need new speaker recommendations

[johndough]

I'm looking to replace all of the speakers in my 1988 ranger extended cab. The two up in each corner of the dash, and the two that are behind the driver seat and passenger seat. I want top tier speakers that can get really loud without getting fuzzy. Any recommendations??

 

[dvdswan]

Are you running the stock radio or a high end aftermarket radio? If you're not running the high end radio, some good quality speaker would be just fine.

 

[johndough]

Are you running the stock radio or a high end aftermarket radio? If you're not running the high end radio, some good quality speaker would be just fine.

Right now I'm running some sony head unit that isn't blue tooth. I use an aux blue tooth receiver to play my music. What do you think about it?

 

[gaz]

@johndough,

I need to identify myself as an audio snob.

You need to divulge your:
1) budget
2) primary type/genre of music to be played
3) how loud or how clean you desire the music/sound.
With those 3 bits of info, your question can be more easily answered.

Though what you are describing as sounding fuzzy, leads me to believe that you were hearing an amplifyer clip, not necessarily a bad speaker.

Amplifiers make sine waves with both positive and negative power slopes. If an amplifier is driven at too high a level the tops and the bottoms of the sine waves get "clipped" off and when the speakers are forced to make that clipped sine wave audible, it is an undesirable and "fuzzy" sound.

Another way driver's can sound fuzzy is when a small driver that is designed to reproduce high frequency sounds is forced to reproduce low and super low frequencies or to a somewhat lesser extent, vice versa. There are solutions for all of these circumstances.

 

[rumblecloud]

Looking forward to this one...following.

 

[johndough]

@johndough,

I need to identify myself as an audio snob.

You need to divulge your:
1) budget
2) primary type/genre of music to be played
3) how loud or how clean you desire the music/sound.
With those 3 bits of info, your question can be more easily answered.

Though what you are describing as sounding fuzzy, leads me to believe that you were hearing an amplifyer clip, not necessarily a bad speaker.

Amplifiers make sine waves with both positive and negative power slopes. If an amplifier is driven at too high a level the tops and the bottoms of the sine waves get "clipped" off and when the speakers are forced to make that clipped sine wave audible, it is an undesirable and "fuzzy" sound.

Another way driver's can sound fuzzy is when a small driver that is designed to reproduce high frequency sounds is forced to reproduce low and super low frequencies or to a somewhat lesser extent, vice versa. There are solutions for all of these circumstances.

1. I don't really know what to set my budget, as I don't know much about audio (obviously). I would probably be willing to spend whatever and I would just get each piece you recommend either all at once or one piece at a time over a certain time period.
2. I literally listen to all types of music. Old country, rock,metal, hip hop, a pretty wide variety of genres.
3. I'd like it really loud, but also really clean. I know that's probably expensive but that's what I like

I feel I should also point this out, I am running 2 12" Memphis subs with a 600 watt memphis amp (in my 88 extended cab)

Looking forward to your response.

 

[09fx4guy]

From my experience, Pioneer speakers have served me quite well. They have different styles that work based on the power that you plan on pushing through them. If you get a 4 channel amp, you would probably be best to go with the A series speakers. If you just want to keep the sony head unit you have (I don't know what power output it has), Pioneer makes the G series speakers.

My 09 has the pioneer upgraded audio package that has a subwoofer in the center console. I removed the factory Ford speakers and installed 4 G series TS-G6820S in their place. Plug and play with adapters, for less than $80. The sound is pretty darn good for the price.

I am curious to see how you make out.

 

[gaz]

@johndough,

Those 3 questions have answers and they are critical to any recommendations.

Two Memphis 12's in a pickup, that is a system that I suspect will all ready rattle your license plate.

I would use a pair of separates, 6½ mid-bass in the doors with the tweeters in the dash speaker locations.

A good sounding system has to have balance, I use a simple 34%(R+L) to one (sub power) formula:
Sub amp power wrms/3= R+L power level or 150wrms/ch sub amp ÷ 3 = 50wrms/ch for the Right and Left (main) channels.

I am uncertain of the actual power of your Memphis amp but:
• if it's 150wrms/ch, then I would use a clean 2ch with 50-60wrms and an active crossover for the mid to sub, passive crossovers for the mid to tweet.
• if your Memphis is 300wrms, then I would step it up to either a 2x100 or a 4x50wrms that likes to be bridged and run it bridged at 100wrms to the separates.
• if you have 600wrms going to each 12", then 200wrms/ch to the separates.

You certainly can't go wrong with Memphis drivers but I would audition the speakers and select based on how the sound appeals to my ears. I would sample my 3 absolute favorite songs, since you have the bottom end wrapped up in Memphis.

For the power level of the mid bass, I chose a driver that can handle the power I'm giving it without overdriving it. If I'm using 50/ch to mains, then I need driver's rated at 50wrms, then dial those channels back a hair on the gain so they never distort. I would expect the sub-mid crossover point to be between 80 and 120hz, depending on the mid-bass driver selection and power level. I like the way a passive crossovers blends between the mid and tweets so I always go that way.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Sound be darned, do you want the dash ones to fit below the grilles?

That is going to be critical because most aftermarket speakers don't... and those that do won't be super awesome anyway.

 

[gaz]

@85_Ranger4x4 ,
I have only ever used just the tweeters from a set of separates in my dash, under the grills; they are only 1" diameter, so plenty of room to fit.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I know it is hard to find regular speakers that fit there nowadays

 

[Ozuye10]

Is it worth just swapping out the door speakers with some 6x8 pioneers? I’m doing sound deadening in my doors right now and was thinking about that while I’ve got it ripped apart.