Dumb speaker question - GMT900

[TipsyMcStagger]

I've done a bunch of reading - just enough to make me a bit confused. I have a 2010 Silverado Extended cab (non Bose). I'd like to replace the speakers. I'm not interested in changing the head unit or installing an amp. I simply want to improve the sound quality. The stock speakers sound very muddy, as you know.

I'm assuming the factory speakers are a component setup, since there are tweeters mounted in the A-pillars. I've read that when installing component speakers, a crossover needs to be installed.

(1) If the factory setup is component, is there not already a crossover?

(2) Are the speakers in the front and rear doors identical? If not, is each speaker a different range (e.g. A-pillar tweeter/high, front door/mid, rear door/bass)?

(3) Is it acceptable to replace the door speakers with traditional coaxial speakers, leaving A-pillar tweeters untouched? Would this function properly.

Thanks.

Tipsy

[Carder09]

If you never plan on adding an amp, better find the lowest ratting RMS in a speaker you can. Stock hu don't put out crap! Reason why your speakers sound as they do now.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Stock hu don't put out crap! Reason why your speakers sound as they do now.

I thought the crappy paper cones are the reason they sound as they do?

 

Tipsy

[Carder09]

I thought the crappy paper cones are the reason they sound as they do?

 

Tipsy

Both statement's are true. No HU will push out what an aftermarket speaker really needs. Especially if you have over 6 speakers.

[GasHog369]

Honestly, you won't notice much of a difference. As said the stock HU doesn't have the power to run aftermarket speakers. That's why Bose adds there amp.

You would be better off buying a new HU and then swapping speakers.

 

On my old truck I replaced my Bose speakers with JL components, sounded make 10 % better. Then I swapped the hu for pioneer and ran new wires to the crossover from JL. W/o the sub on, it sounded amazing. I miss that setup.

[Prokopchuk_9]

If you stick with stock HU and non amplified system. No point in changing speakers unless one is blown IMO

[TipsyMcStagger]

I should have gone with my gut and tackled this myself but I was hasty and wanted to get it done. I went to a local shop and giving them the benefit of the doubt, I assumed they'd seen a million Silverado's. I guess my first hint should have been when the guy asked to have a look at the truck. What's to look at? It's a Silverado. They're all the same.

 

I explained my needs and they suggested a component setup for the front and coaxials for the rear (Sony XS-GS1720S and XS-GS1720). I specifically questioned whether the tweeters would fit in the stock A-pillar location. No problem. Figuring, once again, that this is what they do for a living, I decided to let the pro's deal with fishing the wire up to the A-pillars and deal with the crossover. So I agreed to let them do the install.

 

After about an hour and a half they came out and told me the tweeters were too big to fit in the A-pillars, so they were just going to install two sets of coaxials. Great. Glad I paid for their expertise. I certainly could have handled installing two pair of coaxials. And in retrospect, I wish I had because I would have ordered wiring adapters from eBay, vs. the soldered splice they used (they did leave the stock connectors installed). I guess they screwed the new speakers directly into the door because they didn't use any kind of plastic adapter ring. They did install Dynamat though.

 

It definitely sounds better but not worth what I paid. I'm not into the aftermarket head unit thing. Just not my style. Oh well. Live and learn.

 

Tipsy

[Carder09]

With the PAC adapters, no need to go aftermarket with HU. Just grab an amp and you are golden.

[TipsyMcStagger]

With the PAC adapters, no need to go aftermarket with HU. Just grab an amp and you are golden.

 

Is this what you're referring to? I not sure I really want/need an amp. Or how much additional power these new Sony XS-GS1720 speakers can safely handle.

 

I suppose I'd consider an amp if it could be mounted inconspicuously (under the front passenger seat?) and play well with these speakers.

 

Tipsy

[Carder09]

Your stock HU will not even be close to powering the speakers bud. If you can closely match your amp, you can find small amps to perfectly fit under any seat and enjoy awesome sound quality!

[TipsyMcStagger]

Your stock HU will not even be close to powering the speakers bud. If you can closely match your amp, you can find small amps to perfectly fit under any seat and enjoy awesome sound quality!

 

I don't know much about amps and wouldn't really know how to begin searching for something compatible with these speakers (and a form factor that would fit under the seat).

 

I'm guessing that PAC adapter needs to be mounted in the dash behind the stereo and cables run to the amp? I guess the carpet needs to be pulled (partially) to conceal the cables?

 

Tipsy

[Carder09]

Yeah, sonicelectronix.com is a good place to go. When matching speakers, you want a little higher than RMS rating of the speakers, so if your speakers are 2ohm with an RMS rating of 50watts, you might want an amp that will produce 60-70 watts rms to each speaker with an 2 ohm rating. You can power all the in door speakers and leave the tweeters hooked to the HU if you wanted. Will sound a whole lot better with an amp. If you want to add a sub later down the road, just an 8 will do you some good if you wanted the perfect combo of just enough base with out over powering the mids and highs, an five or six channel amp will work for you.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Yeah, sonicelectronix.com is a good place to go. When matching speakers, you want a little higher than RMS rating of the speakers, so if your speakers are 2ohm with an RMS rating of 50watts, you might want an amp that will produce 60-70 watts rms to each speaker with an 2 ohm rating. You can power all the in door speakers and leave the tweeters hooked to the HU if you wanted. Will sound a whole lot better with an amp. If you want to add a sub later down the road, just an 8 will do you some good if you wanted the perfect combo of just enough base with out over powering the mids and highs, an five or six channel amp will work for you.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Here's a link to the specs on my speakers.

 

Tipsy

[Carder09]

Cool, shouldn't be too much of a prob to find an amp to match those speaker. If you decide, you will not regret it!

[montyss]

Is this what you're referring to? I not sure I really want/need an amp. Or how much additional power these new Sony XS-GS1720 speakers can safely handle.

 

I suppose I'd consider an amp if it could be mounted inconspicuously (under the front passenger seat?) and play well with these speakers.

 

Tipsy

mounted my amp under the front passenger seat and used the PAC AOEM-GM1416 , the amp is a Pioneer GM-9500 4 channel its a small amp compared to some of the others