I just purchased a 2007 Scion TC and I want to upgrade the sound without changing the head unit. I know nothing about car audio systems and am extremely confused after visiting many sites. I dont want something that requires a lot of modifications, just a nice pair of speakers for the front maybe. But would it be stupid to replace the front speakers and not the tweeters? Can you buy tweeters too? Or would I be better off buying a component system. If you guys think I should, I am going to have a million questions about component systems. I know NOTHING about them or how they work and the internet research I have done has left me more confused.

 

Honestly the stock door speakers a pretty good. I have found that when I changed my head unit they have gotten better. Have you tried to use the search function on this site for ideas? CarDomain.com is a great place to buy speakers with a 105% match if something is on sale at another website on items.

 

www.crutchfield.com

is a good place to start. IMO, the stock speakers sound pretty good. I wouldn't slap a 2 way speaker on the door and leave the tweeter disconnected.

If you go component speakers, it will cost you a buttload of money.

If you want to improve the sound of your car, just add a subwoofer. You can get a sub amp package for under $200.

This is a pretty good deal:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-yL3JSr8...10&I=700PCBS12

Details:

» package includes Blaupunkt's PCA 265 2-channel car amplifier and PCb1200 sealed enclosure with one 12" subwoofer

PCA 265 2-channel car amplifier

» 65 watts RMS x 2 at 4 ohms
» 85 watts RMS x 2 at 2 ohms
» 160 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
» stereo or bridged mono output
» variable high-pass/low-pass filters (50-250 Hz)
» 10-3/8"W x 1-7/8"H x 7-7/8"D
» warranty: 1 year

PCb1200 sealed enclosure with one 12" subwoofer

» carpeted, sealed box
» single 12" woofer with spun paper cone
» power handling 200 watts RMS (peak power 600 watts)
» 4-ohm impedance
» frequency response: 35-500 Hz
» sensitivity: 91 dB
» 19"W x 15-5/16"H x 14-7/8"D
» warranty: 1 year

 

Just grab yourself an amp wiring kit, around $20 and you should be good to go. I don't know if the stock tC stereo has RCA outs for the pre-amp, if so, use them, if not, you may have to get a hi-lo level converter and would have to tap into the speaker outputs.

 

Stock HU does not have RCA outs. That's why I bought my Alpine CDA-9856. (Read the reviews.) Stock front speakers are really good! The rears...they're terrible. (Plus, the fronts have 6.5" speakers while the rears have 5.25". Go figure.) Eventually, I want to get the Polk Audio db6500 Components. (For the front and the rear.) As noted; Crutchfield.com is very good place to start!

Right now I run stock speakers with the Alpine HU and an Audiobahn ATB8AT 8" Powered Sub and it sounds very good. Lots of people have complimented me on my system. It's a "no-frills' system, not a competiton winner.

 

I got the Alpine CDA-9857 and it makes one hell of a difference in sound.

 

what is the Alpine CDA-9857?

Thanks so much for all the replies... I really do appreciate it. My thinking is this though... I had a Mercury Cougar 2000 with the "premium stereo" that was decent. I upgraded the head unit and the sound improved quite a bit. But when I upgraded the rear speakers, the sound was incredible. I like heavy metal and enjoy it blasting. The problem is the speakers cannot handle it like my Cougar speakers could. They get distorted and I constantly have to turn the base down and mess with the trebble. On my Cougar, that was not the case. I want that sound again without going crazy on cash. I do appreciate all of the responses though.

So as for my next question, is it stupid to upgrade the front speakers and not the tweeters? I don't really know how much of an effect the tweeters actually have on the overall sound. I have seen component systems on crutchfield and they include a tweeter, woofer, amp I think, I just dont get it. I was surprised there were plenty for under 200 but I don't know if it would be worth it as opposed to just upgrading the front speakers. Plus I am not sure if that rquires mods to my car and I don't want to do anything drastic.

Any thoughts? Thanks again everybody.

 

I say keep the stock fronts and rear. (You don't sit in the back so you won't know the difference).

I say just get yourself some bass blockers, and install a sub woofer. By installing bass blockers, you won't over work your speakers trying to produce sound they're not meant to produce.

That way, all the bass will be handled by your sub. Sound gets ugly when speakers reach their limit and you push it some more. That case, your speakers will never have to produce bass they can't punch out, usually under 80hz.

If you have the money, put some dynamat on your car. It WILL make one hell of a difference.

 

what are really good rear speakers? for under 100? =D

 

www.crutchfield.com

They will tell you what speakers fit and they will even give you instructions and adapters for FREE. Crutchfield may not have the cheapest prices, but they are worth EVERY PENNY.

No other retailer will give you those things free, online chat tech support and they even offer support over the phone. All FREE.

As for your question, if you can get Polk, Infinity or JBL for less than $100 buy them. Go to a stereo shop near you. Those speakers have different "flavors" when it comes to sound and we all have different preferences.

JBL is more of the "loud, brash, sharp" sound. Their titanium tweeters are cool, but they're too sharp for my ears. Polks are much nicer IMO. They're not as bassy as JBLs, but they're tight and accurate. Their highs are also smooth since they use silk dome tweeters. Not sharp and loud, but very easy on the ears. Infinities are kind of a compromise between the two.

Infinity is more expensive than the two. I think Polks are slighty more expensive than JBLs but they are definately worth it IMO. Also keep in mind that speakers, just like engines, have to be broken in before they start to sound really nice.