Folks, if you have done this, let me know how it turned out.

I'm thinking of replacing my "Premium" speakers with some Sony Xplod's or Pioneer 3-ways, and possibly a new 8" sub to replace the factory (I'll take out the bass as you turn me up) unit.

I will had at least a 250 - 400 watt amp (I'm 35 now, I don't need 2,000 watts~ that's what I keep telling myself).

Has anyone done this? Are you happy with the sound?

I want to keep the factory head because I don't want it to draw any real attention.

 

Good idea! Factory head units don't attract theives.

 

Do you have an Expy? If you do and it's a 2002 or earlier I would look into a JL Audo stealthbox. They fit in where the factory sub is. Looks very stock and comes with a amp. MTX also makes one, but JL has better quality. Good luck.

 

That's what I did. Any two-way or three-way will sound 10 times better than stock speakers as far as the highs go. If you run the doors off the stock amp, just don't crank it too much, it'll clip rather quickly. Whatever amp you get for the sub, get the external adjustment so you can set it on the fly....I wish I had that "feature". You will get better sound obviously out of an aftermarket HU but you can always toss that in later if your unhappy with just upgrading the speakers.

 

I wouldn't use Sony speakers. They are horrible in my opinion. I would go with a two way speaker with a soft dome tweeter that can be angled. Infinity Reference makes some good speakers.

 

Pioneer or Kenwodd would be my suggestion.

 

FYI, Kenwood and Sony are made by the same people. Sony owns both names.

 

Huh? Since when?

For speaker choices, I would also suggest some Polks. They have some of the best sound for a factory 5x7 (or 6x8) size speaker.

 

They may purchase some of their material from the same supplier, but they are not the related.


I think Sony owns the Aiwa name though.

 

If they'll fit, I'd go with Polk's MMC-570 (very nice) or the db570's, but stay away from the ex line, they're crap. The JBL P8652's are a nice set as well, but again, if on a budget, they also have the GTO8626's which aren't bad either.

I used to have Pyle's front and rear in my Bronco. They sounded awesome! I just looked at their website. It appears they got bought out by some foreign company. Seriously, 6 X 9's that can handle 250 RMS for less than $100 retail? Either it's BS, they totally suck, or both.

SL

 

DIFF WITH KENWOOD !!!!!!!

 

Since you're using your stock power output with the factory head unit, you may want to look at the efficiency rating of the speakers you are considering. A more-efficient speaker will sound louder at a give input wattage than a less-efficient speaker.

Efficient speakers tend to be rated at around 91dB/watt or above. Less efficient speakers may be down around 87dB/watt or so.