No one is going to want to buy me anything to make my car go faster..so I figure this is my chance to at least be able to hear a bass drum while driving. I don't want any subs..that's my only request. I actually use what little space I have in the back.. I just want to know the best speakers to ask for that someone in my family can afford. I was in my friends 2000 Cavalier and the stock stereo system is really pretty good. I want at least that kind of sound. Good highs, lows and the all important, mids. I don't want to ask for a new stereo, my mentality is that there is no point in listening to a 48k DAT through '88 1 inch dung speakers. Thanks alot for any ideas

------------------
-Red '88 IROC 5 Speed 305 TPI w/3.08
-Dual Friction Centerforce Clutch
-Accel 300+ Racing Ignition
-Accel 300+ Pro Sleeve Plug Wires
-Accel U-Grove Plugs
-Flowmaster Force II 3 Chamber Cat Back Exhaust
-Hypertech Chip
-Hypertech Airfoil
-Removed, Then Re-installed (out of fear) MAF Screens
-Gutted Air Box
-Best E/T 14.90, 60 ft. 2.17, 1/8th mile 9.61(bald tires, Code's 34,36)
-Best MPH 92.7(bald tires)

 

Are you planing on installing an amp and what kind of deck are you planing to use?

You'll need a good set of 6x9s in the back. Up front, if you want an easy install, stick with the 4x6 speakers. If you dont mind doing a bit of custom work, check out the various threads in this forum on installing 6.5s in the dash.

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-Justin-
T-Top '86 5.0L LG4 700R4 WS6 Now Bilstein equipped!
T-Top '92 5.0L TBI 700R4
My '86 Firebird Homepage
The F-body Model Kit Pictoral Archive (updated 9/18/00)

There can be only one!!

 

I don't think I need an amp if I replace the deck..I am not looking for subs or anything that draws an enormous amount of power..I am not sure what deck I am looking for. I just want to get some speakers as of now. I can still use my diskman to play cd's through the stock deck. I dont really car..I just want to know what speakers to get. thanks alot

------------------
-Red '88 IROC 5 Speed 305 TPI w/3.08
-Dual Friction Centerforce Clutch
-Accel 300+ Racing Ignition
-Accel 300+ Pro Sleeve Plug Wires
-Accel U-Grove Plugs
-Flowmaster Force II 3 Chamber Cat Back Exhaust
-Hypertech Chip
-Hypertech Airfoil
-Removed, Then Re-installed (out of fear) MAF Screens
-Gutted Air Box
-Best E/T 14.90, 60 ft. 2.17, 1/8th mile 9.61(bald tires, Code's 34,36)
-Best MPH 92.7(bald tires)

 

For speakers, Boston 746 4x6 plate fronts ($120) and Boston RX 6x9 3 ways in the rear ($200).

You sure you don't want an amp? Especially with no sub, to get any sort of decent bass out of a third gen you NEED an amp. My system sounded totally different once I added my amp! (I have no real current plans for a sub either, due to space constraints like you mentioned). It sounded good with no amp, but it was WAY better with a good amp.

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Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Hypertech chip/K&N filters/Accel 8.8 wires/RapidFires
Eclipse CD and 100x4 amp/Boston plates and 6x9s
Alpine Alarm w/ Keyless entry
IROC tailights/tinted windows

 

Well, I am not very familiar with car audio..I am very familiar with sound and recording equipment though..I play bass..the way it works with head and cabniets with bass is, more power is not always better..more power is needed for speakers with bigger magnets that move more mass..but, more power is not need if you are able distort the sound by increaseing the gain. Am I making sense? I was under the impression that the stock deck or certainly any other deck for that matter, would provide enough amperage to take full advantage of the low frequency's the speaker can output. Thanks alot for your help by the way..

------------------
-Red '88 IROC 5 Speed 305 TPI w/3.08
-Dual Friction Centerforce Clutch
-Accel 300+ Racing Ignition
-Accel 300+ Pro Sleeve Plug Wires
-Accel U-Grove Plugs
-Flowmaster Force II 3 Chamber Cat Back Exhaust
-Hypertech Chip
-Hypertech Airfoil
-Removed, Then Re-installed (out of fear) MAF Screens
-Gutted Air Box
-Best E/T 14.90, 60 ft. 2.17, 1/8th mile 9.61(bald tires, Code's 34,36)
-Best MPH 92.7(bald tires)

 

If you want to get it sounding decent with the bare minimum I can offer a suggestion. Just keep in mind its only my opinion.

a Kenwood Excelon head unit because:
- the internal crossovers are great for limiting the freq.s going to both sets of speakers
- with that done, the volume can be turned up significantly louder than w/o crossovers

in the rear, Infinity Reference 6x9 3-ways:
- Relatively Inexpensive
- Good Highs
- Put out the greatest amount of bass for any 6x9 i've heard so far

in the front, really any 4x6 pair that'll fit. Plate 4x6s sound better but usually don't fit w/o a lil work. Infinity and Polk both have decent pairs.

 

If you want bass though Yarnboy, QUALITY power is what you need. True, accurate, quality power will not come from a head unit. I cannot blame you at all for wanting to keep it simple, and I'm not saying you wanna be heard a 1/2 mile away...it doesn't appear to be what you're looking for.

But if you want to be able to experience deep, quality lows, a higher-rated head unit is the bare minimum, and an amp would be strongly encouraged. Any audiophile will tell you, you simply cannot get the same sound from a computer chip sized, CD player amp as you can get from a separate.

If you don't believe me, go to a car audio shop, and have them demo your favorite cd on a nice head unit with no amp. Then, use all the same equipment, but add an amp. Then you'll see a very big difference. Just offering my opinion

BTW, I would strongly discourage the Infinity Reference speakers. The old ones were a fantastic buy, but while the new ones sound excellent, the new cone design has major flaws...they can crack after a short period of time. I know...I had their 4x6s, and I have met others that had the same problems.

[This message has been edited by Jason E (edited November 08, 2000).]

 

Where did you find the Boston speakers for that much?? I havent been able to find them..thanks alot

------------------
-Red '88 IROC 5 Speed 305 TPI w/3.08
-Dual Friction Centerforce Clutch
-Accel 300+ Racing Ignition
-Accel 300+ Pro Sleeve Plug Wires
-Accel U-Grove Plugs
-Flowmaster Force II 3 Chamber Cat Back Exhaust
-Hypertech Chip
-Hypertech Airfoil
-Removed, Then Re-installed (out of fear) MAF Screens
-Gutted Air Box
-Best E/T 14.90, 60 ft. 2.17, 1/8th mile 9.61(bald tires, Code's 34,36)
-Best MPH 92.7(bald tires)

 

I got them at Tweeter Etc, one of the premier audio/video dealers here in New England. There are none anywhere near MD I don't think.

I've never found them mail order either. Go to www.bostonacoustics.com and see if they might be able to help you. I've had good luck with their online customer service as well.

If you can find them, its definitely worth the trip to go hear them!

 

Yeah, even if your not looking at going with an amp, a New head unit is going to be a must. You never really realize how horrible the stock head unit sounds until ou replace it...that will make a world of difference. Then get a solid set of 6x9's. In that price range, there isnt a HUGE amount of difference, though there is some. I've always prefered Fosgate and infinity, though I once heard a set of JVC 3 way 6x9's that actually sounded really decent, and had a very nice handling of the full spectrum, from lows to high's. Your never going to get bass out of 4x6's...this is obvious, so your just aiming for good highs and mids there. I am temporarily running a set of Clarion Pro Audio 4x6's, which were about $150, and sound surprisingly nice for their price range. Ive managed to achieve fairly decent sound stage and depth with just those and my 6x9's...which are nothing special...just there for rear fill. So basically if your looking for a good bass feel, focus mainly on your 6x9's...dont scrimp there, and the follow up with the 4x6's.

------------------
'87 GTA
Automatic 350 TPI
2 3/4" Flowmasters
K&N filtercharger
4 3/4" Glasstech Cowl induction hood
TPI intake air foil

System:
Panasonic DFX-99
2 12" RF DVC's
RF 250.2 (Custom
RF 200.4 Painted)
Sony 10 disc changer
Clarion Pro Audio 4x6's

 

as said before, if your replacing the speakers before the head unit, your doing things backwards. Think about it, if your sending cr@p to good speakers, yours still hearing cr@p. also aftermarket head unit, even a moderatly powerful one will not power 6x9's that are three ways, and even two ways wont sound that great. i recommend getting a four channel amp to power those new speakers, or at least a low powered two channel to power the 6x9's in the back. good luck

 

Actually a New CD player would power 3 ways just fine, and even with a little bit of thump(not a ton, but were talking 6x9's here)...it would sound better with the amp, but just the decks internal amp would power 3-way 6x9's fine.

------------------
'87 GTA
Automatic 350 TPI
2 3/4" Flowmasters
K&N filtercharger
4 3/4" Glasstech Cowl induction hood
TPI intake air foil

System:
Panasonic DFX-99
2 12" RF DVC's
RF 250.2 (Custom
RF 200.4 Painted)
Sony 10 disc changer
Clarion Pro Audio 4x6's

 

Man oh man! I guess I should be asking for a new head unit too..here is my current list.. http://63.80.86.186 I haven't added what you guys have been saying yet because I have to figure out where to find most of it. Thanks alot for all your help though!. If you guys think of anything else cool to add just tell me and I'll put it up there

------------------
-Red '88 IROC 5 Speed 305 TPI w/3.08
-Dual Friction Centerforce Clutch
-Accel 300+ Racing Ignition
-Accel 300+ Pro Sleeve Plug Wires
-Accel U-Grove Plugs
-Flowmaster Force II 3 Chamber Cat Back Exhaust
-Hypertech Chip
-Hypertech Airfoil
-Removed, Then Re-installed (out of fear) MAF Screens
-Gutted Air Box
-Best E/T 14.90, 60 ft. 2.17, 1/8th mile 9.61(bald tires, Code's 34,36)
-Best MPH 92.7(bald tires)