Looking for an opinion on speakers (and ultimately amp combo).

[thesethguy]

So, to say the least, it's been about 7 years since I've touched or even thought about aftermarket car audio.

It's time to install a nice system though, and I'm undecided on speakers.

To start, I hope to use an old amp I have been keeping in storage (tested and still works). It's an Infinity Reference 7540a, approx 110w RMS per channel.

I want to hook it up to 6.5's all around or 6.5's + 6x9 rear (all 2-ways). My budget is roughly $200-$300 for the speakers themselves, and I'll be getting a monoblock amp and sub outside of that budget. The goal is SQ.

At the moment, I have picked out either the Focal CVX line of speakers or the Infinity Kappa's. They are only slightly different in price $110-$150 (SonicElectronix) and from what I've read on these forums, quite a few people highly recommend Focal. So I'm leaning towards Focal at the moment, but if anyone has an opinion, I'd love to hear it.

My other question is, will the speakers be able to adequately handle the ~110w that the Infinity puts out, or would they have a difficult time? Would it be wise to look into other amp options?

Thanks!

Seth

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[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I highly recommend these for front stage,as I myself have, on an old school Autotek Mean Machine 99 at the moment, and they sound fantastic

WoofersEtc.com - HD-63it - CDT Audio HD-6.5" 2-Way Braxial Component Set

Though, not knowing your maximum budget for both sets of speakers, these may be out of your price range?

 

[thesethguy]

I highly recommend these for front stage,as I myself have, on an old school Autotek Mean Machine 99 at the moment, and they sound fantasticWoofersEtc.com - HD-63it - CDT Audio HD-6.5" 2-Way Braxial Component Set

Though, not knowing your maximum budget for both sets of speakers, these may be out of your price range?

lol, yeah... those are definitely out of my price range. I wish I could get those though.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

lol, yeah... those are definitely out of my price range. I wish I could get those though.

What is your max budget for upfront components?Rearfill/6x9?JBL make some very nice speakers,as well as Polk for the money

 

[T.I.K. 10+ year member]

Most massive comp sets are decent from what I've heard.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Most massive comp sets are decent from what I've heard.

The high end models are nice/fair, but the lowerend are not worth the money, as I have tried both, and was not pleased with them at all..Ive tried several different brands of components, and ended with CDT.Image Dynamics are a great set for the money

Image Dynamics CTX-6.5cs (CTX 65 CS) 6.5" CTX Component Speakers

I dont recommend Massive

 

[thesethguy]

What is your max budget for upfront components?Rearfill/6x9?JBL make some very nice speakers,as well as Polk for the money

If it would be more practical to just skip the rear stage and only get a front stage component set, then I could work with it up to $300.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

JBL P660C 6-1/2" 2-way Power Series Component Speakers System

I put two sets of these in a friends 05 ford double cab, on an old school Hifonics Viii Jupiter, and they sounded fantastic for the money

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

If it would be more practical to just skip the rear stage and only get a front stage component set, then I could work with it up to $300.

front stage would be where I suggest to spend the most amount of money on,and get the best you can for your money,and not so much on the rearfill,as it may overwhelm the front stage,even with the substage running at the same time.Even though, I do recommend rearfill for Imaging,as I run myself in an xcab chevy,at low volume,and amped,it does make a big difference in my opinion, and I do recommend having,at least a midrage level of sound,to give you that over all surround imaging

 

[thesethguy]

front stage would be where I suggest to spend the most amount of money on,and get the best you can for your money,and not so much on the rearfill,as it may overwhelm the front stage,even with the substage running at the same time.Even though, I do recommend rearfill for Imaging,as I run myself in an xcab chevy,at low volume,and amped,it does make a big difference in my opinion, and I do recommend having,at least a midrage level of sound,to give you that over all surround imaging

Interesting, thank you.

Now if I do decide to go the coaxial route (because I'm not too sure the wife will want me mounting tweeters up front) do you have any suggestions? I'm afraid to put too much rms to each speaker if they're rated around 60-80w. Does it really matter if it's a quality speaker?

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Rearfill doesnt have to be expensive..these go down to 45htz even, and are not expensive..You will not need that 100watts to push them, maybe only 30-50 watts to keep up tha imaging,as you tune everything in the way you like it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/POWERBASS-S-693-6X9-3-WAY-210W-CAR-AUDIO-SPEAKERS-NEW-/110880788672?pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item19d10290c0

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Interesting, thank you.
Now if I do decide to go the coaxial route (because I'm not too sure the wife will want me mounting tweeters up front) do you have any suggestions? I'm afraid to put too much rms to each speaker if they're rated around 60-80w. Does it really matter if it's a quality speaker?

I highly recommend component for running up front, as you generally can find better selection of speakers,as well as power handiling,and sound quality as well,as imaging

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

you can always do the cdt cl 61 cv ,its a convertible component set that can be mounted like a coaxial .

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

As for a two way speaker, Im running these up front at the moment in my 99 honda CRv and on headunit power, yet, have had them on 60 rms of power, and sound fantastic for the money

Polk Audio DB651 2 Way 6 5" 200 Watts Marine Car Audio Speakers 047192112784 | eBay

Not bad for the money,decent sounding speakers,especially with a little bit of amplified power 30-60 rms even

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

you can always do the cdt cl 61 cv ,its a convertible component set that can be mounted like a coaxial .

I have the CL-60 series, and they sound amazing..Anything that CDT make, sound excellent..not from word of mouth, but from experiencing,and these that mr mylows suggest, give you two options, to run as a coaxial, and component set