6x9's vs Amp/Sub... Yes I know!

[SeanyK]

I know, I know, 6x9's are not highly regarded!

Anyway, I fitted a new head unit today to my MK4 Cupra, but unfortunately, as I thought, it was not enough to sound good enough.

I listen to a lot of dance tracks, and the standard setup just doesn't cut the mustard.

Previously in my MK3 Cupra, I had an AMP/SUB in the rear running off the standard HU (hi level inputs on amp from rear speaker wires) with a set of cheap Pioneer components in the doors up front.

So basically, no speakers at the rear, the OE ones were disconnected, I just had a SUB there.

I really can't be bothered to mess around doing that stuff again with wiring and taking bits off etc.
It also rendered my boot useless/unpractical.

That sounded good though, so I have two options;


1) A stealth shelf, £100ish with holes pre-cut/carpeted & a set of Alpine or Infinity 6x9's £70ish.

How would that sound running off the HU only (with fader set more to rear) ?

I did have 6x9's a long time ago in an older car, im pretty sure they were OK but not amazing.

OR

2) Take it to a ICE specialist, ask them to wire up a sub and amp (as small as possible, so ideally the amp built into the sub box).

I have no idea how much that will cost, I will have to phone around, but I am guessing it will not be cheaper than option 1.

 

[mrcoyote]

What head unit are you running? Give me a shout the next time you're round here and I'll demo my Becker to you.

 

[Engram]

6x9's from a headunit will not sound good. Headunits just don't have enough power.

If you want a decent sound then you need proper amplification.

 

[SeanyK]

I'll take you up on that Ken!

It's a Sony 610U or something, plays mp3's has USB etc, 4x50W a nice unit really as I didnt want to spend much. (Cost £90)

 

[Poverty]

what is your budget? If you have like £120 to £150 spare go with the sub and amp. www.caraudiosecurity.com are really cheap. As fr the wiring do it yourself, it might seem daunting at first but its piss easy. Took me an my mate about hour and half to fit one including the headunit in a polo.

 

[SeanyK]

Hey mate,

Prob about that budget.

I can do the wiring, as I did it on my MK3 but to be honest, I can't be bothered with doing that sorta thing anymore, I was fed up taking panels off, and feeding the wires through gromits etc!
It took me nearly a full day last time, to make sure it was neat etc.

Plus, it's a new car (06) so I don't want to mess it up by scratching or breaking a panel

 

[Poverty]

run the wires underneath the carpet.

 

[sport seat]

Disagree with some comments, nothng wrong with a good pair of 6x9's (perhaps £50-60 favouring Pioneer)with a decent 4x50W head unit (Pioneer proven yet again) more expensive speakers are more suited to amplification. From this point of view, did a Mk3 with 2 pairs of 17cm speakers and a Sony 4 channel amp, one of the best installs from literally hundreds.

 

[SeanyK]

I was thinking of Rockford Fosgate 6x9's or Alpine, Pioneer or Kicker.

How do they handle bass? Like from RNB? Bear in mind this is not for cruising around at full volume trying to impress 'da burds' it's just for decent SQ in the car.

 

[Poverty]

I thought from a SQ perspective 6x9's are terrible mainly for the fact that they are positioned behind you!

 

[SeanyK]

True, but my HU sounds ok, but the front speakers just need a little of the bass taken off them, as they cannot handle it understandably, and drums sound tinny, surely a decent set of 6x9's would do the trick, and save me money and boot space!

 

[Poverty]

Why not upgrade the components?

 

[SeanyK]

Components can't handle bass from dance tracks though, or rnb music.

Plus, i'll be going down the road of opening door cards to wire new speakers up for no gain, as the fronts will do as long as the bass is taken away from them, which im sure you can do with aftermarket HU's?

 

[Poverty]

Some of the HU can do that but then you are wondering to the more pricey ones I think.

 

[RichieRich]

My comps can handle mid range bass but they are £250 quids worth....

 

[SeanyK]

Way out of my budget dude lol! Im only wanting to spend £100-120, and not second hand stuff, not where audio is concerned!

 

[RichieRich]

if you buy it from the right person 2nd hand stuff is not to bad at all.... believe me lol

 

[SeanyK]

I agree with amps and stuff, but not with speakers lol they get hammered!

 

[Phil_beeza]

i have to admit in my saxo i always ran 2 pioneer 55w rms 6x9's, from an alpine mrp 120 think it was, always sounded really good to me tbh... and i mainly listen to thump thump music

i replaced the shelf with a 1 (?) inch slab of mdf, which i think made a big difference

 

[SeanyK]

The next question;

Is it worth paying the extra £20 surchange to have the holes cut out of the stealth shelf already? Or is that just *too* lazy...