alright...i just installed my cva-1005, my cda-5755, my cha-1214 and my ps2 is hooked upto my cva...now that i've got my sources pretty much done (i will probably buy a tv tuner) i would like some new speakers...i'm looking to spend about $500 or so...what can people reccomend? i want something that has an amazing high end...i want a speaker that won't cut out at all or overextend...at the moment, i have my subs out of my car (went to the track) and i am considering keeping it this way...can anyone reccomend good speakers that might have a little amount of bass? it is on a 2k so i need a pair of 6.5" components for the front and i think just regular 6.5" coaxials for the back...my friend had alpine speakers in his integra which he claims to have paid $650 for the pair (just the fronts...his back speakers were mb quartz or something like that)...so for $500 what is the best i can do for a set of 4 speakers (2 need to be components)...obviously i will listen first, but i'd like to narrow it down so i don't have to listen to the stereo shops entire line of speakers

i'm just looking for something that is very clear that will not cut out easily...right now, on my eq, i have my bass settings set at -6dB and my mids at -4dB...when i have it set like this i can turn the volume on the cva upto about 24 until the speakers start bottoming out...when i have a flat curve, i can only go upto about 20 or so...i'm looking for speakers that can at least hit the 30 mark on my deck and still sound very clear...my main problem is that on the highway right now, with my windows down, i can barely hear the music...i want to be able to hear it

 

Eclipse components front and rear are sweet. The highs are crystal clear and crispy. They get to you sometimes cause they peirce your ear drums. The mids are excellent as well, but the lows don't handle too great, but I don't want lows from them anyway.

I highly recommend them especially If you listen to all types of music. They are the best for everything, and when using them for surround sound, like watching movies, I don't think anything compares to them.


I run them with an eclipse amp too, why kill a good thing.

If I remember correctly, $300 installed for per component set. Eclipse bottom line coaxials are only $100.

 

I do attribute my sound qualtiy with having a complete system. All eclpise everywhere you look. No mixing and matching. I originally had a kenwood running my highs, with the same rating as my eclipse amp, and it couldn't compare. The difference is hilarious to me.

 

For in the $500 range look into CDT Audio HD-62DT components and a pair of CDT-6 mids. These are the best speakers I've heard that have tremendous bass impact for a relatively inexpensive price. You should be able to pick them up for around $500-600 for 4 speakers (1 component set and a pair of 6.5" midbass drivers for the rear deck).

Other options are Oz Audio, Focal, Boston Acoustics Pro series, MBQuart....

Eclipse pointsource speakers are ok, but they are a bit bright to my ears.

I'd not get Alpine speakers, I've never heard a pair that I've personally liked.

If you want a price on the CDT's let me know, I can prolly set you up with a deal....

 

Alright Canuck...I want to pick you brain here. I was talking to a friend of mine at my local stereo shop and he said that putting a 6.5" in the door of my 2001 Max would be a chore. ( Huh..ryhmes ) He said that the 5.25" would be a much simpler install. In your infinite wisdom is this true? Are we talking a lot of modification to the door in order to get the speaker to fit? Is the same true for the rear speaker?

He was also saying that a dash kit was not readily available for the 2001, but I found a kit from Scosche specifically for the 5th gen Max. Are these kits easily acquired?

Finally, I am looking for some interior speakers as well. So do you highly recommend CDT's? If there was another brand on the market that you would recommend as high if not higher, what would it be? Just want to see what you think. One audio maniac to another!! Thanks!!

 

I've not worked on a 2001 Maxima yet, but from what I read on this forum it's not hard to fit 6.5" speakers into the stock location on a 4th or 5th generation Maxima. Sure a 5.25" speaker will fit but they tend to not reproduce midbass very well. The most difficult part is finding a speaker shallow enough to fit in the stock speaker mount brackets or a minor custom modification using some plywood or MDF to mount the speaker to the door. If you want good sounds don't settle for a simple solution...

I'm not sure about the aftermarket dash kits for your vehicle but another option is getting one from the dealer. The 2000 Maxima GXE up here with the base audio system has a single din headunit and a storage pocket. This with the factory look trim bezel would be probably the best install for a nice clean finish.

Yes I really like CDT Audio speakers. You may know them as CD Technologies (their former name) as they went through a name change last year due to legal reasons...

The speakers are very well engineered and manufacturered in Europe from a major OEM manufactuer. Their quality is akin to Focal, Eton, Vifa/Scanspeak and Seas. The only speaker's I've heard that are better IMO are Dynaudio which are almost double the price.

 

Cool!! I appreciate all the info as usual. I definitely want to get my face in front of some CDT's and give them a listen. Well, again thanks for the info and as soon as I do something major I'll let you know.

 

get the boston acoustics pro 6.5 components for the front and just get a lower end speaker for the rear. The majority of the sound you here is from the front speakers so spend the most money there. The BA's are unreal. I have friends that compete with them.
Mike

 

Don't be so blind though as to take anyone's suggestion here. Go out and listen for yourself and decide what you like. I've heard all these mentioned here in various installations or demo boards.

I've owned Dynaudio, DEI and Boston Acoustics (Pro .4 series) and have reviewed brands such as Crystal Mobilesound, Magnat and Alutek. While hearing good systems with CDT Audio, Focal, Canton, MB Quart, Image Dynamics etc....And I've thoroughly enjoyed all these brands for certain characteristics. Some have live detailed tweeters that are not fatiguing (Dynaudio, CDT Audio, DEI Studio, Magnat). Some have better midrange detail (Dynaudio, Focal, Boston Acoustics pro series). While some have a visceral midbass (Dynaudio, CDT Audio, DEI Studio).

My favorites still stand as Dynaudio, CDT Audio, Magnat and Focal. Of these brands that make my final cut CDT Audio is by far the most economical.

FYI if you fella's would like to see some of my detailed reviews visit my website and hit the links at the bottom of the page.

http://www.geocities.com/canuckamp/audio.html

 

Another brand you should really give a good listen to is a/d/s. One of my problems with speakers is that I literally run the gamut as far as musical taste and it is hard to find a speaker that will be able to handle it.
I found that a/d/s can hold its own with Classical, Jazz, Gospel and Easy Listening, but can roll with rap, dance, and metal very easily.

Others that seem to handle it pretty well are the JL Audio Evolution Series Components and Kicker Components. The only difference is that the JLs are not as smooth on the mids and highs as the a/d/s. The Kickers provide a pretty balanced sound, but the highs can get a little bright with classical.

 

Agreed. I always seem to forget to mention a/d/s in my posts online. My friend had some Orion XTR components in his truck once that were actually stamped as a/d/s on the basket. 5.25" midbass drivers running off his Denon 4x20W deck and the midbass was also impressive....

Another brand to consider is AVI http://www.avisound.bc.ca these had quite the following on the competition circuit about 7-8 years ago, and are still produced today. The only reason they've not been used all that much lately is their lack of a decent marketing campaign to expand their dealer base. The products are still just as good as they ever were.

 

Which head unit?

 

alright...went to the stereo shop today...didn't make any moves because i wanted to consult people that knew more than me

the guy told me that he would reccomend that i get mb quart rkc116 6.5" speakers for the front and something a little less (he suggested alpines) for the rear...he said he would throw in a pair of tweeters for up front for free and he suggested that i run the back speakers off of the deck power and i buy an amp for the front speakers...he suggested the jl audio 300.4 amp...he said if i wanted a ppi amp, though, he could give me a pretty good deal on a floor model...here are the prices he quoted me (seemed pretty high which is why i didn't do anything today...didn't seem like he was giving me a great deal)...this shop is known for great installs, but their prices are usually a little higher (but they will match prices so monday i'm going to go to a couple other stereo shops to get prices...

mb quart 6.5" $279 for the pair
jl audio 300.4 amp $449
ppi (i think it was a 300.2 or 300.4)...list $350...his deal was $260
tweeters free
alpine speakers $149 pair

he said if i wanted good tweeters, they cost about $100 for a pair

as i said earlier, i only have about $500-600 to spend...here are the prices w/ install and everything that he gave me

speakers w/ the jl amp $750
speakers w/ the ppi amp $600

btw, those prices are w/ a $100 discount i get from trading in my bose adaptor that is running the bose speakers right now...so normally those prices should be $100 more

am i right? do these seem a little high? how does this speaker setup sound...i really was going against getting the ppi amp because it looked tiny and weak (i know looks aren't everything but i am starting to prep my car up for show so looks are somewhat important)...the jl amp looked quite a bit nicer...he suggested that later on down the line i get a jl amp for my subs (he said a 500.1 monoblock) so i would have all jl audio and alpine (and i guess mb quart)...he said that i should compromise on the amp and not on the speakers...what should i do?

i'm defenitely not keeping the stock speakers, but i need something...please let me know...i will probably have the install happen next week either tuesday or friday (my 2 days off work)

 

The best advice I can give on regarding MBQuart speakers, or any for that matter, is to make sure you listen to them powered by what you would be powering them with in your setup. Many people don't like the brightness of MBQuart speakers and you'd not want to spend $280 on something you won't like. If you like how they sound then sure go for it. I'm just saying that MBQuarts are not for everyone and have a critical ear when you listen to them. Don't go by anyone or any store salesman's suggestion.

The JL Audio amps are very nice and that sounds like a fair deal as MSRP on it is $550. Is the PPI amp the PC2300.2? If so that's also a very good amp and the price is close to cost on it. The difference in these amps though is that one is a 2 channel and the other is a 4 channel. Unless he's talking a different type of PPI amp. The PPI series has 4 channels in a PPI4240 which is 30Wx4, the PPI PC series has the PC4400.2 which is 50Wx4amp.

Powering rear speakers with the headunit is a fair choice as well since rear effects don't require alot of power.
Speakers are an ok choice but make sure you listen to them and many other brands in that pricerange before you decide.