My 99 Pontiac Grand Prix is all decked out in a new JVC KD G830
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9049_JVC+KD-G830.html
and now I need to pair it up with some new speakers.
I have factory 1" tweeters in the front along with 5 1/4" speakers. In the rear deck I have factory 6x9"s.
I plan on using the stereo's amp to power the 5 1/4"s, 1" Tweeters, and 6x9"s if possible.
I was looking at these Polk's for the rear 6x9"s
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Bmev1c8X9wZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=400&I=107DB690
and these Polk's for the front 5 1/4"s
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Bmev1c8X9wZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=400&I=107DB525
Any feedback on those Polk speakers would be great.
I am also wondering what to do about the 1" factory tweeters. My inital thought was to replace them, but now I am unsure. Are they already set up to perform correctly if I just replace them or do I need to think about filters and crossovers? I would rather not deal with the extra work but if it is unavoidable I guess buying a component set of speakers for the front would be the best way to go. Thoughts?
I plan on getting a sub+amp next.
Replies (7)
trunkisloud on 09/13/2007 19:32:54
these speakers look pretty efficient...but you may want to amp them after you add a sub so as not to drown out the mids n highs with bass...does this car have a factory amplifier??
wwatty on 09/13/2007 23:11:17
If it does have a factory amp I would not know where to find it. Would you assume it has an amp or even crossovers if it has a pair of 6x9's, a pair of 5 1/4"s and a pair of 1" tweeters or do the manufacturers build it into the factory installed stereo instead? Right now I am powering all the speakers from my JVC and I hoped to do the same with the replacement speakers. I want to avoid long installations if possible. If it isn't too hard and a place like crutchfield gives me good instructions I would not mind the extra work. I just hate installing stuff by trial and error.
swez on 09/14/2007 09:12:00
It really depends on how much sub power you add later. If you go much over 300 watts RMS for the sub, amping the mid/highs will probably be in the cards sooner or later.
If this car did not come with a Bose system from the factory, it's probably not amped now. There is a crossover for the stock front tweeters, but am not sure if it's on the tweeter or in a harness somewhere in the door. One thing you can be sure of, stock speakers are usually "bare bones" and very cheap.
This upgrade to Polks is a good step in the right direction. With the choices you have noted, a 50 watt RMS x 4 amp will be adequate power as the front 5.25'' speakers are rated at 45 watts RMS.
Crutchfield does give very good install details on products they sell and are tailored to your specific vehicle. They are not the cheapest guys in town, but the warranty and extra stuff they throw in are worth the extra cost to inexperienced hands. The rest of the details can be provided right here.
Swez
wwatty on 09/14/2007 16:20:16
So now I am thinking maybe it will be a better choice to purchase a component set for the front so I can replace the 5 1/4"s along with the tweeters all at one time even if it takes some extra work to install crossovers. I will get a better deal and it won't require me to take the doors apart all over again if I get it done all in one shot. For some reason Crutchfields car advisor says I will need to drill custom mounting holes for the tweeters on any component or even individual tweeters that I choose. Seems weird considering they are the same size.
Anyway maybe I will install these in the front
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-n51GqLKj5ej/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=410&I=107DB5250
swez on 09/14/2007 16:43:02
Agreed! I was going to recommend that one as an option and a slightly larger power amp to run them and the 6x9's noted earlier.
As for mounting this tweeter in the OEM location, a little fabrication may be needed on your part to make them fit well and look factory too. When mounting the woofer in the stock location, you may have to fabricate a custom baffle panel to get best result.
FYI: Crutch tends to recommend and offer pre-fab plates they often include with the products they ship. It's almost as if they have a script of computer generated options and cannot offer advice that deviates from this script. Have talked to a few of them in the past and although well trained for their jobs, they seem unable to think outside the box. (Or not allowed to)
As for the crossovers, some careful planning will allow them to be mounted in the doors too. This saves time and wire as well. Some guys prefer to install the crossovers near the amp(s) and run extra wiring.
This 2nd option means you'll be pulling 4 pairs of wire, (2 pr. FR & 2 pr. FL) That may be easy on the passenger side. But on the driver's door, there are more wires in the door conduit already and this could prove very challenging. (Driver's side conduit has a lot more factory wires in there already... PWindows, PLocks, PSeat and PMirrors)
That's why mounting crossovers in the door panels are so much easier.
Swez
wwatty on 09/14/2007 17:17:55
I am a little confused. Will purchasing the component system above require an amp or is it possible to run it from the HU?
Initially I would like to be able to just replace the six speakers in my car without having to purchase and wire an amp if possible. Then later I will purchase a sub and an amp for it. I will probably have someone else install that due to the requirement of running wire from the battery, power concerns, etc, etc. I have done the wiring myself in the past (6 years ago) but I really lack the time to do much of this type of work anymore and would rather pay a little money to have someone else do it without forcing myself to re-learn it all over again and struggle through the installation.
You guys are a great help, but its different asking for help on a message board ahead of time vs installing something in real time. If I got stuck I can't just wait for someone to reply to a question I post. I have to go to work in the morning with wires hanging from the car and no door panels. :)
swez on 09/14/2007 18:44:15
Point well taken...
Yes, the Comps and rear speakers will work off the HU amps. They just lack the power to get the most from them is all. Most guys like the sound of better quality speakers initially, but when amped and set up properly, the difference is like night and day. (Midbass performance especially) Adding a sub to the mix, is another big leap as well. It can be done in stages or all at one time, but the skills, time and experience levels to get there are more advanced than some have available.
Hehe, we are not realtime answer guys here, but few experience a lag in information of more than 8 hours. During the week, many of us are online after work. On the weekends, that's a horse of another color. See your point though. Sometimes, it makes sense to pass it to a Pro and let them do the details.
Swez
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9049_JVC+KD-G830.html
and now I need to pair it up with some new speakers.
I have factory 1" tweeters in the front along with 5 1/4" speakers. In the rear deck I have factory 6x9"s.
I plan on using the stereo's amp to power the 5 1/4"s, 1" Tweeters, and 6x9"s if possible.
I was looking at these Polk's for the rear 6x9"s
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Bmev1c8X9wZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=400&I=107DB690
and these Polk's for the front 5 1/4"s
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Bmev1c8X9wZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=400&I=107DB525
Any feedback on those Polk speakers would be great.
I am also wondering what to do about the 1" factory tweeters. My inital thought was to replace them, but now I am unsure. Are they already set up to perform correctly if I just replace them or do I need to think about filters and crossovers? I would rather not deal with the extra work but if it is unavoidable I guess buying a component set of speakers for the front would be the best way to go. Thoughts?
I plan on getting a sub+amp next.
Replies (7)
trunkisloud on 09/13/2007 19:32:54
these speakers look pretty efficient...but you may want to amp them after you add a sub so as not to drown out the mids n highs with bass...does this car have a factory amplifier??
wwatty on 09/13/2007 23:11:17
If it does have a factory amp I would not know where to find it. Would you assume it has an amp or even crossovers if it has a pair of 6x9's, a pair of 5 1/4"s and a pair of 1" tweeters or do the manufacturers build it into the factory installed stereo instead? Right now I am powering all the speakers from my JVC and I hoped to do the same with the replacement speakers. I want to avoid long installations if possible. If it isn't too hard and a place like crutchfield gives me good instructions I would not mind the extra work. I just hate installing stuff by trial and error.
swez on 09/14/2007 09:12:00
It really depends on how much sub power you add later. If you go much over 300 watts RMS for the sub, amping the mid/highs will probably be in the cards sooner or later.
If this car did not come with a Bose system from the factory, it's probably not amped now. There is a crossover for the stock front tweeters, but am not sure if it's on the tweeter or in a harness somewhere in the door. One thing you can be sure of, stock speakers are usually "bare bones" and very cheap.
This upgrade to Polks is a good step in the right direction. With the choices you have noted, a 50 watt RMS x 4 amp will be adequate power as the front 5.25'' speakers are rated at 45 watts RMS.
Crutchfield does give very good install details on products they sell and are tailored to your specific vehicle. They are not the cheapest guys in town, but the warranty and extra stuff they throw in are worth the extra cost to inexperienced hands. The rest of the details can be provided right here.
Swez
wwatty on 09/14/2007 16:20:16
So now I am thinking maybe it will be a better choice to purchase a component set for the front so I can replace the 5 1/4"s along with the tweeters all at one time even if it takes some extra work to install crossovers. I will get a better deal and it won't require me to take the doors apart all over again if I get it done all in one shot. For some reason Crutchfields car advisor says I will need to drill custom mounting holes for the tweeters on any component or even individual tweeters that I choose. Seems weird considering they are the same size.
Anyway maybe I will install these in the front
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-n51GqLKj5ej/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=410&I=107DB5250
swez on 09/14/2007 16:43:02
Agreed! I was going to recommend that one as an option and a slightly larger power amp to run them and the 6x9's noted earlier.
As for mounting this tweeter in the OEM location, a little fabrication may be needed on your part to make them fit well and look factory too. When mounting the woofer in the stock location, you may have to fabricate a custom baffle panel to get best result.
FYI: Crutch tends to recommend and offer pre-fab plates they often include with the products they ship. It's almost as if they have a script of computer generated options and cannot offer advice that deviates from this script. Have talked to a few of them in the past and although well trained for their jobs, they seem unable to think outside the box. (Or not allowed to)
As for the crossovers, some careful planning will allow them to be mounted in the doors too. This saves time and wire as well. Some guys prefer to install the crossovers near the amp(s) and run extra wiring.
This 2nd option means you'll be pulling 4 pairs of wire, (2 pr. FR & 2 pr. FL) That may be easy on the passenger side. But on the driver's door, there are more wires in the door conduit already and this could prove very challenging. (Driver's side conduit has a lot more factory wires in there already... PWindows, PLocks, PSeat and PMirrors)
That's why mounting crossovers in the door panels are so much easier.
Swez
wwatty on 09/14/2007 17:17:55
I am a little confused. Will purchasing the component system above require an amp or is it possible to run it from the HU?
Initially I would like to be able to just replace the six speakers in my car without having to purchase and wire an amp if possible. Then later I will purchase a sub and an amp for it. I will probably have someone else install that due to the requirement of running wire from the battery, power concerns, etc, etc. I have done the wiring myself in the past (6 years ago) but I really lack the time to do much of this type of work anymore and would rather pay a little money to have someone else do it without forcing myself to re-learn it all over again and struggle through the installation.
You guys are a great help, but its different asking for help on a message board ahead of time vs installing something in real time. If I got stuck I can't just wait for someone to reply to a question I post. I have to go to work in the morning with wires hanging from the car and no door panels. :)
swez on 09/14/2007 18:44:15
Point well taken...
Yes, the Comps and rear speakers will work off the HU amps. They just lack the power to get the most from them is all. Most guys like the sound of better quality speakers initially, but when amped and set up properly, the difference is like night and day. (Midbass performance especially) Adding a sub to the mix, is another big leap as well. It can be done in stages or all at one time, but the skills, time and experience levels to get there are more advanced than some have available.
Hehe, we are not realtime answer guys here, but few experience a lag in information of more than 8 hours. During the week, many of us are online after work. On the weekends, that's a horse of another color. See your point though. Sometimes, it makes sense to pass it to a Pro and let them do the details.
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
