Aftermarket speakers

[labman]

Hi All!

I just got an '02 wagon. Anyone have any recomendations for aftermarker drivers?
I pulled the passenger side panels to see what was in place; the rear speaker appears to be a more-r-less standard 4in unit mounted to a plastic adapter. The fronts are different; a 1.5in tweeter mounted with a bent strip of steel, and a non-standard low freq. driver with 3 mounting holes. See the fotos at <http://chester.uccs.edu/wrx/>. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
While we are on the subject, there are a couple of annoying buzzies in the driver-side door and behind the left side of the dash during heavy bass passages. Has anyone noticed similar noises, and is there a recomended fix? In any event I'm gonna attack it this weekend if the weather permits, I'll post any solutions I come up with. TIA, and ByeBye! S.

[GregFarz78]

Well thats a general question it all depends what you are looking for. I'm more into sound quality so heres my plan. The rears dont matter too much they are just for fill so get some 4" replacements and run them off the head unit. The fronts get a nice set of 6.5" components I like infinity kappa, mb quart, boston acoustic. Amp the components at least 50x2 Get some dynamat or b-quiet for the front door, this will cut down on road noise and vibrations. Do you plan to do a sub/amp in the trunk? I'll go into more detail if you'd like.

[labman]

Hi Greg et al!

Allrite! Thanx for the input. So those funny lookin' front speakers are 6.5in. units, huh? Who'd have guessed.
Like you, I prefer nice clean sound over brute force volume, and feel no real need to "thump" down the road. Alas, those stock speakers . . .
Infinity components work for me, or perhaps Alpine. Don't suppose you have a part number for the appropriate Infinity speakers for front and rear? Also, do the Infinity tweeters fit that odd looking mounting, or must one fabricate a bracket (not a big deal really).
My plan is to do the speakers first (ASAP), and then upgrade the electronics after my checking account recovers from "new-car shock" ;-) I'd really like to put in an MP3 player, and perhaps a modest sub. Any one have suggestions here?
Dynamat? Wazzat? I've used neoprene and some killer double-stick tape to dampen sheetmetal resonance in the past; this a similar product? Could you outline a typical application procedure?
Finally, what about speaker cut-outs? Are you leaving the stock perforated plastic in place, or are you performing surgery and then fitting an aftermarket grille?
Lotsa questions, huh? Thanx again for taking the time to provide answers.
ByeBye! S.

[dark_rex]

dynamat is sound dampening asphalt based foam. the new dynamat XL (i think its called) is far superior in dampening qualities, and you only need one layer.

supposedly cascade makes a fine product also, and it is much lighter.

i have a fosgate punch 360, powering two 10" fosgate XLC competitions in the back. the upgraded speakers are good for now, unless i get some weird influx of cash anytime soon. next mods are performance based besides a tint and the soundproofing of the doors and trunk. BC, uppipe, and end of summer coilovers.


dR

[PlatinumWRX]

I've been cruising around listening to cranked up CDs on my "upgraded speaker and sub" that I got as an option in my WRX and I've come to the conclusion that once you adjust the crossover and gain on the sub, they really aren't bad at all.

This isn't to say that my 6.5" MB Quart Components and 4" Coax are going to be featured in "For Sale/Wanted Forum" on clubwrx.net I've had these speakers since November and they are still in the boxes, but that's because I'm going to put sound insulation in the doors when I install my speakers and I want to allow plenty of time so I can do the job right!

I also have 5.25" Rockford Fosgate coaxs that I might try to shoehorn into the rear doors or put on the back deck. If I put them on the deck, I'll need atleast one new amp, though, so I'm hoping they'll fit in the doors. If they don't, 'Hello, 4" Quarts.'

-Jim

[MAGMORE]

Is the sub under tha passenger seat and are the controls easy to get to ?
what did you do turn up the gain and turn down the crossover frequency?
Just curious.
thanks

[GregFarz78]

Cheaper alternative to dynamat www.b-quiet.com I've used this stuff its just as good but a fraction of the price.

Plat let me know if ever change your mind and sell those speakers hehe And you dont need speakers in the rear deck thats wasted effort. Rear speakers should be for fill only you want a nice front sound stage and those quarts will do it, hopefully you got an amp for them though. Ditch those fosgates you dont need em.

[sneaker]

I took a rear door panel off yesterday to see what could go in there...Does anyone know if an adapter for the Subie clip that goes into the speaker is available, or do I have to cut the wires and put a clip on the ends? I just hate to mess with any of the stock stuff if I don't have to. Also does anyone know specifics on makes and models of speakers that will replace the factory junk?

Really, i am just looking for crisper, cleaner, not necessarily more powerful, sound.

thanks

[black99gt]

Just go buy yourself some Best Buy speakers. I bought the top of the line 6.5's and top of the line 6x9s for my GA... and an aftermarket head unit... sound is AWSOME!!!

Its been said that grand ams come stock with some of the BEST sound system money can buy. And the setup i have now blows away the stock setup


When i get the WRX i plan to transfer my speakers from the GA over to the WRX. The 4"s in the back have to go, i will custom fit 6x9s. And im also going to amp the speakers this time as well. My friend has his speakers amp'ed and DAMN!!! they sound AWSOME!



Bottom line:

Get better speakers, and an amp for like 100 bucks, and wire it up, you WONT be dissapointed

-John

[sneaker]

black99gt,

I don't want to start messing with "customizing".

What I want are decent speakers that will fit where the old ones were, with as little modification as possible.

sneaker

[dark_rex]

Its been said that grand ams come stock with some of the BEST sound system money can buy. And the setup i have now blows away the stock setup

give me a break! if the best buy speakers sounded better, what does that tell you? best soundsystem in a stock car for the money:

Monsoon in VW's
Bose in Acura and Audi

NOT the generic paper crap in a PONTIAC!!! lol at lease the head unit in the suby is panasonic. i'll take a brand name head unit ANY day over generic GM equipment.

dR


dR

[GregFarz78]

I have to agree with dR there even being a fellow grand am owner...stock sound system in any GM car sucks ass! My dads stock system in his expedition could've blew my stock system away. GM needs to stop using delco crap. They have monsoon in some GMs but I still think they suck too. Can I order my rex with no speakers or head unit? lol

Black 6x9's in the back Havent I taught you anything Oval speakers get the big thumbs down from me.

[labman]

Hi folks, me again!

OK. So I visit Crutchfield to order up some Infinity sound. I select the Infinity Kappa 60.2cs (mostly 'cuz they're on sale . . .). Their web-beast comes back saying "Bad . . . not recomended"
Those of you who have actually mounted aftermarket drivers: what fit, and what did you have to do to get it to happen? Maybe I'm a chicken, but I'm kinda reluctant to order $300+ worth of speakers, only to find that they ain't gonna fit. Sigh; what a wimp. Any specifics greatly appreciated. Oh BTW, for an '02 WRX wagon; front, back, sub.
Thanx muchly. ByeBye! S.

[sneaker]

labman,

you can search for speakers on Crutchfield using a search specific to your car. They only have one type of speaker avail for the wrx front doors, and they're outta stock. the rear has a few more options. I was hoping someone here knew more then Crutch did.

sneaker

[labman]

Hi Sneaker, all!

Yea, I tried that; I too was hoping to find a better selection at Crutchfield. I'm sure the Fosgate drivers are OK, but I'd rather spend the $$$ for Infinity or Alpine components.
Too darn windy here today to play outside; guess I'll pull the stockers out and take 'em down to Cartoys (who were trying to sell me some off-brand 5 1/4 speakers for too much money last weekend) and see if I can find a match. Make 'em EARN their keep ;-) Cartoys wanted me to leave my WRX and let THEM install the speakers. Riiight; and git yer dirty mitts offa my new toy buddy!
I'll pass on whatever I find; good, bad, or ugly.
One nice thing with the wagon; if everything else fails I can still "borrow" the Kickers from my PUT and strap 'em in the back . . . worked just fine in my old Soobie wagon.

ByeBye! S.