I dropped by Best Buy to look at the Alpine 9857 and sure enough they are including the Ipod cable for $350. They are also giving away some free speakers 6 1/2 in. 2 way called Namsung XP651 (also branded as Dual at some stores). They sell these speakers for $50 usually. Are these speakers worth using in the rear or using at all? I have an MY05 AP2. TIA

 

i just got there rear speakers too. the retail on them was $25 at my bestbuy.
i wouldn't use them. please let me know how they sound if you do install them. i think i'm going to give them away as a gag gift.

 

My guess is that they probably won't sound good at volume. They might be okay if you fade power to the front. Plus, the seats will muffle some of the bad sounds they might make. You can always try and then change later.

 

Ok......the only thing I've done so far is ordered the Modfry wired DCI for an Alpine unit since I want the slick ipod control on the 9857. So then the question becomes.....do I need to upgrade the front component speakers? I have MY 05 remember. I was looking at Polk DB6500 component speakers but I don't want to replace the oem units unless the Polks are quite a bit better. I want something that will drop in the doors with min mods.

The next question is.....so now the radio is out.......do I need rear speakers? Or maybe a separate amp?

I'm gonna get the HU and the iPod cable and see what you all say about replacing the door component speakers before doing much else.

 

I bought a used Alpine V12 and some Polk DB Coaxial speakers. the sound is MUCH better. I'd bet with a new head unit you don't need an amp though.

I went with the coax because I wanted SUPER easy install, and my experience with Polk is that they are good. I think they're better than similarly priced Alpines.

 

yes youd need an amp

please see https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=276028 "dont post incorrect 'facts'"

the db6500 recommends 100W RMS power.. the alpine unit puts out... 18w

 

Thanks for the reply smurf. I've read the search articles as much as I can so I think I'm going to rethink the whole install. If I need an amp as well, I want one with a small footprint.