i need new speakers for my front 2 doors and really need help on picking which to get since i know nothing about speakers...these will be all with the factory head unit and without an amp

kicker
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_20607DS...ures_and_specs

infinity
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1086032...ures_and_specs

kenwood
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFC1...ures_and_specs

pioneer
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSA1...ures_and_specs

 

Two points:
1) With the stock headunit (no external amp) you want a reasonably efficient speaker.
2) These are coaxial speakers (tweeters integral to them) so I'm guessing you're not planning on
using the original tweeters already in the upper part of the door.
You might want to consider components that have a low range driver at the bottom and a
tweeter at the top (that replaces the old one) and a crossover like these Polks that I put in my 2003 MINI:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB65...01.html?tp=106


Of the coaxials you mentioned I would reject the Kenwoods as they are too inefficient (87 db/1W).
The Pioneers have the best bass response and best efficiency (91 db/1W)
The Infinities look like they have higher efficiency at 93 db/2.83V but this is
actually 90 db/1W when you convert it to the same units. The Kickers are also 90 db/1W.
So a close call between the Pioneers followed by the Infinity or Kickers, but
being able to listen to them or hearing from someone who has had them in
would be a big selling point for which of those three are best.

 

I agree with cristo on the component setup. As much as you can, listen to the speakers you are interested in, in a setup as similar to what you are planning to do.

Do you have a budget?

For what its worth, I am going to put these in my car, HAT Imagine components http://www.hybrid-audio.com/products.htm. They are efficient 94.5dB.2.83V and are designed to perform well even if only run with HU levels of power. Basic price is similar to the Polks that cristo linked to, but deals can be had on these if you know where to look.

 

I was wondering about your post... Do you have any parameters? I mean is your budget limited? Do you want to limit your upgrade to only 2 drivers (1 per door). Does it matter how the system sounds in the end? I sense a lack of focus on your part in establishing your "Goal". I think you need to consider what you are trying to achieve before you go picking particular speaker drivers.

BTW, the Kenwood you have listed is a 5 1/4" driver and the others listed are all 6 1/2" drivers. This is why the Kenwood's sensitivity is lower, if you look at the Kenwood 6 1/2" its sensitivity is in the middle of the group.

Now back to you situation. Other people have made a few good points, but as I stated above, you need to address a couple of questions before you can consider the actual components that you will want to buy.

I think you have started to set some parameters already. First, you want to stay with the OEM head-unit. Good choice because the MINI head-unit is not easy to replace. Second, you say you won’t have an amp. OK, the stock head-unit has an internal amp of about 10-15wpc into 4ohms. So the system you install will need to be fairly efficient. From here there are a number on other parameters that are really important.

The next question that you must address is “What is your budget”. Some people look at this process as a one shot project that will have a certain cost to complete. Whereas others may look at it as big project that can be broken down into more manageable phases which spreads the cost out over time. Either way is fine, you just need to decide.

The reason I look at this in this way is because I have seen a lot of guys ask “what’s the best speaker” on their list. Then they go buy that speaker, have it installed, and it sounds like crap because they didn’t consider all the “other stuff” that is just as important as a particular driver choice.

You have lots of options and lots of ways you can go about upgrading your MINI’s sound. Thinking things through before you act is the cheapest way to go. Money spent to fix screw-ups is money wasted. Let me know

 

first i want to thank you all for responding, very helpful. My budget is under $150 i really didnt want to spend much at all because the only reason im upgrading is because my passenger door lower speaker stopped working. So i was only planning on upgrading the 2 door speakers...i also forgot to mention that i listen to alot of hip hop/rap so i would want the most bass i could get without getting an amp or subwoofer.....cristo said pioneers would give me the most bass, so im kind of leaning towards them, but please give suggestions if you have any. thanks!

 

Ya know a while back I was talking to a guy who owns an electronics store here in NY. He actually owns a small chain of stores, but what he said to me one day comes to mind when I think about your question.

He said it always amazes him how customers come into one of his stores and spend hours comparing one big screen TV against another. They compare everything side by side with all the 25+ sets in the store. Sometimes they get stuck on some small detail or another but ya know what... No matter what unit they end up with, when they take it home ...It's the best looking set in the room.

I didn't understand what he meant but then I thought about it. Compared to the junk you currently have (assuming you currently have OEM speakers), any of them will sound great.

I would go to a couple of car stereo shops and try to listen to a few. Get an idea of which ones you don't like and then focus on things like price and maybe installation. Bottom line, which are the best speakers is almost entirely subjective, it's your personal taste. But rest assured... any good aftermarket speaker will sound better than stock.

 

Without attacking anyone in this thread, I would like to say: beware of misinformation...

 

what do you mean by that? Which part was i misinformed about? i would really like to know because i am about to place my order

 

"MINI head unit is not easy to replace." ...Wrong.

"stock head unit...10-15 wpc into 4 ohms" ...More like 5 wrms.

"Compared to...junk...(OEM speakers), any will sound great" ...Actually, all of them will likely sound worse on the very low stock power (OP's blown door speaker notwithstanding, of course).

For the hiphop-type music mostly listened to, and considering the very tight budget, I would replace the dead speaker with a used stocker from eBay, go with an aftermarket head unit for more built-in power (for this purpose, ANY low-to-mid-fi unit will due), wiring it for...and also purchasing...a powered subwoofer for the boot. I believe this will give him the "bang for the buck" he's looking for.

Alternatively, he could retain the stock head unit, and go for an entry-level speaker-level-capable amp for either the front speakers, or (for more $$, 4-channel) front and rear.

 

i see what you're saying and that is the most bang for the buck. Unfortunately i don't want to spend that much for my sound system (i was fine with my stocks), I am on a budget of only about $150. I cant even find a stock speaker on eBay, but on another website i saw them for about 50, the cheapest sub woofer would be around 100 and about another 100 for a decent head unit totaling to $250, plus I would need to have it installed which would total to more money...I think if i get the pioneers and sound dead the doors it will sound alot better then it does now.

 

Are you competent with doing all the work yourself or are you going to rely on a shop to do the installation? If you are comfortable doing all the work yourself you can save a good bit of cash... But $150 is still not enough to do any of the things that our friend suggests even if you buy all second hand used stuff and do all the work yourself. I ended my discussion previously when I heard your budget. Absolutely no misinformation from me.

ellcapitan, seems to be one of those people who happens to have a particular point of view… and if you differ on that, than in his little world you are wrong. You might expect that in someone who refers to himself as “ellcapitan” I don’t live in his little world and you don’t either.

Now back to you... All BS aside, you have a blown speaker and you need to replace it. $150 will cover the cost of the speakers and installation with a few bucks left over. Any of the speakers on your list should sound better than your stockers. They all are rated for low power installations and have sensitivity rated above 90db, the Infinity is rated highest at 93db. Would they sound better with an amp? Of course they would, but you can save that for another day

As I said before, if you can listen to any of them before you buy, I recommend it. A previous member mentioned the Polks, I have Polks F&R in my M/B and I like them fine with the stock HU. In my MINI I have a Focal 3 way component system with a 170wpc amp running off the Boost HU. Sounds very nice.

Look at the Polks db651 http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB65...tml?search=651

The Kenwood you listed is a 5 ¼ the 6 ½ is here http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFC1...ures_and_specs

The only thing I would add is that it’s all relative, it will sound good to you. Good luck.

 

Impressed with the rhetoric (you still got nothin' on Owe-bama tho). But, facts are facts, and rhetoric aside, my statements still stand. Case in point--I'm sorry, I just can't leave this one alone LOL: --What exactly is the difficulty in replacing the stock R50/R53 head unit, given that it is standard 1-DIN size; aftermarket mounting kits are readily available; and it is held in place by, what, 4 screws?? I mean, I understand we're all here to help, but when you just throw something like that out there... You think the poor guy is gonna thank you when he realizes that the MINI's radio is actually one of the easiest to replace in any modern automobile?

 

i'm just looking now and i see that my car is equipped with a "0657 Radio Boost" if that means anything.

 

You must be kidding…You raised all this BS over my comment regarding the MINI head-unit? When I made that comment, I was actually thinking about the R56 head-unit and not the R53’s. But who cares!!! The guy has a blown speaker and wants a relatively inexpensive solution to his problem.

The guy doesn’t want to spend the time or the money it would take to do any of the ideas you mentioned, let alone have to do all that work himself.

As far as all your other comments…you need to realize that no matter how badly you believe it, your opinions are not facts. I would say more regarding your opinions, but I do agree that you have a right to them.

stt816, I wish you the best of luck on which ever path you choose

 

Alright kid, whatever you say. I guess our "little worlds" just don't align well. Of course you could have just admitted from the start that you somehow didn't realize you were on the 1st gen. MINI audio forum, but of course that would call into question your other comments too, and that just wouldn't look good would it? I'm sure your intent to help is appreciated just the same, but maybe recollect your thoughts...this time for the 1st gen. MINI...and start over? I mean, what else to say...you were obviously talking about the wrong car. And now, my statements are "opinions" and yours are even relevant? Who's in a "little world " now? Everyone makes mistakes, that's fine. But, to go on defending them, after the fact, with ongoing drivel just doesn't work for most people, bro! ...Peace, out.

 

stt816, I realize it sucks to try to find information that you know nothing about while two people argue on your thread. That being said, the head unit is easy to replace. You don't want to do that, so don't worry about it. ellcapitan was just clearing some things up.

Also, I agree with him that you should save some money and just replace your blown speaker with a stock used one. I'm sure you can find a set for VERY cheap from someone like us who has a set just lying around. Check the marketplace for that, if nothing is there, check ebay.

You also mentioned that Pioneer with sound deadening in the door will sound good enough for you. I have amped door speakers with no sound deadening and they sound great. I have no rattling, so you won't either, don't waste your money on sound deadening.

You already said you were happy with the stock sound, and your budget is low, so just go the cheapest route that will keep you happy. A stock replacement.

I hope my 2 cents was helpful.

Good luck.