My birthday and christmas are close together and people have started asking me what i would like.....

I would like to upgrade the stock speakers without adding an amp.
My first guess (and it's just that, a guess) is that infinity makes some pretty good door speakers.....but i would like some suggestions if anyone has any.

thanks

 

Infinity's are usually pretty power hungry...if you're using the stock head unit you will probably lose some bass. If you're sticking with low power try Pioneer. They seem to sound pretty good when used on lower power.

 

I disagree, if you're not adding an amp, Infinity Reference series (step below the Kappas) sound VERY NICE and have a very high sensitivity rating. Not nearly as power hungry as the Kappas (most Kappas are 2 ohm anyway which isn't good if you're not using an amp--could burn up your deck's internal amp). I installed Infinity Reference speakers (5.25" components up front, 4" coaxial in rear) in my old BMW M3, and just got done installing Infinity Reference speakers in my Xterra (6.5" components up front, 6.5" coaxial in rear). I think they sound awesome. The silk tweeter is very natural sounding as compared to many other component sets that have a much harsher sound.

 

^that's what i was looking at
the Infinity Reference 2way's

Model: REF6020CS

anything else? I've used some pioneer 4ways before and didn't really like the result. I had some pretty good luck with rockford 6x9's, but i'm pretty much a noob when it comes to audio

 

If you are running speakers with no amp then you need to find the ones with low on RMS....somewhere around 35-50 RMS that way your HU can handle the speakers with every little of distortion when cranking it up loud. You don't want speakers with 90+RMS to your HU with no amp. As for price, quality and sound it's up to you to decide what you like but i can assure you that if you can find a right pair of speakers with the rms that pretty much matching up with your HU for $50 will sound better than the $150 pair with the wrong rms.

 

^well then i guess that is what i am asking...

what speakers fit that category?
i want more volume without distortion....and we all like a little extra bass if possible......anything under $250

 

I have long been impressed with speakers from a/d/s, and currently have a set in my S2000 ("old school" 236is). The set I linked below, 246ix, from an ebay store fit your price range, and are basically the next generation of what I have, with the caveat that Directed Audio purchased a/d/s some years ago, along with many other "old school" high end brands such as Precision Power and Orion. A number of people still believe the a/d/s speakers retain the classic smooth sound they were known for, and they are much more affordable:

a/d/s 246ix from ebay store hifisoundconnection

The 246ix have a 90db sensitivity rating, so they should produce sufficient volume from head unit power. But like any speaker, they will sound better, and the bass will be much better, with a proper amp.

I was going to recommend the Infinity Reference mentioned above, as I've had good experiences with Infinity car speakers in the past, but I just checked Crutchfield, and they list the Reference 6020cs as having 2ohm impedence, which as someone mentioned above, I'm not sure is the best mix with a HU only, especially if it's the factory HU.

I would add the Polk db6500 to the list. Crutchfield has them for $150, and if you have any problems, they're a good place to deal with concerning returns, etc.

Polk db6500 at Crutchfield

These have a 92db sensitivity rating, and are in a similar "quality" bucket as the Infinity, but just have a different sound signature. You might find them to have a bit more bass bloom (some might say less accurate, but w/o an amp and w/o sub, you might like it). It would be best if you could find a car audio shop that sells a variety of speaker lines, to get a sense of which sounds best to your ears.


Cheers,
Phil

 

^thanks that was some good info

i was reading on crutchfield.com about the 6-3/4 speakers as opposed to 6-1/2......

are we able to fit these or is the bracket to fit the 6-1/2 a stretch?

 

ive got infinty 6.5 reference series. and they are amped...they sound AMAZING.

 

I'm pretty sure that you can fit either the 6.5" or 6.75" speakers in the s2k. Depth of the factory bracket is going to be the main concern. Most aftermarket speakers will require either cutting the back of the factory bracket, leaving just a ring, or making/buying aftermarket rings to bring the speaker further out.