I need your advice about aftermarket speakers.

[pierovw]

I have the normal not the dynaudio speaker system in my R. It is not a bad system but I want something clear and when you hear music at high volumes I don't want to hear distortion like the stock system has. Now I am really noob when it comes to aftermarket speakers but I do know that you don't have to replace all speakers to get good audio like only replacing the front door ones. I want to keep the stock radio and I don't want a subwoofer. Do I need an amplifier? Or can I just buy the speakers and be done with it?My car is a two door btw.

Any suggestions are really appreciated.

[LR32]

HI,THE BEST WAY TO DO IS,
HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND.
DO YOU WANT OK SPEAKERS OR CLEAR CRYSTAL SOUND..
THERE ARE TONS OF PLACES YOU CAN GO...REMEMBER TO SPEND YOUR HARD EARN CASH WISELY..HERE ARE SOME OF THE PLACES THAT I SHOP ONLINE THAT HAS HELP ME A LOT..
ONLINE CAR STEREO,SONIX ELECTRONIX,I SHOP AROUND AND COMPARE PRICES AND THESE 2 HAS THE PRICES FOR ME..
ABOUT SPEAKERS AND AMPLIFIERS,THE CHOICES ARE ENDLESS,REMEMBER YOUR CAR HAS AND AMPLIFIER REAR LEFT SIDE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW...AS FACTORY ITEM THE SOUND THAT PRODUCE IS GOOD FOR THE FACTORY SPEAKERS....
ABOUT SPEAKERS GO FOR ALPINE,JBL,PIONEER PREMIER,AUDISON,BUY COMPONENTS SET IT GIVE BETTER SOUND MOST OF THEM COME WITH TWEETERS,CROSS OVERS...TAKE YOUR TIME...
HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU,LET ME KNOW THE OUT COME..

[NFrazier]

HI,THE BEST WAY TO DO IS,
HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND.
DO YOU WANT OK SPEAKERS OR CLEAR CRYSTAL SOUND..
THERE ARE TONS OF PLACES YOU CAN GO...REMEMBER TO SPEND YOUR HARD EARN CASH WISELY..HERE ARE SOME OF THE PLACES THAT I SHOP ONLINE THAT HAS HELP ME A LOT..
ONLINE CAR STEREO,SONIX ELECTRONIX,I SHOP AROUND AND COMPARE PRICES AND THESE 2 HAS THE PRICES FOR ME..
ABOUT SPEAKERS AND AMPLIFIERS,THE CHOICES ARE ENDLESS,REMEMBER YOUR CAR HAS AND AMPLIFIER REAR LEFT SIDE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW...AS FACTORY ITEM THE SOUND THAT PRODUCE IS GOOD FOR THE FACTORY SPEAKERS....
ABOUT SPEAKERS GO FOR ALPINE,JBL,PIONEER PREMIER,AUDISON,BUY COMPONENTS SET IT GIVE BETTER SOUND MOST OF THEM COME WITH TWEETERS,CROSS OVERS...TAKE YOUR TIME...
HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU,LET ME KNOW THE OUT COME..

1. Caps are a no no.
2. Just because they are components, doesn't mean they are going to sound great. They have to have the proper power with a quality amplifier and processing.

Neither one of those sites are authorized so you're not going to get any manufacturer warranty. If you have to pick one or the other, go with SonicElectronix. The lead installer Allyn is a great guy and knows his ****.

If you're in the MA area, hit me up, I can go over your options and the product that will best fit your needs, you wants, and your wallet.

[pierovw]

HI,THE BEST WAY TO DO IS,
HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND.
DO YOU WANT OK SPEAKERS OR CLEAR CRYSTAL SOUND..
THERE ARE TONS OF PLACES YOU CAN GO...REMEMBER TO SPEND YOUR HARD EARN CASH WISELY..HERE ARE SOME OF THE PLACES THAT I SHOP ONLINE THAT HAS HELP ME A LOT..
ONLINE CAR STEREO,SONIX ELECTRONIX,I SHOP AROUND AND COMPARE PRICES AND THESE 2 HAS THE PRICES FOR ME..
ABOUT SPEAKERS AND AMPLIFIERS,THE CHOICES ARE ENDLESS,REMEMBER YOUR CAR HAS AND AMPLIFIER REAR LEFT SIDE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW...AS FACTORY ITEM THE SOUND THAT PRODUCE IS GOOD FOR THE FACTORY SPEAKERS....
ABOUT SPEAKERS GO FOR ALPINE,JBL,PIONEER PREMIER,AUDISON,BUY COMPONENTS SET IT GIVE BETTER SOUND MOST OF THEM COME WITH TWEETERS,CROSS OVERS...TAKE YOUR TIME...
HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU,LET ME KNOW THE OUT COME..

Thanks for the reply! I wanted to spend around $700... I know it's not much but basically all I want to change are the front speakers and probably get an amplifier as well to get the most out of the speakers. What I want is clear sound and no distortion. Again this is just a thought because if I have to spend $1000+ to get a decent setup then it's a no go haha

[pierovw]

1. Caps are a no no.
2. Just because they are components, doesn't mean they are going to sound great. They have to have the proper power with a quality amplifier and processing.

Neither one of those sites are authorized so you're not going to get any manufacturer warranty. If you have to pick one or the other, go with SonicElectronix. The lead installer Allyn is a great guy and knows his ****.

If you're in the MA area, hit me up, I can go over your options and the product that will best fit your needs, you wants, and your wallet.

Unfortunately I am in Texas haha but what I have found is that in order to get the most out of the speakers you DO NEED an amp. Is this correct? What happens if I just install a set of speakers and nothing else? Worst sound quality than stock?

[NFrazier]

Unfortunately I am in Texas haha but what I have found is that in order to get the most out of the speakers you DO NEED an amp. Is this correct? What happens if I just install a set of speakers and nothing else? Worst sound quality than stock?

To get the most out of speakers an amplifier is definitely recommended. In the simplest explanation the amplifier will allow the speakers to handle more power without distortion.

I wouldn't say that not amping them will be worst quality than stock, but if youre going to spend the money you mind as well do it right, or not at all, ya know?

[pierovw]

To get the most out of speakers an amplifier is definitely recommended. In the simplest explanation the amplifier will allow the speakers to handle more power without distortion.

I wouldn't say that not amping them will be worst quality than stock, but if youre going to spend the money you mind as well do it right, or not at all, ya know?

Agreed! Thanks for the amp explanation now I understand what an amp does... What do you think of the polk audio DXi6500? I've read good reviews and the price is reasonable.They are component speakers, and I would just pair it with an amp...

[LR32]

GET A GOOD AMP WILL DEFINITELY GIVE YOU A GOOD SOUND,WHEN I SAID COMPONENTS IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TWEETERS AND THESE SETS COME WITH IT AND ALSO YOU WILL HEAR THE DIFFERENCE,CAUSE THEY ARE IN THE FRONT...SO WHY BUY SEPARATE COMPONENTS AND WASTE YOUR MONEY WHEN YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL IN ONE PACKAGE...
JL AMPS ARE GOOD AND IF YOU LOOK FOR BET YOU.,,,YOU WILL FIND ONE,GET ONE WITH 4 CHANNELS OR 5 IF I NOT MISTAKEN IN CASE IN THE FUTURE YOU DECIDE TO GO FULL FORCE..

[NFrazier]

Dude put caps lock off and you don't really seem like you exactly know what you're talking about and are just regurgitating what you read.

OP if u would like some suggestions on what product to get along w what your budget is let me know. I'll suggest product that fits ur budget and ur system goals.

[dcbc]

Unfortunately I am in Texas haha but what I have found is that in order to get the most out of the speakers you DO NEED an amp. Is this correct? What happens if I just install a set of speakers and nothing else? Worst sound quality than stock?

Where in Texas are you?

I did the speakers and amp (or had a shop do it) on my 2010 CC earlier this year.

If you are keeping the stock head unit, you will need to use a line output converter that does eq correction since the stock HU pulls of the bass when you turn up the volume. I used an MTX ReQ5. Some of the Audiocontrol devices (LCi2 and LCi6) will do this also. From there, you can run your RCA cables to the amp and wire up your new speakers.

DIYmobileaudio.com is a great site to research audio components. But there are as many opinions over there as there are on any forum. After enough research to be thoroughly confused, I went with some 3 way component speakers from CDT for the fronts and 2 ways for the rears. I fitted them in the stock dynaudio location (my car didn't have a dyn system, but still had room for the mid tweet. I went with a Polk PA 500.1 for power. I have had good luck with Polk, the amp was well reviewed, and its power output (RMS) closely matched the specs for my speakers at 90 watts RMS per channel.

In the end, the sound improvement was drastically better---crystal clear. I have never felt compelled to add a sub either, although that was originally part of my plan.

[A216VCTi]

Dude put caps lock off and you don't really seem like you exactly know what you're talking about and are just regurgitating what you read.

OP if u would like some suggestions on what product to get along w what your budget is let me know. I'll suggest product that fits ur budget and ur system goals.

[GTI-DNA]

Where in Texas are you?

I did the speakers and amp (or had a shop do it) on my 2010 CC earlier this year.

If you are keeping the stock head unit, you will need to use a line output converter that does eq correction since the stock HU pulls of the bass when you turn up the volume. I used an MTX ReQ5. Some of the Audiocontrol devices (LCi2 and LCi6) will do this also. From there, you can run your RCA cables to the amp and wire up your new speakers.

DIYmobileaudio.com is a great site to research audio components. But there are as many opinions over there as there are on any forum. After enough research to be thoroughly confused, I went with some 3 way component speakers from CDT for the fronts and 2 ways for the rears. I fitted them in the stock dynaudio location (my car didn't have a dyn system, but still had room for the mid tweet. I went with a Polk PA 500.1 for power. I have had good luck with Polk, the amp was well reviewed, and its power output (RMS) closely matched the specs for my speakers at 90 watts RMS per channel.

In the end, the sound improvement was drastically better---crystal clear. I have never felt compelled to add a sub either, although that was originally part of my plan.

Ok, so I have dabbled in car audio for about 25 years. A few things, for $700 you could do one hell of a system, if you shop around. Advise given here is spot on. Changing speakers will do nothing for your sound UNLESS they are really efficient speakers 96+ dB at one watt.

Best bang for your buck is going to be amplification WITH speakers. You will need a LOC (line out converter) unless you code the factory radio with VAGCOM to kill the internal amp. Then all you need to do is make some RCA's out of the speaker wires and go to town. The AudioControl devices are great, but the LCi 2 and 6 do not change your EQ curve, they just convert speaker level down to 6 volt RCA. However, you don't need EQ as the factory head is somewhat flat.

If you price your amp right, you could even go active on the front speakers ( one channel for each tweeter and one channel for each woofer), however, I would get the most power you can get for your budget and get some good speakers. Go for efficency and overall frequency response. I have used Polk's in the past and their DB series are pretty good and not too expensive.

Amp, I would go for 100-150 per channel. Alpine F4 would fit under your seat, provide plenty of power, not tax your electrical system, and is cheap enough to leave money for a good set of speakers. There are others, shop around..

If you are interested, PM me and I'll talk you through the install so you can save money. I also have an AC LCi6 that I used for 3 months that I can let go of cheap.

Ninja edit:
The DB series are speakers by the way. Also, when I said the head was flat, I was referring to "the stock radio pulls bass when the volume is cranked". This is just not true. Bass requires tremedous amounts of power compaired to other frequencies. The stock power just cannot keep up. That is why there is an apperance of dropped bass. The actual output signal is pretty good all the way up.

[dcbc]

Ok, so I have dabbled in car audio for about 25 years. A few things, for $700 you could do one hell of a system, if you shop around. Advise given here is spot on. Changing speakers will do nothing for your sound UNLESS they are really efficient speakers 96+ dB at one watt.

Best bang for your buck is going to be amplification WITH speakers. You will need a LOC (line out converter) unless you code the factory radio with VAGCOM to kill the internal amp. Then all you need to do is make some RCA's out of the speaker wires and go to town. The AudioControl devices are great, but the LCi 2 and 6 do not change your EQ curve, they just convert speaker level down to 6 volt RCA. However, you don't need EQ as the factory head is somewhat flat.

If you price your amp right, you could even go active on the front speakers ( one channel for each tweeter and one channel for each woofer), however, I would get the most power you can get for your budget and get some good speakers. Go for efficency and overall frequency response. I have used Polk's in the past and their DB series are pretty good and not too expensive.

Amp, I would go for 100-150 per channel. Alpine F4 would fit under your seat, provide plenty of power, not tax your electrical system, and is cheap enough to leave money for a good set of speakers. There are others, shop around..

If you are interested, PM me and I'll talk you through the install so you can save money. I also have an AC LCi6 that I used for 3 months that I can let go of cheap.

Ninja edit:
The DB series are speakers by the way. Also, when I said the head was flat, I was referring to "the stock radio pulls bass when the volume is cranked". This is just not true. Bass requires tremedous amounts of power compaired to other frequencies. The stock power just cannot keep up. That is why there is an apperance of dropped bass. The actual output signal is pretty good all the way up.

Agree that the Polk DB speakers are great bang for the buck. I have two pair in my boat.

As for the bass roll off, I'll take your word for it. I have never seen the output on a scope to see if the signal is a flat one. But I have read in several places here and on DIYMA that the VW headunits roll off the bass to protect the stock cabin speakers.

As for the AC LOCs, I mixed up my model numbers above. The LC6i and LC8i do not do EQ correction. However, in the descriptions of the LC2i , it states as follows:

Get your bass back
Some factory radios dial down the bass as you turn up the volume to protect their speakers. The problem is, they don't give it back when you upgrade to a nice set of aftermarket speakers. AudioControl packs the LC2i with their AccuBASS™ circuitry that reverses the factory bass rolloff, giving you the bass you need to enjoy your music to the fullest. Place the LC2i between your factory system and your bass amp, and you'll hear a huge difference in bass response.

Also, how do you code with Vag-Com to bypass the internal amp. I read in a couple of spots that you can set it to Dynaudio and it will output a flat signal. When I first began playing with VCDS, I set it from "no factory radio" to the stock VW radio (can't remember the name exactly) and I lost all of my volume output. I did not bother to switch it to the Dyn setting. Is there something else you can do. I already have the MTX LOC, but am always curious about these things.