View Full Version : Speaker upgrade question related to Crossovers
prothid
07-29-2009, 07:34 AM
Hi all, this is my first Audi ('07 A4 2.0 quattro) and my first post to these forums. So far, I've found a lot of great and useful info on these forums (thanks for that) and I think I have decided on my first upgrade - the speakers. (then probably the clear corner mod since its free and looks awesome)
Anyhow, I am at the beginning part of researching some speaker components and I've already read the install guide on the new member FAQ. It seemed to answer a lot of questions about making the customizations to make the speakers fit; however, it didn't mention anything about installing crossovers and I noticed that these component speaker systems on Crutchfield include the crossovers. Are these necessary? It looks like the frequencies are already split that the crossovers are not necessary... can anyone confirm?
Secondly, to keep it low cost it would be nice to get speakers to match the RMS output of the stock headunit (I have the Symphony II+). I've looked around and haven't been able to find the specs on this, does anyone know what they are?? This isn't too important since I'll probably upgrade the headunit and match the speakers to its specs instead.
Thanks for the help!
Spiff69
07-29-2009, 08:26 AM
Every speaker has to have a crossover, whether it's component or not. Higher end speakers just simply have a nicer crossover that allow you to finely tune where that crossover point is located. There's plenty of room in the doors to allow for the crossover box - I wouldn't worry about that. Also, I would consider amping your new speakers as opposed to driving them from the stockie head unit.
prothid
07-29-2009, 08:52 AM
I see, that makes sense, so an external crossover isn't necessarily a bad thing and it adds a little flexibility.
Tgr_Clw
07-29-2009, 09:55 AM
Upgrading speakers w/o upgrading the amps is a waste of money.
prothid
07-29-2009, 10:08 AM
Upgrading speakers w/o upgrading the amps is a waste of money.
By upgrading the amp are you implying that there is an existing amp in the car? Or are you saying to add an amp to go along with the headunit?
bcramer
07-29-2009, 10:27 AM
Upgrading speakers w/o upgrading the amps is a waste of money.
He speaks the truth.
OP there is an amp already in the car. However, it is doing A LOT of active adjustments. If you simply swap out the existing drivers with new ones, you're going to be disappointed.
swoardrider
07-29-2009, 10:39 AM
By upgrading the amp are you implying that there is an existing amp in the car? Or are you saying to add an amp to go along with the headunit?
Do you have Bose? If so, all the speakers run off a POS Bose amp. If you do not have Bose, some of your speakers runoff of the head unit, and some off a POS factory amp.
I don't know about non-Bose systems, but if you have Bose, you cannot just replace the speakers, or just replace the amp. This is because Bose uses screwy impedances. Something like 1.5 ohms if I remember correctly. Therefore aftermarket amps don't tend to like Bose speakers, and Bose amps don't tend to like aftermarket speakers.
Regardless whether or not your Bose, just upgrading the speakers is a bad idea because most decent aftermarket speakers need real power to drive them. I'd say at least 50 watts per channel minimum. I'm betting that the POS factory amp would be lucky to see 10 watts rms per channel.
koolade9
07-29-2009, 11:12 AM
Every speaker has to have a crossover, whether it's component or not.
Negative... The OEM mids do not have any xover, the tweets have a small cap acting as a primitive high-pass filter. It's not uncommon to see OEM components sets like this...with just a natural roll-off.
I see, that makes sense, so an external crossover isn't necessarily a bad thing and it adds a little flexibility.
If you're installing an aftermarket component set...use the 2-way xover that comes with the kit!
Upgrading speakers w/o upgrading the amps is a waste of money.
to be more specific...switching to 4ohm aftermarket speakers in a Bose equipped system, will result in 1/2 the output (i.e. a waste of money). Using 2ohm speakers (a few manufactures make them) will result in slightly better sound quality in the upper frequecies, but a loss in mid-bass, due to the overall lack of available power from the OEM system.
By upgrading the amp are you implying that there is an existing amp in the car? Or are you saying to add an amp to go along with the headunit?
yes, the car has an amp from the factory...the Bose amp drives all speakers in the car...in a non-bose system, an amp just drives the rears.
prothid
07-29-2009, 11:15 AM
I'm non-bose. Sounds like a big challenge to get decent sound into this car! [headbang]
koolade9
07-29-2009, 11:19 AM
I'm non-bose. Sounds like a big challenge to get decent sound into this car! [headbang]
actually... non-bose will be much easier for you to do a 'staged' approach... You could start off with aftermarket speakers (4ohm) without changing anything else, or just change the headunit for more power to the front speakers. Once you have both, you can look into running new wiring to each speaker, and using an aftermarket amp.
prothid
07-29-2009, 12:00 PM
actually... non-bose will be much easier for you to do a 'staged' approach... You could start off with aftermarket speakers (4ohm) without changing anything else, or just change the headunit for more power to the front speakers. Once you have both, you can look into running new wiring to each speaker, and using an aftermarket amp.
Thanks for shedding some more light on the subject. It is definitely sounding feasible with the information you provided in your previous post.
So the headunit is wired to the back amp which powers the rear speakers (and sub?). And the front speakers are powered directly by the headunit. Is there a way to use one amp which replaces the back amp and powers the front speakers? It sounds feasible but I'm guessing it would require running more wires.
koolade9
07-29-2009, 01:11 PM
So the headunit is wired to the back amp which powers the rear speakers (and sub?). And the front speakers are powered directly by the headunit. Is there a way to use one amp which replaces the back amp and powers the front speakers? It sounds feasible but I'm guessing it would require running more wires.
yes, in non-bose, the amp runs the rears and sub. You can certainly use an aftermarket amp to run everything, you'd just run new wiring to each door, not too difficult.
Spiff69
07-29-2009, 08:00 PM
Negative... The OEM mids do not have any xover, the tweets have a small cap acting as a primitive high-pass filter. It's not uncommon to see OEM components sets like this...with just a natural roll-off.
Ok, point noted, thanks - same net effect though, there is something there dictating what frequencies go where.
I had a non-bose setup and upgraded my speakers first. It made for a nice upgrade, but much better with the amp.
I'm non-bose. Sounds like a big challenge to get decent sound into this car! [headbang]
The LOL of the day! My system sounds fantastic! Took three days or some to put in and not hard at all! Just be patient!
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238399
youtube clip is pointless but whatever...
http://www.youtube.com/v/ooa6H8qaLNw