Car audio question

[56FordGuy]

Bought a truck today, and one of the door speakers is blown and makes a loud popping noise.

What's the best 'bargain' speaker? I don't need a high quality stereo, I just want something that'll work and not break the bank. I'd like to stay under $75.00 apiece. Are there any quality speakers in that price range, or will I need to consider bumping up the budget?

Thanks!

[Erik88]

nah, 75 should definitely be possible. Any common brand will do, Pioneer, Polk etc. My personal favorite are Infinity speakers however. You have a Best Buy near your house? If not I would think you could order them online.

[mikegideon]

Just take the old speaker with you and make sure the new one will fit. I would replace both sides so it doesn't sound funky when you're done.

[56FordGuy]

nah, 75 should definitely be possible. Any common brand will do, Pioneer, Polk etc. My personal favorite are Infinity speakers however. You have a Best Buy near your house? If not I would think you could order them online.

So there isn't much difference between brands, at least not in the price range I'm considering? How cheap can I go without getting junk?

Just take the old speaker with you and make sure the new one will fit. I would replace both sides so it doesn't sound funky when you're done.

That's the plan!

[VERO1]

You could probably stop by Wallyworld and get a set of Sony/Pioneers that will sound a lot better than what it came with originally.

[Murgatroy]

There are differences between speakers. Infinity all the way in my opinion.

If you just want sound, any speaker will do in a pinch. If you want quality sound, you want a quality speaker.

I despise Pioneer speakers, yet I love their head units.

If you are just going for stock replacement, it isn't really going to matter, not as much as if you were building a comp system.

Bang for the buck, I have to say Polk. I don't care much for many of the name brands, it seems to me that over the past several years they have been counting on their names to sell stuff, as opposed to quality or innovation.

If you want really good stuff though, there are few better than Infinity. The better ones are the boutique brands that you only find in specialty shops. I only use Infinity.

[mikegideon]

You need to listen before you buy, keeping in mind that they're not going to sound the same in the vehicle. At least you'll avoid something that sounds bad to you. I've had success with JBL products, and it's about all I use in pro applications (studios, not cars). I don't know if they even make their own car audio stuff.

[Mike.357]

if you are like me and basically just want to be able to hear the thing without snapping or popping (I am not an audiophile anymore) I would look for one speaker thatis the same size as the one you are replacing. Brand makes no difference.

If you can't find one, I would look for speakers that are rated to handle to stereo's output and are less than my budget.

Note I have an 11 year old truck with Ford factory speakers and a Pioneer radio/ CD player that was bought back in 93.

[G27]

Pull the old speaker first to insure it's not a powered driver - some modern factory car systems have self powered speakers (small amps mounted directly to he driver assembly). Assuming it's a standard passive driver, pull it and take it with and try some out @ BB or WM. You can easily find something to replace it for $75, there's even some decent sounding stuff in that price range.

[tyguy]

I would suggest Crutchfield's web site. You can search for fit by vehicle and sort by price. I've picked up several higher end speakers that were on clearance for the price of Wally World cheapies.

[56FordGuy]

if you are like me and basically just want to be able to hear the thing without snapping or popping...

That's all I want. I'm moving from a 54 year old truck with no radio, into a 9 year old truck with a radio. Ain't got to be great, I just like that it's there.

I tore into it this morning. I was guessing the speaker was bad, I was wrong. I pulled the door panels and swapped speakers side to side, problem remained the same. Short answer, radio itself is bad. Time for a new radio. I have a Clarion that's new in the box, never installed. It's probably going in, since I already have it.

I appreciate the advice though, I may upgrade the speakers later.

[Mike.357]

sounds good dude. I would do the same thing. No way am I spending cash if I have something on hand that will work.

The hard part will be geting the old factory model out.

[56FordGuy]

sounds good dude. I would do the same thing. No way am I spending cash if I have something on hand that will work.

The hard part will be geting the old factory model out.

The previous owner, among other things, added a Pioneer CD player to the truck. Took the truck side wiring harness from that install, and a radio I already had, problem solved.