Audio Guys need some advice... Focal speakers which ones??

At the very least, replace the head unit at the same time as the component speakers up front. And you are right, no need to spend the extra $ for components in the rear, IMHO. So I would go with just typical 2-ways.

You can always amp the speakers down the road, at least the fronts, and like you said, if you feel you need more volume (which is likely). I am fixing to seal behind the front door panel trim, and I am using Parts Express's adhesive-backed vinyl sound-deadening sheets. I would try to do something similar, and any similar peel-n-stick for roofing / wall material product from a chain hardware store will help.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/interior-and-exterior/123677-my-sound-deadening-project/

So back to your question about which Focal components you should get: I cannot help you there, as I just stick to Polk dBs. Sorry. But I would try to get the largest diameter you can fit, and do what ever cutting/trimming/custom mount plate it takes. Just verify mounting depth, so the window doesn't get stuck on it. Also I will be having to cut the vertical additional "supports" (behind the horizontals of the face) in the stock door panel (2002), as with the 3/8" plexiglass mount plate, the surround appears to hit it some.

A couple of specs that I would recommend you look for in components:

1) Rubber Surround - A MUST; which I will assume all Focal components are...

2) Watts RMS - And if this is higher, such as 50+ watts, then an amplifier is highly recommended. (I'm just taking a stab in the dark with the 50+ guesstimate, I have not been in the market, and cannot recall).

3) Sensitivity: I think of this as how efficiently does it turn power into music; not sure if that is exact. But look for greater than 85, the "better" ones are 90-95+

4) Frequency Range: How low can it go? Generally larger diameter will go in to the lower Hz. This is not as important if you are adding a sub later. But sealing the door "plane", or even better would be to create a custom MDF board / fiberglass enclosure, will greatly help with the lower Hz.
The high-end of the range frequencies are what hurts my ears. The Polks go up 23,000, and other components typically will go higher than that! As long as it is at or above 20,000 then you are good, just turn the treble down

I would make sure to get the right components up front, and dont go to far overboard on their expense. With what you are describing as your needs, I would be looking in the under ~$200 range, but I am just throwing that out there. I dont think you have the need to get anything too much better than Polk dB 6-1/2"/6-3/4" components, but again, IMHO. I dont work for Polk; promise. And get a decent head unit, with whatever features you want: usb, blue-tooth, iPod interface, back-up cam capability, etc. Important specs to look for are # of RCAs out for your future amps, RMS again - if there is a possibility that you will not be amping some of the speakers, and S/N ratio. Look for it to be at or above 100. Last I checked, Alpines were always way on up there on those items, even their entry models. Check out Eclipses as well.

And good luck! Keep us updated on what you decide and end up with.

i know you are asking about focals but im going to talk about my system anyway. i went with a pioneer head unit, alpine type r separates and alpine type r with tweeters in the rear doors. i have silk dome alpine tweeters in the stock location with an 800w 4 way amp powering everything. i also have an fi 10" sub in a ported box on a 1600w amp. pure and simple the set up is loud clean crisp and i love it. i did mine in stages like you want to do. first i swapped the stock speakers and it sounded better, then the head unit and it got even better. then came the sup first in a sealed box and of course it got better. then next step was i threw my high amp in and boy what a difference in sound quality and pure volume. the last step was putting the sub in a 30 hz ported box (box was leaky and only needed some screws on the front face and was given to me). plain and simple i try to drive as much as possible just to listen to the sound system. the system is very easy to tackle yourself if u have basic knowledge of it, just tedious if you ask me

carlsenga said:

still researching these. anyone know the difference betwen the Focal 165A1's and the Focal 165 Polyglass? I am doing the comparrison on Crutchfield where they list all the specs and features and they are the same other than the upper end frequency response. The other thing is the tweeter size is 1 3/4" for the poly glass and i don't know if that will fit in the factory tweeter housing that is already on the door...??

Click to expand...

here we go....
the A1's are the bottom of the barrel focals.. in my opinion they are a waste of money and dont even sound that good for the price...

the polyglasses are the upper middle class speaker line underneath the k2 line. the polyglasses are an awesome comp set for the money you wont be disappointed. the tweets will fit in the door, my oversize aluminum basket zapco tweeters fit in the oem location just fine, but you might have some depth issues since the window track is right in the middle of the speaker opening. your gonna have to build a baffle to get a little extra clearance. just double check to make sure

dont worry much about the freq response since your not gonna build an sq competition system (from what im assuming since i read the post's) you will be happy with the poly's that is if you can afford them. you can beat on em all day and they will take it and sound great doing it. just make sure to spend the money on a good amplifier or it will be a complete utter waste of funds, you might as well throw some polks or kickers or jl's in there....again my opinion.

and yes your gonna wanna sound deaden the doors and the interior of the truck to get the "best" sq possible but all that crap can be done in stages since its very time consuming and can get expensive. second skin or hushmat is what i would recommend for sound deadening...

hope this helps bud

jason