Front speaker upgrade

[s4BoostKing]

My driver door speaker went out completely and I just replaced it with a used one and it works but is so fuzzy and bad. Also I have a 12" sub and since the speaker isn't working the subwoofer doesn't hit at the full power. Like if I change the audio balance all the way to the right side of the car the sub hits really hard but if I turn it to the left there is no bass or audio at all so maybe it was wiring.. But anyway I was looking to just upgrade the front speakers. All the threads I am reading are all old and recommend the infinity Reference 2 ohm speakers but all seem to be obsolete online. I wouldn't mind going up in size but I don't want to replace the factory amp or headunit. So what speakers are up to date and are recommended at this time? Price isn't a big deal, thanks

[jimmer009]

So you know you need 2 ohm. The speakers everyone recommens is simple plug and play. If you want better sound quality you should search eBay, Google or crutchfeild for 2 ohm component set. These will be the sounding speaker upgrade in my opinion. There are many choices and you spend 50$ to 1000$. And the stock amp is enough to push them, and will leave room if you ever want to upgrade from there

[Peecee69]

I talked to a Crutchfield "advisor" yesterday. They do not carry any 5.25" 2 ohm speakers. The Inifinity reference series have been bumped to 3 ohm, so you'll need to look at others. I'm still looking for a decent 2 ohm set of speakers, hopefully with a matched set of 2 ohm 6.5" set.

[JVD]

You don't NEED 2 ohm speakers.

Anything above 2 ohm and you'll be fine.

The problem with these cars are the small front speaker openings and cheesy mounting design. You're never going to make things sound fantastic. At least the rear deck speakers help fill some of the midbass that's missing up front.

[s4BoostKing]

You don't NEED 2 ohm speakers
Anything above 2 ohm and you'll be fine.

The problem with these cars are the small front speaker openings and cheesy mounting design. You're never going to make things sound fantastic. At least the rear deck speakers help fill some of the midbass that's missing up front.

So the 5.25" infinity reference 3 ohm will plug and play with the stock bose setup and work fine?

[Peecee69]

Yes, you just won't get the full power handling out of the speakers. Ideally a 2 ohm speaker will perform best.

[JVD]

So the 5.25" infinity reference 3 ohm will plug and play with the stock bose setup and work fine?

It will work fine.

Yes, you just won't get the full power handling out of the speakers. Ideally a 2 ohm speaker will perform best.

Wrong.

[s4BoostKing]

I plan on buying the 5.25" infinity reference 3 ohm now for the fronts. The only question is how much modification is needed to make it fit, or should I buy a bracket before hand.. Also if I get 5.25" up front how big should I get for the rear

[Peecee69]

JVD - what's wrong? Science or opinion? It's a fact that the factory amp for the Bose system is expecting a 2 ohm load, so ideally a 2 ohm speaker is correct and will perform best. That same amp will have to "work" harder to provide the same signal to a higher impedance speaker, which is probably not audible. Actually, I seriously doubt even electronically measuring it would yield a difference.

Either way, it doesn't matter. I just picked up a set of the Infinity Reference 5032cf, which is a 2 ohm speaker. A local dealer had some left over and was more than happy to get rid of them.

[JVD]

JVD - what's wrong? Science or opinion? It's a fact that the factory amp for the Bose system is expecting a 2 ohm load, so ideally a 2 ohm speaker is correct and will perform best. That same amp will have to "work" harder to provide the same signal to a higher impedance speaker, which is probably not audible. Actually, I seriously doubt even electronically measuring it would yield a difference.

Either way, it doesn't matter. I just picked up a set of the Infinity Reference 5032cf, which is a 2 ohm speaker. A local dealer had some left over and was more than happy to get rid of them.

Your original statement I responded to was an opinion. Your opinion.

You keep saying "perform best." What is best? Measured how? More watts = more better?

There's a million other factors which contribute to how a speakers sounds than how much power it uses. You didn't even use power handling in the correct context. People keep spreading misinformation here that you need to match the speakers impedance to the amplifier and it is false.

[s4BoostKing]

JVD - what's wrong? Science or opinion? It's a fact that the factory amp for the Bose system is expecting a 2 ohm load, so ideally a 2 ohm speaker is correct and will perform best. That same amp will have to "work" harder to provide the same signal to a higher impedance speaker, which is probably not audible. Actually, I seriously doubt even electronically measuring it would yield a difference.

Either way, it doesn't matter. I just picked up a set of the Infinity Reference 5032cf, which is a 2 ohm speaker. A local dealer had some left over and was more than happy to get rid of them.

Did you install these yet by chance?

[Peecee69]

Not yet. I just ordered the brackets, and they're coming from across the pond. Once I get them in, I'll probably tear right into my door panels. I'm also looking for a power window panel, so I can swap that out at the same time. Trying to read up now on how to get the door cards off and what to look out for when I take them off. Hopefully I won't have to replace the moisture barrier, but I'm going to see if my local dealer has them in stock tomorrow just in case. I already adjusted the equalizer to the standard 88598859, and that's made a big improvement already. Hoping going to the new Infinity model will improve sound by a bunch more. I'm also hopeful that the dealer is able to find a pair of matched 6.5" for the rear.

[Jism]

The problem with bose is that it's using a non-standard, so replacing it always brings confusion. I hate that it uses an amp that adds all sort of digital stuff to it that makes it the "bose" setup. Nobody know what the fuck it does besides amping a audio signal. It does'nt sound any better either.

If you want to do things right, and the amp is the same:



Hack into number 5 for Remote.

[Peecee69]

What do you mean "do things right"? #5 on the amp is just a remote turn on from the radio, right?

[Jism]

Sorry, clicked on POST quick reply, forgot to add skip the original sub, and add your own. It makes the sound somewhat more alive:

[KeatS4]

If anyone does find a link to a plug and play 2 ohm front speaker please share with the class! I've just been taking apart and repairing mine when they blew because I can't find an alternative. I haven't look too hard though as I am lazy.

[s4BoostKing]

I just got my 5.25" speakers in the mail.. I don't know if I want to tear the door apart now and see if I can get a way to make them fit or just wait and buy a bracket

[s4BoostKing]

I've been searching forever and can't find 6.5" 2 ohm speakers to put in the rear would the infinity reference 6502ix's work? It says they are a true four ohm impedance with speakers 3 ohm combined with speaker wire 4 ohm I don't know what that means

[Peecee69]

Found them available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Refe...ference+5032cf

A possible alternative: http://www.harmanaudio.com/infinity/...CE+5032CF.html

These are definitely 2 ohm speakers...

[s4BoostKing]

Found them available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Refe...ference+5032cf

A possible alternative: http://www.harmanaudio.com/infinity/...CE+5032CF.html

These are definitely 2 ohm speakers...

I have those.. I'm looking for 6.5" ones

[Peecee69]

I think the Reference 6032cf's are discontinued, but their replacement, the 6502ix are pretty good. Those are easy to find.

[s4BoostKing]

I think the Reference 6032cf's are discontinued, but their replacement, the 6502ix are pretty good. Those are easy to find.

I know it has been said previously that the 3 ohm speakers will work with the stock Bose setup. But I would still rather stay with a 2 ohm speaker. The 6502ix is a 3 ohm so it makes me not want to get them, but on the other hand I can't find a single pair of 6.5" 2ohms and I've been looking forever

[Peecee69]

I just replaced the fronts with the standard 5032cf, and I used the brackets mentioned elsewhere - the model number is SAK-1104. I needed to trim them a bit so the bracket didn't interfere with the cone surround, but other than that, they worked great. I could have probably made an adapter from MDF, but the $25 spent was well worth it. If I want to go to 6.5" in the front, I'll use these as a template. Also replaced the rear deck speakers with some 6032cf I found on craigslist about 40 miles from me. Next up to replace the rear door speakers. Worth the time to do that simple upgrade.

I have some stock speakers if anyone wants them.

[s4BoostKing]

I just replaced the fronts with the standard 5032cf, and I used the brackets mentioned elsewhere - the model number is SAK-1104. I needed to trim them a bit so the bracket didn't interfere with the cone surround, but other than that, they worked great. I could have probably made an adapter from MDF, but the $25 spent was well worth it. If I want to go to 6.5" in the front, I'll use these as a template. Also replaced the rear deck speakers with some 6032cf I found on craigslist about 40 miles from me. Next up to replace the rear door speakers. Worth the time to do that simple upgrade.

I have some stock speakers if anyone wants them.

Doesn't the rear deck hold sub woofers and not the speakers? How did you put the 6032cfs in there I thought they were supposed to be for the rear doors? I'm so confused and terrible with audio

[Peecee69]

The rear deck is the set of subwoofers. The factory subs look like they're only 5.25", but the Infinity 6.5" will fit in there just fine. I have only been able to find that 5.25" (same as front) will fit in rear doors. I'll add to this thread once I get around to replacing those.

[JustManson]

Subscribed since my speakers suck in my s4. Stock bose sound, but it just sounds like static when there is speaking. I mostly listen to talk radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[s4BoostKing]

The rear deck is the set of subwoofers. The factory subs look like they're only 5.25", but the Infinity 6.5" will fit in there just fine. I have only been able to find that 5.25" (same as front) will fit in rear doors. I'll add to this thread once I get around to replacing those.

But aren't the 6032cf a two way speaker instead of a subwoofer?? So how did you put them in the trunk where the woofers should be

[Peecee69]

Yes they are a coaxial speaker. I just mounted them in place of the stock subs and they sound fine. When I go to pull the rear door cards off and see what sort of room I'm working with, I may get some Kicker Comps for the subs and put the 6.5" in the rear doors.

[JVD]

Make sure they're 2 ohm. Nothing else works.

[hikaru]

http://www.cdtaudio.com/sep_componen...ss/hd6mdvc.php
This is what I replaced the subs with.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Audizine mobile app

[Peecee69]

http://www.cdtaudio.com/sep_componen...ss/hd6mdvc.php
This is what I replaced the subs with.

They look pretty sweet. Were you able to use the same plastic "baskets" or did you have to make a new mount?

[JVD]

http://www.cdtaudio.com/sep_componen...ss/hd6mdvc.php
This is what I replaced the subs with.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Audizine mobile app

Solid choice!

Just as a quick example for everyone on the 2 ohm impedance topic...

The above woofer has a sensitivity of 79.74dB with an impedance of 2 ohm (dual 4 ohm VC).

The CDT HD-M6Sub has a sensitivity of 87.1dB with an impedance of 4 ohm.

With a theoretical amplifier that outputs 100W into 2 ohm and a listening distance of 3ft we would have an SPL of 100.5dB from the 2 ohm woofer.

The M6Sub with the higher sensitivity but higher 4 ohm impedance (meaning it would see 50W) would produce an SPL of 104.9dB.

This means, theoretically, the 4 ohm sub would be louder using the same amplifier. Again, this doesn't tell us which one will "sound better" but shows that the 2 ohm impedance isn't necessary for sufficient performance.

[hikaru]

Used the aftermarket mounts. Had to cut them into quarters. These are actaully 6.7in. Bolted right in after that.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Audizine mobile app

[Peecee69]

Solid choice!

Just as a quick example for everyone on the 2 ohm impedance topic...

The above woofer has a sensitivity of 79.74dB with an impedance of 2 ohm (dual 4 ohm VC).

The CDT HD-M6Sub has a sensitivity of 87.1dB with an impedance of 4 ohm.

With a theoretical amplifier that outputs 100W into 2 ohm and a listening distance of 3ft we would have an SPL of 100.5dB from the 2 ohm woofer.

The M6Sub with the higher sensitivity but higher 4 ohm impedance (meaning it would see 50W) would produce an SPL of 104.9dB.

This means, theoretically, the 4 ohm sub would be louder using the same amplifier. Again, this doesn't tell us which one will "sound better" but shows that the 2 ohm impedance isn't necessary for sufficient performance.

Great explanation. Thanks for explaining the difference!