First post! Which speakers for 20W RMS head unit?

[spiffytexan]

Howdy!

I'm new here, but I have a little audio experience. I will soon have a 20w RMS Kenwood head unit to compliment my stock 8" subwoofer.

What speakers would you recommend for a 20W RMS head unit? I'm looking at JBL GTO, Kicker DS68, Infinity Reference, and Alpine SPS 2-way Type S.

What speakers would you recommend? I'm open to all suggestions.

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[James Coyle]

You looking for decent midbass? Or crystal clear and loud highs?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I hate to break it to you but that 20w rating you will never see. In this case you are better off using stock speakers until you can amp them. You are going to break the factory seals and have no power. It will sound worse.

 

[spiffytexan]

Why no 20w rating? It's a 22w rms Kenwood GPS and DVD fancyass head unit. I got it for $150 used.

 

[spiffytexan]

This is what I have: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-hgx8tMfhOSb/p_113DNX5120/Kenwood-DNX5120.html

 

[big scott]

Why no 20w rating? It's a 22w rms Kenwood GPS and DVD fancyass head unit. I got it for $150 used.

because your are NOT going to get 20w from that or any head unit. does not work that way.

you need an amp for a good aftermarket speakers to sound good. like said stick with stock until you can get an amp fro them.

that 20w is when they run a sine wave throw it at its max. music is not a sine wave.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Exactly. No HU puts out more than 10-12 watts.

 

[spiffytexan]

Ahh dang it. Still, what speakers will sound decent off the head unit, and will allow me to expand to a 55w rms amp in the future?

 

[big scott]

why are you limiting to 55w ??

 

[spiffytexan]

Because money, and a more sensitive speaker will sound better with my current head unit.

 

[Umbra]

How is the sub wired into the car? If it taps into the rear speaker wiring somewhere then it shouldn't be an issue, but if it has its own output on the current HU that might be problematic.I just want you to be sure you're not going to be running into a brick wall.

As already stated, 20W RMS is extremely optimistic. Aftermarket speakers might be an improvement, but you won't get anywhere near their potential until you put them on an amplifier.

I'm currently using Kenwood components (see below). They're not high-end by any means at ~$70 a pair, but they're definitely not junk. You didn't mention the size of your current speakers (i.e. 5.5", 6.5", 6x9, etc) or if they're components (the tweeter is a separate speaker wired alongside the first, often they're in the tops of the doors while the woofer is at the bottom). If you truly want quality sound, especially midbass, you'll need a decent pair of speakers, a decent amp for them, and you'll need to treat the doors. @keep_hope_alive has a solid build log detailing what goes into treating the doors for SQ. It's definitely work, but absolutely worth it: http://www.caraudio.com/forums/car-...14-accord-sport-sq-build-keep_hope_alive.html

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Howdy!
I'm new here, but I have a little audio experience. I will soon have a 20w RMS Kenwood head unit to compliment my stock 8" subwoofer.

What speakers would you recommend for a 20W RMS head unit? I'm looking at JBL GTO, Kicker DS68, Infinity Reference, and Alpine SPS 2-way Type S.

What speakers would you recommend? I'm open to all suggestions.

First off, if you are new, let me tell you what you are getting into. Your factory speakers like said before, will sound better because there is a factory seal/baffle around it which makes it a perfect fit with no air holes at all.

When you get new aftermarket speakers, you'll have to ditch the factory mounts and create your own out of wood or buy mounting rings, you'll then have to have to drill through the wood and into the metal(have a set of drill/impact screw drivers). You'll need to buy some weather strip foam tape to create a seal or else there will be leaks which will hurt the sound quality.

Dont expect the same amount of bass you'll be getting either. Some stock speakers are full range that can play down low to 40hz and produce a lot of distortion that sounds like bass. Most aftermarkets are designed to play down to 80 hz, doesn't matter what they claim, thats usually how it'll sound. You'll have to do sound deadening if you want stronger low end from your speakers.

http://www.513electronics.com/reclaiming-lost-midbass-without-breaking-the-bank-sound-dampening-part-3/ read up all 9 parts.

Power is cheap. Nowadays you can get a 100rms x 4 amp for under 130 shipped easy. Might as well get some nice speakers now rather than continuously upgrading back and forth.

You also dont need to upgrade the rear speakers. Mainly focus on the front components. Dont get coaxials, components beat them by far.

JBL p660c is a great choice, will get loud on head unit power and gets a lot louder when amped. They sound very nice and clean too.

 

[spiffytexan]

My 2005 focus has absolutely awful stock speakers that need to be replaced.

I will be deadening the doors, but still need to choose 5x7 speakers! Leaning towards infinity reference, Alpine type S, or JBL. Which of these do y'all suggest?

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

have you researched the available speaker depth for your Focus? that will be a limiting factor that you need to review first.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

To keep all from overloading you with "research better and amp your speakers", I will say just go with some decent infinity reference speakers till you can purchase a amped setup for you're doors.

If you are wanting to be louder and sound much more clear then normal headunit sources then skip this and go with a researched amped setup.