Need a speaker education

VTNomad · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:09 pm

I just got back to civilization (I don't know what I'm more excited about, seeing my Jeep or indoor plumbing). I will be spending a lot of time in my Liberty. I'm getting ready to put about 10,000 miles on. I've decided to install a navigation system and was also thinging about upgrading the speakers along with it. But I don't know the first thing about car audio systems. So, I could use some advice. Currently everything is bone stock, not even the Infinity speakers, just the regular ones.

The head unit I've decided to go with is the Kenwood KVT-617DVD.
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=38&k3=149&pr=2582

I have a few questions:

What kind of improvement would aftermarket speakers give me as far as being crisper and cleaner sound?
What size speaker & tweeters do I need?
What is the crossover? (I'm guessing it has something to do with the wiring).
What are the differences between a 2-way speaker and a 3-way speaker, and which should I go with?

I'm not in to bassy music and do not plan on ever adding an amp or sub. (I do like to rock out. I listen to Godsmack, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, etc. I also listen to a lot of talk radio (NFL) and chill music O.A.R, Dave Matthews, etc.).

I am by no means an audiophile and do not have to have the best. If I replace the speakers, I will replace all 4 and the tweeters. I have no brand loyalty, but I will probably order everything fromhttp://www.sonicelectronix.com

gopherbeats · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:53 pm

A short answer to your questions:

1: Aftermarket speakers would give you an infinite improvement! They utilize better synthetic materials such as plastics, and metal cones vs. the paper stuff that come stock. Toss In a new head unit, and the sounds gets even better.

2: Easiest thing would be to go to crutchfield.com and search for your make and model car. They will give you the size speakers required. Or search around on this forum, I am sure this was discussed before.

3: The cross over (short version) is a simple electronic circuit (filter) which splits up music into its respective frequencies. Those frequencies are then sent to the appropriate driver which can best replicate them. You don't want to send bass frequencies to to your tweeter. They will be destroyed, and beside the tweater can't replicate those frequencies anyway, leads to a more efficient acoustical system.

4: Two way speakers consist of a tweeter and a woofer. The tweeter produces the high frequency and the woofer produces the low frequencies. A 3 way systems consists of 3 drivers: tweeter, Mid and Woofer. This is even better than the 2-way drivers. because you have a third driver reproduce your music. This increases you clarity. The number and "way" denotes how many drivers are opperating in the speaker enclosure. For instance four way: you may have a tweater, mid, mid woofer, sub woofer.

Don't necessarily rule out a sub. You don't need crunk rims and hydros to enjoy a well balanced audio system. There are just some frequencies that are unable to be reproduced if you don't have the larger driver/amp set up.

Check out wikipeda for cross over information.
Just do research, and read what people have done here on LOST

VTNomad · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:03 pm

Great answer, i believe you covered everything. Crutchfield is a great site, their prices aren't that competitive. They have great product reviews, extra large pics and a great deal of info. I guess I'll go with the largest speakers.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

Don't let prices hold you down. Crutchfield's free stuff, help tech and customer service is well worth over what they are charging you for (FREE!) Plus they are very friendly when it comes to newbies. The guy stayed on line when I was trying to correct mis-wiring I had done on my Kenwood head unit.! Great people.

As for the speakers, I am very satisfied with my stock "premium" setup. If you have premium and don't know a thing about wiring/etc. consider getting the Head Unit first.. Just check how much the radio improves the sound. It will be a huge difference because Stock Premium (infinity) setup is actually very capable since it has it's own amp for the front woofers and that set up is actually 2 way set up. If you don't have "premium" speakers, get rid of them. I also went with Kenwood and replaced my 6CD changer. the changer was also great, but I needed USB support.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with. If you go with crutchfield, let me know, I will give you my friend code for $20 off.

remember not to get oval speakers. Stock speaker size is 6 3/4". Generally you can fit 6 1/2" with bracket which they will send you for free.

Need a speaker education

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