Speaker Upgrade with Alpine HDZ-653S

[kellyreno]

Looking to upgrade the lousy (esp for a +$50,000 car) factory speakers. Shop has recommended these Alpine speakers HDZ-653S speakers. The S is for slim fit 1" tweeter to fit in the factory location. Kinda expensive @ $1000.00 for 6 drivers and 2 crossovers. For the rears I am using OE series powerbass OE652-FD. These have the factory 3 bolt pattern and factory connectors. Didnt want to put much back there as they fire through the rear deck fabric. I want to retain the stock look. He wants to leave the center in place still hooked up. Has anyone tried these Alpine speakers?

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[TEAsGrabber]

Do you have the optional B&O system? My car has it and I'm disappointed to say the least! I figured it would be equal to what B&O provided Mercedes Benz with, but not even close! Don't get me wrong, most people will be happy with most OEM systems, but I'm a professional guitarist and when a doorbell is outta tune it drives me nuts! Good thing the exhaust is wonderful to listen to and I mostly listen to talk radio. Alpine makes great stuff.....speakers are their weak spot IMHO, but I imagine they would be a serious improvement over what's installed OEM!

 

[kellyreno]

Do you have the optional B&O system? My car has it and I'm disappointed to say the least! I figured it would be equal to what B&O provided Mercedes Benz with, but not even close! Don't get me wrong, most people will be happy with most OEM systems, but I'm a professional guitarist and when a doorbell is outta tune it drives me nuts! Good thing the exhaust is wonderful to listen to and I mostly listen to talk radio. Alpine makes great stuff.....speakers are their weak spot IMHO, but I imagine they would be a serious improvement over what's installed OEM!

No they call this 9 speakers. All 9 sound like crap. The magnets on the two rears are about the size of a stack of 4 quarters. My wife got a Corsair with 14 speaker "Revel" upgrade that sounds wonderful. This Mach 1 sounds like my 1964 Ford my 1st car.

 

[Scat2018]

So true

 

[TEAsGrabber]

No they call this 9 speakers. All 9 sound like crap. The magnets on the two rears are about the size of a stack of 4 quarters. My wife got a Corsair with 14 speaker "Revel" upgrade that sounds wonderful. This Mach 1 sounds like my 1964 Ford my 1st car.

I haven't done aftermarket sound systems since I installed/built a system for my old 90 Notchback in the 90's. Everything I've owned since (Mercedes Benz) has had a decent sounding system.

I'm not an audiophile, but my closest cousin is and has worked in that business since the 70's. He's now the President/CEO of a really successful sound reinforcement division of Sennheiser. Before that he was part owner of Magnolia Hi-Fi and when he was there, he provided me with all the best car stereo stuff I wanted. Just like performance auto parts you can go down a big rabbit hole fast! I haven't looked/listened in years, but Boston Acoustics made driver and tweeters etc. that were amazing sounding. Just food for thought..... clean power drives speakers best! Under driven speakers sound like ass! My guitar rig is 50 watts....driving a 25 watt rated speaker and it LUVS it!!

 

[FJG_pending]

No they call this 9 speakers. All 9 sound like crap. The magnets on the two rears are about the size of a stack of 4 quarters. My wife got a Corsair with 14 speaker "Revel" upgrade that sounds wonderful. This Mach 1 sounds like my 1964 Ford my 1st car.

Yep… my new 2022 Mach 1 audio with B&O sucks.. if sound were smell, it would be plain B.O. Did you do the Corsair upgrade yourself or pro install? Speakers only? I’m wondering where to go — won’t do myself like I did when I was a kid.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

What issues you guys having? The sound system is good mostly but the main issue I have is the passenger door panel has a slight rattle with certain song/bass combo. I will take it in to Ford later but wonder if anyone else has that issue. Wonder if its the actual speakers on the door panel.

 

[TEAsGrabber]

What issues you guys having? The sound system is good mostly but the main issue I have is the passenger door panel has a slight rattle with certain song/bass combo. I will take it in to Ford later but wonder if anyone else has that issue. Wonder if its the actual speakers on the door panel.

For the price....lets just say I paid more money to have a CD player than it's worth....LOL

 

[kellyreno]

Yep… my new 2022 Mach 1 audio with B&O sucks.. if sound were smell, it would be plain B.O. Did you do the Corsair upgrade yourself or pro install? Speakers only? I’m wondering where to go — won’t do myself like I did when I was a kid.

The Corsair system is part of the "Luxury package" $2,430. Also includes head-up display.

 

[RagmopInKona]

I haven't done aftermarket sound systems since I installed/built a system for my old 90 Notchback in the 90's. Everything I've owned since (Mercedes Benz) has had a decent sounding system.

I'm not an audiophile, but my closest cousin is and has worked in that business since the 70's. He's now the President/CEO of a really successful sound reinforcement division of Sennheiser. Before that he was part owner of Magnolia Hi-Fi and when he was there, he provided me with all the best car stereo stuff I wanted. Just like performance auto parts you can go down a big rabbit hole fast! I haven't looked/listened in years, but Boston Acoustics made driver and tweeters etc. that were amazing sounding. Just food for thought..... clean power drives speakers best! Under driven speakers sound like ass! My guitar rig is 50 watts....driving a 25 watt rated speaker and it LUVS it!!

I think half the problem is the oem trying to power the whole works with an amp the size of a small wooden cutting board and then placing it where it get no air flowing over it to cool it.
And to be fair it is in a car that has loud exhaust. Not a quite cabin of a M/B .

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