Which 6.5" components?

For the audio guru's, I need some help. Looking for a decent 6.5" component speaker to get for a double cab?

Skar SPX-65C? Are Skar Audio as terrible as everyone says?

For the same price in Canada Crutchfield I can get Rockford P165-SI, Memphis MS-70...

Powering with Pioneer 5ch amp.

 

Id skip the skar. What's the budget and how much power will you have available?

I'm a fan of the digital designs components, hertz makes some very nice sounding stuff in the $300ish range.

Maybe go into a shop and listen to what they have, some of the cheaper stuff sounds terrible. But if you have a class d amp on the mids then not much is going to sound that great.

Class A/B for the doors and class d for the sub is what I run, but I'm a little more picky then most about how my stuff sounds.

 

I'd skip the Skar too.

How much can you spend?

And as far as modern Class D amps go - they're quite good. Early Class D did leave a lot to be desired, but good Class D amps made in the last decade are going to sound every bit as good as A/B (if not better), they're more efficient and relatively small. Generally speaking, there are lots of other items that will influence sound quality more than an amp anyway - install, source, road noise, setup, etc. And if you're using the stock head unit, you're already handicapped.

 

I ordered the new Sony ES Mobiles, then changed the order to the Audiofrogs because alot of people say they are better.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_898G60S/Audiofrog-G60S.html

 

Thanks for the responses.

After some time spent reading(I'm a skeptic when it comes to online reviews).

I think I've settled with set of components up front, the Rockford P165-SI and R167X2 for rear doors. Amp will be a Kenwood X802-5, it has speaker level inputs and will upgrade HU in the future if I don't like the sound. All fits in the budget but I thought if the sound isn't what I wanted I could move the fronts to the back and upgrade the front set. I honestly don't know what to expect with this set-up in the truck but it's a starting point.

 

sound treat/deaden the doors while you're at it.

 

I ordered some to have ready for the install, the more I read it seemed this was just as important as upgrading the speakers themselves.

 

You really think class D amps sound as good a class A/B amps? They're definitely more efficient,

100% agree with being handicapped keeping the factory head unit.

Not a fan of LOCs either. No sense imo in taking an amplified signal and converting it to line level, only to be amplified again. Any distortion, noise will more than likely survive the conversion, and then be amplified.

I understand why some ppl want to keep the stock head unit for the aesthetics, and not having a reason for someone to break into the truck.

However, imo, upgrading the stereo without replacing the head unit is a waste, as the sound is only as good as the source.

 

You can overcome the limitations of the factory radio, it just costs as much or more in processing units as a new aftermarket stereo so unless you REALLY want to keep it, the cost/benefit isn’t there.

I can’t speak to the 2013 unit in terms of what you would need, mine is a 2020 and I’ve gotten really good results with the JL FiX.

 

Bought a PAC 4 channel LOC, temporary until I can fit a new HU into the budget.

 

Good Class D - yeah. There's no shortage of people who will tell me I'm full of it, but IME they sound just as good.

Also consider applications - mine for instance. Headroom translates to lower distortion and to get the 1200W I'm using now in A/B, I'd need to upgrade my charging system - which would rob me of some horsepower, some money, and the time. And I still would not prefer the A/B. Some folks will carry that torch forever and that's OK. I'm not ditching on A/B amps. There are some fine specimens out there. It's just not necessary anymore.

 

I hear you. Been there. Done that.

@rob feature I'm old school. Old enough to remember when manufacturers had their own proprietary plugs to connect head units and amplifiers. When you had to adjust the knob spacing to fit in the metal dash cutout old. Lol

When class D amps came out, they left a lot to be desired. Compared to my PH15s, PA300s, or punch 250( Fossgate, before Rockford), they sounded like trash

The only thing I would have considered a class D amp at the time would have been for subs. I'm glad the technology has matured.

But yes, I see your point with the time and money savings going class D over A/B with the upgrades. Class D is much more efficient amplifier design.

Now then, what brands do you consider good and how far up the line do you have to go before you get to the good products?

I rarely buy top of the line. And very very rarely if at all, the bottom. I try to go as far above the middle as the budget allows usually.

You mentioned headroom. This is my reason for the go big when it comes to amps. I want some space before clipping on top of the headroom built into the circuit. Loud is one thing. Making your hair blow around as if you were outside during a hurricane, while it is impressive...... No. That's beyond over the top imo.

I have the perfect disc to demonstrate headroom and dynamic range. Time warp. Music from Star Trek, Star Wars, Superman, Battlestar Galactica.
Performed by the Cincinnati pops orchestra. Released on the Telarc label. It comes with a warning saying that it has some of the most powerful content ever released on a production recording. Know the limits of your system before playing at any decent volume.

By far the highest quality recording that I own. I take this when I would go listen to, audition, equipment.

I said demonstrate... It will, absolutely decimate any headroom. The dynamic range has torn surrounds. Shellac on voice coils has melted.

Xmax.... What's that? Lol

Good stuff.

 

It's really hard to say where the line between mediocre and good lies, but I draw mine at JL XD; Alpine PDX, X, etc. I suspect lower tier amps by these manufacturers are worthy as well, but those work for my needs.

 

Those links did nothing.

 

I still have 2- PH15s. The plan right now is to use those for a 6 way active system up front.

 

Not sure where those even came from. I didn't post any links

 

Of course. Tacoma world happens...

 

How did you like those Audiofrogs? How do they compare to what you've used in the past?

 

I ended up sending them back after realizing that my Alpine PDX-V9 was too powerful for them, they are only rated at 50w.

Im now looking at a wideband set from CDT audio which is supposedly really good with sound quality and ill keep the 6x9 size versus a smaller 6.5.
https://www.cdtaudio.com/main_serie...HueNni6NbX-9R88Cy87z0yshbvaFkvt-noX0UgR_rzJ7c

 

Those look really interesting. I've been toying with the idea of getting a 6x9 component set and these seem like a really cool variation of that. Would you mount the wideband driver in the stock tweeter location?