Best speakers available at Bestbuy?

Sebastianq52 · Nov 14, 2017

Sebastianq52 · Nov 15, 2017

bump!

ahl395 · Nov 15, 2017

I don't usually give audio advice because it can get filled with many different opinions and brand biases, but let me try to help. I understand you have the store credit, but just be aware Bestbuy doesn't sell the best quality audio stuff, so if you are looking for the best, you may want to use your store credit on something else. If you just want something decent and aren't too picky, you should be fine.

For reference, I worked as a car audio installer at Bestbuy for several years not too long ago.

The speakers you linked are separate components, meaning to run them you will essentially be doing an "active" system. You will need a sound processor or crossover, as well as two separate amps.

The simpler way is to go with a component system. Look for a set of speakers that includes a woofer, tweeter, and a small box. The box is a crossover that separated the proper frequencies to the woofer and tweeter. This is a "passive" system and you can drive it as one speaker (meaning you only need one amp, or use factory). This is what 90% of people do, it is cheaper, simpler, and harder to blow the speakers. Here is one that I found, I used to have a pair of these: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kicker...lene-cones-pair-black/5772306.p?skuId=5772306

Kicker isn't the best brand, they're made cheaply but their speakers arent bad. Those components I linked above sound decent if you aren't super picky. Make sure to find a secure mounting point for the crossovers as I've had them break internally in the past. Keep in mind you may have to modify the A pillar to mount the tweeter.

The subs, again, should be decent... But you get what you pay for. I've owned Kicker subs in the past. They get loud but sound quality is half and half. But again, this is coming from someone very picky. I think that is the best loaded enclosure they offer. A loaded box is the best route if you aren't going to be building and designing a box for a different woofer. Since it is already designed to optimal specs for the speakers that are pre-installed. Just make sure it fits into the trunk. Our trunk opening is very small and you may have to put it in through the passenger compartment.

Any of the amps you linked would work. I would recommend Kenwood over Kicker usually. Just try to match the RMS watts (ignore "peak" or "Max") with the ratings of the speaker. Your best bet is to use one amp for the subwoofers and one 4 channel amp for the speakers. Most likely your aftermarket speakers will be rated for 100-120W. If you power them with the factory amp, they'll work, but will probably only see around 20W. For the best results run a 4 channel amp and subwoofer amp. They have some 5 channel amps that can do all in one too if you want more simplicity.

Things your missing...
Power/Ground/RCA wiring kit. 4AWG or 0AWG.

Some way to tap into the signal for the amp input. If you do the 4channel amp I would recommend getting a harness made from [MENTION=28081]HextallS550[/MENTION] that will tie into the factory amp/head unit and get you RCAs. If you just go the sub route and want to keep it simple you'll need to tap the rear speaker wires with a Line Out Converter.

Feel free to shoot back any more questions.

Sebastianq52 · Nov 15, 2017

ahl395 said:
Feel free to shoot back any more questions.

So im pretty set on getting things at bestbuy for the fact that I have a credit but also because I work there so I get a great discount! Im also not worrying about the complicated install with the active system since my coworker is the bestbuy installer who would install everything so i wont worry about it :first:

I just have to make sure I have all the right parts first..

So basically as I understand this set up

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/jbl-6-...lene-cones-pair-black/8038073.p?skuId=8038073

Comes with two 6.5inch speakers as well as the tweeters for my A piller?

if so then id buy two of those.

next would be the SUB. I would either get the one I sent,, so this one
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kicker...-with-enclosure-black/4969101.p?skuId=4969101

OOR

two of these..

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/jbl-12-single-voice-coil-4-ohm-subwoofer-black/5623661.p?skuId=5623661

What do you think??

then For the amp you recommend kenwood and said I needed two and also a crossover so.. two of these?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kenwoo...ver-black-dark-silver/5577926.p?skuId=5577926

ooor
two of these

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kenwoo...able-crossovers-black/4873052.p?skuId=4873052

Sorry man im kinda lost so I apologize for all these questions coming your way.

EDIT

this set up can work right?

https://imgur.com/a/jtOqw

HextallS550 · Nov 15, 2017

ahl395 said:
Just try to match the RMS watts (ignore "peak" or "Max") with the ratings of the speaker.

Take the $700 credit and sell it to someone that wants a TV on Black Friday and use it towards a system made up of better quality stuff than BB has. Or don't, but whatever you do DO NOT make speaker choices based on power handling. That has nothing to do with quality or the drivers ability to reproduce the frequency spectrum properly.

:frusty: I've said it before; one of the highest scoring cars in the history of organized audio competition was using 6 JL Audio HD750/1s that were powering 4 individual drivers rated at 150W RMS and 4 6.5" subwoofers wired in parallel. Let that sink in, 750 watts into drivers rated for 150W and it never blew a driver even when it became a demo car.

On the flip side, take my Focus SVT it has 4 drivers each powered by 12.5W and sub powered by 250W It was scoring higher than most of the monster "1000W" systems in the Mid West shows 6-7 years ago. Power handling isn't one of the parameters you can use to determine what is good and what isn't. In fact even the specs that designers use, called T/S Parameters, mean nothing to your ear unless things are installed properly. If you want to know whats good do what I tell everyone, go out and listen to other people's cars. Don't make a judgement based on what is on the wall at a stereo shop, what is on sale this week, don't rely on internet BS... learn how to listen, see live music, take the time to understand things like staging, imaging, attack/decay. That's how you choose speakers.

Conversely, if all you want to do is to say "I replaced my crappy factory speakers" than carry on with the BB stuff. because that's all you're really doing.

Sebastianq52 · Nov 15, 2017

HextallS550 said:
Conversely, if all you want to do is to say "I replaced my crappy factory speakers" than carry on with the BB stuff. because that's all you're really doing.

To be completely honest I’m okau with that I don’t need I.T to be competition status or anything like they I just want the best I can get that’s locally available to me at bestbuy because of my discount and stuff. Would you mind checking my reply to the other guy helping me to see if what I replied makes sense ?

Considering this
https://imgur.com/a/jtOqw

Chef jpd · Nov 15, 2017

Have we gqet established which factory system you are starting with?
Base, 9 speaker, 12?

Sebastianq52 · Nov 15, 2017

Chef jpd said:
Have we gqet established which factory system you are starting with?
Base, 9 speaker, 12?

I have the base system

Thinking this will work. what do you think?

https://imgur.com/a/jtOqw

HextallS550 · Nov 15, 2017

The issue isn’t whether you will compete or not. You asked if B.B. speakers are worth it and the answer is no. Like I said all you’re really doing is replacing the speakers. You’re not really upgrading with the choices you’ve presented. Yes, if you add subs you will gain bottom end but that’s not what improves the sound, if it did any kid with 2 12’s and a Chinese surfboard amp would sound better than my stuff.
I get the attraction, you have the money, you don’t like the factory sound, but you’re not really doing anything but blowing money and replacing speakers. Audio in general is subjective but there are lessons to be learned and lots of money to save by askin question and not disagreeing with the answers especially bc it’s not all about how expensive or cheap it is. Dayton Audio drivers will sound better than anything at BB for a third of the price if they’re installed correctly.
Don’t take it personal, I just speak the truth from 22 years of experience.

HextallS550 · Nov 15, 2017

Sebastianq52 said:
I have the base system

Thinking this will work. what do you think?

https://imgur.com/a/jtOqw

That’s not a good set up. Way too bass heavy with midbass that are more midrange than anything. No way to tune it and you won’t get the proper crossover points, time delay or equalization.

vnzbd · Nov 16, 2017

At the end of the day it is your ears. We all have different tastes and budgets. There is a ton of good advise from experienced people on here. But if your tastes or budget is different then go with it. I would recommend trying to listen to as many system in cars not product boards and try and develop your own tastes based on what you hear with your own ears. Try to listen to music that is your style. You may like SPL of SQ, maybe not. If your BB bucks are burning a hole in your pocket, see if BB ever did a demo vehicle and what products they use. Trust your ears!

HextallS550 · Nov 16, 2017

vnzbd said:
I would recommend trying to listen to as many system in cars not product boards and try and develop your own tastes based on what you hear with your own ears. Try to listen to music that is your style. Trust your ears!

THIS^100 with the addendum that you have to actually learn to listen.

West TX GT · Nov 16, 2017

You can buy just the amps and wiring set up at Best buy with your credit and get your speakers of choice from a different place. A four channel amp plus a mono amp will most likely eat most of that credit up.

Snook66 · Nov 17, 2017

HextallS550 said:
THIS^100 with the addendum that you have to actually learn to listen.

I have a couple of audio questions but don't want to derail the thread, mind if I shoot you a pm ?

West TX GT · Nov 17, 2017

Snook66 said:
I have a couple of audio questions but don't want to derail the thread, mind if I shoot you a pm ?

I for one would not mind you starting a new thread with those questions. I can learn from the answers as well.

Best speakers available at Bestbuy?

Sebastianq52

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ahl395

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HextallS550

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Chef jpd

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vnzbd

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