New speakers sound crappy

[filedog 10+ year member]

I recently bought a 2012 Hyundai Accent hatchback. Love the car, hate the "premium audio system". Sounded harsh, tinny and un-natural. Turned the bass way up, treble way down, and it was better. I'm pretty good with home audio, and home theater, and I know what good sound is, and that ain't it. I read a bunch here, to learn how all the parts go together in a car system, and talked to several local installers. My budget is pretty low, $800 or so. I would think I could get a decent sounding system, that was MUCH better than stock for that much money. I mostly listen to "classc" rock.I figured I'd start by replacing the front (component) speakers. The previous year (old body style) had 6.5s. I heard the doors were shallow, so I got Polk DB6501s Polk Audio db6501 6.5" 2-way Component Car Speakers System (db 6501) thinking since they were pretty efficient, and my system SUPPOSEDLY has 160 watts, they might work ok. I had them installed by a shop that I liked the best. Turns out the new Accent has FIVE inch mids in the front, not 6.5s. LUCKILY the installer was able to make them fit with some adapters he had on hand from another car. I am happy with the job he did, would have been hard for me to make everything fit. Unfortunately, they seem to sound WORSE. Less bass, more harsh tinny sound. I am stuck with the factory deck because it is a weird shape and there are no adapters for this car (yet). I was considering adding a 4 channel amp MB Quart ONX4.60 - 480W RMS ONYX 4-Channel Car Amplifier/Amp and a 10" sub in a sealed box Amazon.com: Infinity Reference 1060w 10-Inch 1100-watt High-Performance Subwoofer (Single Voice Coil): Electronics using two channels for the fronts, and bridging the rears for the sub, but now I am getting discouraged. The installer doesn't seem to know what if anything will get rid of the tinny sound. Could be the factory HU. I have read more power may "wake up" the front separates, and make them sound better. The sub will give me some real bass (I know the sub is not great, but for the money it should be decent),but It could still sound bad, just louder and with more bass, right? I know it's tough to say, but should I continue with the amp and sub? I almost feel like putting the old speakers back. I would really appreciate any advice you guys can offer. Remember, the overall budget is low ( $800) and I don't think I can replace the HU.

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[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

the factory headunit wont do 160 watts, even max.

you need an amp.

you can keep your stock head unit if you want. Your installer will know how to make it work.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Get a unit like the JL cleensweep or Audiocontrol. Get a 4 channel amp..

 

[Dirtrider4eva 10+ year member]

or buy this and have your whole system powered. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/amplifier-classifieds/520028-sale-hifonics-zeus-5-channel-4x60-1k.html

for 250 you can power all your speakers. and your subwoofer.

this would fit your system well.

because you are underpowering the speakers, they sound tiny. think of how light and small your previous speakers are, to your new ones.

it takes more power to move more mass.

essentially, when you bump up the power, they will awaken.

 

[Bassin Buick]

I'll tell you from experience those polk 2 ways sound like **** no matter what you do. LOL. They will sound better with a amp but they are just crap IMO.

 

[filedog 10+ year member]

I'll tell you from experience those polk 2 ways sound like **** no matter what you do. LOL. They will sound better with a amp but they are just crap IMO.

I'm pretty discouraged now. They do sound like crap. I read a lot of reviews, one of the main reasons I went with these is they were shallow. The thing is the tinny quality to the sound has persisted, even with the new speaks, makes me think the HU is the main culprit. I was looking at the cleansweep, but it ***** to spend MORE for that, than what a decent HU would cost. I hate spending money to "patch" crappy stuff.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

i have a set of those sitting on the ground in my carport.

 

[filedog 10+ year member]

i have a set of those sitting on the ground in my carport.

Well, that's great and all, I'm sure you have a very nice setup. As I said, limited budget, and I did do some research before I bought.

However mediocre they might be, I have a hard time believing they should sound THIS bad.

 

[Bassin Buick]

I'm pretty discouraged now. They do sound like crap. I read a lot of reviews, one of the main reasons I went with these is they were shallow. The thing is the tinny quality to the sound has persisted, even with the new speaks, makes me think the HU is the main culprit. I was looking at the cleansweep, but it ***** to spend MORE for that, than what a decent HU would cost. I hate spending money to "patch" crappy stuff.

Yeah , my uncle owned the 6x9's and i owned the 6.5's and the tweeters are pure crap.

 

[jaredjennings04]

I disagree, I have the polk comps up front in an 07 accord amped and they sound great. tweeters too. I also have a stock head unit, but getting my signal from an audiocontrol lc7. OP I suggest you look into an lc7, you can get them used for about 100 bucks, new for 125 or so, its a MUST have if you need to run your stock hu. Good luck.

 

[Whytellyou]

Shocked anyone read the pile of words... congrats tho. lol