Another audio question

I know you guys are tired of answering noob audio questions but I've tried to do some research. I have an 04 regular cab. I installed a JVC KD-S36 headunit I got at Walmart. It puts out 20W RMS and from what I understand I don't need high output speakers i need some that run on less power. I know alot of you will tell me I need an amp but bottom line is I just can't put one in right now. I found some fairly inexpensive Kicker 6x8 speakers that are supposed to be 35W RMS. Would my headunit push these better than more expensive higher output speakers? I'm just looking for some speakers that will last and won't fall apart on me if I turn the volume up. I think my stock speakers are pretty much shot.

Heres a link to the speakers I'm looking at
http://www.caraudiodeals.com/product_info.php?products_id=961{8}19

I also want to replace the tweeters if anyone some suggestions.

 

The RMS power range for most speakers starts around 2W so just find you some speakers with decent sensitivity. Avoid anything under like 89dB and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Really? whats the 35W RMS referring to on those Kickers?

 

That would be the upper end RMS that those speakers can handle.

 

so i guess back to my original question. From what I can tell the speakers I'm looking at have a lower upper end tolerance. Does that mean my headunit would be able to push those better than some that have a120W RMS rating? And would they sound better because of that?

 

The max RMS rating is referring to power handling of the speaker. It is basically how much heat the voice coil is capable of dissipating continuously without over heating.

The power output of a HU is typically well below a set of aftermarket speakers. What is the bigger concern is the sensitivity of the speaker. If running a setup with limited power (which you are, since you are using the HU to power the speakers) then a sensitivity of 89 or higher is preferable. It shouldn't be terribly hard to find some decent 6.5's or 5.25's that are in the 90-92 range for a decent price.

If you care to know, why that is preferable, just ask and I will explain further. As for now, my fingers are tired.......Zzzz......Zzzz.....Zzzz.....

 

If you try to push 120W speakers with a 20W amp you will run out of amp long before you run out of speaker, meaning your head unit starts to distort before the speakers will. This is why, for lower power systems, you want to find efficient speakers first and worry about power handling after. The higher power handling speakers usually rate starting at 6W RMS rather than 2, so I don't think it will make much difference which way you go in that regard.

 

Maybe I'm not asking this right. I have no clue what some of that means. I guess my first question is if 6x8 is even the stock speaker size in the front doors of an 04 or is it a 5x7? second, would the kickers i posted a link to be suitable to be run off my headunit or do any of you have any recommendations on some that are. Assuming I ever figure this out and get some speakers how difficult would it be for me to wire them? Are there adapters for the factory wiring or will I have to pull the dash apart too and run new wires off of the head unit?

 

6 x 8 is the same at 5 x 7. They have mounting holes for both on one speaker. Anything you have experience will, would sound good on the deck but adding an amp gets them louder and cleaner.

 

CU: Think of sensitivity as efficiency. A sensitivity of 89 + will give you more sound from less power coming in. The kickers you listed have a sensitivity of 90 DB. These will be perfect for what you are trying to achieve and that is a good price for those speakers. The front doors will handle either 6x8 or 5x7's. They both fit and are normally listed together on websites. If you want to replace the tweeters go with some kicker components.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_18606_Kicker_07DS6802.aspx

This is as cheap as you will find some. To replace the speakers the hardest part is removing the panels and that is not bad. Look around on the forum and you can find some instructions. I ended up removing my factory tweeter and used the factory bracket to mount the new ones. Easiest install I have ever done. Also you can get some adapters so you can use 6 1/2" speakers in the front and that will give you more options. If you want to go that route you can find the adapters cheap on ebay. Staying with the stock size is fine though. If you use the components if would be easy to run new wires since they are so will be so short. If you only replace the 6 x 8" just cut off the factory wiring harness and wire up the new speakers. Hope this helps. It is not difficult at all and the sound improvement will be tremendous even running off of the headunit

 

thanks this was very helpful. I thought the stock tweeters were 1 1/2" will the ones in that package fit? And I'm sure this is stupid but what are the two boxes in the picture?

 

Those component tweeters will fit, they come with mounting hardware. As for the two boxes, those are external crossovers for adjusting the HP or LP filter. If you don't plan on adding an amp, I would just run coax speakers vs components. They will sound ok w/ deck power running to the components but I always suggest an amp when going components but not necessary. Adding more power like an external amp will make them cleaner and louder at higher volume.

 

Not sure about the stock tweeter size but yeah those will fit. I have an 04 Tacoma too so my panels are the same. I also ran components off the HU for years in my Nissan Frontier and they sounded fine. I have components running off of an amp now and they sound much cleaner at high volume but you can always add an amp later. If you want a cheap amp you can find some 2-channels for $60 at Wal-mart. As for mounting the tweeters they will come with mounting hardware but I did not even use it on my truck. I simply removed the stock tweeter bracket and switched out tweeters. You will see what I mean when you get the panels off. PM me if you have any more questions about it.

 

ok todays my birthday and i want to order these speakers. what all do i need to make this work. the kit and what else?

 

Happy 18th man....careful with those under age girls now

 

thanks man... and i wasn't looking forward to that part. at least i'm not jail bait for older girls now

 

Which speakers did you want the 6 1/2" or 5x7/6x8. If you go with the 6 1/2" you will have more options but you will need adapters and you may have to trim the inside of the panel (its no big deal).

 

I want the Kicker 5x7/6x8 package with the tweeters included. Do I need some kind of adapter to plug the speakers into the factory wiring or am I going to have to splice them in?

 

You can do either.

 

Where can I get the adapters for the factory wiring from? I need them for the 2 5x7s and the tweeters right?