Choosing splits

[donnie86]

I am trying to choose splits for my vt but don't know what to get. Im looking to spend $100-$200 and get stock prices from jb. I have heard most of them but on different decks and poorly set up sound walls and cant decide.
I listen to rock loud and want decent sound and am getting 6x9's for the parcel shelf to go with them.
I would like to know what others would choose or have got.
Any input would be good.

Here is a link to the splits i get cheap
Car Sound Speakers

[Joe Bellissimo]

You listen to rock music loudly? Then they're all rubbish.

The only speaker that would be truly satisfying from JB is the JL ZR. That said I think there are better speakers out there for the price but if your getting cost at JB then it might be worth your while.

Sorry if I'm suggesting a speaker out of your budget but I'm using $560 speakers and I'm STILL not satisfied with listening to rock music loudly on them.

[holdenboy]

Out of the ones from JB, the JL Audio VR splits are the best, followed by the Alpine Type S's. One other thing to consider is a dedicated amplifier to power them. If you were planning on powering them off the head-unit you definately wont be getting the full potential from the splits.

So yeah, look at the JL VRs or Alpine Type S's, run them off a decent amplifier (80-150wrms minimum each) and make sure they're installed properly.....that should give you a fair amount of volume and clarity.

Its hard to say whether it'll be loud enough for you, as what is loud to me might not be loud to you etc etc.

[Philthy]

I used to run Type-s coaxials front and rear off the headunit and (in my opinion) they are pretty good for rock-ish music, so the splits would be even better.
I would have thought the MB quarts on that page would be alright as well, but I'm not sure I've heard those ones.

[donnie86]

The JL's are too much for me at the moment so im thinking the alpine type s as they sounded the best to me. Im also considering the 6.5" Precision Response Kevlar splits from jaycar, has anyone heard these?

How much do i need to spend on an amp? Are the cheaper brands ok or should i go all out first time around?

[holdenboy]

The Alpine Type S is probably better than the Response Kevlars, i used them for over 3 years and was dissapointed with the amount of midbass they had, even after sound deadening and sealing the door service holes. The tweeter is also a little bright and can take some fine tuning to get sounding right.

As far as the amp goes any DECENT brand with 80-150wrms per channel should be fine, mainstream brands like Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion, Pioneer etc will have a model or two each within that power range.
Price wise maybe $150-$250.
Ideally you want to buy the best amplifier you can afford, it saves you upgrading amps in the future and wasting money.

[donnie86]

Is it worth just getting better splits and not getting 6x9's and just having 6" door speakers (already have kenwood's) as im not worried about passengers. Will i notice that there is no sound coming from behind me?
Also how necessary is the amp? Will i just notice the lack of power all the time or just when its very loud? Any precautions about buying second hand?
I was only meant to buy a deck but its quickly turning into a full system. Not that im complaining, i just have to stop wasting money on frivolous things like food and rent.

Sorry for all the questions but im a student so this is a major purchase for me.

[HCVP]

Is it worth just getting better splits and not getting 6x9's and just having 6" door speakers (already have kenwoods) as im not worried about passengers. Will i notice that there is no sound coming from behind me?

Sorry for all the questions but im a student so this is a major purchase for me.

This gets explained to people a lot, who are new to the car audio scene. Your front speakers, are the basically most important component. Rear speakers are really only used to fill any missing part of the soundstage which would otherwise be unpresent. Forget your rear speakers, and spend the very most you can, on your front speakers.Just think if you were listening to a sound source, TV, radio, ect, think about how it would sound if you were facing the source, and were then to turn and face your back to it. This is the "soundstage" in your car. Also, (and i was one of these people when i first became interested in car audio) people seem to think 6x9's are for some reason, a nessacary part of any decent car audio system. The truth however, is far from that. 6x9's are capable of producing more bass, than your typical split system, of coaxial speaker, but if you plan on adding a sub at any point through out the build up, then there is absolutely no need to have them at all. Particualary if you will be running your speakers through a HPF..

[holdenboy]

Yes....finally someone is taking in the craploads of very useful information on here

Youre correct, spend the money on the front speakers......theyre the ones youre going to be listening to.

Buy a good set of splits (like the Type S) and get an equally good amplifier to power them, then get a 8awg 2ch. amplifier wiring kit. Follow some of the advice given on here about installing amplifiers and you'll have it done it no time (well, a few hours anyway).

Have any troubles, post back here and someone will help you out

[donnie86]

hpf??

I am just wondering if i will get enough bass from the splits. Will 6x9's make much difference? I have read that road noise will cancel most of the bass out when using 6x9's. I don't want excessive bass, just enough so the music doesn't suffer.

I just found my old power acoustic 80w rms x 2 amp. Are power acoustic amps good? Do amps fade over time?

[acarmody]

HPF = High Pass Filter, basically you 'filter' out all frequencies below that number. I have mine set at 80hz, so my door speakers do not play below 80hz, thats what my subs are for.

No you probably won't get enough bass from a set of splits running at 60wrms. Depends on what you count as 'enough bass'. You want mirrors vibrating off the car then it ain't gonna happen.

As for your amp, I don't know anything about that brand, but hey, if it still works then I can't see a problem.

[CommVTS]

ive got type s splits running off a kenwood amp and absolutely love em.
dont put out much bass which is why i run mine with a type r sub.

[donnie86]

My amp isnt powerful enough to power the whole system so i will probably bridge my 4 channel amp to the splits and run 6x9 off the deck. Good idea or bad idea? Is there any way to bridge the deck to a 2 channel?

[HCVP]

You've gone waaay of track again. What;s the point in fitting your largest, most powerful speakers, the furthest distance away from you, and then not amplifying them? and no, you can't bridge your head unit's channels, they are not built for that.

[VZ-Rob]

The ... Response Kevlars, i used them for over 3 years and was dissapointed with the amount of midbass they had, even after sound deadening and sealing the door service holes. The tweeter is also a little bright and can take some fine tuning to get sounding right....

donnie86 this is my main setup the Response Kevlars + tweets in the doors set at -3Db gain
Also Orion tweets in dash set at 0Db gain ,The extra Orion 6 1/2 mid in pillar behind seat at floor level
powered off 2x100w Orion amp ,
Also a 12" Orion 500w sub down back powered by Orion 300w amp
Rock n' Roll Mmmmm