Speaker suggestions for my Jeep?

[infowarrior45 10+ year member]

Hello,

I am trying to slowly upgrade the sound system in my '98 Jeep XJ.

What I have so far:

Pioneer P7200HD deck

Kicker ZX1500.1 sub amp

2 12" Treo SSi's

KnuKonceptz wiring

Stock 5.25" Speakers

Right now, I have about $250 max to spend on anything else at all. From what I've read, the next logical upgrade would be a nice set of components for the front. For the moment, they would not be amped, since it doesn't really fit into my budget. I'm not sure how a nice set of components will sound off the HU? The HU puts out 14W RMS over 4 channels. Eventually, I can keep upgrading my system with a speaker amp, rear speakers, etc.

So, for my budget, what kind of speakers can you guys recommend? I was thinking of just focusing on the front soundstage right now. The Jeep has stock 5.25" speakers, but with some MDF baffles, I could sqeeze in some 6.5" speakers with a mounting depth of up to 2.75". Are 6.5" speakers worth the work to mod them in?

I was kinda thinking about these:

WoofersEtc.com - CTX65CS - Image Dynamics 6.5" Component Speaker System

Click to read more...

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Pioneer D-series are great speakers (i run them)

Morel Maximos get great reviews (never run any myself)

Those IDs you're looking at get great reviews as well.

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

I would go with the Morel Maximo 5.25 or 6.5 components and pick up a 4-channel amp now, then the rear speakers later.

 

[Sleeklsc 5,000+ posts]

I would go with the Morel Maximo 5.25 or 6.5 components and pick up a 4-channel amp now, then the rear speakers later.

This......

 

[Florida Rep 10+ year member]

Arc Audio 6006 Components

ID Components

BEST possible speakers within your budget?

Focal 165A1 or IS 165 (IS is the newer, better version)

If you don't believe me, find your closet dealer & go listen. It's a easy choice!

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

BEST possible speakers within your budget?

Focal 165A1 or IS 165 (IS is the newer, better version)

If you don't believe me, find your closet dealer & go listen. It's a easy choice!

+1

Heard these in a Tacoma last week, WOW, they are the best sounding speakers I've ever heard.

Also for a 4 channel, check out the MB Quart ONX4.80 or Q4.80.

 

[infowarrior45 10+ year member]

Thanks guys! Hmm...well, if I go with those Focal speakers or speakers around that price, I won't have any budget for an amp. So my question is, spend my total budget just on front components, or get some decent front components and a decent amp? Mind you, I won't have any more to spend on this for a while, so if I spend it all on front components, an amp won't be coming for a long time. Just not sure what's gonna give me the better setup in the end.

Also, quick question on the Focal comps. I live out in the boonies ATM, so I doubt if I'll make it out to hear them at a shop. I heard the aluminum tweeters can sound a bit harsh/bright compared to silk tweeters, which is a quality I don't care for. Any comments/thoughts on this?

 

[-01limited- 10+ year member]

Decent amp + decent components is going to be way better than Great components and no amp. Trust me, You might even mess up the good ones by clipping them trying to get them loud on HU power.

 

[dontbeaprix 10+ year member]

Decent amp + decent components is going to be way better than Great components and no amp. Trust me, You might even mess up the good ones by clipping them trying to get them loud on HU power.

This^^ my morels get very loud and sound good. mb quart makes some nice amps for the price. What kind of budget do you have to spend on everything?

 

[Florida Rep 10+ year member]

I would tell you to spend your money on the nicer components & wait on the amplifier. If you buy amp+speakers on a limited budget, then you will have to upgrade AGAIN in the future...costing more money in the long run.

(Speakers make the BIGGEST difference in sound...Increasing power helps...only if the speakers are good. Cheap speakers + amp, sound like louder cheaper speakers)

This is only ok if you are serious about buying a amp in the future. These speakers are very, very efficient to run off head-unit power. If you buy them from a authorized channel, then you get a 1yr warranty. If you let the dealer install them, you get a 3yr warranty.

Buy the Focals, run off head-unit power & start searching for a amp that will last you 5+ years. Something good, quality & flexible for the future!!

 

[Florida Rep 10+ year member]

Also be sure to set your crossover HPF on your radio to 63hz+. You don't run a risk blowing them unless you get REAL crazy. They can handle alot of power & as long as you set the crossover...they should sound amazing....then add the amp & you will have the best sound you could imagine!! Don't believe me, go find a set to listen too...

 

[infowarrior45 10+ year member]

Well, I have about $250 to spend on everything. All the wiring has been taken care of, so that budget can go towards speakers, speaker amps, baffles, etc. I'm going to need some thin MDF baffles to fit speakers deeper than 2.5" in my Jeep doors.

I was thinking of getting stuff used, so I can get some higher quality speakers/amp that still fit into my budget.

One thing I am wondering is if it is better to just get an amp and good front components right now, or to get an amp and 4 less expensive speakers?

Thanks!

 

[Florida Rep 10+ year member]

Speakers, speakers, speakers.....That are the biggest improvement you can make...

Now is this $250 and your done? Or are you willing to invest more in the future?

Buying cheap amp + speakers now will only make you buy better amp + speakers later... I like to do it right the first time, with speakers being the most important...

Buying used is always a risk, sometimes it's great... sometimes you buy junk, possibly worn out, broken stuff.... Used amps are not that big of deal, good ones don't "wear-out" but speakers/subwoofers can (depending on how they were used)

 

[infowarrior45 10+ year member]

Thanks for the advice. No this is definitely not $250 and I'm done. I'm willing to invest more, but as I am currently saving up for college, I need to space it out. I have already spent around $680 on my subs and amp setup, not including the box which I will be getting. If I spend $250 on speakers, I will have to wait until about March or so till I have another $200 to spend on an amp. My goal is to have a good SQ setup that's going to last me for a long time. I hope that if I don't abuse my system, I will be able to keep it running for a long time.

So, what are some good speakers to be looking at? The only thing that makes me question Focal, is whether I will like the brighter tweeters (or so I've heard). I had my eye on some Image Dynamic CTX65CS on caraudioclassifieds.com that I might be able to get for around $130?

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

Check out the MB Quart ONX4.80 for the amp if you buy the cheaper speakers.

I would definitely buy the Focal's if I had the money, but I wouldn't run them off of HU power ever.

I can't really help with the higher budget 4 channels, I don't know enough and don't want to fill you full of bs.