tweeters : JBL GTO 15T 1" dome tweeters
rear doors : CDT CL-6X (Slim Coaxial)

front doors : ????

help me! What's a good component speaker to go w/ the JBL to put up front that offers lots of full midrange and hardly any "thump" at all.

- Mike

Mike,

I feel like I'm missing something here. Why did you choose the JBL tweeters? Have you heard them and like them? If you've heard them in a particular application that really works for you, find out what mid was paired up with them. If you're just going for the JBL name/reputation, then why not go for some JBL components to get mids that are matched to the tweeters? Crutchfield sells them. Sounddomain.com has them for about 30% off Crutchfield's price. I do know that some folks that really know car audio mix & match mids and tweeters but they're very, very specific about their wants and have very solid reasons for their choices. I'm not questioning the validity of your choice on the JBL's, just wondering how you got to where you're at.

Steve

Me personally - I'm not a fan of JBL. Based on listening, I classify them as kind of a middle-of-the-road OK factory speaker replacement but nothing that stands out as far as I could tell. They do have a rep for the classic rocker types but I don't know how much of that is just marketing.

I'm currently a fan of Focal and CDT as many of you know but my speaker tastes tend to change as manufacturers tend to eventually be victims of thier own success and start comprimising quality as they maximize profits. I've seen it happen again and again.

Keep a close eye on Eclipse this year - they've always done a good job with head units and very successfully revamped thier subwoofer line a few years ago. This year the news is that they are revamping thier coax and component speaker line.

Also, JL Audio already has a very good speaker line and is continuing to refine it. If they can smooth out the tweeter section a bit their line will stand out really well.

Finally, I've heard alot of people are having quality problems with PPI (Precision Power Inc) speakers. It seems PPI has outsourced the manufacture of these speakers to an unreliable company and the surrounds are separating from the cones quite frequently.

Best,
eMass

I had Oz Matrix components installed in the front, Oz (forget the model) coaxiles installed in the rear, had a 200 watt US Amp installed to run them, and had the subwoofer powered by the existing amp. The people at the car audio shop that did the work (locally renowned business catering primarily to high end systems) said they were impressed with the results. They said they thought it was easily a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10. I know I am delighted. Blue Man group cranked up to window shaking levels is as crisp and clean as any car system I have ever heard. You might want to check out Oz Audio.
Steve

i really have no reason for picking JBL tweeters. Just that I was set on doing Infinity all around and then read where the highs got a bit "tinny" w/ inifinity. I also read that someone was amazed by JBL tweeters so i just thought i'd do components w/ them. Focal is a bit out of my price range it seems (200+ for components).

I just want good suggestions and links to some affordable components w/ great midrange and i'll go w/ the CDT in the rear.

- M.

So how about CDTs for the front, too? You can pick those up on-line for about $150. The model is the CL-61a. The "a" is important because they had some sort of snafu with the color of the paint so the price is about 50% of msrp. Check thezeb.com. They're an authorized dealer so you've got the benefit of a 3yr warranty.

Another choice that I've heard and liked (just my listening preference here) is the Kicker K6. I heard those back to back with the infinities. They're about the same price but I like the balance of the Kicker better. You can pick those up at Crutchfield for about $200. You get some extras if you buy there but you're paying top dollar. With a little searching you can find them for about $100 from an un-authorized dealer.

I heard some JL's that sounded pretty sweet but were kinda pricey. Same for Focals and Boston Acoustics. I think Sounddomain has a good deal on some Crystals but it sounds like they're kinda power-hungry.

If you're near an area with custom installers, get out there and listen. Bring a CD you know real well. Ask them to run with only head-unit power (unless you've already got a good amp) and turn off the subs. That way you can hear the speakers you want to buy. Some places are really helpful & others can be a little snotty.

The other point is.... almost anything you buy will sound better than the stock speakers.

Another thought - if you're strapped for cash, pick up those CDT coax that you want for the back and run them in the front until you're ready to spring for what you want.

I know, too many choices... :-)

Steve

I'm just trying to find the best possible replacement for the OEM EX speakers, any suggestions? I know the Focals, CDTs, and JL Audios are best around but these will not work with the stock EX head unit, what speakers will?

There is no best replacement speaker. It all depends on what you like, how much you want to spend, and how much work you want to do (or pay someone else to do) to make the speakers work & fit.

I've heard both JL's and Focals running off regular after-market head units with no extra amps and some sound just fine. I spoke with the guys at CDT and they thought the amp in the stock EX Element provides plenty of power for their Classic series. Does that mean you'd be happy with the results? I dunno. Start by setting a budget and then go out and listen.

Best of luck,

Steve

thanks steve.

So how about CDTs for the front, too? You can pick those up on-line for about $150. The model is the CL-61a. The "a" is important because they had some sort of snafu with the color of the paint so the price is about 50% of msrp. Check thezeb.com. They're an authorized dealer so you've got the benefit of a 3yr warranty.

Another choice that I've heard and liked (just my listening preference here) is the Kicker K6. I heard those back to back with the infinities. They're about the same price but I like the balance of the Kicker better. You can pick those up at Crutchfield for about $200. You get some extras if you buy there but you're paying top dollar. With a little searching you can find them for about $100 from an un-authorized dealer.

* i tried searching thezeb.com and while its a great dealer i could not find the CDT components, CL-61a at all. I might give these a try. Those Kicker K6 looked pretty badass too.

any luck w/ Polk audio? for some reason my friends around here have suggested them.

- Mike

nevermind, i ended up searching the web for the CDT and it took me back to thezeb.com :wink:

they look pretty mean, only thing i have a question with is it says that the tweeters are 3/4 ", whereas most tweeters people on here have been installing (infinity, JBL) are both 1" dome tweeters. Shouldn't i look for 1" if available? i read this is one of the most important upgrades.

- Mike

http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_Audio_Components.html

Go to the bottom of that page to find the CL-61A components. They also have the CDT CL-6X coaxials for only $44.99 which I'm considering for the rear doors. The sensitivity for both these speakers suggest that they'll work great with the EX head unit. The question I have is that the 61A's have a depth of 2 7/8 inch, isn't this too deep for the front doors?

edit-

There's also the CDT HD-62EF components with a 1" tweeter for only $199.99. Would these work with the OEM head too?

good questions:

<< Go to the bottom of that page to find the CL-61A components. They also have the CDT CL-6X coaxials for only $44.99 which I'm considering for the rear doors. The sensitivity for both these speakers suggest that they'll work great with the EX head unit. The question I have is that the 61A's have a depth of 2 7/8 inch, isn't this too deep for the front doors?

There's also the CDT HD-62EF components with a 1" tweeter for only $199.99. Would these work with the OEM head too?>>>

hopefully we'll hear from someone who knows.

if these fit the front doors w/out a hassle I would snatch em up.

- Mike

Folks,

Speakers are speakers. I want to end this confusion about whether or not certain speakers will work with the factory stereo or if they need an amp...

As many of you have probably been taught, people say that too little power can blow speakers. Well... this is bull$hit.

Too little power will only cause the maximum output level to be low. Only severe abuse and an idiot connected to the volume control will blow speakers with low powered amplifiers. Use logic here, if driving a speaker with low power would cause them to fail, speakers would fail every time you lower the volume on the head unit!

Most speakers (even components) will perform well even with factory power. The only exceptions are matched component sets, and any speaker with a minimum RMS power rating of about 8 watts or more.

So if you're unsure, just find the speaker specs and look for the minimum RMS rating!

This being said, there are benefits with regard to choosing the best speakers for your particular system whether it's a factory or aftermarket one...

Typically, high end speakers ask for more power because they are less efficent but more accurate by design. Low end speakers tend to need less power because they are more efficent but less accurate by design.

If you plan to drive your speakers with a low-powered factory receiver, you should look for highly-efficient speakers. Check out the speaker sensitivity spec to find the most efficient speakers for your vehicle. (For instance, a speaker rated 3 dB higher than another will require half as much power to produce the same output.)

You're not confined to speakers with high efficiency ratings, of course. Low efficiency speakers can sound great. Since high sensitivity speakers often achieve their ratings by boosting deeper bass notes, low efficiency speakers might be preferable for listeners who demand highly accurate reproduction.

So, if you use your factory receiver, try to get speakers with a minimum RMS power rating of 2-7 watts. A low-powered receiver may not be able to drive less-efficient speakers properly, causing distortion. So if you like your music loud, you'll want speakers that can handle a substantial amount of continuous power. When using an amplifier, make sure its RMS wattage is within your speakers' power range (preferably, the upper third of your speaker's recommended power range).

Hope this helps.
eMass

CDT High Definention Euro-Frame
the HD-62EF 6.5" cast mid, 1" silk swivel tweeter have a 2 & 3/4" mounting depth.

Will i be able to put these in w/ out alot of hassle or cutting of the grills? let me know and they're pretty much as good as ordered.

You might want to check in with Silk. He installed the CDT-61 in his E. There's another thread that's short but might have some relevant info. The link is below.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6587

I can't vouch for depth. I've purchased the CDT-61a but haven't installed them yet. It sounds like it's not a simple drop-in install but not too much customization, either. I've done some pretty simple installs with decent results and I'm pretty handy so I'm looking forward to it but that's just me.

I'm not too worried about power. I'm not into loud (being a bit of an old-fart) and, worst-case, I'll pick up a small amp to go under the front seat. Actually, I'm almost looking for an excuse to do that. :-)

Steve

[quote:3e73ea5be4=" "]CDT High Definention Euro-Frame
the HD-62EF 6.5" cast mid, 1" silk swivel tweeter have a 2 & 3/4" mounting depth.

Will i be able to put these in w/ out alot of hassle or cutting of the grills? let me know and they're pretty much as good as ordered.[/quote:3e73ea5be4]

Since Emass got his Focals and Silk got his CL-61s into the front doors, and they're both about the same size, I went ahead and ordered the HD-62EFs (same size as the CL-61s) and the CL-6Xs coaxials for the rear doors.

Go ahead 3hits, we'll do this thing together. The hardest thing would be to cut the basket and that ain't that hard.

[quote:6b762c5862=" "][quote:6b762c5862=" "]CDT High Definention Euro-Frame
the HD-62EF 6.5" cast mid, 1" silk swivel tweeter have a 2 & 3/4" mounting depth.

Will i be able to put these in w/ out alot of hassle or cutting of the grills? let me know and they're pretty much as good as ordered.[/quote:6b762c5862]

Since Emass got his Focals and Silk got his CL-61s into the front doors, and they're both about the same size, I went ahead and ordered the HD-62EFs (same size as the CL-61s) and the CL-6Xs coaxials for the rear doors.

Go ahead 3hits, we'll do this thing together. The hardest thing would be to cut the basket and that ain't that hard.[/quote:6b762c5862]

"do this thing together" :wink: yeah right! all the way across the country! nah, i probably will go ahead w/ them and we can team up questions on here and work together on it. But you have to understand that i am about as "Rookie" w/ audio install as you can get. When you mention cutting of the basket i think back to how nervous i was to even cut the holes for the fog lights. And even those i have just temporarily installed for looks, i still don't have them wired because my mechanic friend hasnt found the time to help me! But i do have a friend into car audio somewhat so maybe he can help w/ the cutting and install. btw, what do you use to cut w/? dremel? cause i dont have one and that's gonna cost me ! :roll:

Hey Chums!

I just purchased the CDT HD62EF's last night! I was originally going to go Blaupunkt, but when I went to the store to listen to them I was not very impressed.

Drop me a line and maybe we can work on it together...I live close to the 60 freeway outside of LA

Q: Are you installing it to your factory HU?

"do this thing together" yeah right! all the way across the country! nah, i probably will go ahead w/ them and we can team up questions on here and work together on it. But you have to understand that i am about as "Rookie" w/ audio install as you can get. When you mention cutting of the basket i think back to how nervous i was to even cut the holes for the fog lights. And even those i have just temporarily installed for looks, i still don't have them wired because my mechanic friend hasnt found the time to help me! But i do have a friend into car audio somewhat so maybe he can help w/ the cutting and install. btw, what do you use to cut w/? dremel? cause i dont have one and that's gonna cost me !

Yeah, that's what I meant, we'll help each other online. Also, if you've cut out the holes for the fogs, this speaker install should be a piece of cake. No you do not need a dremel, but if you feel more comfortable you can buy a rotary tool at Pep Boys on sale for $17.

Hey Chums!

I just purchased the CDT HD62EF's last night! I was originally going to go Blaupunkt, but when I went to the store to listen to them I was not very impressed.

Drop me a line and maybe we can work on it together...I live close to the 60 freeway outside of LA

Q: Are you installing it to your factory HU?

Yes, I'm installing with the factory head. I'll drop you a line when I'm ready to install.