Hey im ordering a new alpine headunit tommorow and wanted to replace the 6 1/2 door speakers as well. Im looking to keep it as easy as possible with no modificatiion to the door but i know there is a shallow mounting depth so my question is whats a good high end speaker that i can put in the doors that will fit right in ?

 

What's your budget? Easiest install for $100-150 range is the Polk db6501, which fits the stock speaker baskets (barely) and also includes its own ring-adapter that replaces the speaker basket (which is what I did). They are definitely not high-end, though.

In the $300 range, the HAT Imagine is a popular choice and many reviews I've seen say that they're the best sounding speaker in its price range. FWIW, this is what I'll be replacing my Polks with when I'm ready to upgrade. These don't require any modification to the door, but you do have to stencil and cut a 3/4" MDF spacer so the magnet doesn't hit the window. So they technically require a mod, but it's as easy as it gets, and doesn't do anything permanent to any of the car components, so it's well worth it IMO.

More info on installing the Imagines in this thread:
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/101...#entry22504777

 

Pioneer A-series component speakers FTW! I ordered mine from amazon with the free 2 day shipping with amazon prime for $80. They sound AMAZING even with an aftermarket head unit. I have put these speakers in all of my cars and always am impressed. Took me 1 hr to do both sides, solder, and heat shrink. A 2 channel amp would really do these speakers justice.

 

I cant say how long they were in my S when i bought it, but it had the same polk's you are talking about and they sounded like shit. Like they were sitting in mud.

 

were these the ones you used?
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-TS-A16.../dp/B004CLYOIW

did the tweeters fit in ok?

 

I cant say how long they were in my S when i bought it, but it had the same polk's you are talking about and they sounded like shit. Like they were sitting in mud.
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I have the polks, and they are adequate for what they are (I paid ~$100 from Amazon). Honestly, no components powered off the headunit are going to sound great; probably better to spend $150 for speakers and $150 for an amp than $300 for speakers. If you aren't going to power them correctly, $300 speakers aren't going to be $200 better than $100 speakers.

 

Im thinking any way you look at it i would need to put an amp to the door speakers if i want any quality sound right ? ....damn , cant decide what to do! I know what head unit im getting...Alpine cde-149bt....but should i do cheaper door speakers (approx. $100) and no amp.....or get some components and an amp (approx. 400-500)....and cant decide on a sub in the trunk or not ! SMH Thanks for your feedback keep it coming.

 

I originally wanted to stay close to OEM as possible and just do the head unit and door speakers w no amp , but now im thinking While the headunit is getting put in maybe i should do more ! Damnn

 

Alpine 149bt. Nice. I'm jealous.

If you have the room in your budget, I'd skip the polks and go straight to an amp+better speakers. The Polks aren't terrible, but they're very limited, even with an amp. I wouldn't buy them again.

I have an alpine KTP-445U amp that's bridged to 90W x 2 channels, which is plenty for my 6.5" speakers. It was about $125, and the install was super easy. It's also small, so it fits behind the passenger dash and keeps out of sight. When in doubt, spend more on speakers, and less on the amp. The $100-125 price range is loaded with good amps, and that leaves room in your budget for much nicer speakers that you can actually take advantage of.

 

I dont care what anyone says, the A-series will sound COMPLETELY different than any stock or low end aftermarket brand. I am tough to please, and all i did was smile the first time I turned them on.

Tweeters fit perfect, and the 6 1/2 fit perfect. I will agree that an amp is needed once you get to volume 50-60 on the head unit. Normal listing levels they sound great. They just need a little bit more juice when you turn it up to impress.