How to improve aftermarket speaker response

[Zzed]

I recently replaced all 4 speakers in my '06 mega cab with some new Polk speakers (DB690 6x9's in the front, DB650 6. 5" in the rear, all from Crutchfield). While I'm happy with the overall sound improvement (stock speakers had no highs at all), I've been having to bump the low and mids on my deck's EQ up almost all the way just to make the mid-bass sound "even". I'm not talking about making it boom, just balanced. While that's fine at low volumes, turning up the volume even a little makes things start to distort.



What I suspect happened is, while the stock speakers were cheap, had small magnets, and sounded muddy, they were matched to the airspace within the doors. I never had a problem with mid-bass (in fact, I had almost too much of it). I'm sure the new speakers aren't matched. Either the airspace is too big or too small for them.



Does anyone know of an easy way to improve fix this? I've heard people mention sealing the holes in the door (behind the door panel), stuffing poly-fill into the airspace, and things of the like. Any ideas?



-=Zzed=-

 

[Jong]

There is no way to do it cheap and well at the same time. On my '03 I replaced all the door speakers with Alpine speakers and used an Alpine V12 amp to power all the doors and a separate Rockford Punch amp to power my sub. You'll get far better sound with a properly matched amp. Time to call Crutchfield again or check with your local mobile audio shop.

 

[p-Bar]

Zed,

What you need is a Subwoofer it's the only way to get the bottom end you want. The air space doesn't matter in the doors because they are not air tight so they are running "open", find a good sub that will give more than 1 note like the junk most headbangers listen to.

 

[sid325]

I heard a huge difference in sound after I used Dynamat Xtreme on all of my doors. The sound is crisper, fuller, and tighter. Even the bass response is better. I lined all four doors, covered all the exposed sheet metal and used rubber washers when mounting the speakers. I have the Polk’s, as well.



Jacob

 

[jjdiesel]

The distortion likely means you are under powered... as mentioned, you need an amp... while your at it, get a good head unit. . then you'll be set.

 

[BHolm]

The new speakers require a bunch more power than the stock system provided. I went with cheaper speakers than you, Pioneers, but used a Pioneer amp good for 40Wx4. It works perfectly, even with the stock head unit. Looks stock, sounds way better, I get to keep the Sirius, CD player and Aux input for the ipod, and I did it for well under $400.



You need an amp.

 

[carfichris]

Just my thoughts

Ditto about the "power" needed to match the new speaker. You replaced an inexpensive and fair performing (although very efficient) stock speaker with a high quality aftermarket set. The high frequencies will come through fine. Even the mid frequencies will play ok, but the mid-bass and bass regions of that speaker are not gonna come to life until you really power them. Asking the eq/deck bass control to boost these regions is an unanswered request as the volume comes up and the poor chip set in your stock head unit is all out of juice and distorts. Ive done a number of these WITHOUT a sub and with proper speaker mounting and amplification you can attain great results. Dampening (Dynamat or as I prefer Stinger Roadkill) the doors I recommend but well after youve amped it up (40-75 true watts per corner). Chris

 

[MotleyCrueCab]

I had a simmiliar problem and fixed it buy making custom speaker boxes for the doors so that the speakers were closed. Made a world of difference.

Mike

 

[Zzed]

I appreciate all of your responses, thanks. I did forget to mention that the head unit is aftermarket too, but I think y'all are right about the amp. Oh well, so my wallet will hate me a little more.

Along the same lines, if I were to get a decent amp (big enough to run the doors and a single sub), what is the best place you guys have found to mount it? I'm mainly thinking of the least amount of drilling and the least amount of "intrusion" on the interior.

-=Zzed=-

 

[Sky]

I got the Boston Pro 5. 5 component speakers in the rear and the Boston Pro 6. 5 components in the front. With 2 Solo Baric s8L7 subs. I can turn my system all the way up with ZERO distortion and amazing clarity. One thing I think I am going to do is jump up to the Solo Baric s10L7's for the subs. If anyone is interested I have a custom box with the 8's that fits under the rear seat in a quad cab in my 01. Its even customized to hold the jack.

 

[StLouisMO]

I had my Rockford Fosgate mounted on the floor under the driver's seat. It drive's my 10" alpine subwoofer located under the backseat on the passengers side. I bought the sub enclosure off of E-bay. It's fully enclosed and is covered in fabric that matches the carpet on the floor of the truck. Sounds great. Couldn't be happier.