I have been reading this forum for a while and was ready to start building my system. I decided on Alpine 9831 and Kappa Perfect 6.1s to start then in future add amp and sub. I received and installed the 9831 first and ran on the stock speakers. The system sounded great, at least 100% better than the stock system. I then received and installed the Kappas this weekend. The improvement in performance was definitely not as marked as just changing the headunit, but was noticeable. The problem comes when I drive around. If I turn the volume up to an audible level then there is very little midrange or bass and the highs are piercing. I have tried adjusting the EQ settings but nothing is close to the quality I would have expected. I think I preferred the stock speakers with the alpine headunit.
I know the car is not the perfect environment but still expected and improvement.

The only theory I can come up with, and I am no expert, is that the speakers are too underpowered. The concern I have is that if I do turn the HU up to say 18-20 on the volume control there is little fill and irritating highs. If I amped the speakers would it just be as irritating but louder?

I also thought that I may have inadvertently wired the speakers incorrectly. If that was the case is there a quick way to tell? Otherwise I will take the door panels off and check the wires

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

if you want a overall cleaner sound you should add rear speakers of some sort (behind the seat or S-Pod) and add a 4 channel amp. Adding the amp is going to make the biggest difference.

 

If there is little mid range/basss and fuzzy imaging you may have wired the speakers out of phase.

 

[QUOTE]If there is little mid range/basss and fuzzy imaging you may have wired the speakers out of phase.

Thx. I will check the wiring tonight.

 

I believe the speakers are under powered. I had the same problem when I did my install with Rockford componets. Once you add an amp. you will notice a "big" difference.

 

"I believe the speakers are under powered. I had the same problem when I did my install with Rockford componets. Once you add an amp. you will notice a "big" difference"

Thanks for the reply. I guess I just expected too much and am disappointed because there appears to be no improvement . These speakers are rated at 100w rms and the headunit is running at 18 rms but i figured the HU amp would be able to provide enough undistorted signal to produce reasonable volumes when driving but the mids and lows are drowned out and the highs just hurt my ears. I haven't even tried listening too it with the top down!

 

don't even bother trying to crank it up w/ the top down. most likely you'll end up blowing them due to distortion from underpowering your speakers.

get an amp asap...

 

Amp it is then!

Thanks for the info.

 

Please dont take this as a flame, but as education.

When you purchase a product, especially one that you are not familiar with (car audio) PLEASE READ THE MANUAL COVER TO COVER.

In the manual, it SPECIFICALLY states that the Kappa Perfects need to be amplified to A MINIMUM of 50watts RMS. The alpine is pushing 18. Their sensitivity is LOWER than the stock speakers, so they will not sound as good as stock. YOU NEED AN AMP. Its not an opinion, they will NOT work without an amp.

They also DO NOT have great bass, so a SUB is a MUST.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

_-Dave

 

I did not read the owners manual so did not realise they had a minimum power requirement. At least now I know I NEED an amp. and I am happier about it not sounding great.

So I am looking for a four channel amp to run fronts and sub. I dont have a ton of money to spend right now so do you have any $300 amp recommendations?

Any opinions on PG octane and Infinity amps?

If its worth spending the money on eg JL, Soundsteam, PG Titianium, alphasonik etc then I will wait?!