Popped in some new front speakers

[Subie59]

Popped in some new Pioneer 2-way front speakers today and I am very happy with the new sound. They are far from top-of-the-line speakers but they sound much better than the stock ones. Installation was much simpler than I thought. Anyone thinking twice about putting in new front speakers, should not. i used the existing brackets by just cutting out the magnet in the back. The new 6.5s fitted right in. Drilled some new holes into the bracket and screwed the Pioneers into the brackets. Popped the brackets back on and voila.

Question: I popped out the tweeters because I was not sure if they were working. When I pulled them out I was able to put them up to my ears and i did here some sound out of them. But they certainly are not very loud. Is this common with tweeters and would new tweeters make a significant difference.
Thanks

[Ownbot]

Well if you are still using the factory wiring then yes the tweeters are still hooked up to the factory xover. It will not be playing "loud", as it only handles the higher frequencys. I believe the factory tweeters are pretty decent and chances are if you are happy with Pioneers in the front you don't need new tweeters. If you do choose to add them though, Infinity kappas are about the best in my opinion.

[iizbeastie]

This raises a good question I've been pondering....
Are the fronts true components or is it a 6.5 and it happens to have a tweeter?
If it is a true component set up stock, then you would surely be missing out if you don't install some.....

[Subie59]

Well they seemed like pretty basic paper or cardboard speakers to me. Both of mine were cracked where the foam and paper meet. Still sounded ok unless there was a lot of base.
The stock tweeters were working (and I know they only handle the highs) but even so, didn't seem like there was a lot of sound coming out of them.

Question: are replacing the backs as easy as the fronts.

[iizbeastie]

Well, I'd been planning to investigate that very same question after work tomorrow.... I'll let you know what I come up with. The rears are almost always cake though

If the main fronts are as basic as you say, that tells me they are true components, in which case, you are not getting a full range signal to the speaker right now and your high frequencies are probably either really muffled, or gone all together..... hence, the need for tweeters. I'm picky with my sound though, if you're happy with it be happy, otherwise tweeters are often found cheap. You may be able to return the ones you got and get a set of components too....

[Subie59]

Well, although I may not have gone out and got the best speakers, I like to think I have an ear for nice sound. A lot of times you can put out a lot of money for high-end speakers, but they may not necessarily sound much if any better in a particular room or paired with other speakers. I don't think speakers planted at or near your feet are really all that critical for high fidelity sound anyway. Actually, the pioneers kick out a lot of highs, it's the base they are a little short on. The rear 6X9s are capable of kicking out plenty of base for my liking. (I'm not one of these kids looking for ear splitting base) Overall the front and back speakers seem to compliment one another nicely and the overall sound is very good with the stock radio.

[alia176]

Can someone spoon feed me and tell me the pioneer speaker model #s for the front and rear? I have three blown speaker and listening out of only speaker is not very "cool"

Thanks.

[Tim]

The factory system is not a true component setup. It is just another speaking wired in series to the speaker in the door, if i remembef correctly.

The nice thing is about the Pioneer speakers is that they're very efficient. You don't need a lot of power to drive them. Something that I see very often is people buying expensive speakers and running them off headunit power.

Usually these higher end speakers require more power to get them going, and as a result, dont sound very good without an additional amp.

Adding a component system will lift the soundstage so the sound will seem like its coming from the direction of where your hood is located instead of by your feet.

[Subie59]

Yes Tim that is what i was trying to get at. Without adding a new amp, the more inexpensive speakers can be the better choice. I didn't think the stock speakers were true components. The Pioneers (Pioneer TS-G1642R) have plenty of highs. Some argue they are too "bright" but I like lots of highs. I picked a set of these up for $29 at Future Shop (Canada).

[alia176]

ok, I'll pick up a set of Pioneers the next time I'm in an electronic store. So, for the front, just go with a simple 2 way 6.5" round and 6x9 for the rear (also 2 way).

Thanks.

[1986nate]

The front tweeter speakers do have an in-line crossover so only "highs" are delivered to them but the door speakers get the full range if I remember correctly. Just to clear things up a little.

[iizbeastie]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

The front tweeter speakers do have an in-line crossover so only "highs" are delivered to them but the door speakers get the full range if I remember correctly. Just to clear things up a little.

Yup, that's what I just found In which case they will sound just as good or better than stock. It seems like they threw in the tweeters to make up for lower quality mid-range... not too uncommon for the early ones but it certainly could have been updated with the times by 97......

For what it's worth though, a x-over can have just as much impact as an amp. For example VW's "monsoon" package includes an amp for the twin component systems (one component in each of the 4 doors).... but here's the odd part... the power input and output match, it's nothing more than a really oversized crossover......