Coaxial direction

[Ceezer 10+ year member]

When I replaced the 6.5s in my doors, the original factory speakers were angled down towards the floor/firewall, so when I put the replacements in, I figured there was a reason for it and put them in at the same angle. Is there a reason, or did someone just goof? Should I turn them around so they're angled towards the seats?

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Aim them so the tweeter is facing you, or as close to it as you can get...

 

[Ceezer 10+ year member]

Ok, thank you. They're Pioneer 4-ways right now, but thinking about replacing them with a component set. If I do, should I point the 6.5 mid towards me, too, and then mount the tweeter somewhere directed at me?

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

The mids are less sensitive to off-axis response than the tweets are...but generally, you want the sound to appear to come at you from a single, "point" source.

 

[Ceezer 10+ year member]

So if I did go with components, I should try to mount the tweeter as close to the mid as possible, so the sound is coming from the same direction?

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

If you could...a lot of people mount tweets in sail pods on the A pillar because it's where their stock ones were, or they get better imaging that way. It all depends on your specific install.

Some components (like Boston's Z6's and some CDT's, among others) have brackets to mount the tweet right in front of the mid, so they function exactly like coaxials - except with external crossovers.

 

[Ceezer 10+ year member]

Function like coaxials? Is there much of a reason to change from coaxials to components, then? If what I have is fine, I'd rather save the money for something else.

Sorry for all the questions

 

[rideac1 10+ year member]

Coax's do not have external crossovers, the components do even if you can assemble them together like a coax, if the stock position is a good one

 

[stones 10+ year member]

The nice thing about coaxials is that they are engineered with to have the best off axis response as possible and be able to work without proper enclosures.

This is because 90% of the public just uses crappy factory locations.

The high dollar component sets are meant more for custom installs with proper angles and enclosures.

If you have the time and money the components will sound best, but if you are working with regular factory locations a coaxial speaker will work better.

 

[Ceezer 10+ year member]

I don't have anywhere to put kick panels. I only have about 6" between the pedals and the factory panel, and it's pretty small to begin with. So I should probably stick with these coaxials for now, and then maybe think about making some custom door panels, or something, later on?

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

You can still put a component set in the stock location. It will more than likelly sound better than a coaxil speaker...

 

[stones 10+ year member]

Improperly installed components sound like shit, no way around it.

They have the potential to sound way better then coaxials when properly set up though.

 

[Ceezer 10+ year member]

I think I'll just put an amp to these, for now, and I can save a little bit and will know what I want to buy when it's time to replace them. Plus I would have a better idea of how much an improvement comps would be over coaxials, once I've heard these with some power through them.

I've got enough to spend for now, with materials, subs, amps, etc.

I guess while I have your attention (and I greatly appreciate it), I'll ask about an amp for these. They're Pioneer 6.5s (model # escapes me at the moment), and I think they RMS at 50W. Should I go with a 50x2 channel amp? I had my sights on the Phoenix Gold Xenon line, but don't think I've seen one that small.

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

Yes you will want an amp with around 30-70 watts RMS. Try to match the rating on your speakers.

http://ikesound.com/product-product_id/3389

Even this is a good match. You would just need to set the gain properly and it would be great.

 

[Ceezer 10+ year member]

It's ok if the amp has a higher power rating than the speakers RMS at, as long as I keep the gain down? I wouldn't want to underpower them, though, would I (less than 50W)?