I'm having a hard time deciding which speakers to get for my Prelude.

I have a few questions, so hopefully someone can help me.
I've read a couple post here that it's pointless to install full components in the rear deck of cars. Specifically people have posted as to just installing the mids and unhooking the tweeters. I'm not sure I completely understand why.

If it's the case that the rears cannot be heard as well, would I be better off to buy a "high end" set of components for the front and completely skip the rear speakers? For example... buy a set of Q Series MB Quart or JL Audio ZR components instead of two sets of a lesser model?

I've created this poll with a selection of components i'm considering.
I'm thinking of buying two sets of components and using the 6 X 9 adapter plates instead of purchasing actual 6 X 9 speakers. What do you guys think of that? Are 6.5 Components better than 6 X 9's?

I'm planning to buy an Alpine 9813 or 9855 head unit and will be using an Alpine MRV-F450 5 channel Amp to run the whole system. It runs 50 Watts X 4 channels RMS and one sub channel at 200 Watts.

Considering that wattage, what speakers would sound the best for the money. I'm willing to go $50 +/- either way. But i'm looking to spend $125-150 per set of speakers. Maybe a couple bucks more if they are a great deal.

Also, I generally listen to a variety of music. Some Rap/Hip-Hop, some Rock, and Some country. I want a full sound, not tinty or hot. I want to feel the licks on the guitar if you know what I mean.

In regards to a subwoofer... that is up in the air as well. I would like to have something that is not too obtrusive. Maybe in the spare tire well or on one of the side wells where I can still put the back seat down and carry some stuff if need be.
I do not want a trunk rattler... just something for low end that can run off of the 200 watts supplied by my current amp. I was thinking of one 10" or 12". Brand is unknown... JL's have always been nice as have Kickers. Any thoughts of the higher end Alpine Subs?

That's enough reading for now, what is everyone's thoughts?

Thanks for your time,
Josh B.

 

I won't comment on the most of the speakers, since I only know what others have said about them, as opposed to personal experience with them.

The Mb quarts, however, are a notoriously bright speaker. They sound fantastic on showroom floors, but are incredibly harsh in the car.

Whichever speakers you end up going with, I recommend going with a silk dome tweeter, as they tend to be a hell of a lot smoother than a metal dome tweeter.

As far as subs go, you are not going to power any of alpine's higher end subs with a measly 200rms. I would stray towards a JL W0 or the like.

You never mentioned what year prelude you have, by the way.

 

X2 on the MB Quart stuff. I say just do a really nice set of componets up front and if you think you want rears just get a set of coaxials. Take a look at Diamond Audio Hex Series as well. I do sound quality competitions with my 92 Si Hatch and my Jeep Liberty with Diamond Audio and Alpine gear.
I agree with going with silk dome tweeters as well. If you are looking at high end Alpine subs I recommend 1000 watts

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sqsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">X2 on the MB Quart stuff. I say just do a really nice set of componets up front and if you think you want rears just get a set of coaxials. Take a look at Diamond Audio Hex Series as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Have a set of the hex's. Love them.

Though I'm pretty partial to diamond audio, the only thing in my system that isn't one of their products is my eclipse hu

 

Quart isnt quart anymore anyway. They are owned by maxxsonics now.

We sell polyglass, VXs, and C5s at my work and I like the polyglass the best. They will also last you the longest. Oddly enough I like the JL C5s better than the ZRs which are more than twice the price. The tweeter seems more transparent to me on the C5s which are silk vs the ZRs aluminum.

What year prelude do you have? I have a 97 and I will tell you you arent going to fit a 6.5 in the front. You will have to look at 5.25"s unless you are willing to do some fiberglass work like me.
My reccomendation, spend $300 dollars on your front speakers, leave your stock speakers in the back or disconnect them and pick a 4 channel amp, not a fan of Alpine amps.
90% of your sound is going to come from your front speakers so why only spend 50% of your money on them.
when setting up a stereo you want your staging in front of you and having back speakers running with the same power as your fronts is going to pull your imaging behind you. You wouldnt go to a concert and stand backwards away from the stage would you?
Look at a JL 450/4 and a Boston gt-42 both 4 channel amps JL is 150x2 and 75x2, boston is 100x2 and 450x1. both set up in 3ch mode would work very well for a prelude.
Or you could get what I have, TRU technologies b475. 4x75 RMS (75 watts from this amp is louder,cleaner, and way more detailed than 150 watts from the JL)
Best amps in car audio &gt; <U> http://www.trutechnology.com/main.htm[/U]

Modified by incubus at 10:19 PM 3/25/2008


Modified by incubus at 10:28 PM 3/25/2008

 

Incubus - I have a 99 Prelude. Why does the 6.5 Not fit? because of the depth? While fiberglass work is nice, i'm not looking to invest that much time/money. Should I go with 5.25's with adapters?

I definitely see the point in spending more on the front, I just wanted to get a full sound. While it's a valid point that the majority of your sound comes from the front, you can certainly tell when you fade all to the front, ya know? Maybe a set of cheaper model coaxial for the rear? or Maybe just keep the stock setup? I could always run the rear stock speakers off of the head unit and then run the front components on one channel of my amp and the sub bridged on the other two channels? Is that what you were suggesting by using the third channel for the sub?

I didn't mention it before, but I have a brand new Kenwood Amp. It's a four channel amp and the spec sheet shows 720 watts total power. It's brand new in the box, never taken out... I was planning to ebay it, but I could keep it if it would work better than using the 5 channel Alpine. I really hate to buy more equipment if I can utilize what I have. What is it you don't like about Alpine amps? I've always loved their equipment for clean power, but I realize they do not make huge Class D amps with tons of power. Of course, I did not plan on needing that kind of power. I don't want a lot of bass... just enough to put a little thump in my seat.

Do you think any of the middle of the line 10's or 12's would do it?
Which sub would work best running on either the Alpine 200 watts or the 2 bridged channels of the Kenwood? Maybe a 10" Alpine Type E sub, JL Audio W2, Polk Momo, etc.???

Thanks for the help guys, I can't wait to get this going.
I have some money saved up now (about $500) so i'm kinda itching to buy something and get the ball rolling. First things first is the head unit.
I have been planning to get an Alpine 9855 or 9813 that has the amber alumination to match stock... but I just recently (today) started looking at two DIN full Navigation units. I like the look and I would love to have the in-dash navigation unit instead of the windshield mounted unit.

Thoughts?

Thanks again,
Josh B.

 

After posting in a similar thread recently, I have to agree with the point of view that Incubus has in regard to car audio. If you're on somewhat of a budget and not wanting to go too crazy, make your front speakers your priority.

Also, when I put together "budget systems" for customers, I typically use a 4 channel amp to power the front speakers, but leave the rear speakers for the deck power. Use your remaining 2 channels to power a subwoofer.

If you have 200 watts RMS for a subwoofer, I'd look at something like a 10" JL Audio W1. It's a very efficient subwoofer, and has a nice amount of range to it. They can usually be found for around $100 too.

Hope that helped...

 

I've narrowed it down to three sets of components.

JL Audio C5's, Focal Polyglass, or the Alpine SPX-Pro.

I've decided i'll spend a little more and just buy one set of components for the front first. After they are installed, if I think I need something more than the stock 6x9's in the back, i'll upgrade those. So basically all three of these sets are in the $350 range.

Most everyone agrees that silk tweeters are better than aluminium. The JL Audio's use silk, the focals despite everyones recommendation use aluminium. The Alpine's i'm not sure about, they list "Magnet Material: Low Disortion High-Grade Neodymium Motor Structure with Copper Shorting Cap ". So i'm not exactly sure.
Here's a link to their website. http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...tab=F

The only reason i'm leaning towards the Alpine is because I could have a full "Alpine" system. What are everyones thoughts about that?
I would have an Alpine Head Unit, Amp, Components, and Sub.
I'm generally a little OCD when it comes to being neat, tidy, and in order. I'm an IT guy and I always like to have everything matching, etc.

That being said, I could always run an Alpine Deck with JL Audio components and sub. or vice versa with Focal. Focal components and Focal sub. I did purchase my Alpine deck (9855 with amber alumination to match). So that should arrive next week and we can get this party started.

Thanks for all your advice and opinions,
Josh B.

 

All Alpine is cool too, I have mostly Alpine gear, only the speakers are not Alpine

 

don't short yourself by getting "matching gear". get what you like the best, it won't matter if you have an alpine amp, but not alpine speakers and chose to go with a different brand for your seperates.