Finding 6.5" component speakers ~ $200 is driving me crazy. Help!?

[maskedbacon]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the car audio scene, but I love quality sound and think it's time to make my car play music properly. I have a Subaru Forester if that matters for anything.

Anyhow, I am looking to spend around $200 for speakers and could be coaxed up to $300 if you think it's really worth the bump. I'll be buying a new head unit as well but haven't set a budget for an amp (again, I could be persuaded if it's not too expensive). My original goal for my speaker upgrade was around $500 total for HU, speakers and installation.

From doing a ton of research and basically getting sent in circles I've come to the following speakers. Please let me know which ones you'd recommend and feel free to add to the list.

Imagine i61

Focal Polyglass 165 VB

Focal Integration IS 165

Boston Acoustics SR60

Polk MM6501

Infinity Kappa 60.9 CS

I listen to all varieties of music and I'd prefer accuracy and good sound over the loud or booming thing. Lately there's been a lot of IDM and electronic (Aphex Twin kind of stuff). I'm also quie sensitive to shrill highs so I'd prefer not to deal with that.

Appreciate the help. Thanks!

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[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Look into Image Dynamics as well. They're 160 a set new for the CTX line

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

also look at the cdt hd lines as well as a pioneer deh80 prs deck

 

[MisterDeadeye 10+ year member]

Look into Image Dynamics as well. They're 160 a set new for the CTX line

Have you listened to yours yet?

 

[maskedbacon]

Thanks for the replies so far, guys.

By the way could you recommend any shops in LA that have good soundboards to listen to? I've been going from shop to shop and so far have either found crappy vandalized speakers or limited low end stuff with FM connections.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Have you listened to yours yet?

Yea did a few vids in my room free air. (YouTube: seemeeatme is my channel name) I traded my car though so they'll never be installed now. Im just gonna sell em.

They're amazing for the price from the testing I did.

 

[av83 10+ year member]

If your budget is 5 to $600 you may want to consider buying one or more of your items used. There is nothing wrong with preowned equipment thats well taken care of. You will definitely want to budget in an amp, too. Decent comps on a h/u will not do them justice....

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

I'd definitely recommend the HU used. And you'll need an amp if you really want them to shine.

As for listening in the shop... I've never understood the point of it. I mean, it gives you a little idea of the speakers, but it's nothing to what they'll sound like in a car. I would recommend bringing in your own CD to hear them.

Also, to give your budget a little more money, I'd recommend installing them yourself. It's really quite simple, especially speakers. And there's plenty of members on here that are in the LA (assuming you mean LA, Cali) area, or Riverside. There's also a shop in Anaheim that regularly holds car meets every couple months. I'd suggest hitting one of those up to get a better idea of what speakers you'd like.

 

[maskedbacon]

I was thinking of doing the HU myself, but I started reading about needing to solder wires and the price of getting my own equipment started to go above the cost of installing it at a shop. Would you recommend a guide somewhere with a tool listing so I can get a good idea of what'd be required to do it myself? I like the idea of tinkering but this is for a new car and I don't exactly want to screw something up. I also figured going to a shop to run the wires to my doors and mount the crossovers might be a good idea.

But feel free to convince me //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[chillin 10+ year member]

Buy a wire harness for your car and you can do the soldering any where and wont have to run new speaker wires to the doors. Something like this

Reverse Radio Wiring Harness for Subaru Impreza WRX STI Forester Legacy Outback Baja Tribeca

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Ive got a set of memphis mclass mcc6's they retail around 400 but im asking 250shipped and they are basically new

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

i could sell you the comps amps deck all the wiring and dash kits,everything you'll need .i even can set it up so all you have to do is take the dash apart put the new kit in and plug and play the deck ,you'll still have to install the comps but i can send a diagram for that too