Kyle T
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Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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I got some cheap-ass Pioneer coaxials to replace the OEM Subaru ones when I got the car, and as a good demonstration of "buy cheap, buy twice" I need to upgrade again.
Looking to go for components this time, 6.5" seems to have the most choice for my money and will just about fit into my doorcards with an adapter.
I'm thinking of a budget of about £100, for no apparent reason - just an arbitrary target. If there's an uber set for a bit more money, I'll stretch for it.
I'll be powering these (at least for now) without an amp, directly from my Alpine W530BT Headunit. There's always scope for an amp further down the line, so some speakers which will be fine on the HU but capable with an amp too would be nice.
I read some recommendations for "Focal" branded speakers, but I've never heard them in action myself. With that recommendation in mind, I guess the following is a good starting point:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/focal-access-165-a1.html
Any suggestions? I'll be hoping to demo at least some speakers in a shop - lesson learned from my home audio purchases, but a short list would be nice!
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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Simon_16v
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Registered: 14th Aug 06
Location: Yorkshire
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If you are going components it would be daft not to have an amp or they will pretty much have the same quality as the Pioneer ones IMO
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Kyle T
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Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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I read something (trying to find it again) which suggested the internal amp in my headunit was pretty capable, so I at least wanted to try it first without an external one. The speakers wouldn't be wasted, if I'm not happy with the improvement then it'll be amp to support them - but my current pioneers were £35 which included £15 worth of adaptor, so I'm pretty sure they're not a fair representation of my head unit 
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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WukaChop
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Registered: 9th Apr 13
Location: Birmingham
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I wouldn't worry about the expense for an amp so much, if that's even the reason you're reluctant. I've seen decent ones for £30 in Crack Converters.
As you said above, my friend had some Focal speakers, they were pretty nice, but the bass was a bit too much in my opinion, could have been the way he had his stereo set up though.
[Edited on 31-05-2013 by WukaChop]
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JonnyJ
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Registered: 23rd Sep 05
Location: Scotchland
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Ive had Focal speakers in all my cars. Cant fault them at all.
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Kyle T
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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Cheers guys. I'm not too upset about spending out on an amp, just the extra wiring I CBA with atm
I just wanted to give my head unit a chance before amping. If components won't run well without an amp then so be it!
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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Chris F
Show Staff
Organiser: East Anglia
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Registered: 26th Dec 05
Location: Newmarket Drives: Escort Van 1.8
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I had Infinity Comps in my first car, loved them
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AlexW
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Registered: 25th Oct 08
Location: Essex
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I have Kenwood componets in my clio, running off the headunit, Sounds perfectly fine, I don't run a lot of low down bass through them since I have a sub.
When I was looking into components, I did lots of research and came to a dead end, and bought whatever the place had in stock in the end, since all the options, had similar reviews and spec.
I had a similar budget to you, although got mine for trade price, since I'm in the trade.
[Edited on 01-06-2013 by AlexW]
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Kyle T
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Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by AlexW
When I was looking into components, I did lots of research and came to a dead end, and bought whatever the place had in stock in the end, since all the options, had similar reviews and spec.
I think that's just the nature of audio products in general, everybody has a different opinion about what sounds good! With that in mind, I think I'll just grab the Focals which match my budget and take it from there. If they're still lacking the depth I'm looking for then an amp will be up next.
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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Kyle T
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Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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On the topic of amplifiers, would I just use a 2 channel amp to connect to the crossover units for the components, or can a four channel amp be used to directly power the two tweeters and two drivers?
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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Oli_p
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Registered: 4th Jan 08
Location: Staffordshire
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I've got a set of spl dynamics comps in mine, highly rated by a lot of people on talkaudio as one of best budget sets, have mine amped and too honest they sound pretty sweet, don't distort if played loudly either
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Toby
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Registered: 29th Nov 05
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Theres no point spending £100 on a set f speaks to run them about 60-70% of their optimum. If you amped the existing speakers they would probably provide better results than the new focal speakers running of the HU.
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Toby
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Registered: 29th Nov 05
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quote:
Originally posted by Oli_p
have mine amped and too honest they sound pretty sweet, don't distort if played loudly either
Thats why, because they are amp'ed. Speakers distort from a lack of power to them.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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And also because they are bad speakers.
Some headunits are perfectly capable on their own.
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BenC1985
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Registered: 5th May 12
Location: Northants
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My alpine speakers in my front doors sound fine off my alpine headunit. But they would sound better amp'd. Ive had big systems in the past and would love another but its alot of money and hassle.
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Kyle T
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by John
Some headunits are perfectly capable on their own.
This is what I'm trying to find out, my in car audio standards aren't particularly high mainly as no amount of money will match the setup I've got in the house anyway
I'll grab some comps, see if they're an improvement over my current coax ones which I can't stress enough were extremely cheap. If not, I'll add an amp!
Already picked a few amps out though, so I may have already set things in motion 
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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Wrighty
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Registered: 28th Feb 04
Location: Howden
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In every car iv done a stereo system in iv always used Alpine components. Seems 100 bucks will still get you a nice set too
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