Are dash speakers useless?

[Archie1185 10+ year member]

I know some people say they detract from the overall sound quality. I just recently bought new kappas for front and rear and also some infinity reference 3.5 for the dash. Should I look to ditch those and invest the money somewhere else?

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[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

If the dash speakers are part of a 2-way or 3-way component system they can sound great. Putting two pairs of coaxials up front getting the same frequencies = not great.

 

[Archie1185 10+ year member]

So should I ditch the 3.5's I just bought. I'm a beginner and advice is welcome.

 

[fly_marlin]

So should I ditch the 3.5's I just bought. I'm a beginner and advice is welcome.

If they're full range, yes. I'll expand on what trumpet is saying. You don't want to have multiple speakers playing the same frequency. It messes up your sound stage (perception of where the music is playing) as well as cause some muddiness. If the dash speakers are part of a setup where they play only their dedicated range of frequencies, it can work very well. You can probably still use the 3.5" for the rear fill, if they fit there with some adapters. For sake of money and ease, your best best is to skip that and just go with the standard 2-way component setup.

 

[Archie1185 10+ year member]

These are what were recommended and ordered

Infinity Reference 3002CFX 3-1/2" Two Way Car LoudSpeakers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SNI68U/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_F9jIvbG111HXR

 

[fly_marlin]

These are what were recommended and ordered
Infinity Reference 3002CFX 3-1/2" Two Way Car LoudSpeakers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SNI68U/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_F9jIvbG111HXR

Alright. I answered above, let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

What is your vehicle?

 

[Archie1185 10+ year member]

2013 Nissan Altima

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

A 2-way component set would be a good choice. We offer a set that uses a 6.7" midbass woofer and a 2" mid/tweeter. The 2" would require me to make custom brackets for the dash so you can fit the factory grille over them. If it were my vehicle I'd put in the extra work because these speakers sound amazing. It would be easier to mount 1" tweeters up there, and that can still sound good.

If you went forward with 3.5" coaxials in the dash it's best to not have tweeters down in the doors. There are different ways to make this happen even with the speakers you have purchased, because putting a low pass filter on the door speakers will serve basically the same purpose. I'm trying not to get too technical about this but I can explain further if needed.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I've never heard speakers on the dash reflecting off the windshield that sounded good. Not saying it isn't possible if that's your objective and you really know what you're doing, but I've never heard it sound anything but awful.

 

[Archie1185 10+ year member]

Initially all I was going for was a full replacement. I don't know a ton about this stuff but I'm learning I should probably scrap the dash speakers.

 

[fly_marlin]

Initially all I was going for was a full replacement. I don't know a ton about this stuff but I'm learning I should probably scrap the dash speakers.

Maybe you can still use them for rear fill, if they fit there.