Speaker upgrades, no amplifier.

This topic has kind of been covered many times. Except most of the time it ends in adding an amp and new HU. I have a 2013 DC without the entune system. I like the head unit. Works for what I do and it is fairly simple. I don't want to add an amp or new HU. I would prefer just adding better components and tweeters where the factory units were. My question is for people who have just swapped for quality speakers, was the gain in sound quality worth it?

My last truck had a fairly loud system with a kicker 15. I don't really need the bass anymore but would like to turn it up once in a while without distortion.

 

Great! That's the answer I was looking for. I have seen the adapters to mount the new units and hook the stock harness' to them. My fear was that the HU couldn't push the new speakers enough to differ sound quality from the factory speakers.

Andy

 

You can try a set of aftermarket components. The problem you'll run into is that the stock HU doesn't push out much power. So you'll want very low wattage components to be able to push them.

You can look into small in dash amp's that will push out a clean 45watts by 4 channels. 45watts doesn't sound like much but pair it up with a decent set of components and you'll be very happy with the outcome.

I've used these on stock HU's, better sound but not much louder.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPINE-6-5-...05&prg=11385&rk=4&rkt=6&sd=271246956068&rt=nc

Added an in dash amp (alpine power pack 45watt) and those suckers got pretty loud and a lot cleaner then stock. Cheap way to go for a decent upgrade.

 

Thank you. I guess cleaner would be the word I should have used. If I can gain a little clarity at the higher volume levels I'll be happy.

I know it's apples to oranges, but the two JL components and tweeters on my boat seem to blow the doors off these 6 interior speakers in my truck. So there seems to be hope for the direction I'm looking to go.

Andy

 

also depends on ur price range ur looking to spend, There is a ton on the market.
You can get some very nice speakers for under 200$ that will work well with a power pack like the alpine

 

I don't want to spend $500 on a pair of speakers but I'm not opposed to 150-200 dollars a pair. I've learned with stereos and speakers that you find some bang for the buck deals but most of the time you get what you pay for. I have been very impressed with the JL stuff I've used to this point on previous vehicles/boats.

 

Id find speakers that will work best with the power and with what u want them to do and how your going to run them vs name brand.

AS an example, i know of not so well known brands that absolutely destroy the Entry level Hertz, focal etc at 1/2 the price range. I cannot comment on JL as i don't really measure anything against JL for comparison

 

What are some of these not so well know brands that you speak of?? I'd love to have some cheaper brands to consider, if I knew that they would perform well.

 

Mercury, GIP
Mercury is SQ based, their entry lvl speaker is absolutely sold and would compare to the entry high end Name brands ( no not JL, alpine etc )
GIP is more Loud, and Clear PRO audio type speakers but i wouldn't recommend that for no amp although id be interested to see how it would sound. Only reason i say i wouldnt recommend it is you would want to be able to mess with a few sound parameters to get them sounding the way you want them to and a stock deck simply doesnt have the processing for that

 

I don't remember the specs but I love my Hybrid Audio Technology speakers I got from Mr. Marv (vendor on TW). I highly recommend contacting Mr. Marv.

 

The stock HU can not supply enough power to any aftermarket components. You cant draw blood from a stone. I completely understand that you are looking for fidelity and clarity, not raw volume. I have already tried what your talking about and it sounded worse than stock. I connected the stock head unit to aftermarket components and found that I had to raise the volume almost all the way up. This caused the Stock HU internal amplifier to run very close to clipping with a very noticeable increase in perceived harmonic distortion. To put things in perspective the stock head unit puts out 8W RMS into 4 ohms with 10% THD.

Just get an amp.

 

Hello,
I was on the same predicament, trying desperately to hold on to the factory HU. In the end after factoring labor and harwdware required, I concluded that it is too much hassle to do so and the end result may not be what I am looking for. In the end I settled for a new HU. I got a double DIN Alpine, Alpine power pack amp, JL C3 650 fronts, Sony for rear fill, Alpine PDX mono for sub amp powering an Alpine Shallow Type R sub on a Supercrewsound box. Sounds great and easily installed. I did the installation myself under a day. Also, please sound deaden the doors. You will like the result evenmore. Godspeed.

 

I currently running HAT Mirius series speakers upfront through Pioneer HU. I have no issues with my sound. Maybe it's because I don't have my volume turned up to max level. I just wanted a good clean sound and I have that without an amp. Everyone on TW seems to want to cram an amp down your throught like when some one asks for a lift suggestions everyone immediately says Icons, Fox, or Kings. Even if it's overkill for what the person needs.

 

Yes an aftermarket HU like your Pioneer can drive aftermarket speakers to normal levels. The built in amp on Pioneers is 45W RMS x 4. That is not the issue.

The OP wants to run aftermarket speakers with the stock HU which only can produce 8W RMS x 4.

 

Whoops. Definitely ditch factory head unit.

 

For stock deck power, you'll need speakers with good effiancy. This means they make a lot of sound without a lot of power.

I was running these with my stock deck, and they sounded way better than factory. Then I upgraded and got an amp and kept running them, and they sound great.

JL Audio TR650-CSi 6-1/2" Evolution TR Series 2-way Component Speakers System (Pair)

http://www.amazon.com/JL-Audio-TR65...1&keywords=tr+650+jl+audio&pebp=1416924865282

Hard to find more speaker for the buck than the JL audio TR components.

 

for 5- 80wrms the Mercury smart series wins hands down. They are made for SQ low power applications.

 

Does the alpine power pack work with our stock HU?

 

How did you mount he tweeters in the factory spots. I am about to order these.

 

I believe its designed for their HU's specifically. At least thats what I gathered from the website. I was considering it as an option myself. Looks like you could mount it in the glove box or behind the dash nicely