Which Speakers for Upgrade
 

Now I have used search and dabbled in some of the other threads but car audio seems to be a black art to me.

I want to upgrade the car speakers both in the dash and in the doors. I have a premium infinity audio system In my genesis. There are 10 speakers and a deck mounted 8" sub and the sound quality is very good. Maybe even excellent but I haven't heard many other systems so I am sure there are better out there.

Mainly I listen to jazz music and classical music with a lot of instrumentation. I want maximum clarify of sound above bass or being able to feel the car shake. The thing is most people seem to want a "powerful" audio system but what I am looking for is crisp sound over power.

I know the stock speakers can only do 2 ohms. i know that 4 is better but not sure why.

I know its best to replace the stock amplifier asap to improve sound quality but don't really understand why that makes a difference either.

But my main question is how much do I have to spend to get and equivalent or better audio system than what is in my genesis currently. I definitely want to do door and dash speakers but do I have to do rears? and how much should a "good" amp run me for what I am looking to do?

I am looking for ball park price quotes as well as a general idea of the different components I will need to purchase to make it possible. And what I could possibly omit like maybe rear speakers.

for now lets just assume i will use stock head unit. Though I hope to get a pioneer next deck sometime soon.

Do you want an easy solution? If yes check out oem+. You're going to spend about 1k but you can easily spend the same and more going other routes. Sounds like a good fit for your description.

What would some good aftermarket companies be?

How does the oem+ sound compare to the stock stereo? Just switch my HU to an Alpine and the speaker just sucks or maybe it's the amplifer, so I'm looking for an upgrade too

Via Note 4 using Tapatalk.

OEM+ is an aftermarket company even if there name would suggest otherwise.
TBH I haven't heard their setups, however I'd like to. My personal impression, to be taken with a grain of salt, is that for the money you can't beat them, however, there are better options if moneys not an object. I believe their solutions remove the factory amp from the equation, but i could be mistaken. I do know they have several dsp profiles for various HU and will work with you if you have something other than stock.
they are a vendor here, I'm sure one of them can speak better to it than I can.
If you want to go custom I recommend starting on the how to use the OEM amp harness thread, lots of good info there. theres a sticky directory of threads with good info at the top of the Electronics | Audio | NAV | Infotainment section

Your advice is kinda backwards. OEM+ charges a premium for it to be plug and play. For the money, the biggest value would be to upgrade the door speakers, tweeters up on the dash, and amp in the rear. Couple this with a good subwoofer, and you have a setup that blows the doors off of the OEM+ rig for half the price. Ask me how I know.

I just was over at @Integrity Concepts donating my 86 for them to make a 12" box offering :)

The only thing OEM+ truly has a competitive advantage in is their DSP- signal processor that is mapped to the car's sonic platform. That is truly something worth buying- here's the caveat, though... it's only sold with their premium package. So you buy everything else just for the dsp.

I did say you could do better, the OP didn't seem very interested in learning the ins and outs of amps, setting gains, what the differences are between 2 and 4 ohms and why people choose them.

As far as price, you can build cheaper systems, but one a sub, box (corner loaded specifically, other standard boxes are cheaper), amp, and amp kit your looking at about 450+ without doing anything about any of the other speakers. that's all I was saying. Koa's right though, if your willing to learn more, you can very likely do more on a smaller/similar budget.

I guess for perspective though, I am running this currently:
Infinity Reference series 6.5coax, 3.5coax, and tweeter (I'm to lazy to lookup model numbers, but you can find them easily) on audio pipe 3way crossovers (crx-303 I think) and infinity ref 4coax in the rear, all off an alpine ktp-445u wired for 4ch rear and front. Additionally, I have a wxv2 powered at 175w in a standard box. I'd like to upgrade to some corner load boxes, but money...

All I pointed out was that for the money, OEM+ isn't the "bang for your buck" all other options considered- never said you didn't say one could do better :D (double negatives booosh)

I'm running similar to you, Infinity Kappas 62.11s and some tweeters I had lying around through a ktp-445u wired up back... a 12W6v2 sub and 500/1 monoblock for boom.. :)

I got the sub & box for 180, kappas for 80 new, the ktp for 90, the 500/1 monoblock for 300 after in-store credit for some boxes I traded.. I dare an OEM+ system to sound x2 better as at current they're 2x the price of my setup for far less sonic performance

I would start with sound insulation on the doors... change the settings to feel with Max Bass and ASL to Low.

I just about finished my stereo install... so far I love it.

Doors and Dash: Precision Power PPI P65C3, these are 3 way components with a passive crossover and sounds amazing. The reason why I chose the 3 way is so that I can retain and use all the available speaker locations, but have 6 speakers only using 2 channels. I did bypass all the stock wiring and ran my own.

Rears: JBL GTO429, these are 4" speakers and require some modification to get them to fit the rears. These are ran off my remaining 2 channels on my amp.

Speaker Amp: Rockford Fosgate P400X4

Sub: Kicker Comp VX10

Sub Amp: Rockford Fosgate 600.1db

Capacitor: Rockford Fosgate 1 farad

I am currently running these off a cheap car headunit I was using for my garage stereo, but my Pioneer 4100NEX is currently on it's way to my house.

The install was a pain in the ass but worth it. I used great stuff foam (2 cans) in each rear wheel well and then poly fill the remaining dead space (Don't tell my wife, we are missing 2 pillows). The sound deadening difference is phenomenally more quiet. I know people will boo hoo the great stuff, but it worked.

Happen to have any install pics? I've been eyeing those PPI components but the tweeter looked like may have a hard time fitting in the stock location.

Attachment 104465
The tweeter was the only thing that I mounted in a spot that was same location as stock, but flush mounted.

why not relocate tweeters if you're going custom? Those dash speakers are in a bad sonic location.. right up against that pane.

This is my plan of attack also.

I figure if I can quiet the cabin a little the sound system performance has to improve. Increasing the volume because of the noisy cabin only introduces distortion.

However, I find the stock system can perform very well depending on the musical selection and source. Even some of my iTunes music via bluetooth has great dynamic range surprisingly.

Unfortunately, good fidelity is only noticeable with the engine off and the car sitting still. Once you introduce engine, road and wind noise its a total loss. :(

I will disagree in a way that may seem radical. If you do not have good, clean amplification and a great head unit, it will not matter if you put FOCAL woofers and ScanSpeak tweeters in the car. It will still sound like crap.

Focus on the front end, then the amps, and finally on the speakers. Or do them all at once. Speakers are only as good as the stuff that precedes them. Audio 101.

I agree here- but we're talking about value for the money. Focal and scanspeak are not value for the money. That's premium.

The only thing OEM+ truly has going for them in terms of quality is their DSP. That's proprietary, big money research in which they mapped out the whole sonic landscape of the FRS and tuned their digital processor to it. Not very easy for even reputable companies to do.

The downside to this is they will NOT sell you just the DSP.

Again, I'm talking about dollar for dollar quality. Value for the money

I just don't see that with OEM+, given what one can do with $1,000 piecing together a custom rig.

Maybe I misspoke... All speakers were in the stock locations, except the tweeters... Which were a modified yet somewhat stock location.

The plain and simple is I don't have time for a full custom install, modding door panels, creating speaker pods etc... So that was the fastest solution. I personally don't see any drawbacks using that location, but that's just my opinion.

I was thinking about getting this

Head unit
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X820...S.html?tp=5684

Speakers
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSC1...l?cc=07&tp=105 Speakers

I'm guessing I'd need an amp. Can anyone recommend one?

I'm not going to bother with a 10 or 12 in the trunk, I think this will be enough for me.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTP4...ower-Pack.html

Members here have used this Alpine Amp with the stock wiring. I'll be purchasing one to use with the stock speakers and upgrade to better speakers later.

I agree, but my point was that you can't improve the sound of your system fundamentally unless you think from the source to the speaker, in that order. Head unit (preamp), power amp, speakers. I chose those two brands exactly because they are the top of the spectrum. We're probably not so far apart.

I did a custom setup in my BRZ. Hybrid audio speakers, 5 channel amp, custom sub box and 10" sub. Professionaly installed and guess what? I was able to listen to the OEM Audio Plus solution in an FR-S and the OEM Audio + system sounded better to me. You simply cannot discount the DSP and its capabilities. For $1K you cannot beat it and I just ordered one for my WRX.

Thanks for the info. I will take that into consideration. I think it's more like 1500 than 1k though.

Right now the plan is jl audio stealthbox, door speakers, seperate tweeters, amp, pioneer touchscreen, sound deadening for doors and trunk, and remove rear speakers.

I had to take a break from that stuff to finish my other installs though, but next weekend im going to swing by best buy and a couple places to listen to some speakers in person.

My buddy actually recommended I go with a 12 though.. Says an 8 or 10 won't handle some of the lows in my electronic music.

They have $100 off right now + free shipping and no tax (for folks in California where they are based).

They have different options, with the System 400+ for $1099 shipped, and then the Reference System costing $1399 shipped.

http://shop.oemaudioplus.com/86-FR-S-BRZ_c5.htm

For the WRX they only offer the system 400+. The FR-S I listened to was the 400+ not the reference system.

If you have the chance to hear it, I highly recommend it. That said, if you go the route you are going and then add a DSP solution at some point, I am sure it would best the OEM + solution. Also, if you really like bass, the OEM + solution is not going to impress. It has some tight, punchy bass but nothing booming.

Do you know if the Oem Audio System 400+ is able to listen to anykind of music? Like electronic, to hiphop, then to vocal without any issues compared to some traditional upgrades where it can't handle certain type of music genres?

I was planning on going the traditional route into upgrading everything from the amp, to the sub and speakers, but the oem audio system 400+ seems to be a better route if it can handle anykind of music no matter how loud or what I play.

Any info or suggestions would be great! Thanks.

That's why I like the remote bass knob on my Fosgate amp... I can adjust as needed easily with just a turn of the knob!

OP and fellow thread readers,


I've read on a lot of systems for this car since its released. There are many great options and it really depends on how much time you want to put into your audio system vs the amount of money you want to spend. I think Focal and Infinity Kapas are amazing speakers but you have to be willing to do your own modifications and spend time setting up your own DSP, wires, etc.


One of my favorite setups is at my place. I love the idea of efficiency versus power required. I have a 12K audio system running Klipsch RF-7 IIs, etc. because I love loud, clean music from rock, rap, country to dubstep and electronic. Now I know the difference between home audio and car audio...I'm just trying to establish credibility.


Honestly, you can't go wrong with OEM Audio + Reference Series. The DSP, soundstage and speakers sound pretty amazing, are very clean, and go pretty loud. I haven't had a chance to hear OME+'s subwoofer since I ended up installing everything but the subwoofer and added my own dual custom sub boxes from Integrity Concept. I talked with an engineer at OEM+ (great people to talk to) about where I need to set my crossover on the amp for the subs. Overall, I get the bass I want with the quality and soundstaging of a system already set. I didn't have to modify wires and it sounded great out of the box. I did dynamat a large portion of the car to help reduce road noise, vibrations, etc. I'm very pleased and a lot of car audio shops locally are too.


You may want to consider even if the name "OEM" may sound less appealing. The systems sounds better than my 2014 Lexus and the system in the Lexus isn't half bad. :)





I fully agree with you.



BTW, I listen to electronic, hiphop, country, etc; VibeTribe, Sasha, Infected Mushroom sound amazing on the OEM+ system. For Hiphop, (again, not sure on their bass) the soundstage sounds great as well. For dubstep you can't go wrong with Skrillex and Korn's album, the Path to Totality.


Here's some pics of the setup (I mounted the OEM+ DSP in the stock amp location):

lol, i didn't realize that any car audio company was selling AMT tweeters.. it's about time!

i've been running the dayton amt's for a couple months now. imo, one of the better tweeters i've used, especially with the way the windshield makes most softer silk tweeters sound harsh...