Lost Newbie

Zaltekk · Post by **Zaltekk** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:05 pm

I've recently started to look into buying a head unit and speakers(possibly an amp too) for my 1995 Toyota Corolla. I have an ok understanding of what to look for in a head unit, but I am having quite a bit of trouble figuring out what speakers to buy. The amp would most likely be added in later(when I save up more money).
The main problem I am having is website's contradicting each other on what will fit my car. Some tell me the front speakers are 4", some say 5.75". The rear speakers seem to be either 6x9" or 6.5".
So far, there are very few things I know to look for in speakers. I know that higher RMS Wattages are better, but I don't know how much is considered decent.
Any suggestions, information, links, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

nist7 · Post by **nist7** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:32 pm

Crutchfield, an online electronics retailer has some good articles to get first-timers started. They also sell many car audio products. But they are expensive compared to other places. Look at CAC's own FAQ section for online dealers and helpful articles.

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/learningcenter/car/

Another great website that explains (more than you ever imagined) car audio with awesome illustrations, analogies, facts, and common sense:

http://www.bcae1.com

6three6mafia6 · Post by **6three6mafia6** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:08 pm

youre car might be a 6x9 but with brackets you can make 6.5, same for 5.25 you can make them 4 with brackets, are you trying to go for a simple upgrade or for some serious quality speakers? and how much would you like to spend?this will give us info on were to lead you too.

audiobass10 · Post by **audiobass10** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 7:49 pm

Zaltekk wrote: I know that higher RMS Wattages are better, but I don't know how much is considered decent.
Any suggestions, information, links, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Huge misconception here. Higher RMS ratings does not mean the speaker(s) is better. Make sure you check out http://www.bcae1.com RMS is a thermal rating. It tells the approx. amount of power the voice coils can safely dissapate on average. With that in mind, some companies such as audiobahn overrate their speaker ratings to attract the uninformed consumer. I here it everday.."Those subs are 1000 watt RMS"!! And even when the ratings are true..speakers with larger RMS are not necessarily "better" than subs with lower ratings.

Zaltekk · Post by **Zaltekk** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:10 pm

Thanks for the links, I'm going to start doing some reading.
6three6mafia6: I want more than a simple upgrade. I don't want to buy the most expensive speakers, but I am more worried about quality than price. I don't plan to spend more than 200 USD on a set of speakers, but I don't really have much insight into the prices of high quality speakers.

lotas · Post by **lotas** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:25 pm

for some speakers at that price look at

**cdt cl61 (http://www.thezeb.com) or find djdilliodon on AIM or sounddomain.com forums or caraudio.com forums (he is authorized dealer with amazing prices) 150$ from thezeb, dont remember how much djdilliodon has them for.
**resonant engineering RE series (http://www.reaudio.com) 165$ shipped I believe.
**CDT EF-61cfi/25 6.5" (http://www.thezeb.com or djdilliodon) i got these speakers from djdilliodon for $200, they are a large large improvement over the cl61's which I had previously. A big factor you are looking at between these and the cl61's is the amount of power they need. The Cl61s are 90w rms so you could give them 75watts, the EF's are (i believe) 160w rms, im giving them 150 (which is not completely necessary, but thats what my JL puts out).

anyways those are all component sets. I dont remember if you said if you are looking for components or not, but i would reccomend them. Installing is not that hard, it takes some time the first time but it doesnt require a great deal of knowledge. good luck

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:07 am

Comps will almost always yield a better SQ.

As for the speaker sizes. If they are in the rear deck you should be able to see them through the trunk.

For the fronts if they are in the door you may need to take a door panel off to have a look.

As far as quality comps go the sky is the limit. THe very minimal costing we reccomend around here is the Infinity Refrence series.

6three6mafia6 · Post by **6three6mafia6** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:10 pm

also look at the new alpine type R components, they have changed all there R tweeters to silk dome from metal i think, also type x but those are pricy so check ebay for those, the R's can be bought new for like 200 wich is like the least a good component set will cost.

Zaltekk · Post by **Zaltekk** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:04 am

I have been looking at new "Buy-It-Now" items on eBay. Here is what I am considering. Any feedback would be helpful.

Head Unit:
Alpine CDA-9845 for $153.45 shipped & insured

Speakers:
Alpine SPR-17LS for $148.95 shipped
Infinity Kappa 60.5CS for $149.00 shipped & insured

I am unsure about front speakers(possible won't get any) and amplifiers(less than 100Wx4 RMS and 2 channels, possibly 4 channels).

audiofreak12 · Post by **audiofreak12** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:25 am

The arc audio KAR series amps arent to exspensive, and there good quality from what i understand. That might be a starting point. I am fixing to order a set of RE series 6.5's and yes they are $165 shipped. I have herd nothing but good about these speakers and I own two of there subs, so I'm going to give them a try. The memphis amps arent to exspensive if you get them off ebay and there good quality too IMO.