It is time to replace my '01 GXE factory speakers. A few years ago I changed out the factory radio (non-Bose, no CD or Cassette) with an Alpine CD receiver (CDE-7820, RMS 16wx4, Max 45wx4), which works quite well.

Now I want to upgrade the 4 door speakers (that's all for my GXE basic package). After some research on the web and maxima.org, I have a few candidates: Alpine SPS-17C2, MB Quart, Polk Audio 650, Diamond Audio, JL audio, etc. Since I have no plan to upgrade the CD receiver or add an amplifier at this time.

So what's your opinion on the replacement speakers? I am not an audiophile but do appreciate high quality sound and I listen to mixed music: Jazz, rock, pop and some dance music.

Thanks!

 

I personally have been wanting to get 2 sets of polk audio's myself. All the other candidates r pretty pricey. MB Quart are real good but weigh price vs. function. I'd go with the Polks.

 

Thanks for the reply. Others have recommended Polk as well.

I just talked to Crutchfield and they recommended Alpine since I don't have a sub and Alpine gives similar highs but better bass.

 

budget? Do you plan on upgrading to an aplified front stage?

 

As mentioned in my original post, I have no plans to upgrade for my old Maxima so I have to do with the current Alpine HU.

 

Listen to Crutchfield. I forgot you said you weren't buying an amp to upgrade. From reviews I have read they say the Polk's definately sound better when they are amplified. So the Alpine speakers would be best for your application out of the list of choices. Hope this helps.

 

Now after a little more research, adding a 2-channel amp sounds a good way to go.

What is your suggestion? Since the 2-channel amp can only power up the front speakers, what about the rear ones? Is it better just upgrade the front speakers and add an amp and shut off the rear speakers?

Thanks!

 

4-chan amp only cost a little more, and will allow the rear speakers to thump.
or are you only going 2 bc you only have 2 RCAs? if so, they have the line level converters to make the additional 2 RCAs for the other pair.

 

I have an old Alpine CD receiver model CDE-7870 which, I believe, has one set of pre-amp outs.

Do I need the line converter if I go for a 4-channel amp?

 

It depends on what you want. I have heard of people letting the front speakers get more power than the rears. It is supposed to give you a better front soundstage. So if you want to you can do that, and let the rears run off of the cd player. Just so you know, you can run all speakers off of the amp. It may not be as efficient, but it will still work. Especially since you're not going up for any competitions. Hope this helps. Look into profile amps from crutcfield. You can find a decent 2 or 4 ch amp for a pretty good price. GL.

 

I was looking at the Blaupunkt 2-channel amp because it has a direct AUX-in so I can hook up my ipod there. Actually, I was wondering whether I could use the amp to power up the front speakers and let the Alpine HU drive the rear ones.

Is there a way I can do this? If I use the fade function on the HU to route its power to the rears, will the amp get signals for the front speakers? I am not sure how this works.

 

I would suggest adding components to the front and rear and run a 4channel amplifier. Alpine's in my mind are good speakers, great bass and mids, plus if you get components they will sound clear all around. Espicially if you listen to a lot of dance/jazz.

Other great brands are MB Quartz, kenwood, Infinity.

 

You could do that set up but its tricky wiring it on the harness. If you replace one set of speakers you should replace them all. The rears will sound weak and faded out.

Your fader will work the same via a amplifier or straight Headunit. Its not recommended to do this set up.

 

Alright, now I am deciding between the Alpine SPS-17C2 and the Infinity Reference 6022i. They cost about the same from online retailers. I prefer balanced sound, i.e., consistent performance across high, mid and bass and no great highs and weak bass or vice versa.

Anyone has experience with them and can provide some comments?

 

Ahh the Reference 6022i sounds real good (to me), I haven't herd the Alpine speakers listed. It's all about what you like to hear more highs, lows, or mids, from your music. The Reference speakers are sharp & clear. Looking at the speakers it may be better to go w/ the Alpines all around cause of the max power of your HU. But the Blaupunkt amp prob max @ 75 which would be better for the Reference speakers. You can run all 4 speakers off 1 amp it's not the best thing but it'll still work. Do you have RCA out put on the HU is that for rear's or subs? If it's for rear just use a pair of RCA's w/ Y RCA cable. If not splice speaker signal wires from head unit to RCA cables then to amp. That will give you full control of balance / fader. Cation I'm not an expert

 

Ahh the Reference 6022i sounds real good (to me), I haven't herd the Alpine speakers listed. It's all about what you like to hear more highs, lows, or mids, from your music. The Reference speakers are sharp & clear. Looking at the speakers it may be better to go w/ the Alpines all around cause of the max power of your HU. But the Blaupunkt amp prob max @ 75 which would be better for the Reference speakers. You can run all 4 speakers off 1 amp it's not the best thing but it'll still work. Do you have RCA out put on the HU is that for rear's or subs? If it's for rear just use a pair of RCA's w/ Y RCA cable. If not splice speaker signal wires from head unit to RCA cables then to amp. That will give you full control of balance / fader. Cation I'm not an expert

 

All in all I agree with Iceman on the point of being able to run all of your speakers off of one amp, but consider you would either lose front to rear fade or left to right. An amp will allow your speakers to really shine, and alpine type s is a very good choice as well.

 

A 2 channel will be just fine. Run the rears off the HU.

 

Many thanks to all of you for your input. I just ordered 2 pairs of Alpine SPS-17C2 speakers (6.5") from www.crutchfield.com at a great price of $49.99/pair, cheapest anywhere I looked online.

Once the speakers arrive, I will try to install them myself. The Crutchfield installation guide says I will have to split and splice the speaker wires since there is no adapter for the '01 Maxima factory speaker wiring.

What do I need to do that? Crimp kits?

 

Hey, thanks for your post....
I was itching to buy... and you got them at an unbelievable deal.
I saw them just last week for $79.99 at crutchfield. (Reg $99.99)

At 49.99- its awsome. I was about to run components but this should
do nicely too (2 pairs too). I just installed interior handles this weekend
so I know how to remove the door panel (I got a '00 maxima). Be careful,
one door handle trim snapped on me, but its ok, cuz its not noticable.

You can see instructions at:
http://forums.nycmaximas.org/showthread.php?t=15500

I just ordered them like 10mins ago.

I have an amp waiting too Alpine-F250 (small but should be ok).

Good Luck.
-Anthony

 

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for the instruction! I was looking at Crutchfield and saw the $79.99/pair and $149.99/2 pairs deals in the past week and just found out tonight that Crutchfield dropped price. Great deal indeed.

I will definitely be very careful when installing the speakers. Good luck with your amp setup. It should sound better than just with the HU.

jzwu

 

yea, will do. speakers should come in this week. i hope.
so You gonna run it off your HU?
I already have an alpine HU too... so its all alpine for me.
HU, Amp, and now speakers...hehehehe.

I was planning on the Polk(on sale buy one,2nd 1/2 off) or
Alpine components.... cuz the infinity were too bright for me,
since they have a metal tweeter. (that's just my opinion)
Polk and Alpine have silk tweeters... so its warmer... not as bright.

Also I'm hoping that the speaker surrounds that crutchfield supplies
is ok and that installing wont be a b*tch. like drilling bigger holes.

Did crutchfield say anything else about the install? Like how to avoid
rattles? ---

--EDIT--- I did my chrome handles got a rattle now.... sux. ill be checking the
door mounts again. ----

 

I am going to just run off the Alpine HU for now and may get an amp in the future. Crutchfield is supplying all installation guide/parts with the speakers. I just read the installation summary online and didn't see anything about rattles.

Good luck!

 

Personally I prefer Boston Acoustics or JL Audio speakers. Great bass response and nice tweeters. The only problem with JL is that most of their tweeters are 3/4" which I think is too small, just go for 1"