Speaker upgrade time

derekmac

derekmac

TJ Addict
Joined
Feb 10, 2016
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NS, Canada
So the time has come to replace all the speakers in my 05 Rubi. I've already replaced the HU with a Kenwood KMM-BT315U, which helped make the stock speakers sound better, but there's only so much it can help.

I'm looking at going with these Sony speakers for the front, and possibly the rear. I'm not sure if I should go with the 6.5" versions for the rear though, as I've been reading conflicting info about fitting 6.5's in the sound bar.

I'm also planning on replacing the sub with this one. Pyle PLPW6D I know it should be a 2ohm DVC, but I can't seem to find one.

Canadian Amazon doesn't have quite the same selection as the US Amazon, and of course our prices are higher.

The 5.25" Sony's are $69 a pair
The 6.5" Sony's are $79 a pair
The Sub is $30

I don't really want to spend anymore than that for speakers because well, it's a TJ. lol If you happen to see anything you think would work better listed on Amazon.ca, please post them up here.

I will eventually be doing a rear seat sub, so the sub isn't a long term solution, but a better than now one.
 
Try and find a speaker with a sensitivity of 91 or more. That is the measurement of how loud the speaker will be with 1 watt of power applied. You need as much help as you can get with an open top TJ.
 
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Will that sub fit in the provided enclosure? Will it also play nice with the factory amp?
Here's another option for dash/pod speakers. I've heard these at a local car audio shop. They sound very crisp, have a 92db input sensitivity, and work well with the head unit power. Don't waste your money on 6.5" for the pods. They'll fit if you ram screws in the enclosure, but keep in mind, they are literally 6" from your ears, so you'll have to dial them back as is, plus the sound pods don't really provide enough internal space to be effective.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13699...&awnw=g&awcr=191518577911&awdv=c&awug=9032344
 
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The sub will fit the enclosure with a bit of trimming of some ribs inside. The amp will see 2 ohm instead of 1, so it won't be outputting as much power, but it should still work OK.

Good point on them being so close. I'll stick with 5.25's.
 
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I replaced my sub with a Pyle and it sounds ok for the price but I want more. When standing still it sounds good but when I’m driving all bass disappears. If I ride with the windows open or the rear open I get bass again. Frustrating, I just ordered a kicker 2ohm dual voice coils and I’m going to power it with an external amp, wired In series. I did the whole box with 10’s in it but I like my trunk space.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_206CWRT672/Kicker-CompRT-43CWRT672.html


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https://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB522/Polk-Audio-DB522.html?tp=61755
That's where you want to be for speakers, they are marine grade, in your price point, and those pokes sound really good in our TJ's the way they push sound. The noticeable difference between the 5¼ and the 6½s will be in the lower frequencies, and without an external amp powering them, you won't notice the difference. Your spot on with the kicker amp. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698402/JL-Audio-MHX300-1.html?tp=61752 That's what I'm using to push the same sub. Also marine grade and Tucks up nice behind the glove box... And it's on sale!
 
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Those Polks would be $129 a pair for me to get, which for me is too much to put into speakers for the Jeep. The factory sub has separated, and I only want a cheap replacement (queue the Pyle) until I make a custom box to go in the rear seat. I'm really not expecting much out of it, just wanting something that sounds better than a blown speaker :)

There was an open box set of the Sony 5.25's that I posted on Amazon for $22 off, so I ordered those (and a regular priced set). I don't mind adding an amp to power them if needed, but I honestly think I'll be happy with them. I also don't mind the thought of getting an amp to power the sub.
 
Sorry, I was looking at @IronCity post as far as the sub goes. And I just noticed you're from Canada, didn't take the conversion rate into account. Regardless of what you go with, like @Rob5589 said, make sure those 5¼s sensitivity is at or above 91. Anyway you slice it, it's going to be better than what you have. But these things were not built with any kind of Sound Stage in mind.
 
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Mon0cle said:
Sorry, I was looking at @IronCity post as far as the sub goes. And I just noticed you're from Canada, didn't take the conversion rate into account. Regardless of what you go with, like @Rob5589 said, make sure those 5¼s sensitivity is at or above 91. Anyway you slice it, it's going to be better than what you have. But these things were not built with any kind of Sound Stage in mind.
Click to expand...
The Sony ones are 89 db (according to Crutchfield), which is below ideal... They're rated at 35 watts RMS, and my HU puts out 22 watts RMS per channel. If I'm really not happy with them, I'll return them and get something slightly more expensive.

LOL, the soundstage definitely was not in the equation when they picked speaker locations!! One thing I like about my HU is that you can set speaker size and distances from your listening position. It made quite the difference even with the stock speakers.
 
My sub upgrade today
f7fa351cb488012a8a969955abdfed73.jpg



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I recently put the 6.5 Polk speakers in the the sound bar with no problems at all. I did Dremel some ports in my dome light and you do feel air moving out of it when you crank up the volume. I used the 5.25 Polk speakers in the dash with a Crutchfield adapter and some minor tin snip work. These speakers are marine grade as well. I had a nice Kenwood head unit already and backed it up with a compact Kenwood amp that is mounted on the inside of the metal panel which is inside the plastic panel below the steering wheel. It works great and I can easily hear the music with the top off. I am planning to put a powered sub under the seat for more bass.

Good luck,

Dan
 
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