rating on the speakers. The higher the number the louder the speaker will be with the same wattage.

Also, just try changing the fronts first and disconnect the rear speakers to see how you like it. You may be pleasantly surpised that having no rear speakers sounds better. If you are not happy, move your working front (stock) speakers to the rear and test that out, if you like it better then go buy better for the rear.

Mark from what I remember the last time I was in your car, you will be more than happy with the Pioneers. I have the same ones, and am running them with an Audiobahn powered sub in the trunk. The Pioneers don't distort at all and sound just fine clarity-wise with the sub. Considering what I remember in your car was the stock door speakers without the amp and no sub. Yeah you were rockin' back then.

Don't worry about getting anything too fancy.

My vote is on the alpine type S. I've heard type R's not amped and they dont sound too good.

Type S's are very cheap anyway Just get some of those.

i have some type r or s 6x9's i'd sell pretty cheap i'll have to look and see which they are. you would have to do a lil modification i think but just a thought

Been looking everywhere online, and am starting to get pretty interested in the Infinity Kappa 682's. I found them for $87/pair shipped. I know there are some people running Kappa's in their Tours, so who knows if they are a drop in speaker? Will I need to make mounting plates? I'd like to order atleast one pair today or tomorrow.

Mark

Originally posted by Y2KSVT:
Been looking everywhere online, and am starting to get pretty interested in the Infinity Kappa 682's. I found them for $87/pair shipped. I know there are some people running Kappa's in their Tours, so who knows if they are a drop in speaker? Will I need to make mounting plates? I'd like to order atleast one pair today or tomorrow.

Mark

Yep, right here. Just did two for the front. Look on Ebay, you can get a better deal than $87/pair shipped. IIRC, I got mine for $70/a pair, shipped and this was like 2.5 years ago. You have to be patient, I waited on mine for about 3 months. No need for anything, mine dropped right in.

The Kappas are great, the selling point to me was its clarity. Don't get me wrong, they hit hard, but I'm more of an sq guy. Probably, why I never needed to have a sub w/the kappas. On a side note, when my mother's (she has a contour, as well) speakers started crapping out, I put some cheapo 5x7 pioneers in there. I found them on clearance at Best Buy for $20. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed w/them for being so cheap. IMO, best bang for the buck. So you may want to look into that route, if you want to save yourself some dough. I pointed this out b/c you mentioned that you kept the stock speakers in your car for 6/7 yrs which is pretty impressive! So I'm not really sure the kappas will curtail to your needs. Anyways, both are exceptional products from my experience.

BTW, you were running a 10" sub on the stock equipment??? Wow, that must have been interesting!

Originally posted by Y2KSVT:
Will I need to make mounting plates?

You only need adapter plates if you are going with something other the 5x7/6x8. They pretty easy to make also. All you need is either a jigsaw, band saw or scroll saw; a drill or drill press and some mdf (I used 1/2").

Originally posted by ancientsanskrit:
Don't get me wrong, they hit hard, but I'm more of an sq guy. Probably, why I never needed to have a sub w/the kappas.

You know, the other day I was looking at a set of MB Quart comps that some kid was selling. He had a pair in the back and front, at the time I heard them they were running off HU power. I was shocked at the bass they put out, very impressive. His sq was horrible and the titanium tweeters drove me away from picking up a set, but I was still impressed.

I actually haven't hooked the 10" sub up, yet. I need to get some new RCA cables, and wanted to get these interior speakers first. I actually just picked up 2 sets of Alpine Type-S 5x7's for $131.15 shipped on ebay. They were the best deal I could find, and they are shipping out today since I paypal'd the money before 12:00PST.

Hoping to have them in the next few days!

Thanks for all the input, everyone!

Mark

Speakers are out for shipment, according to the UPS website!

Mark