Help piecing together a setup for an Express conversion van

[nitroheadz28]

Hello, I have an 03 Express Starcraft conversion van. Information on these is somewhat limited with forums, so I'm kind of blind with my limited electronic/ speaker knowledge.

So firstly I upgraded the head unit to a Pioneer FH-X730BS, I wanted something simple with AUX and bluetooth capability.

The difference in SQ from the stock speakers was huge, very surprising to me since this was the first vehicle I swapped an HU in.

The stock front speakers decided to blow less than 2 weeks later, so I'm shopping for replacements. Ideally I'd like to add in an amp/ sub to get a little bass going. However my main stipulation is that I don't want to take away any possible cargo space in the van. Does anyone have suggestions on what I could do for a stealth/ minimally space invasive install?

Since I want to replace those front speakers asap, what 6.5 / 6.75 speakers would be best to go with off of head unit power? I was mainly considering:

 

-Infinity Reference

-Polk Audio DB651s

I wanted to add that I just want a decent setup, nothing crazy thats going to rattle doors off and whatnot. I mainly listen to trance/ dubstep/ all types of rock/ r&b/ hip hop if it makes a difference in speaker selection.

Any suggestions are really appreciated, thank you!

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[nitroheadz28]

2 day bump, any help guys?

Thank you

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Not many speakers designed to sound great off 15 watts.

Id get a decent 4 channel and a 8" woofer ported maybe under the seat? Never saw one of those vans no clue about selection.

What kind of budget you have?

 

[nitroheadz28]

No budget, but not looking to go nuts. I just want a decent setup that will sound as good or better than OEM, not trying to win any contests lol

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

No budget, but not looking to go nuts. I just want a decent setup that will sound as good or better than OEM, not trying to win any contests lol

JBL/Infinity is a good product, you will get what you pay for in any of their lines and you can often find closeouts or factory refurbs for great discounts. Amps and speakers from them will perform well and should be affordable.

As far as sub, space makes bass and you do have a big cabin, I'd be brainstorming a box which can double as a table, bench, or other feature that you could use.

 

[nitroheadz28]

Not many speakers designed to sound great off 15 watts.Id get a decent 4 channel and a 8" woofer ported maybe under the seat? Never saw one of those vans no clue about selection.

What kind of budget you have?

Wouldn't I need a 5 channel to control 4 speakers and a sub? From what I read I'd lose the fader if I went that way? It seems that a 5 channel would work for a setup that doesn't need a lot of power and would be simpler/ cleaner to set up?

Or a 4 channel to run the speakers and a mono for the sub? I won't be going bigger than a single 10".

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Wouldn't I need a 5 channel to control 4 speakers and a sub? From what I read I'd lose the fader if I went that way? It seems that a 5 channel would work for a setup that doesn't need a lot of power and would be simpler/ cleaner to set up?
Or a 4 channel to run the speakers and a mono for the sub? I won't be going bigger than a single 10".

I typically never recommend rear speakers unless you are doing surround sound. I was thinking along the lines of 2 front channels for a component set and the other two for the woofer.

if you still want the rears yes a 5 channel or 6 channel is ideal..

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

basic $50 or less speakers will work oh hu but does it have hp xover?, if so that'll work but i agree what u need is a 4 channel amp (sold almost a thousand 4 channel amp systems) look at ppi900.4 get polk or alpine speakers (or cdt if u wanta spend more $ and are running amp) with that amp i doubt u would need more than 2 speakers to hear it very well.. then bridge 2 channels to 1-110 (i'd do a 12 but u don't wanta use space) just get a small sealed box on ebay if u worried about space.. u can get decent sub for $150 or less sundown E may work sealed if u give it enough airspace (peeps say they sound good sealed in large box though) maybe lcs 12 in 1.25-1.5 cf sealed box if u go with 12 u can get pioneer pro like mine (in sig and avatar) for $70 on ebay impossible to be for price 600rms good sq.. if u really want small box get 10 and use a truck box they only like 9" deep at bottom.. https://www.amazon.com/Skar-Audio-RP-150-4AB-Full-Range-1200-Watt/dp/B01FXSU756/ref=sr_1_4?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1492640277&sr=1-4&keywords=4%2Bchannel%2Bamplifier%2Bcar&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_six_browse-bin%3A7933267011%2Cp_89%3ASkar%2BAudio&th=1 if link don't work it's skar 1200watt 4 chan amp

 

[nitroheadz28]

I typically never recommend rear speakers unless you are doing surround sound. I was thinking along the lines of 2 front channels for a component set and the other two for the woofer.if you still want the rears yes a 5 channel or 6 channel is ideal..

So if I'm understanding this correctly, you're recommending leaving the rear speakers running off of HU power and having the 4 channel run the 2 fronts and sub right?

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

So if I'm understanding this correctly, you're recommending leaving the rear speakers running off of HU power and having the 4 channel run the 2 fronts and sub right?

i wouldn't even use rear speakers. let me find something for you.

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

pkg Image Dynamics CXS62V.2 6.5" Component Speakers System + Phoenix Gold X100.2 2-Channel Amplifier

hell of a deal!

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

you at least have a 13band EQ you can kinda tweek the speakers with. its should sound fine..

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

i wouldn't even use rear speakers. let me find something for you.

if u have good power on fronts some peeps don't even use rear speakers, i had 75rms to fronts in last car i removed rears.. helps sound stage, u want words to be in front with u not behind u..

 

[nitroheadz28]

This is actually fascinating, thanks so much guys.

Now out of curiosity though, I could still run the fronts and sub off the amp and the rears off of the head unit right? I'd just want them hooked up for shits and giggles.

I'm going to stay with coaxials though, I'm not into drilling holes for tweeters and I'm sure a half decent set of those driven by an amp should get the job done.

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

This is actually fascinating, thanks so much guys.
Now out of curiosity though, I could still run the fronts and sub off the amp and the rears off of the head unit right? I'd just want them hooked up for shits and giggles.

I'm going to stay with coaxials though, I'm not into drilling holes for tweeters and I'm sure a half decent set of those driven by an amp should get the job done.

Yes you can still hook up your rears to the headunit power