Upgrading speakers its all in the ears

When it comes to choosing speakers, let your ears do the choosing.

I purchased a Kenwood DBX592BT head unit from Crutchfield. It was nice having their Tech support to call when I needed it. When it came time for speakers I called them. For my budget they recommended Infinity Primus component system. There were a lot of positive reviews for these speakers. I was told some minor wiring work would be needed. That was not even close to reality.

So Google, and I spent many hours together. The more I learned, the more confused I got, with all the different opinions about which were the best speakers, where the dash speakers should point for perfect staging, and on, and on. I called my Crutchfield specialist, who admitted, he had given me the wrong advise, and instead of a dash tweeter, it would be easier to put in 2 way dash, and 2 way door speakers He would email me with his new recommendations. Fortunately the email never came.

I decided instead of talking to someone in a cubicle, to talk with people who work directly with car stereos. Some of the places I checked out were frighting, with all the $500. and up speakers, and giant woofers. That changed with a company that has been around over 25 years, San Diego Car Stereo. Shaun, who has been in the stereo business for 18 yrs showed me some speakers in my $120 budget. He said (and I am really condensing this) “not to change the dash tweeters, that they were not that big a deal in the system. Let the tweeters do their job, as inferior as they are. I am better off spending my money on 2 way door speakers. He had me bring in music I listened to, then I closed my eyes. As the samples of my music played, he switched between different brand speakers. I was able to hear exactly the sound I wanted. It was that simple. Another interesting thing. I asked about wire adapters for the car wiring harness. He said “because they are so cheaply made he does not use them. He solders the wires, or in my case I could use connectors with piglets to connect the speakers”.

How does it sound? When replacing speakers the weigh about 3 oz, anything sounds better. The most important, thing for me, the speakers not only have better sound, but have the exact sound I was looking for, within my budget. Something no amount of research, or reading reviews, and talking to someone in a cubicle would have ever accomplished. Plus a much easier instillation.

Speakers: Infinity Reference REF-6522ix

Doors: Noico 80 mil sound deadening mat – 3 15x22” sheets /door, double layers behind speakers

 

You are so right, that is why I wrote about my experience, hoping others would see what can be lost by only reading reviews, or recommendations from someone in a cubicle.

Speaker update: After adjusting the Kenwood audio controls the sound from the speakers is exceptional. To my ears, listening to my music. Your experience maybe different

I am now going to get on my soap box.

The small local specialty stores run by people who have a passion for what they sell are dying out. The manufactures are deserting them for the companies that push more product. They can be stuck with stock that the manufacture is now retailing for less than they bought it for. If I had installed the Infinity component set from Crutchfield, I would have noticed a big difference in the sound, but I would have been thinking, if I had only spent more money I could have the sound I really enjoy listening to. Then, spent the extra money, as recommended by the specialist in a cubicle. When, for the same money as the component speakers I did get the sound I wanted. Each set of speakers I listened to, the Alpine 610s, JL C2650x and the Infinity REF-6522ix all sounded different listening to the same music. How else would I have truly known that, without first listening to them. In the long run even though I paid more, going through the small local car stereo store, I saved money by not having to purchase more expensive speakers, that still might not have given me the sound I wanted. We as consumers, must be prepared to pay a little more for the knowledge they have. Whether it be stereos, or suspension kits, etc. For when these small places run by passionate, knowledgeable people are gone, they will be gone forever. We, the consumer will be the real looser.