Aftermarket speakers

[docrobot]

I will be installing aftermarket speakers in the factory holes in my e36 later this year. The Sony CDX 8805X HU I am installing this month will have 20+ watts RMS x 4, so I don't expect the factory speakers to last too long. B)

Which brand names are used, and as importantly preferred on this forum?

[El Presidente]

Infinity.

[1980 BMW 323is]

i use polk audio, but alpine, or sony would work

[Ateam311]

Don't quite have my BMW yet (local dealer is hitting 3 auctions this week and guaranteed me he'd bring home 2 or 3 to look at), but my Silverado has 4x Infinity Kappa's.

If you want to take the Infinity route though, I'd just grab the Perfect's (weren't out at the time when I picked up my Kappa's last year).

[jllphan]

Infinity Reference Series

PolkAudio DB series

MBQuart Discus series



Using your sony to power a set of serperates up front and possibly seperates in the back, this would be your best bang for the buck. The Infinity Perfect or Polk Momo lines are better but not appreciated without a seperate outboard amplifier...

[Ateam311]

Just noticed that I read over the head unit thing when I was reading last night. Still though, I've been running my Kappa's through my CDX-M630 (same 52w RMS max setup as his) and haven't had a single problem with em'. That could be because I don't run a single bit of bass through them since the sub is RIGHT behind my driver side seat (good ol' x-cabs).

[jllphan]

Didn't say you would have problems, you just don't enjoy better sound. In order to make a big difference in output and overall sound quality the Kappa or Kappa Perfect speaker needs more power.

Put another way, with an RMS input of 22W, there isn't much difference between the Kappa and Reference. If anything the Reference would be a bit louder, they aren't as beefy and are more efficient.

Kappas are great, just not necessary unless you have a good amp.

[ronaldo]

well i would not go with a sony head unit to tell you the truth.... nd i would put an external amp on all the mid/high speakers too. but for the speakers, infinity, polk audio, rockford fosgate, alpine...

if youre looking to spend serious cash, focal, CDT, dynaudio, vifa.

sony car audio = PURE ASS. if you buy sony speakers or amps, i will laugh. not to be a penis but dont buy sony unless its a high end head unit. even then, alpine > sony, especially for the price.

[trippinbillies40]

JL XR, VR, or Alpine Type X are all great speakers. I like the Type-X very well.

[Ateam311]

It's like I've said in the past and I'll say it again: Don't play the name game.

Just because you don't like the name doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. Although I do somewhat agree with the poor quality on Sony's amps and speakers, I must say there's never been a time that a head unit has given me a problem. Output levels were nearly the same all-around when I first purchased my CDX-M630 and I was unable to even hear a difference when testing them out over at Crutchfield.

Now that I know more than I did when I built my first system, I'd still take my Sony over an Alpine. Better yet, I wouldn't mind a nice Eclipse head unit one of these days .

[ronaldo]

the sony head units arent too bad but they seemed expensive compared to alpine units, which to me seem of higher quality. the only thing i would really avoid from them is any speaker or amplifier. but still add an external amp to your mids and highs. they will be more defined and detailed, have cleaner power, and have more crossover options for them, depending on your application.

[docrobot]

sony car audio = PURE ASS. if you buy sony speakers or amps, i will laugh. not to be a penis but don't buy sony unless its a high end head unit. even then, alpine > sony, especially for the price.

I have always thought it best if you are going to be a dick, you want to be a big one, but if you have been following the multiple threads I have started in the last few weeks, I have already selected the SONY CDX 8805X, and I am not looking to change my decision...

I already know that most recognizable HUs are great in the upper models. I also know that most people are as loyal to some car audio brands, and disrespectful of most others, as they are to vehicle brand names. Don't try to "laugh" off your personal likes on me, thank you very much.

I'm in my 40's and as an ex-FM Radio DJ with extensive Radio Production experience I have used "the good stuff", Professional Mixing Boards, Crown Amps, and real "honest to god" Studio Monitors, so I can tell shit from symphony at least as good half of you here...


Now, going back to my original thread entry, I am looking for speakers, not head units.

My lack of experience comes not at the noob level, as I can still read, understand, and compare current Car Audio specs, but from the experience level of not knowing the current brands and their qualities. The last few months of researching speakers, amps, and subs in mags, and on the net has not allowed me to hear them in an BMW, let alone a e36 like mine. n


I have enjoyed the excellent high end transient response that Infinity speakers provide, as I like a balanced, even tone through out the 20 - 20K audio spectrum.

A local friend who does the SPL Contest Circuit suggested MB Quart based on other BMWs owners who also wanted clean, linear audio response.

I am not looking to spend $1,000 or $2,000 on component speakers, as I would prefer to throw that kind of money into my upcoming retirement (remember, I am in my 40's) so my ride will never be a cover car for some big name car audio mag. I just want something decent that an ex-FM DJ will enjoy while making good time to and from work...

[jllphan]

As someone who's vocation consists of selling and installing home and car audio/video components (and have been for over a decade), And while we are all offering background information, I am graduating in December with a degree in Music Business. My studies required me to spend a lot of time in one of our three oncampus multimillion dollar studios.

I would hope you would find my opinions acceptable.


The aforementioned recomendations listed earlier in this thread come from personal experience as well as selling them everyday to people in my community who have come to respect my knowledge on the subject matter.

I can go much deeper into why I recomend what I do, but I will have to do so at a later time, as I am off to enjoy some live music...

[docrobot]

I would hope you would find my opinions acceptable.

Continue Professor, I am all ears! MB Quart matches what my local (partially deaf too, I imagine) SPL Pal suggests too, as I have mentioned.

It's ronaldo that I worry for/about...

[PMB]

You get what you pay for. As has been said don't play the name game. I am also in my 40s and no longer listen to extremely loud music. I too have a preference for the "monitor" sound. I like Macrom components but they are quite rare. The key is in the tweeter. Look for something with a large silk dome tweeter.

You are probably only going to do this once right? So look at Dynaudio, Soundstream, Macrom.

If you really don't want to go that far price wise look at top end of JL audio, Boston, MB Quart, although you are unlikly to find the large silk dome tweeter you will get a good balanced sound.

Alternatively, If you can find them, try to track down a pair of Infinity Emit K tweeters Add these to a low-midrange set of components and you will love them.

Best of luck and keep listening!