Car Stereo Questions - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sp0rAdiC · 10-09-2004, 07:14 PM

Alright, I've got a crappy old 1993 Nissan Pickup, w/ stock speakers and tape player/radio in it. I want to upgrade that, but I don't want to go overboard. There are two speakers, I'm not sure what size, I think they might be 5 1/2" speakers, but they're smaller than the holes in the doors. I've got non-original doors on the truck, and the previous owner cut up the speaker area(and he did a horrible job,) I think he put in better speakers. Would a pair of 6" x 9" 3 ways work? I've got no problem cutting the area, in fact I'd like to because it looks pretty shitty right now. I'd like to spend under $250 total. Is this possible/plausible? Also, I'd like to do the installation myself, I like to do things like this so I can learn about how things work and how things are put together. What are some good car audio sites? I've been looking at Crutchfield, but people say that it's overpriced. Thanks!

HeLLVieW96 · 10-10-2004, 08:29 PM

i dont know much about your pickup, so its kind of hard to say. if there were 5in or whatever size ROUND speakers, 6x9s have a different shape so i dont know if they would fit correctly. ive seen some trucks, dont know how much room you have, but put a long, skinny box behind the bench seat and put speakers in that. youd have to talk to someone in person at a local stereo place and im sure you could get alot of good ideas.

Roark · 10-11-2004, 02:50 AM

You could do that, if anything seal the doors up and use some MDF as a baffle over the hole the previous owner cut with a hole just right for whichever speaker you choose.

I think you'd be happier with a 6.5 componenet set putting the mid in the door and tweet on the dash/door/a-pillar sound wise than you would iwth the coaxils but anything's any improvement over what you have now.

Sp0rAdiC · 10-11-2004, 06:21 AM

Yeah, the holes are for 6" circular speakers, but the door is already cut to shit, so I figure I could improve on the cutting, and get larger speakers. The 6x9s are more of an oval shape, so I would have to cut out the sides of the existing holes.

skaven · 10-17-2004, 05:55 PM

I agree with Roark. For about the same price as a nice set of 3-way 6x9's you can get a set of 6-1/2" component speakers that will give you much better clarity and stereo imaging.

As for the new headunit (you <i>were</i> going to replace the headunit, right? ;-)), just make sure you're looking at the RMS power numbers, not the peak power numbers, and that you stick with a reputable brand (Sony, Kenwood, Alpine, etc).

As for sites, I admit that I swear by Crutchfield. I think that their service more than makes up for the extra cost (which isn't really that much). Generally if you're buying a reasonable amount of gear (head unit + speakers), they give you free shipping and even a 10% "build your own system" discount. Plus they send you the trim rings, installation instructions, and cable harnesses all free. People can point at the $$'s all they want, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find another site that does so much extra stuff for their customers.

DEI37 · 10-17-2004, 07:15 PM

I agree. I've bought every piece of audio equipment of mine through Crutchfield. Except one pair of 4x6 speakers I needed that day. The added accessories that they give you make up for the fact that they aren't any cheaper than anywhere else, and unless you live in Virginia, there is no sales tax, either. Their prices match what you'll see at Best Buy or Circuit City, only with MUCH better selection and customer service.

10-09-2004, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sp0rAdiC Insane Location: VT	Car Stereo Questions Alright, I've got a crappy old 1993 Nissan Pickup, w/ stock speakers and tape player/radio in it. I want to upgrade that, but I don't want to go overboard. There are two speakers, I'm not sure what size, I think they might be 5 1/2" speakers, but they're smaller than the holes in the doors. I've got non-original doors on the truck, and the previous owner cut up the speaker area(and he did a horrible job,) I think he put in better speakers. Would a pair of 6" x 9" 3 ways work? I've got no problem cutting the area, in fact I'd like to because it looks pretty shitty right now. I'd like to spend under $250 total. Is this possible/plausible? Also, I'd like to do the installation myself, I like to do things like this so I can learn about how things work and how things are put together. What are some good car audio sites? I've been looking at Crutchfield, but people say that it's overpriced. Thanks!

10-17-2004, 07:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	I agree. I've bought every piece of audio equipment of mine through Crutchfield. Except one pair of 4x6 speakers I needed that day. The added accessories that they give you make up for the fact that they aren't any cheaper than anywhere else, and unless you live in Virginia, there is no sales tax, either. Their prices match what you'll see at Best Buy or Circuit City, only with MUCH better selection and customer service. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

10-10-2004, 08:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
HeLLVieW96 Tilted Location: TucsoN , ARizonA	i dont know much about your pickup, so its kind of hard to say. if there were 5in or whatever size ROUND speakers, 6x9s have a different shape so i dont know if they would fit correctly. ive seen some trucks, dont know how much room you have, but put a long, skinny box behind the bench seat and put speakers in that. youd have to talk to someone in person at a local stereo place and im sure you could get alot of good ideas.

10-11-2004, 02:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Roark Insane	You could do that, if anything seal the doors up and use some MDF as a baffle over the hole the previous owner cut with a hole just right for whichever speaker you choose. I think you'd be happier with a 6.5 componenet set putting the mid in the door and tweet on the dash/door/a-pillar sound wise than you would iwth the coaxils but anything's any improvement over what you have now.

10-11-2004, 06:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sp0rAdiC Insane Location: VT	Yeah, the holes are for 6" circular speakers, but the door is already cut to shit, so I figure I could improve on the cutting, and get larger speakers. The 6x9s are more of an oval shape, so I would have to cut out the sides of the existing holes.

10-17-2004, 05:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
skaven Insane Location: Austin, TX	I agree with Roark. For about the same price as a nice set of 3-way 6x9's you can get a set of 6-1/2" component speakers that will give you much better clarity and stereo imaging. As for the new headunit (you <i>were</i> going to replace the headunit, right? ;-)), just make sure you're looking at the RMS power numbers, not the peak power numbers, and that you stick with a reputable brand (Sony, Kenwood, Alpine, etc). As for sites, I admit that I swear by Crutchfield. I think that their service more than makes up for the extra cost (which isn't really that much). Generally if you're buying a reasonable amount of gear (head unit + speakers), they give you free shipping and even a 10% "build your own system" discount. Plus they send you the trim rings, installation instructions, and cable harnesses all free. People can point at the $$'s all they want, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find another site that does so much extra stuff for their customers.