Looking for recommendations for aftermarket speakers

[skipro3]

I have a new '06 and the speakers, in a word, suck. Does anyone have a recommnedation for replacement speakers, front and rear?



Also, anyone out there recommend an aftermarket radio? This stock one is pretty lame with the Sirius not displaying any information. What's up with THAT??

 

[drury]

Do you have the stock Infinity's? They weren't bad, and you ought to be able to find them on eBay cheaply. I would also recommend that you consider applying Dynamat Xtreme to the doors -- inside & out. It really helps.



On the other hand, if you want to go the audiophile route, you can do what I did and get a Dynaudio setup. For the head unit, I'd look at Pioneer, Eclipse, or Alpine. I don't have direct experience with the Pioneer, but the Eclipse does display more Sirius information than the Alpine. (It's all there on the Alpine, but you have to flip back and forth between two different pages to see it. ) Also, I don't think your free 1 year Sirius subscription is transferrable to a new radio. I had to chunk that subcription when I went to the Alpine head unit. I'm going overkill. You can check it out here:

http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines.com/mygallery.ten?id=13373

 

[SHobbs]

I have always liked Cerwin Vega for speakers and Sony for the receiver. I tired an Alpine head unit once before and it didn't last as long as the Sony I currently have. I have always had 1 ton trucks and we all know how they ride especially the early 90 models and Sony indash cd players or 10 disc changers are the ones that skip less than other brands I have tried One thing I do recommend is to get a head unit with a remote control. I say that due to the fact that most remotes can be had for about 30 bucks if it fails and the face of most head units wil cost ya about 100-200 to replace worn buttons.



Best place to look for any stereo or speakers is Crutchfield, they are great. They have just about everything you need to make the install easy and look like its factory.

 

[Jengle]

I just installed an Alpine system in my truck. I'll second Crutchfields as a source for parts. I did get my amps, both Alpine, from Ebay, new in the box. I used a JL audio sub, in a custom box that replaces the center seat section and was covered in factory upholstery. That was sold by a guy on ebay, also, and had the fittings already installed to bolt on the upperarmrest section. I have the XM system installed to display on my head unit, and it is as drury said, the info is there, just on two different screens. My XM converters installed behind the dash. I used JBL speakers, for my doors. This system sounds better than the Bose system in my parents cars. Good luck and let us know what you installed.

 

[DNewell]

skipro3, I'm no audio expert myself, but I would HIGHLY recommend MB Quart speakers. I have a good friend that works at a stereo shop and I've listened to the differences between other brands, and nothing compares to the Quarts. Focal is also a good brand, and both can be found on eBay. I've been contemplating on the MB Quarts for my truck, but just don't have the coin. Also, here's my two cents on the subject, but I've read some compelling info that caused me to change my mind. DO NOT GET AFTERMARKET SPEAKERS FOR THE REAR OF YOUR TRUCK. You will be just wasting money. Basically the rear speakers are just for fill, and won't do you any good to get high dollar speakers. Don't waste your money. Instead, spend the money on a good set of front speakers, get an aftermarket amp, and get a deck that offers RCA outs with a minimum of 4-5volt's. I was looking for the website I got my information off of, but I tell you what, it really opened my eyes. Once I get back to my work computer, I can send you the web-site I found this information on. Basically the guy who threw the site together gives info on rear speakers and what they are supposed to do. His opinion, and I am a firm believer, is not to put the effort into replacing them. Put your money into a good deck, a good set of front speakers, and a reasonable amp. I personally have a Kenwood KAC 890 deck. It has a USB input for the small IPOD shuffle, or any thumb drive style storage device. It has hook-up for CD changer, it has Sirius ability, and it also has some kick-*** features. Find it here at: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=46&k3=172&pr=2357

I have an old Soundstream Reference 604 that is four channels. the website I'll give you more info on indicates that you can run all four door speakers off the front channels, and then use the rear channels for a sub or something. I personally have a dual amp set up because I like the ability to turn down the rear door speakers when I have sleeping kids in the back seat.

DRURY seems to have a kick-*** setup. Way better than mine. He might agree on the necessity of the rear speakers. Not too sure, but you should try it before shelling out the do-ray-me for the rear door speaks.

Sorry to get so wordy. I've always kind of been into the stereo stuff.

 

[skipro3]

Thanks for all the replies. I look forward to those links, DNewell.

 

[Carlsummers]

I have an ALPINE hu (Sirius and IPOD) w/ JL Audio Sub; f&r door and tweeters. My amp is also JL Audio. I couldn't be happier with the setup. Real nice and clean with good thump.

 

[drury]

I would agree that rear speakers are your lowest priority, but sometimes you need to upgrade them enough that you can match power levels without distorting the speaker. I got talked into the headliner pods for my rear more as a show thing than out of any real need.

 

[DNewell]

I'm going to get the website posted on here tomorrow. I've been out of the office sick the last couple of days, so haven't had access to it, and I cannot seem to remember what it is off the top of my head. It'll shed some serious light on the subject. it's kind of old info, but still valid.

 

[BLively]

its really all in personal preference. mb quart, focal, eclipse, infinity, are really good speakers. and you'd be supprised how good pioneers from wal-mart sound! id stick with pioneer, eclipse, or alpine when you are lookin for decks. just my 2 cents...

 

[DNewell]

Okay, well I'm finally back to work after being sick over the last two days, and got the website for you. You can access it here:

http://www.leecao.com/caraudio/subwoofer.html



Like I say, it's all personal preference, but I think there's validity in what he's saying. Click on all the different links on the top and gives you the info.

 

[skipro3]

Thanks for the link! It's very informative.

 

[SOLER]

just about ANY aftermarket speaker is going to be better than stock, infinity or standard. The stock infinity speakers are just hipe. I've had mine out (from my previous truck) and they are junk. Real infinity are good, just the ones Dodge uses are junk. If you are looking for a serious difference in sound quality, then research is in order (like what you're doing) to get the right stuff for your tastes. But if you are after simple, clean sound, just about any aftermarket item will put stock to shame.



I also like Crutchfield. They are great. I've got just about every piece of audio equip I own from them. Including my home audio.



SOLER

 

[Rudity23]

I put Polk Audio DB6500 speakers in my S2000 and they were amazing. I was running them off a Kenwood deck and then swapped the factory Honda deck back in when I sold it to a friend of mine. They sound great even off the 4 watts the factory deck puts out. The tweeters are a soft-dome, which makes them less bright than the titanium domes of the MB Quart speakers. FYI, the Polk tweeters want to be mounted on-axis (facing you) rather than off-axis (facing across the truck) the sound falls off noticably. I would think that the factory tweeter location in the Dodge would be great as the sound would reflect off the windshield and that would help soften the tweeter just a little. I am hoping that Crutchfield will put them on sale again this year after CES so I can get another set for my truck.

 

[JH8128]

Speakers

If you want the best then go with JL Audio. They have alot of options for AMPed and Non Amped. I bought Kenwood for my 2006 and they were crap. I replaced all speakers with JL audio speakers and 2 sets of componet speakers and the stereo sounds awsome. Check them out and research before you buy. .

 

[SMorneau]

I put some Focal brand speakers in my truck based mostly on what people on this site had to say about them and I think they are incredible. The have sound qualities very similar to the JBL's but are built much better. They do take some power to drive them though and lots of power makes them sound really good. The only thing negative about them is they are made in France and not real inexpensive.



I wouldn't spend my money on Sony car stereo, the specs on most of them just are not that good and I have been told by a guy involved in the return repairs they are not very reliable. I have never had any trouble with my Alpine equipment even the low end stuff. I currently have an Alpine head with and Alpine amp and the system is dead quiet; which of course is only noticable with the engine off.



I personally have had trouble with Blaupunkt, Sony, Pioneer, and JVC car stereo electronics. I used to run JBL speakers because I like their sound but I was continually having trouble with them.



That's just my experience if someone else is having good luck with those products that have not done well for me I am happy for them.



Scott

 

[JPointer]

I'll second the Polks. Mine are DX3065s. A lot of this is relative, so you really need to listen to them yourself and see what sounds good to you, but the Polks have a silk dome tweeter that sounds better to me, clear and bright. Some of the other brands have different types of tweeters that sounded overly harsh to my ears. Focals in particular, along with Diamond Audio.

 

[JoeHutchinson]

Front Speakers

Just wondering how hard is it to get to the front speakers???