Focus Fanatics Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

6.5" recommendations and requirements?

Jump to Latest
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
A

A40DayFlud

· Registered
Joined
·
95 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Now I got the new HU, it is time for me to start thinking of upgrading the speakers. I can't shell out all the money up front so I am going to move front to back. I did the head unit now I am moving to the front doors. Then the back, and then I think I want to add some subwoofers to the trunk. I think I want to put 6.5's in the front doors.

1. I've heard Bostons, Focals, Hertzs. What brands and models are the best bang for the $$$'s?
2. What kind of adapters do I need to add 6.5's in the doors?
3. Should I put 6.5's in the back doors, too?
4. Do I need an amp to run 6.5's in the front doors or is that something to add later when I add all the speakers I want?
5. What else do you guys think I need?
 
#2 ·
not sure what kind of adapter you need but there are also alpine, and Pioneer door speakers i have 6x8 pioneer 3 ways and they bump. and for the back if they make and adapter 6.5 speakers will sound good. As for subs you can go with rockford fosgate p3 those are one of the best on market and they are a great price there is also kicker l7 and the jl w3, w6, and w7.
 
#3 ·
#4 ·
If you want quality speakers that also sound great then you should spend a little more and get the Boston's SL80s or Focal's. I have speakers made by both companies and they are worth the extra expense. I bought the Focal 570CA1 5x7 for the front doors (from SonicElectronix $149 + shipping)and for the bass the Boston Acoustic G212PS 12" loaded sub box (purchased locally for $269).
 
#5 ·
I just bought some Power acoustik 6.5 components. http://www.poweracoustik.com/pa2006/product_AUDIO_COMP_xp2k.htm
I am going to be installing them this weekend if all goes right. They are very low priced at 45.00 for the set and after looking at them they look very well built. So far I am impressed with the quality I can see on the outside. I also bought the 5x7 to 6.5 door adapters and XTC baffles. Finding where to mount the crossover will be the interesting part since they are pretty hefty in this set. Ill let you know what I think of the sound quality when I am finished.
 
#6 ·
Once that you have your sub in, you may choose to amplify the fronts if your current HU does not satisfy your tastes. Additionally you may wish to crossover your fronts to serve only mids and highs. Most amplifiers have this capability built in with continuously variable crossovers.
As for adapters, 6x8's are extremely simple to install, no adapters, and all quality brands sound good. Others can attest to the varying degrees of excellence among brands. I am pushing 60w/ch RMS into a pair of Kicker 6x8 coaxials with an additional 60w/ch into tweeters. This mid and high setup compliments a simple pair of 10" subs nicely.
Others will chime in to confirm that you should simply forget the back doors and concentrate on the front sound stage and a solid sub setup.
 
#7 ·
You have some choices. Either you can stick with a stock 5x7/6x8 size, or go with a 6.5'' setup. If you choose to go the 6.5'' route, I would definitely recommend doing a component setup (separate tweeter to mount along with the woofer in the door).

That said, the Focal's and Boston's are some of the better 5x7/6x8's I've heard. I've got Infinity Kappa's in mine (couple years old...haven't really heard the newer ones, so I can't really comment on them). I'll be upgrading to components soon.

If you go with a component set, you have a LOT of options. Focal is still a good option, but can be pricey. CDT Audio makes some great speakers for the price--something like the CL62 would do nicely up front. However, if you do components, I would amplify them separately from the head unit. The 16w (or so) that the head unit will give your speakers just wouldn't be enough. Look for something that is 50w RMS per channel (four channel amp if you want to amp the rears too, or you could bridge the four channels into two to give the fronts plenty of power).

However, I'm getting ahead of myself. What sort of a budget do you have for the speakers/speakers and amp?
 
#9 ·
my plan is elemental designs components in all 4 areas (doors and sides) i also have a massive rockford fosgate amp i'm putting in and a lovely mbquart 15" sub.
 
#10 ·
Well here is my .02$ and well its going to cost way more than .02$ to do but I have had the speakers installed in one foci as a test and now its time to do mine. But with a little tweak.
-----
Fronts and Rears will be:
JL ZR570-CSi
Option 1 will be to swap the rears for the:
JL ZR650-CSi
-----
Hatch, with mirrored boxes (close to the stock sub but, one on both sides of the trunk)
2, JL 13TW5
Option 2 will be to add 2 more 13TW5's under the front seats if the audio gods allow me.
-----
Option 3 will be to do Optoin 1 & 2, but add an extra set of JL ZR570-CSi's to the kick panel. (im kid of against this idea because its tacky, and non refined stock looking)
-----
So far with no options Im looking at just short of 3G for all speakers to my door. 4G if i include the extra set of 13TW5's, and 4.5 to 5 with Option 3.
I expect to spend just about the same with matching JL amps. Why JL? Because I have yet to have bad time with them and im a MATCHING FREAK! I hate miss match stuff. The head unit can be what ever but all the rest has to work as a system. (im retarded I know)
The tweets for the front are being mounted in the electric mirror adjustment place on the driver side and a Manual Mirror shroud will be bought for the passenger side for its tweet. (the mirror adjust will be moved from stock spot to the door window switch since only half of its used im going to fab it into the mirror switch panel. =)~ )
The Rear Tweets will be monted next to the speakers under the plastic panel and the "fake holes" in the plastic will be real ones over the tweeter space. another fun mod.
The 2 subs in the trunk are being mounted in a custom fiberglass box i have been making one for each side. Yes it can be done. It will look like the normal sub that Ford makes but it will require more space thus making the box go from the rear all the way to the back of the seats. But not to take up more floor space than stock box does. CCFL's are also part of the box build, since you cant see back there with the crudy little lamp.
All the amps, cap, and the Xover network will be in a false floor in the hatch, with a plexi cover for night time fun and retaining a full carpet cover for the stealthy day time. I got to get groceries some how!

Thats just my .02$
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#12 ·
Pkmgarf said:
You have some choices. Either you can stick with a stock 5x7/6x8 size, or go with a 6.5'' setup. If you choose to go the 6.5'' route, I would definitely recommend doing a component setup (separate tweeter to mount along with the woofer in the door).

If you go with a component set, you have a LOT of options. Focal is still a good option, but can be pricey. \
Click to expand...
I agree if you want the better sound quality go with components. I have MB Quart components and I LOVE THEM!!! I have 55 rms going to them and they get loud, and never sound bad.

I went with a 5.25" component set because you can make a plate that lets you mount the woofer and tweeter in the stock speaker hole. Then I just put my cross over where the crash pad in the door is.

Here is a picture (even though its a crappy cell pic.)
Image
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
About this Discussion
11 Replies
11 Participants
Last post:
FocusontheZX
Focus Fanatics Forum
posts
5.8M
members
203K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to Ford Focus owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about SVT performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Technical Chat Ford Focus Builds & General Showroom MK3 Focus SVT Performance (2002-2004) MK1 Focus