Looking for advice - Have to completely scale back the system

[suprachica79 10+ year member]

So I installed a hodge-podge system into my fiance's 95 celica-

Cadence Flash F100-5 amp

RF punch 2 10" sub

MB Quart FSA216 Front comps

Cadence rear fills

The whole system is running rms of about 500w, and it's killing the battery over time. The car is a pos so I'm not interested in getting a second battery and a bigger alternator to push it, so the only alternative I see is take out the system, and get some decent 2 or 3 way speakers for the fronts. It won't sound as good, but it'll be better than the blown speakers she had before I started the process.

Anyways, her head unit isn't the best, JVC K-R530 with 20w rms x4 with a peak of 50w x 4. What are some decent sounding all-around 6.5 2 or 3 way coaxs that will work? Obviously not looking to spend very much, but something with adequate midbass would be nice since she's grown accustom to having a good sub in her car. Any advice would be really helpful and yes, I know to most of you anything powered by a head unit will sound like poo but it's what I have to work with. Thanks!

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[MrFoca]

If the speakers are blown I guess almost any set you put in will sound better. I just gave my buddy a set of new alpine 2 ways, I would of let you have them if you would of posted a little sooner. Check eBay for a set, they can be had pretty cheap. Or maybe another member can hook you up.

 

[beginner]

Im pretty sure any name brand 6.5s will sound decent. I have 2 alpine in my rear doors and they sound decent. 100rms n I payed a hundred bucks. But I think a good high voltage headunit with crossovers and over 12 band eq will be the best investment if u just wanna throw average speakers in.

 

[suprachica79 10+ year member]

The components I have in there now aren't blown, it was the set before I upgraded te whole system that were blown. What alpine 2-ways were they? I really can't invest more into the head unit, and when I searched it seemed like every HU was pushing 20x4 rms and 50x4 peak anyways, I know if have to shell out a ton for a new HU with enough juice to push strong speakers. My buddy swears by the newer kenwood products, maybe I'll check them out or just go to best buy and do some listening.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Don't change anything but the battery. And add a big 3 kit. You should be fine. I suspect the cars battery is on it's way out If start there first

 

[suprachica79 10+ year member]

We killed the last battery and this battery was purchased 4 months ago. I'm pretty positive it isn't the battery. I should also note that she was not good about making sure the system was off before starting the car, do you think that would make much of a difference?

 

[negolien]

500 rms shouldn't be draining a battery. unless you jerry rigged it ghetto style somehow. You could always just upgrade the big 3 that should help a lot.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Take the car to an auto parts chain store, such as AutoZone, and ask for an alternator test report. Get your battery tested while you're at it.

 

[suprachica79 10+ year member]

Ok, I'll take it there for a test. I just fully charged the battery and it sill showing the battery light on her car. What is a big 3 kit?

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Ok, I'll take it there for a test. I just fully charged the battery and it sill showing the battery light on her car. What is a big 3 kit?

Big 3 is upgraded some critical wires under the hood to ensure proper current flow.

Did you measure the voltage of the battery with a volt meter before you charged it? If so, what did it measure?

 

[MakkMar10]

Ok, I'll take it there for a test. I just fully charged the battery and it sill showing the battery light on her car. What is a big 3 kit?

Big3 is a wire upgrade under the hood. Basically u use thicker gauge wire for easier current flow. Its like giving it system a bigger straw to drink from. Tons of vids on YouTube

 

[suprachica79 10+ year member]

Big 3 is upgraded some critical wires under the hood to ensure proper current flow.
Did you measure the voltage of the battery with a volt meter before you charged it? If so, what did it measure?

When we hooked it up to the charger it was completely dead, wouldn't Ben turn the car over. It started right up when she left work but once she got home and turned the car off, it wouldn't start back up. We tried to jump it to at least move it to the top of the driveway so it wasn't blocking our other cars in and it wouldn't start so we had to steal a battery from on of the other cars just to move it. I'm hoping since it's a 1995 celica the alternator just took a digger and I can replace it with a used/rebuilt one cheap. Better than ripping the whole system out. I've done a lot of research ad no one seems to think a 500w system would kill a battery.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

When we hooked it up to the charger it was completely dead, wouldn't Ben turn the car over. It started right up when she left work but once she got home and turned the car off, it wouldn't start back up. We tried to jump it to at least move it to the top of the driveway so it wasn't blocking our other cars in and it wouldn't start so we had to steal a battery from on of the other cars just to move it. I'm hoping since it's a 1995 celica the alternator just took a digger and I can replace it with a used/rebuilt one cheap. Better than ripping the whole system out. I've done a lot of research ad no one seems to think a 500w system would kill a battery.

This sounds like it's a starter problem or a poor connection somewhere, maybe in addition to a battery that needs to be replaced. I would not blame any of this on the audio system.