Hey all,

I'm quite out of touch when it comes to the latest and greatest audio technology,my current setup starts with a JVC double din DVD player which feeds to a response 4x50wrms amp which powers some Focal splits upfront and some Alpine 6x9's out back which were disconnected long ago because they started distorting at very low levels.

So i'd like to replace everything except the head unit,i mainly listen to orchestral with the odd bit of rock and doof doof.

So recommend away.

Well first of all, what are all the types of speakers are you looking for and what is your price range/budget?

Are you interested in a sub.
On a budget, the response 4 x 100 (actually 130) will bridge channels 3&4 to 380 Watts to run just about any mid priced 4 Ohm Woofer.
Or really kick some 6x 9's along if you run it 4 channel. Extra power would bring new life to the focals, if they aren't done in.

Here's some Splits reviews, if you run without a woofer, there are some bassier splits as options
http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/reviews/65_two_way_components_review_under_300/

http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/reviews/65_two_way_components_review_under_600/

Is there existing wiring? What size?
Is amp size an issue? Placement?
Budget? Including excluding Install or DIY.

I am very happy with my Alpine type-r splits

I am very happy with my Alpine type-r splits

Replacing Focals with Alpines isnt an upgrade...

Replacing Focals with Alpines isnt an upgrade...

Depends on the focals, there are cheap ass focals too.


Also my friend has some DD splits i dont know the exact model they are ~$400, they are very nice.

I have alpine type s splits and there isn't much to improve on, near perfectly clear sound. Could only imagine alpine Rs

What I would do is:

1) Find out why the rear speakers fail. I'd try connecting the rears to the head unit and put the front speakers to the other amplifier channels to see what happens.
If the rear speakers are dead, either replace them with something similar and moderately priced (IMO, they don't contribute much in quality, just in surround sound effect) or leave them as a plug in the parcel shelf.
If the rear speakers are fine but now the fronts cut out, it could be the amplifier that is the problem - in this case replace amplifier. Something like a Jaycar 4x100 would be great upgrade on a budget, but there's SOOO many options :)

2) Add a subwoofer. If the current Amp works, try a single 10" or 12" Sub running from 2 channels bridged - 2x50 should give approx 150W RMS when bridged. (I tried to lookup specs, but failed)
A sealed 10" might work OK but might need more power while a ported sub would be happy enough for my ears on just 2x50W bridged. Optionally find a quality 8" sealed woofer - it would be very accurate, but not very loud - good for music, not great for doof doof.
I have a sealed 12" wedged behind the passenger seat and it runs fine from an old school RF 2x50 amp (approx 280WRMS) so similar would be great with 2 channels from a 4x100 amp.
I used to run 2x12" subs, in a ported box, from a 2x40W RMS amp and it was good for premature hearing loss and 134.1dB. :)
But then I heard a tiny 10" woofer in a sealed box, being fed many hundreds of W of clean power and it was amazingly loud and accurate.
I also checked out a home theater sub the other week - my options were approx $1k for a 300W 12" ported sub, or $3.5k for a 12" sealed sub and 1700W RMS.

I've got a spare 10" ported sub at the moment, I'd offer to test it in your car if you were local!

Some food for thought hopefully.

I have alpine type s splits and there isn't much to improve on, near perfectly clear sound. Could only imagine alpine Rs

Alpine R's are amazing:) I'm running the S 2way with the stock tweeters from a verada, sound good, but alpine R crap over them alot of bass from the 6x9" so you wouldn't need a sub:)

Alpine R's are amazing:) I'm running the S 2way with the stock tweeters from a verada, sound good, but alpine R crap over them alot of bass from the 6x9" so you wouldn't need a sub:)

I used run Alpine Type-R 6.5 splits & 6x9's off a V12 amp & had the same thought, Man I was wrong! Ended up adding monoblock amp with JL 10" sub to get that complete depth in the system & had the 6x9's running really low as 'rear fill' in the end..

Depends on the focals, there are cheap ass focals too.

The cheapest 6.5" focals are the 165CA1 which are $220, so not cheap ass.....

*sigh* Alpine speakers are NOT the bees knees. .

But hey go with what you like and what everyone thinks they know :) as long as you are happy thats all that counts. Just missing out on alot :(

While im here might as well input lol

Speakers for your purpose: crescendos, focal, MB quartz, morel etc etc
Amp: 4x100 AB would be plenty of clean distortion free power for them
Sub: Sealed 10" in a 1.5 to 2 cu sealed box. Nice SQ brand
Ditch the rears and spend more money up front. For exceptional quality expect to pay in excess of $600 easily for a NICE pair of splits. Do it right after tuning and you won't know you have rears.

Coming from someone with industry experience. For more tips PM peaandham. SQ winner at a few comps i compete in. Knows his stuff also

Thanks for your advice so far guys,a sub is out due to the LPG tank sitting right behind the rear seats so i don't think much of the bass will make it's way into the cabin..

The focal splits i have are just entry level which cost around $300 at the time,i've had them since 05 so i'd say they would be getting a little past there use by??

How does this system sound? Focal 165VR splits up front,690CVX 6x9's in the parcel shelf and a Alpine PDX-4.100 amp.What online car audio shops would you guys recommend to buy these from?

Thanks for your advice so far guys,a sub is out due to the LPG tank sitting right behind the rear seats so i don't think much of the bass will make it's way into the cabin..

The focal splits i have are just entry level which cost around $300 at the time,i've had them since 05 so i'd say they would be getting a little past there use by??

How does this system sound? Focal 165VR splits up front,690CVX 6x9's in the parcel shelf and a Alpine PDX-4.100 amp.What online car audio shops would you guys recommend to buy these from?

Tbh I would be going to an authorised retailer for quality brands like focal (Westside Car Audio etc) as there are many fakes online and they look almost identical to the real things (As I found out a few days ago... :()

Tbh I would be going to an authorised retailer for quality brands like focal (Westside Car Audio etc) as there are many fakes online and they look almost identical to the real things (As I found out a few days ago... :()

Sorry to hear mate,how much did you get stung for if you don't mind me asking?

Westside Car Audio Ossie Park did the install on my old magna..Not sure if it's the same owners/staff as then though but i found them to be the rudest and most arrogant guys i've ever had to deal with from a store.

Have not heard the best things about them either and im in SA! but yeah go to the focal website and they have pictures of fakes. Pretty easy to get stung with them as far as focal goes :(

Ok so i'm not alone then haha,yer i'll have to be careful.

Do yourself a BIG favour and go to some places and audition some splits, only then can you decide what is best for you. Focals have a trademark sound, clean midbass but unless angled perfect on the stock crossover the tweeters have a reputation for being a little harsh. I have KRX2 and i have already replaced my tweeters with morels and the crossovers with a processor

Interesting yer i'll be heading down to do some auditioning,sometimes it's hard if you've got a sales guy trying to push a certain model and then trying to work out if it's simply because thats what the boss told them to push that day,translation don't go JB's! lol

yeah try alberts or something

listening does make a big difference, different speakers sound different.. its also different to your car but still gives you an idea how bright/mid bassy they are, etc.


take a cd with your favourite music.


bass will still work through the lpg.