Need suggestions on aftermarket speakers...

[Firefight1981]

I have an 00' Explorer Eddie Bauer 5.0 AWD. Im not sure if it has a Mach 460 or not, but I can tell you the bass on these speakers are really crappy! I do have the 6 disk changer in the center console but I do not have the woofer in the rear.
I want to keep the current head unit, but replace all the speakers (i think there are 5 speakers). Im not going to get a sub woofer but I would like suggestions on good speakers that put out a great sound with lots of bass.
Ive had vehicles with factory Bose systems and they sound great! Even the bass was rich and deep. I would like something that compares to the factory Bose systems.
Any suggestions?

 

[TerryS1980]

Go to a local shop and listen to the sound room. Everyone has different opinions about speakers. Focal, Boston, MB Quart all make good speakers. I have all Digital Designs, but Digital Designs gets their component sets made overseas.

 

[Bmwz389]

Bostons are very good. I just put 2 in my 87 Monte Carlo SS. Totally different sound though. They were 3.5" speakers, so THe woofers barely put power out, I play my music loud, So in order to keep from blowing the baby woofers I ran in line bass blockers. Somewhat of a frequency resistor if you will. They do run ultra high and stay clean, and that is what you'll want as well if you get speakers with alot of bass. The bass in speakers most of the time is too powerful (when ran too high) for the voice coils causing the highs and mids to distort along with the lows. Go for all around. But please don't buy before you hear them. That's how to know the right sound you want.

Good luck to you. I've seen boston do amazing sound if setup right

- Brandon

 

[lowfomoco]

I have had really good luck with the Kenwood KFC-C6879ie 6X8 speakers in my X. With the bass EQ cranked, I can get the rearview mirror to dance(just a little bit!) They sound quite good for an oval shaped speaker but then I am using a Panisonic HU w/50x4 power to push them. I'm not sure what wattage your factory HU is putting out so results might vary.

I agree w/TerryS1980, go have a listen for yourself at a retailer. Brand names are hit and miss to me though. Some brands of speakers will sound good in one size, but poor in others. Good luck in your quest for tunes.

 

[celly]

Funny you should ask. I was surfing eBay the other day for some Boston Acoustics 5X7 speakers. I've always liked their home stuff and I've heard a lot of people talk about how they like their mobile stuff. I fully understand that getting component speakers is the way to go for best quality sound, but I just wanted a simple "drop-in" solution and didn't want to spend the big bucks. I've used Alpine, Hertz (an Italian brand, hard to find in the US), Infinity, JL Audio and Kicker in the past as well.

I scored a set of Boston Acoustic SL80 speakers off eBay. They're BA's top of line "drop in" speaker for the 5X7/6X8 application. They're called a "plate speaker" (as opposed to the "coaxial" speaker which is in your ride now and is also what most aftermarket "drop-in" speakers are. They've got a round "woofer" (5") and separate tweater and built in crossover. I'm sure they'll sound great. I've heard they do anyhow. I don't have them yet, but they'll go in the front.

I then decided to replace my rear speakers while at it (I have a set made my Kicker which have been pretty good). I scored some Boston SX85 yesterday at a local shop. They sounded great in the listening room, and I was amazed at how great they sounded in my Explorer (I have a '99 Eddie Bauer). I didn't change any of the adjustments on my head unit (I've got an aftermarket setup) and I was blown away at how the rear speakers livened up my system. Normally you only want your rears for "fill". I was amazed how the difference from the Kickers. Now I'm very stoked to hear the SL80s in the front, which will run off a 2 channel amp. The rears run off the head unit.

The SL80 are a bit pricey and I understand they sound better off an amp (i.e. I think it would be overkill for a OEM setup). But the SX85 would probably liven up your system. They also have a S85 model which is scaled back. Probably sounds great too.

All I know is, I've wanted BA speakers for a long time. People rave about how great they are an I can wholeheartedly say they're on to something. You may be disappointed if you just add them to the OEM system. OEM Ford systems are vastly underpowered and sound pretty average. I'm sure any speaker upgrade will make a difference.

EDIT, 06/09/07, I've got my BAs installed and reviewed them here:

SL80

SX85

 

[nvrenufedge]

I agree with TerryS1980, go to a few local shops and listen for yourself. Everybody has "thier" brands. Now for my opinion, lol. I'm getting JL Audio TR570-CXi 5x7 coaxials for T-bird in two weeks. But i'm gonna use JL's VR series 5 1/4 components and coaxials for my Ex.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

i like my bostons

 

[Dan Whitaker]

i like my bostons

Figures since your a Red Sux fan

firefight, make sure the RMS matches of which ever speakers you end up getting matches the the factory HU RMS.

Crutchfield is the best place to look for the specs on speakers.
I would recommend 5-1/4" or 6-1/2" round spekers for the best sound.

You must realize that you will not get Bose quality by using the factory HU/amp set up even with new speakers.

 

[Firefight1981]

Thanks for all the help!

Im leaning towards Boston Acoustics speakers. Will an AMP connect to the factory head unit?
How many watts do you recommend? I figured 50X4 should be fine.

 

[jtmx101]

I have Kicker KS Coaxals hooked up to a Kicker 350w 4 channel amp, and it is the best speakers I have ever heard

 

[ford freak]

There have been several brands mentioned here and they would all make an improvement. What you really want to look for is speakers that have a fairly high efficiency rating. I'm not sure what the rms output of your hu is but I doubt more than 15 watts or so. The higher the efficiency the louder your music will play with only 15 watts. I used to have these.

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=4117

They have an efficiency rating of 93 db's. As opposed to these

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=945

Those are only 90.5. I just used those as examples but there would be a noticable difference in output. Something to consider when choosing. Good luck.

 

[Infinity08]

Wow, zombie thread. I doubt he's still looking for speakers. For the most part, you can toss out sensitivity ratings since there's no standard, so you can't compare them (unless within the same brand). On front speakers, I doubt you'll ever use much power since the range they play would cause total deafness at high levels. That said (I never take my own advice), I tend to use 200-300 watts/side on my fronts. But, I'm an idiot.

 

[jluv]

I know this thread is old, but in case anyone is looking for speakers and does a search, I'll throw in my $.02. Boston Pro60s are incredible speakers that come with an adapter plate that allows them to drop right into your 5x7 opening. You could use them as components, but the tweeter comes mounted coaxially from the factory, so they are ready to go. You'll want to amp them, though. They can handle gobs of power, get really loud. I run mine active, and they sound fantastic, but the passive crossovers are great for most applications. If you really want bass you need a sub. No matter how good your door speakers are, you are missing out on some of your music without a subwoofer.

 

[Trebor]

ya know funny cause i went to change my front speakers and all the ones i have are too big, as in the magnet on the back and the basket hit the window. how deep er uh how shallow are the speakers suppose to be? i have three sets from old cars and none will work cause they are too deep

 

[jluv]

ya know funny cause i went to change my front speakers and all the ones i have are too big, as in the magnet on the back and the basket hit the window. how deep er uh how shallow are the speakers suppose to be? i have three sets from old cars and none will work cause they are too deep

Make a spacer, like a trim ring, out of wood. Make it just thick enough that the magnet will clear, but be sure it doesn't bring the speaker so far forward that when it gets moving it will touch the door panel/grill.

I never had this problem in my 95 or my 04, but I just ran into this Sunday while installing some new speakers in a friend's 2000 Sport. Luckily, the stockers used a trim ring, and the new speakers (Alpine's) came with a trim ring as well. Had to use both, and it was a perfect fit.

 

[Trebor]

Make a spacer, like a trim ring, out of wood. Make it just thick enough that the magnet will clear, but be sure it doesn't bring the speaker so far forward that when it gets moving it will touch the door panel/grill.

I never had this problem in my 95 or my 04, but I just ran into this Sunday while installing some new speakers in a friend's 2000 Sport. Luckily, the stockers used a trim ring, and the new speakers (Alpine's) came with a trim ring as well. Had to use both, and it was a perfect fit.

yeah mine has a trim ring but i guess imma have to make another one. i was thinking either put them in the door, or just put them under the rear seats in a box made for them. i have four speakers so i dunno which would be better. i have no use for the space under my rear seats so this was one of my options in puting them there inside a speaker box and power them off an amp and just use the door speakers powered off the head unit. not really wanting to buy more speakers so i dunno. what ya think?

 

[oplitic]

yeah mine has a trim ring but i guess imma have to make another one. i was thinking either put them in the door, or just put them under the rear seats in a box made for them. i have four speakers so i dunno which would be better. i have no use for the space under my rear seats so this was one of my options in puting them there inside a speaker box and power them off an amp and just use the door speakers powered off the head unit. not really wanting to buy more speakers so i dunno. what ya think?

That would sounds awful putting them under the seats, muffled, not in the right areas, etc. I would definitely put them in the door, or get kick pods made, but those are expensive if you don't do them yourself. Make a trim ring so they will fit.

 

[jluv]

That would sounds awful putting them under the seats, muffled, not in the right areas, etc. I would definitely put them in the door, or get kick pods made, but those are expensive if you don't do them yourself. Make a trim ring so they will fit.

Yep.