I've read the forum from top to bottom. Here's my situation. I have a little cash to spend on my sound system. I like the 6 disc factory head unit, and don't want to lose it. But I want better sound....not enough to shake the car beside me at lights, but better sound. I've looked at the options for putting a sub in, but don't want a sub/bass bad enough to give up the back seat. The unit that goes in the floor storage under the seat is close, but still not going to work. It would have to have a solid top, to use a "floor space". The cone of the sub could not be exposed in my truck. So it looks like any plans of adding a sub/amp are out. I'm not spending the money required for something custom like the rear armrest or center console. So I'm looking at new speakers for all 4 doors. But honestly, it's confusing.......ohms, frequency range, amps, watts, I don't speak that language. I'd like to keep the 4 speaker total under $300. This will leave me enough to add a satellite radio tuner to my stock head unit. Any input or speaker suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

You sound like you would benifit from this...
Get a small amp around 50 watts x4. US Acoustics makes very nice budget amps. You can get a 65 watt 4 channel amp for 130 from them (crutchfield.com, carsound.com, zeb.com, etc) sell them.

For speakers... go to some shops and listen to various speakers. Find some you like. When looking at speakers in the store remember that you can get them cheaper online. Then go online (ebay, cbrstereo.com, ikesound.com have good deals) and see how much they will cost. Infinity Reference speakers are some that come to mind that are priced well and sound great. They don't make as much bass as some other aftermarket spekers do, but oh well. As for ohms, just about all midrange/tweeter speakers are 4 ohms, so don't worry about that. The ohm thing come into play more with subs.

Next get a LOC form www.davidnavone.com This will allow you to connect your stock head unit to the amp and get great sound quality.

You will also need an amp install kit and perhaps some RCA cables. Install this stuff and you will love the way your system sounds, and you won't be set back too much dough.

I would say get the amp for sure though. Your system wont sound a whole lot different unless you got some more power. I switched to infinity reference speakers but it was power by the stock HU power and I wasn't too impressed with it.

If you have the center console you can get the JL Audio stealth box. You won't loose your floor space, you will loose the center console storage though. I wanted the same things as you when I was looking for a sub, and I ended up with the stealth box. I'm quite happy with it. It isn't the cheap way to go though. The box and sub will run 400-500 depending on where you get it and you will need another amp for it (another $130-500 depending on what kind of amp you get).

You sound like you would benifit from this...
Get a small amp around 50 watts x4. US Acoustics makes very nice budget amps. You can get a 65 watt 4 channel amp for 130 from them (crutchfield.com, carsound.com, zeb.com, etc) sell them.

For speakers... go to some shops and listen to various speakers. Find some you like. When looking at speakers in the store remember that you can get them cheaper online. Then go online (ebay, cbrstereo.com, ikesound.com have good deals) and see how much they will cost. Infinity Reference speakers are some that come to mind that are priced well and sound great. They don't make as much bass as some other aftermarket spekers do, but oh well. As for ohms, just about all midrange/tweeter speakers are 4 ohms, so don't worry about that. The ohm thing come into play more with subs.

Next get a LOC form www.davidnavone.com This will allow you to connect your stock head unit to the amp and get great sound quality.

You will also need an amp install kit and perhaps some RCA cables. Install this stuff and you will love the way your system sounds, and you won't be set back too much dough.

I would say get the amp for sure though. Your system wont sound a whole lot different unless you got some more power. I switched to infinity reference speakers but it was power by the stock HU power and I wasn't too impressed with it.

If you have the center console you can get the JL Audio stealth box. You won't loose your floor space, you will loose the center console storage though. I wanted the same things as you when I was looking for a sub, and I ended up with the stealth box. I'm quite happy with it. It isn't the cheap way to go though. The box and sub will run 400-500 depending on where you get it and you will need another amp for it (another $130-500 depending on what kind of amp you get).
I dont advise buying from crutchfield.they are overpriced compared to www.etronics.com and www.acaraudio.com

OOOH. Thezeb is having a sale on some nice CDT components **HERE** (http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_Audio_Components.html) scroll down a bit for the CL-61a set for $150. And then maybe the CL-6 midbass drivers for the rear doors **HERE** (http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_Audio_Midbass.html) again scroll down a bit. $85

Then add the USAcoustics 4065 *HERE* (http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/us_acoustics.html) for $130.

Lets see, that's $$365 for the speakers AND amp.

Ah, the audio bug, it's just a sting at first, then comes the itch, then you end up sick like me, there is no cure, LOL.

OOOH. Thezeb is having a sale on some nice CDT components

Ah, the audio bug, it's just a sting at first, then comes the itch, then you end up sick like me, there is no cure, LOL.


Thanks for the links and info. Those look like good deals......especially the "not bright enough paint" one.

I've been fighting the urge to mess with the factory stereo. I've looked at speakers in local stores, but have been unimpressed with what I saw and the prices. I'm not really good at installing this stuff, and would have to pay somebody to do it. But as for catching the stereo flu, I have to quit at the speakers/amp. I can't give up any space for a sub, and have no desire to spendbig money on this project. I'm spending a Christmas gift for this stuff. And I'm still torn on whether or not to buy a satellite radio tuner. I was dead set on it yesterday, and now I'm unsure.

And I'm still torn on whether or not to buy a satellite radio tuner. I was dead set on it yesterday, and now I'm unsure.
If I traveled a bit or commuted long distance I might get a satellite radio for the convenience, but that's just me.

If you don't get the sat. radio, then you would have fundage left over to do some serious sound deadening, which will make a HUGE difference in perceived sound inside the truck. I've read it can knock down road noise by as much as 20dB (4 times as quiet).

JnEsPappa, how are those CL-6 midbass drivers? I was considering some kicker rmb6 or 8's, then last week partsexpress had the 7" Vifa's on sale for $19 so I got a pair to try in the back doors. Just wondering how the CL's would compare, but I've heard great things about the Vifa's so I am looking forward to trying them out. Now whether to run them full range or use the $3 JL Audio 5k crossovers I got last month. /Mike

JnEsPappa, how are those CL-6 midbass drivers? I was considering some kicker rmb6 or 8's, then last week partsexpress had the 7" Vifa's on sale for $19 so I got a pair to try in the back doors. Just wondering how the CL's would compare, but I've heard great things about the Vifa's so I am looking forward to trying them out. Now whether to run them full range or use the $3 JL Audio 5k crossovers I got last month. /Mike
I've heard nothing but good about the CDT mids. I haven't personally heard them, but still don't hesitate to recommend them based on the experience of others.

I am running the Vifa's in my front doors (**THESE** (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=297-307&DID=7) )and they are among the best mids I have personally heard. I would definitely put the lowpass crossover on them. I have mine lowpassed at 3500 Hz and highpassed at 65 with 45 watts RMS to them. Sweet little speakers.

The only reason I don't recommend them for bhw is you will need to add passive xovers and that involves lots of Ohms/microfarads/and milliHenri's :confused:

For about the same price as the CDT components you pointed out, I can get Alpine stuff: MRP-F240 amp, 170-A 2 ways, and 176-A Components. I can get these shipped for about $350 total....about the same as the stuff you suggested. Any recommendations as to why one would be better then the other?

OOOH. Thezeb is having a sale on some nice CDT components **HERE** (http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_Audio_Components.html) scroll down a bit for the CL-61a set for $150. And then maybe the CL-6 midbass drivers for the rear doors **HERE** (http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_Audio_Midbass.html) again scroll down a bit. $85

Then add the USAcoustics 4065 *HERE* (http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/us_acoustics.html) for $130.

Lets see, that's $$365 for the speakers AND amp.

Ah, the audio bug, it's just a sting at first, then comes the itch, then you end up sick like me, there is no cure, LOL.

Holy jumped up Jesus!! That's a smokin' deal on the CDT speakers. Can anyone provide some real-life, actual eartime feedback on these puppies? There better be a santa claus, cause I know what I want for xmas. DN

Holy jumped up Jesus!! That's a smokin' deal on the CDT speakers. Can anyone provide some real-life, actual eartime feedback on these puppies? There better be a santa claus, cause I know what I want for xmas. DN

Sound quality is awesome! I doubt you'll find a better deal for the money. However I do see that they are packaging it with a 3/4 titanium tweeter now, when I purchased mine earlier this year it came with a 1 inch silk dome tweeter. Just very happy with my purchase.