I would like to upgrade my 04MCS with better speakers while keeping the stock alpine sterio. Any suggestions?

 

Price range? Do you want a new amp? Do you have the HK system?

 

In the same boat here...recently purchased on 04MC with the stock system, no HK upgrade. Not thrilled with the sound quality. Most recommendations that I have been given are to start with the addition of an amp before changing the speakers.

Appartenly adding a little more punch will warm up the sound. Phase II could be a speaker change. I think I will try this over the holiday, depending on boxing day sales of course! Hope this helps, If i am successfull in the next few weeks I will advise. Let me know if you change speakers and find a noticeable difference!

 

You can actually find people selling their H/K system here on NAM and on eBay. I would be patient and buy that setup if you can, especially if you want the stock look. I used to gut systems in cars and put some crazy setups in but nowadays I have gotten a little lazy and with the H/K system I don't see the real need since adding a system would involve amps and such. where the heck would I put the stuff anyway?

 

Depending on how much you want to spend I have found that the relatively cheap Boston Acoustic 6x9 sl95 are the best sounding coaxials I have ever heard. The bass response is rediculous in this car. They do 30 Hz easy. I have baffled several people with these.

For the front I would go with the Boston Acoustic sl65. However if price is of no concern the V60's are great. That is what's in my car.

If you would like to keep it looking stock and wish you had purchased the HK upgrade I do have the complete setup that I'll let go for $200.

 

This topic has been discussed many times before.
For all those interested in making any audio upgrades or changes to either the stock or HK systems please see some of the links in post#2 of this thread-
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=26547

Short answers-
You can add speakers to the stock system but they will need to be very efficient or your final results will be less than an improvement. Adding an amp might be needed.

You cannot add HK to your stock audio system unless you have the HK wiring harness in your car already- go to the right rear fender well and open the access door to see if you have a large wiring harness and connector- for the HK DSP/Amp. If you see no connector you have the normal harness and cannot easily add the HK system. You can make your own harness but that would very time consuming.

 

Spillman.. You Have Pm
Do You Still Have The Hk System? Does It Have Everything Needed For A Plug And Play Installation?

 

The HK system can be used on a stock audio equiped car. This would require simply making a wirring harness for the amplifier and runing another channel to both of 6x9's. You can do this with or without the HK headunit. I have the HK enabler and have used the HK system with an aftermarket headunit.

ala if you want the wirring harness too I will remove it and pre wire everything for $50 more.

 

sounds like Getamini wants to keep it simple...me too...I kept my stock HU, so HK, and without adding an amp, simply replaced just the front speakers and kept the rears....for me, there was a big improvement and much more clarity and soundstaging

the HU is pretty low powered so the speakers must be very efficient...I used Infinity 6002 si 6 1/2" fromCrutchfield for $80....must be the shallow mount version ,coaxial and not component....I left the stock 1" tweeters connected so simply removed the stock 5 1'4 speakers and slipped in the Infinity and made a 1" spacer out of felt covered styrofoam