Speakers.... some questions...

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ok, so it's been a couple years since I was really up to date on car audio...

I need to replace the speakers in one of my trucks now. I'm not looking for killer performance (it's my work truck and I just don't have the room to sacrifice for a killer system), but it needs to sound good and last awhile without being ridiculous expensive. And I have no idea what brands/models are good and what are not anymore aside from a few of the major players (Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, Pioneer, Sony).

I also need to find where I can buy them for a reasonable price since I refuse to buy anything from Best Try (they've ripped me off in the past) and the local car audio shop is a total ripoff (prices are ridiculously high because they've been able to get away with it).

I will NOT consider Sony speakers. Pretty much anything else is fair game. I need some 6.5" speakers for the doors and 6x8 or 6x9 for the back. (Factory is 6x8 but I'm thinking I might be able to squeeze 6x9 in there without much cutting, depending on what deal I get).

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

are you planning on adding an amp to power these new speakers or are you just looking to run them off of the factory or aftermarket HU power?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

They will be powered off an aftermarket HU (one as-yet to be determined... debating on stealing the one out of my 88 - Pioneer DEH-3500, or getting a new one that will handle MP3 files). But I wouldn't rule out the thoughts of running an amp at some point...

I need to pick out some marine grade speakers for in my choptop too, regular speakers do not handle getting wet very well, lol.

 

[James86]

Im running a Pioneer DEH P5100UB head unit and Pioneer 6x8's in the doors and 6x9's in the back. I didnt want subs taking over the back of my extended cab but I do like quality of sound so I got the DEH 5100UB because having a 7 band EQ matters more to me than bluetooth. The 6x8's sound pretty good and Walmart carries them, but they're generally a little pricey in general since theyre considered "custom" (so it says on the box) since Ford/Mazda is the only car maker that uses that size. I did cram some 6x9's behind the trim in the back but they were a PITA and I have those running off a cheap 200w 2channel tucked behind a jumpseat and it sounds pretty good. I used to like subs but it defeats the purpose of jumpseats if you just fill the back with subs and I haul multiple people fairly regularly. I got all the speakers and the amp from Walmart but you could just as well run without the amp for the rears I suppose. i had the amp lying around for a while so thats about the only reason I'm using it. The head unit I got from best buy, but we had a sh*tload of rewardzone points so it was about $70 off and I wanted to have a 7 band EQ which is nice when youre acoustic environment is a plastic box. Of course, I installed it al myself, but I am happy overall.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I thought about getting a really good HU, but I don't think I'm gonna bother, it's a work truck after all. My Ranger has a nice system in it, but I also spent a lot of money getting it that way (I have over a grand into the HU and amp alone). Not sure I want to drop that sort of coin on my work truck that half the time doesn't have the radio turned on anyway. I'm finding it hard to live with not having a radio at all though and I want something that will be decent. Right now I'm considering getting a DEH-2200UB for it. Was looking at the higher end models but I'm either not happy with the features or it's more than I really want to spend on a work truck that will likely be subject to some level of abuse.

NONE of the local Wal-marts have anything in stock as far as speakers right now, and haven't for awhile. I tried looking on Walmart.com and IIRC they only listed a 6.5" Pioneer 4-way. I don't want a 4-way and I'm not sure I want a component. I'd be happy with a 2 or 3 way.

I have been looking at Rockford Fosgate speakers because I trust their quality (I have yet to be dissatisfied with anything I've bought from them), but the price is leaving me hesitant to drop the hammer. (I'd be getting something out of the PUNCH line most likely).

 

[James86]

I will say this though..... if you have a lot of MP3's I highly recommend getting somthign with a USB port in front so you can use a jumpdrive. Cheaper in the long run than burning tons of cd's and handy to use too.my friend got the 3100 after seeing my 5100 and he's happy with it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I don't have tons of MP3's but yea, the DEH-2200UB says it has a front usb port. That's a feature I like, I got a cheap HU for my choptop that plays USB or SD cards, no skipping.

 

[Schwinnstingray1964]

Fusion.

Google em.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ok, too late, I got tired of waiting, lol.

Got rained out at work an spent the afternoon with a fellow car audio fanatic. We poked around locally a bit looking for stuff and came back empty handed. After a quick conference on things, a decision was reached....

So...

A Pioneer DEH-2200UB is on the way along with a pair of RF Punch 6.5" and a pair of RF Punch 6x8's

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Everything is here! Got the speakers in but Crutchfield fawked up on the wiring harness.... they sent me one for a premium sound truck instead of a regular. I called them an they're sending out the correct harness, no charge, but now I have to wait to get the new HU in (unless I go buy a harness). Can't wait to test this thing out!!

On the down side of things, I ran new speaker wire and in the process discovered a pile of what looked like sandy soil under my floor mat. When I tried to clean it up I discovered a hole in the floor.... frickin PA rust.... ate a hole in my floor.... a big one. *sigh*