So I've been looking to upgrade my sound system in the car. I have been looking at two different components sets.

Nakamichi SPS6500

and

Alpine SPX-177R

The dilema that I am having is that I don't know how the Nakamichis sound in a car. I know that they are one of the best home theatres sound systems around, but I don't know if they are any good in a car. I know that I couldn't go wrong with the Alpine, but would like to have something a little different then everyone else. But I know what I'm getting with the Alpines.

I have included the tech specs below.


Technical Specification for Alpine SPX-177R

Sensitivity: 87 dB
RMS Power Range : 75 Watts
Peak Power Handling: 300 Watts
Frequency response: 35-60000 Hz
Diameter: 6.5 Inch
Features
Cast Aluminum Frame
Optimized Airflow Dual-Flare Pole Vent
4 ohms Impedance
Angle Tweeter Mounting
2-way Crossover Ultra High Quality
Axis Compensation
26mm Soft Dome Tweeter
Bi-Wire Input and Selectable Tweeter Attenuation
Fiber Hemp Woofer Cone
Phase-Integrated Dustcap
Low Loss Rubber Surround

Technical Specs for Nakamichi SPS6500

Type 2-way, component system
Characteristics 6.5-inch mid-bass, 1-inch tweeter, external crossover
Mid-Bass Driver Glass-aramide composite cone with butyl rubber surround, ferrite magnet, 25 mm OFC wire voice coil with synthetic poly-cotton spider
Mid-Bass Frequency Response 64 Hz - 4 kHz
Mid-Bass Sensitivity 90 dB
Mid-Bass Impedance 4 ohms
Mid-Bass Power Handling 70 Watts RMS 120 Watts Peak
Mid-Bass Mounting Depth 2.68 inches (68 mm)
Tweeter 1-inch soft-dome, fabric diaphragm, neodymium blend magnet, ferrofluid cooling
Tweeter Frequency Response 2.5 kHz - 20 kHz
Tweeter Sensitivity 88 dB
Tweeter Impedance 4 ohms
Tweeter Mounting Surface, flush or angle
Crossover External 24 dB / ocatave, mylar capacitator / Iron core inductor, 3 position tweeter level control, tweeter protection
Crossover Frequency 3.0 kHz

Whatever help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

 

I have never heard Nakimichi in a car either, but I have heard that they make quality stuff.

The sensitivity rating on those Alpines are kinda low if you are going to be running off HU power. If you are running off HU power (aftermarket or not), you will want a sensitivity rating of 90+ for really good sound. I have head the Alpines, and they do sound VERY nice.

If you are looking in the SPX price range, you should also look at Focal. I like the Utopias, they sound AWESOME. Also, check out Boston Acoustic.

I would not buy without listening first....some thing Focal and Boston are too harsh on the highs, while others swear by them. All personal taste as to how you like to listen to the music.

John

 

Thanks John.

I have two amps already one for a sub and one for components from my old car. So I'll probably use them. But then again I will be getting a new head unit and was looking at Alpine 9855 and getting the amp that is compatiable with it since you have the ability to control the amp from the headunit.

Nakamichi actually has a 6 disk indash changer. I think it runs around $700+.

I may just bite the bullet and get them to see how they sound.

 

alpine sounds awesome. i have the SPR-17LS' the only thing is that you need to cut the back off teh oem speaker basket, and use the included spacer from alpine.

 

My '94 LS400 has Nakamichi system as an option, the sound is very good. Of the two speakers above, I would pick Nakamichi SP-S6500.

As Mega said, you should cut off the back of the OEM speaker baskets and use the rings as spacers to mount the new speakers on. Also, you should get a pair of XTC baffles and cut off 2"x4" at the bottom of the baffle and use it as water shield.

 

Pretty much all amps are "compatable". I think all the 9855 has is a sub gain control. This should work with pretty much any amp. I am running an Infinity 7520a, and it controls it fine. Very convenient. Also, make sure the impediance for the speakers are proper for the handling load of the amp. (Too high and you will not get the advertised wattage. Too low, and the amp will protect or fry).

I dont really think you need the 9855 if you are going to be bypassing the internal amp. You would be getting pretty much the same thing with a 9820. (I think the only real difference between the 2 is a PEQ and the Glide Strip....which I have heard is annoying)

John

 

I appreciate the heads up on the speaker baskets. Had to do that with my other car. Would of never though about a speaker sheild though. Once again. Thank you.

I'll definitely look into the 9820.

By the way, thanks John, now you have me looking at the Focals. Thanks alot.

 

if youre interested in buying a speaker set because it has one of the best home systems, you should check out lotus by seas.

SEAS has been around since the 50's producing high end home systems and regarded to being truly one of the best around. they also OEM for a lot of different high end companies.

there was a challenge by richard clark where he said anyone who can beat my home setup will win $10,000 cash. the subjective listening is done by tom noussaine(spelling?) till this day, no one has beat his challenge. people have brought the $100,000 jm lab/focal grande utopia Be speaker but they did not stand a chance. also, the setup that richard had cost him about 96% less than the grande utopia.

yes yes, im sure some of you people are saying bs, it is rigged. obviously, you dont know who tom noussaine is then. he is known to be the review god, and very unpartial to any piece of equipment.