A question about Ohms.

[Bkord123]

When you hook the leads up and subtract the DMM resistance, just read what it says. It will be the impedance of the speaker. And lots of companies have their speakers and subs made in China and the manufacturer will just re-brand them to what the buyer orders.
So in short, there is probably 10 different speaker companies that use that 3.5" speaker, and they all have a different name, but it's the same speaker. Now if you paid for an aftermarket system that was to include higher end Alpine components, then that's different. You got taken. But $495 from the dealer for an Alpine system, does seem like you got what you paid for. Even though it might ****. I really hate dealers inflating prices to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.

What if I confirm these are the exact speakers in a Dart that doesn't have the Alpine upgrade? Should I freak? haha

 

[bbeljefe]

The speakers are 2Ω and the system was designed by Alpine for Chrysler and the parts are branded with Chrysler's name because that's what they're made for.

Regarding the 2.4Ω reading you're getting with your meter, that isn't uncommon. Voice coils are reactive loads, not resistive loads, so you will never read with your meter the exact impedance of a voice coil... because DMMs read resistance only. For a better understanding of what a reactive load is, tap the cone on one of the speakers while you're reading the coil and see what happens. ;-)

 

[Bkord123]

Good info. Thank you. Do you see any major drawbacks with me just dropping 4-ohm replacements in?

 

[bbeljefe]

If you replace the factory speakers with 4Ω drivers it will not be as loud and won't sound as good at all. Either replace the amps, leave the factory speakers or replace the speakers with 2Ω drivers.

 

[Bkord123]

Thank you. You seem positive these are 2-ohms. You're the only one to say that other than Crutchfield. I'm not disagreeing, just curious how you know. Again, thanks for the info.

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

If it's worth your time, but in the end it will probably be a waste. The biggest question is whether you are happy with the way they perform, and is it worth it to replace all 9 speakers with aftermarket ones. If it is worth replacing them, then you are in the right place. As far as info on getting back at the dealer, we all have had some sneaky dealer pull a fast one on us. I hate to hear it happen though. But there is a huge chance the factory speakers are what you paid for.

PS, Lots of times, if you alter the vehicle's electronics, it will void the waranty. So if you bought this car new, you may want to check with the dealer first before you start ripping things out. Last hting you need is a dealer not wanting to pay for legitimate warranty work, just because some speakers have been changed.

 

[bbeljefe]

Thank you. You seem positive these are 2-ohms. You're the only one to say that other than Crutchfield. I'm not disagreeing, just curious how you know. Again, thanks for the info.

You are reading 2Ω with your meter and, the factory Alpine systems use 2Ω drivers. In fact, a lot of manufacturers are now using 2Ω drivers because it's cheaper to produce 2Ω coils and get more power out of an amp than it is to build an amp that will do the same amount of power on a 4Ω load.

 

[Bkord123]

You are reading 2Ω with your meter and, the factory Alpine systems use 2Ω drivers. In fact, a lot of manufacturers are now using 2Ω drivers because it's cheaper to produce 2Ω coils and get more power out of an amp than it is to build an amp that will do the same amount of power on a 4Ω load.

Interesting! I really appreciate everyone's help. I still say the word Alpine should be on there.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

They are not going to pay for the name to be there. Normally upgraded systems are more focused on ten source and install than the speakers themselves.

 

[mrpep]

I had JBl's in my highlander and they were paper and sounded decent. I ripped them out and replaced with infinity and threw an amp on them and am much happier. I also had to throw a second amp with a woofer too complete the full sound experience.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I think I'd be happy if the word Alpine was somewhere on them. I'm going to find another Dart owner who didn't get the Alpine upgrade and if they have the same speakers, it's on!
Re. the ohms. The car has an amp already as part of the factory setup. I'm looking for simpler mods, so replacing the amp isn't my thing. I figured I'd replace the speakers and add some sound-deadening. The reason I even thought of ohms is because I was on Crutchfield.com chatting with one of their reps who told me I need to replace them with 2 ohm speakers since the factories are that. But in searching online, there aren't very many 2-ohm 3.5" speakers, not to mention people in the Dodge forums are telling me they're 4 ohms.

Get a sharpie and write "ALPINE" on them if you want them to say Alpine. If Crutchfield is saying 2 ohm and your DMM is reading closer to 2 ohm then it's safe to say that's what they're specs are supposed to be. A 10-15% variance in specs on speakers isn't unusual with manufacturing tolerances and just plain rounding off when they publish specs.

IMO you would have done best to save the 500$ and go all aftermarket from the start. I'd say replace one thing at a time until you're happy but I wouldn't worry at all about just adding some 4ohm speakers in their place. As you say, 2 ohm drivers are pretty uncommon and will drastically reduce your options (if you'll have any options at all!)

They are not going to pay for the name to be there. Normally upgraded systems are more focused on ten source and install than the speakers themselves.

Definitely this ^^^

 

[Bkord123]

Get a sharpie and write "ALPINE" on them if you want them to say Alpine. If Crutchfield is saying 2 ohm and your DMM is reading closer to 2 ohm then it's safe to say that's what they're specs are supposed to be. A 10-15% variance in specs on speakers isn't unusual with manufacturing tolerances and just plain rounding off when they publish specs.
IMO you would have done best to save the 500$ and go all aftermarket from the start. I'd say replace one thing at a time until you're happy but I wouldn't worry at all about just adding some 4ohm speakers in their place. As you say, 2 ohm drivers are pretty uncommon and will drastically reduce your options (if you'll have any options at all!)

Definitely this ^^^

The reason I thought a reading of 2.4 meant it was a 4-ohm speaker is that I read in a few places that you always round up, not down like we do in math.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

The reason I thought a reading of 2.4 meant it was a 4-ohm speaker is that I read in a few places that you always round up, not down like we do in math.

so 2.4 means 4? dude seriously, you're complaining like a little toddler that just ate his last cookie. you put a dmm on the speaker and it read 2.4Ω and than you say it means 4Ω. than you ***** about Alpine not branding their speakers in a car b/c they don't want to pay Chrysler $1000 per car just to have their name on the grille when they are already producing the speakers. ******* grow up. I have yet to see Crutchfield be wrong on anything. yeah they may carry brands that you can't afford so you'll say they are over priced. if you don't like it than go somewhere else.

 

[Bkord123]

Instead of attacking me personally, try doing a Google search and see what's out there re. ohm testing. You'll find a ton of sites that say round up. Also, you clearly aren't reading what I'm writing. I'm trying to get to the bottom of whether or not I got what I paid for. Perhaps you're comfortable going along with a company like an obedient sheep. I am not.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

You got what you paid for.