Stock speakers sounding better than Focals?

[sjv13 10+ year member]

I have a set of Focal IS 165 speakers that I installed. Also, I have the 4 channel Alpine KTP-445u giving all four speakers 45wrms. The problem I am having is that right now, the 13 year old stock coaxial speakers are giving a better response in the 100-200hZ range than my $300 Focal comps are.

I have a few theories, but wanted to check here to get some other opinions.

Here is what I think might be happening:

- The Focals need more power to come to life (rated @ 70wrms)

- The Focals are junk

- I messed something up (improper install or blown... but I dont think this is right because install was pretty straightforward, they dont sound scratchy or blown, and it's been like this sense I put them in)

P.S. These Focals have integrated crossover, so there is no physical crossover box for me to change settings on. High pass filter is set to 80hZ.

Click to read more...

 

[West]

What speaker wire did you use?

Try lowering your high pass filter to see if that helps.

You should also try to install some foam weather stripping around the rim of the focal speaker. It directs sound in that frequency range outward instead of into the door.

Some stock speakers on older cars use a cardboard ring to do this.

Yes... you should give them some more power... as well

And make sure they are in phase (+/-) terminals set correctly.

 

[West]

I am running some PS 165's and they sound much, much better than stock.

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

I am running some PS 165's and they sound much, much better than stock.

How much power are they getting?

 

[West]

I just checked out that amp. Try bridging the amp; you should be able to give those focals more power.

If that doesn't do it for you try using your deck's eq, to turn down the high frequencies (6khz-20khz sloping downward toward 20k hz) and incease the output around 70-300.

Focals can be very bright, you are probably notiching very nice high ranges and dont want to increase the volume further. If you turn down the highs and up the lows you can balance the output.

 

---------- Post added at 01:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 PM ----------

 

How much power are they getting?

I deliever around 60-80 watts, they are pretty kick ***.

 

[West]

But for your system I wouldn't exceed 70watts. That should be plenty loud.

 

[West]

The thing about stock speakers is they are designed to preform around 25watts. To really enjoy the focals you want to be around 55+ watts imo. You will want to turn down the high frequencies.

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

But for your system I wouldn't exceed 70watts. That should be plenty loud.

I have the chance to get a BNIB never used/opened Polk PA660.4 amp that delivers 75wrms for $30 (retail for $200). Should I install this? The only thing that I see wrong is that the Signal to Noise level is 75dBa

 

[West]

I have the chance to get a BNIB never used/opened Polk PA660.4 amp that delivers 75wrms for $30 (retail for $200). Should I install this? The only thing that I see wrong is that the Signal to Noise level is 75dBa

Are you runing rear speakers?

If you are only powering the front's, just bridge your alpine if you havent already. (Brigding that alpine gives you up to 90watts x 2 @4 ohms.

I wouldn't switch out the amps personally. Unless you were willing to invest $75+, then yes you could do much better.

 

[West]

Whats your budget like?

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

You need sealed and deadened doors.

 

[West]

You need sealed and deadened doors.

This ^^^ as well.

 

[-BenBen- 10+ year member]

Buy my focal amp? itll help em alot

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

Whats your budget like?

My budget is basically non-existent––which is why I'm jumping at this brand new amp for $20. I just want more powerful mids and have always wanted this. Bass is nice, but low range mids (100-200Hz) are where you can really feel it kick you in the chest. And I want these $300 speakers to come to life. I think I'm going to just bridge this Polk amp to give each side of the front stage 150wrms and just disconnect the rear door speakers. I'd imagine with the front stage running to it's maximum potential I wont even notice the rear stage is missing. I just need to set the gains safely.

 

[West]

My budget is basically non-existent––which is why I'm jumping at this brand new amp for $20. I just want more powerful mids and have always wanted this. Bass is nice, but low range mids (100-200Hz) are where you can really feel it kick you in the chest. And I want these $300 speakers to come to life. I think I'm going to just bridge this Polk amp to give each side of the front stage 150wrms and just disconnect the rear door speakers. I'd imagine with the front stage running to it's maximum potential I wont even notice the rear stage is missing. I just need to set the gains safely.

That's sounds good then, just don't exceed 70watts per channel on those speakers!

If you give 70wrms speakers 150wrms they will be destroyed.