I have the HiFi system and want to upgrade the front speakers (no amp at first, just speakers). For those who have done this, did you go with a 2-way or 3-way system and what did you buy? I was looking at the Focals (165 V3), but it seems they have disappeared and also I am not sure why just a 6.5" two-way solution wouldn't work. I know there have been some threads about this, but they seem kind of scattered and don't really have what I am looking for.

Thanks

 

The 6.5 would handle the bass for the HIFI system. I'm not sure whether it is getting high frequencies or not. I'd be surprised if it was.

I use Infinity Kappa 60.7cs 6-1/2" component speakers that come with a separate tweeter. The tweeter can be used in the A pillar, if you take it apart.

I used Infinity Kappa 42.7i 4" 2-way car speakers in the small location in the door.

These speakers have excellent clarity, but may be a bit "bright" for some people.

I can feel the bass from the 60.7cs in the armrest of the door. Don't recall that from the stock speakers.

 

I went with Boston Accoustics SX 60's

 

with your infinity did your replace your amp?

 

I can't add to this thread as I haven't replaced my front speakers yet. However I plan to soon, so please keep the responses coming! They're great help.

 

Are you using the tweeters in these as well or did you cut the wire to them. If not, you are running two tweeters per side and I wonder how that works for you.

 

I did not disconnect the tweeters in the 4".

I left the stock tweeters in the A panel (until I have the time and courage to remove them), and using the tweeters that came with the 6.5" with the 6x9 speakers that I moved here:

This photo was taken before the tweeters were added.

The tweeter/M.M.D. midrange are disconnnected. I was concerned about having two crossovers in series and they sounded a little odd.

Ideally, I would like to get rid of the factory tweeters. I have turned treble down a bit to compensate.

 

Thanks Robin!

 

Does anyone have experience with JL Audio VR650-CSI components? http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...hp?comp_id=127 Based on the sticky, they will fit.

 

I've been listening to 6.5" component sets for a while now as I prepare to upgrade my bro's R56 and this is what I've learned:

-Focal speakers(Polyglass 165VR and K2 165K2P) sound great at first but I notice the tweeters sound too tinny(metallic) for me. They have a wide sound stage but don't sound natural. I can hear the aluminum tweeter ringing .
-Alpine SPX-17Pro with the ring radiator tweeters fill the space with sound but lack detail. Snare hits sounds like symbols and everything kinda sounds like it's coming from all over at the same time .
-Pioneer TS-C720PRS have a ton of bass for a 6.5" set . The tweeters are nice but kinda bright at times. Very good set.
-Infinity Kappas give you the most "bang for your buck". You definitely don’t want these tweeters aimed at your ears because they are super bright .
-Polk MMC6500 sound clean but almost need a slight boost in the higher frequencies .
-JL Audio C5-650 are the most balanced set I've heard so far. Very good in all areas. Very accurate, natural, and no strange peaks .

We decided to go with the JL Audio C5-650 because they seemed to have the flattest frequency response and just sound awesome. I'll be installing these in January.

 

I just came from Tweeter where I was able to listen to a few options that actually fit my budget. I was very impressed with the Polk coaxials 4", 6.5" and 6x9, even compared with some of the high-end component stuff. The 6x9's particularly had a lot of thumpy bottom end, which I think will do me just fine. So I went ahead and set up an appointment for an install. Yeah, I know the steps are posted here, but they know what they're doing. If they break something they fix it; whereas if I break something, all I can do come on here and cry about it. Hopefully the fronts will be in by then, 'cos they're out of stock at the moment. I'm kinda glad now that I got the base sound system, 'cos I only have to replace 6 speakers instead of 10.

 

Hello,

If you are going with the JL C5-650 are you putting the smaller tweeter in the second smaller speaker loc on the door?

Thanks.

 

Does anybody know if there is a problem replacing the three way system in the front with a two way system (6.5" woofer and tweeter, no 4" driver)? There are very few three way 6.5" speakers sets available.

 

I, too, have the base sound system. I installed Polk 6.5" components in the front. I put the tweeters where the 3.5" speakers normally go. The only problem was where to put the crossovers. I ended up putting them under the armrest where they are visible. I didn't want to take the whole window cassette out of the door to mount them inside.

I also put Polk 6x9"s in the rear. I am very happy with the sound so far. In the future I might upgrade to an amplifier and subwoofer, but I waiting for someone to come put with an enclosure for the R56s that I like. I'm not really in the mood to fab one myself. If you search threads I have posted in you can see the brackets I made for the tweeters.

 

I don't understand why you would want to skip the 4" since it puts out a fair amount of the mid-range. Since the 6" location seems to get all the bass, I wonder if it is getting the full range? With just a 6" & a tweeter, it seems you would have a hole in the middle frequencies. Am I wrong?

 

I disagree with the focal comment, the off axis dispersion is great but you have to pad the tweeter down 3db on the crossover or it sounds like its going to kill your eardrums, big difference. I have a 3sixty.2 that is great, lets you eq and time align everything. That being said I'm going back to stock because of some weird electrical interference in the front of my car. Anyone have a stock R56 hifi amp for sale? heh

Have fun,
Josh

 

Just curious what they are charging for the install? Do they warranty the work and replace anything they break with OEM parts?

Thanks,
Mark

 

I also want to replace my front speakers. I don't want to go crazy. Any recommendations of a set of speakers for about $100. I just want to replace the 4" and the 6" speakers in the door.

Thanks

 

A component set consisting of a woofer and a tweeter will do a really good job of covering the whole audio range. The woofer would reproduce sounds from about 50Hz-1kHz* and the tweeter would do the rest, 1kHz-22kHz*(*rough figures). It is much harder to setup a 3-way system than it is to setup a 2-way system. The more speakers you add the more things you have to deal with(time/phase, crossovers, mounting, etc.) if you want a "perfect" sound. Ideally, you would want a stereo pair of tiny drivers reproducing the entire audio range.
Since everyone has different needs and expectations, it's always best to not pay too much attention to other's opinions and just go with what makes you happy.

 

I'll second that. You gotta set the tweeter setting on the crossover to -3db or they'll make your ears ring.

What type of wierd electrical interference you getting? I was getting alternator whine until I moved the crossover about 4" from where I originally had it.

Nowadays, if my radio is on very low volume I can hear a strange soft whine whine that goes up and down in pitch - unrelated to engine speed! It doesn't bother me though as my stereo is seldom that soft if it is on.

 

yes. as long as the 6.5" is designed for midrange and not just midbass and you use the proper 2-way crossover, there's no gap. I bought MBQuart Premium series drivers....1" tweeter, 4" mid, 6.5" mid/midbass and 8" midbass, plus passive crossovers to handle.

I've got an R53....there are only a few ways to get a 4" to work in a three way setup and I didn't want to go there (move ECU, cut dash, etc). If I had an R56, these would be drop in solutions and I could do the 8" midbass in place of the 6x9's and run a separate sub in the boot. tweeter mounted coaxially in the 4", 6.5" in the door, 8" in the side panel, plus the sub. You could run this off a four channel amp, though a 5/6ch with bandpass crossover capability is best (like the elemental designs nine.5)

 

Mine is based off the cars speed, gets louder as they go up. My crossovers were out back near where the stock amp used to be. I took the whole setup out, I have a new 3sixty.2 new in box if you want one. As well as some focals. I got really frustrated with the interference I was getting, and would rather put it back to stock you know? I tried re routing, using different wires, moving the wires, etc. But in the end I'm a perfectionist, the stock stereo was really decent, and though the focals sound amazing, I don't really need them if I'm going to have hiss and stuff. Oh well. Chock it up to experience.

Have fun,
Josh

 

even if you went back to stock amp why remove the focals? Don't use the crossovers and you'll have no chance of electrical noise.

 

I'd rather someone else enjoy the focals to their fullest. And for the cost of the set I'd rather spend it elsewhere, like a car payment. Basically I'm bowing out because I don't think it'll ever be perfect for me without an aftermarket head unit, and I'm not willing to give up my steering wheel controls.

 

I really don't want to except there are so many more options in for two way systems. Does any body know the cross over points for the three front speakers with the Hi-FI system?