Best aftermarket door speakers

[Lou-quattro]

I know there are a million threads just like this, maybe even with the same title, but I'm just looking for a quick and easy answer based on popularity and satisfaction. As far as sound goes in my car, all I have is an RNS-E with stock door speakers, no subs or anything, and I don't want to install any extra amplifiers. So based on my setup, what are the best aftermarket speakers for the price, quality, and ease of installation? I'll be purchasing from crutchfield.com. TIA

[Luis_Heineken]

polk audio components

jl audio components

kenwood components


thats for the price, quality, and ease of installation, as you said.

not in any necessary order.

i used them in any moment in some of my rides. cant go wrong with any of them

good luck!

[Guitarmageddon]

I know there are a million threads just like this, maybe even with the same title, but I'm just looking for a quick and easy answer based on popularity and satisfaction. As far as sound goes in my car, all I have is an RNS-E with stock door speakers, no subs or anything, and I don't want to install any extra amplifiers. So based on my setup, what are the best aftermarket speakers for the price, quality, and ease of installation? I'll be purchasing from crutchfield.com. TIA

Ive used Polk db6501 components on a relatively stock setup and polk mm6501 components and coaxials on two different setups before and the difference was noticeable from the stock speakers. Check them out I think its a good route to go. I listened to a lot of metal/rock and some rap and they were just fine.

[Matt Devo]

I run Polk db6501 components: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB65...io-db6501.html

but you won't come close to utilizing their potential with the stock head unit powering them. And if you have the Bose system now, you need to find speakers with ~2ohm impedence, as 4-ohm speakers (the standard) won't work properly

[Guitarmageddon]

I run Polk db6501 components: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB65...io-db6501.html

but you won't come close to utilizing their potential with the stock head unit powering them. And if you have the Bose system now, you need to find speakers with ~2ohm impedence, as 4-ohm speakers (the standard) won't work properly

I believe the mm6501's were 2.7 or something?

[bermudakid]

I run Polk db6501 components: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB65...io-db6501.html

but you won't come close to utilizing their potential with the stock head unit powering them. And if you have the Bose system now, you need to find speakers with ~2ohm impedence, as 4-ohm speakers (the standard) won't work properly

The tweeters fit in too or did you have to modify the doors for them to fit ? Any DIYs?

[EErie B6]

im no audio guru, but I know what I like.

+1 for polk.

on various projects I have used:
Pioneer: various models and they all sucked. - I would not mount them again even if they were free.
Infinity: fantastic highs - nice and clear even to the point where it's ear piercing. no experience with their larger models.
Polk: I really liked. Good all around sound from high to low. I've installed these in 2 different vehicles and was pleased with both... and would not hesitate to put them in a third.

Virtually anything is going to be a step up from Bose. You know how the saying goes:
"No highs, no lows, must be Bose."

[langer]

If you are keeping everything stock, you aren't going to see a massive difference when you swap out the speakers. The sound changes most dramatically if you start switching headunits or add an external equalizer. Just get something that isn't too expensive.

[AutoUnionLov3r]

MB Quart offers fantastic sounding components and coaxials. You'll pay for that sound though.

As far as what everyone else is saying here I have experience with Infinity- awesome clarity!
JL- once again expensive but they offer a range similar to the Bose only on a much more broad spectrum. Kenwood=crap. I would have to agree with the majority here and say that Polk will deliver the best bang for your buck as far as component speaker quality goes. If I were to upgrade my stereo I would go with Polk Audio



Sent from my iPhone in my arse pocket using Tapatalk 2

[Greedo]

Focal. End of story. By far and away the best speakers out there, but you'll pay for them. The Utopia line is amazing...and also very pricey.

[audi_nightrider]

How about hertz?

My friend recommended them but haven't really put a lot of thoughts about it yet. So just want to know if any other B6'ers are running them.

[SlickFix]

You know how the saying goes:
"No highs, no lows, must be Bose."

LOL, this is so true. Bose has an excellent marketing dept, but their speakers are only good in the mid-range of the audio spectrum. Unfortunately, both of my B6's are Bose-equipped.

[langer]

guys if you want to run focals in your B6, you need to also put in external amplifiers and a DSP to really get the value out of them. With the stock system (even the bose) your limiting factor for sound is the stuff driving the speakers. Focals on an otherwise stock system is a waste of money. It's like putting the absolute best, lightest wheels on an otherwise stock car. Sure there might be an improvement, but it's not the best use of funds.

[Lou-quattro]

I guess I should've further clarified that I don't have bose, and my lower door speakers (not any of the tweeters on the top part of the door) are the ones I'm going to be replacing since they're all on their last leg and about to blow. My passenger side door is already toast. So I'm just looking for a simple, reasonably priced, speaker to throw in each door. Thanks for all the help thus far tho guys, definitely looking into the polks.

[Lou-quattro]

as far as Polk options for our cars go, seems like these have the best/most reviews on crutchfield: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB65...1s.html?tp=105 thoughts?

[Greedo]

guys if you want to run focals in your B6, you need to also put in external amplifiers and a DSP to really get the value out of them. With the stock system (even the bose) your limiting factor for sound is the stuff driving the speakers. Focals on an otherwise stock system is a waste of money. It's like putting the absolute best, lightest wheels on an otherwise stock car. Sure there might be an improvement, but it's not the best use of funds.

Well yes, I agree. I just saw best and Focal is by far and away the best...but you'll need a good amp (I'd run Audison) as well.

Otherwise I think for the price, JL is hard to beat in regards to sound quality.

[bermudakid]

BTW these are on Amazon Prime for 110$ vs crutchfield.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-DB6.../dp/B000P0R6LQ

[A4SF]

BTW these are on Amazon Prime for 110$ vs crutchfield.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-DB6.../dp/B000P0R6LQ

Would these components fit into the doors with no modifications? Or would I need to do something to make them fit? Sorry for the threadjack. The answer to this may help the OP as well.

[MNB5Tuner]

You want the best? Although these are close they are not their top of the line but they fit the easiest out of them. I have these in my car and absolutely LOVE them. Have yet to hear another vehicle that sounds better. Pretty sure crutchfield sells them too.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_091130K...KR.html?tp=106

[bermudakid]

Would these components fit into the doors with no modifications? Or would I need to do something to make them fit? Sorry for the threadjack. The answer to this may help the OP as well.

I'm not sure, Some people hear have them. I asked the same thing about the tweeters fitting in the same place as the stock ones.


Think these would be a simple upgrade over the oem speakers? I still have the stock amp, with a aftermarket head unit.

[langer]

Well yes, I agree. I just saw best and Focal is by far and away the best...but you'll need a good amp (I'd run Audison) as well.

Otherwise I think for the price, JL is hard to beat in regards to sound quality.

Agreed, I really like JL's stuff. If you can find them used, Energy speakers are also really good. I'm running them now because I lucked out and found a pair at a wrecker
http://www.woofertester.com/review_pasmag_july_2007.pdf

[Murph]

I installed Alpine Type R all around. I had to make them fit. However, I don't really remember exactly what I had to do. They sound really good with the stock non Bose Amp. They have excellent balance and are even OK with the stock sub. Also IIRC there are some secret setting adjustments on the head unit by pressing some sequence of buttons that you can do some adjustments as well. I don't remember if I found them here or back in the day over at Audi World.

As for Bose as a company, I dealt with them in a previous life. They have some incredibly talented engineers there. I had the opportunity to get into the skunk works labs and heard some amazing stuff. I also had the opportunity to get into Mathew Polk's private audio lab. Now there's a genius.

[Matt Devo]

Would these components fit into the doors with no modifications? Or would I need to do something to make them fit? Sorry for the threadjack. The answer to this may help the OP as well.

sorta. If you have Bose speakers, you can simply unscrew the stock speaker from the plastic mount; if non-Bose, you need to cut out the stock speaker.

here's a link to my Picasa album with a bunch of pics from my install:
Polk DB6501 speaker install

[dennej1985]

If you don't want to amplify go with Polk db651. The regular not the shallow. The shallow mounts are ok but sound kinda dead in a way at least to my ear. I have the 651's in both my front and rear doors. Its really easy to make them fit. Cut the stock speakers out of the brackets and screw into these as your new speaker mounts. That's what I did and its been done many times before and the tweeter tower does fit behind the stock grill.

[bermudakid]

sorta. If you have Bose speakers, you can simply unscrew the stock speaker from the plastic mount; if non-Bose, you need to cut out the stock speaker.

here's a link to my Picasa album with a bunch of pics from my install:
Polk DB6501 speaker install

Thanks for this, I was wondering if the crossovers would fit in the doors.

Going to try to install this weekend with the stock non bose amp.

[rbnarcos]

I have the alpine type r components in my doors and they sound great. The crossovers on them are not very big and fit behind the panel easily. I have them hooked up to an aftermarket amp, not very much wattage I think they're getting about 50rms but they'll still sound a lot better that the original bose speakers. I had the bose hooked up to the amp for a long time due to my factory amp going out, and they sounded alright until I replaced them and then realized how sub par they actually were.

[V1nny]

Thanks for this, I was wondering if the crossovers would fit in the doors.

Going to try to install this weekend with the stock non bose amp.

No need for crossovers, unless you using aftermarket amplifier. There already separate connectors with properly divided frequencies for lows and highs coming from the headunit. I wonder how would you connect crossovers, if there are two pairs of wires for tweeter and woofer there?

[Matt Devo]

No need for crossovers, unless you using aftermarket amplifier. There already separate connectors with properly divided frequencies for lows and highs coming from the headunit. I wonder how would you connect crossovers, if there are two pairs of wires for tweeter and woofer there?

That is completely wrong, just look at the factory wiring -- the head unit sends out full range signals for each speaker, which are sent to both the tweeter and woofer (the signal is split at the woofer). The Bose system has a crappy high-pass filter before the tweeter, the non-Bose does not.

[V1nny]

That is completely wrong, just look at the factory wiring -- the head unit sends out full range signals for each speaker, which are sent to both the tweeter and woofer (the signal is split at the woofer). The Bose system has a crappy high-pass filter before the tweeter, the non-Bose does not.

Maybe your head unit is different. I used to have broken Symphony one (2001 car), replaced it with RNS-E connected through e-bay harness, and it worked correctly with factory speakers. Then I was about to install Polk MM6501 components, I connected polk tweeter to the same wires that factory tweeters was connected to, and connected woofer likewise. That's it, speakers are wired directly to the radio, that has separate outputs for highs and lows. Rear door speakers connected to the amps that is part of the subwoofer circuit board, but idea is the same.

[bermudakid]

That is completely wrong, just look at the factory wiring -- the head unit sends out full range signals for each speaker, which are sent to both the tweeter and woofer (the signal is split at the woofer). The Bose system has a crappy high-pass filter before the tweeter, the non-Bose does not.

So I can install the crossover just before the woofer?



TBH I should buy an Amp and replace everything, but I had a speaker die and I remember what a giant pita it was running wire for my sub and amp and I really just want a quick fix for this weekend.

[V1nny]

http://www.ibiblio.org/tkan/audi/radios/symphony.html
scroll down to the bottom for explanation of different biamped and non biamped modes Symphony radio is capable of.

[Matt Devo]

Maybe your head unit is different. I used to have broken Symphony one (2001 car), replaced it with RNS-E connected through e-bay harness, and it worked correctly with factory speakers. Then I was about to install Polk MM6501 components, I connected polk tweeter to the same wires that factory tweeters was connected to, and connected woofer likewise. That's it, speakers are wired directly to the radio, that has separate outputs for highs and lows. Rear door speakers connected to the amps that is part of the subwoofer circuit board, but idea is the same.

the B5's are wired the same way as the B6; *none* of the stock head units have separate high/low freq outputs. Replacing the factory speakers with aftermarket ones just means you're feeding full-freq signals to the new speakers as well.

So I can install the crossover just before the woofer?

TBH I should buy an Amp and replace everything, but I had a speaker die and I remember what a giant pita it was running wire for my sub and amp and I really just want a quick fix for this weekend.

correct, cut the connector off the factory wiring to the woofer, wire that to the crossover, then wire back to the woofer and tweeter

http://www.ibiblio.org/tkan/audi/radios/symphony.html
scroll down to the bottom for explanation of different biamped and non biamped modes Symphony radio is capable of.

I see no such info at that link

[iamshayan]

the B5's are wired the same way as the B6; *none* of the stock head units have separate high/low freq outputs. Replacing the factory speakers with aftermarket ones just means you're feeding full-freq signals to the new speakers as well.




correct, cut the connector off the factory wiring to the woofer, wire that to the crossover, then wire back to the woofer and tweeter




I see no such info at that link

Thats how I've done it with multiple setups over the years, with stock syph head unit and Seat Exeo RNS-E 2012+

[bermudakid]

Will have them installed tomorrow, After all this I may install a 4ch amp. Which is a decent one between 100-200$. I have a mono alpine amp for my Sub which I like but I haven't been following audio stuff for the last 4 years since I installed it.

[langer]

is space a concern for your amp? I have mine installed in a tight spot and I am using this. It's loud and tiny

http://www.amazon.com/Soundstream-PN...s=picasso+nano

[bermudakid]

Doesn't matter - I have my alpine amp bolted to the back of the rear seats. I think I'd probably make something to attach them to the top of the trunk just to keep the trunk space sorta clean but If I can get a decent amp that fits in the space the stock one is in that would work.

[Matt Devo]

I have an Alpine PDX-5 bolted to the underside of the rear deck, drives the db6501s very nicely

[theboss]

this thread has sparked my interest in new speakers

[foley803]

I have an Alpine PDX-5 bolted to the underside of the rear deck, drives the db6501s very nicely

So are you running just the components on the amp, or the sub too?

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[bermudakid]

I have an Alpine PDX-5 bolted to the underside of the rear deck, drives the db6501s very nicely

Discontinued...... but holy sticker shock batman the new PDX is 600$.


Thanks for the recommendation for these polk speakers are pretty awesome for the price they where. What did you use for the sound dampening , I need to go back and do that when I install rear speakers & amp.