Poor sound quality :(

[Vauxhall jim]

Hi all

Here's one for you who know more than me about ICE
I have a Kenwood 4x50 watt headunit that I have had on the standard speakers for two years. I decided it was time to upgrade the door speakers whilst I had the door cards off and fitted a new pair of JBL GTO6528S 165watt 2 ohm 2 way speakers. I spent some time and fitted these properly with soldered joints and now I think the sound is worse than the standard speakers. If I try and add some bass with a bit of volume they distort quite badly. I don't think they even sound as good as the original speakers. Any ideas and advice on improving the sound?
Thanks James

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Just googles them, for £30 you can't expect a lot really. The standar speakers are surprisingly good for what they are. I had some Vibe speakers, they wouldn't take any bass at all, I have to set the high pass filter on the amp to stop them getting bass and have it all from the sub.

 

[Vauxhall jim]

Just googles them, for £30 you can't expect a lot really. The standar speakers are surprisingly good for what they are. I had some Vibe speakers, they wouldn't take any bass at all, I have to set the high pass filter on the amp to stop them getting bass and have it all from the sub.

So you think I've got crap speakers? May refit the standard ones

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Afraid so yes. You need to spend decent money on audio to get something reasonable. My Hertz speakers were about £160, even they're only mid-range speakers at best, they are phenomenal though.

 

[bones341]

Personally I would have stuck with the standard speakers. I've got a set of pioneers in the doors (not sure which ones, they were in the car when I got it) with standard speakers at the back, but it sounds absolutely w**k!

 

[jono_astra]

.

 

[Vauxhall jim]

Thanks for all the advice. I want to keep away from the hastle of amps and bass boxes, cutting door cards for extra speakers ect so I'm guessing its standard speakers for me? I don't want thumping bass just something that can match the sound of my mk5 astra sri So what spec are the original speakers? They are only carboard and look pants compared to the new JBL's that I fitted!

 

[joycey]

Even for £30 they should still sound ok? Sounds like there not getting enough power tbh?

 

[Mr Skint]

or are wired in backwards

 

[Vauxhall jim]

Hey well the stereo is ment to be 50w and its a kenwood, I'd hope the stereo is half decent! Deff not wired up wrong I made sure of that, and they are mounted properly so god knows. Looks like OE for me

 

[jono_astra]

.

 

[Alex]

You'll find it's the signal noise that's causing the distortion. This will be because the speakers need a clean signal at a higher wattage than the standard speakers and the headunit may say 50w but that is peak the actual value will be lower and the signal to noise ratio is worse at higher volumes. To get the best sound from the you'd be better off with a small amplifier with rms rating matched or slightly higher thanthe rms rating of your speakers

 

[Vauxhall jim]

You'll find it's the signal noise that's causing the distortion. This will be because the speakers need a clean signal at a higher wattage than the standard speakers and the headunit may say 50w but that is peak the actual value will be lower and the signal to noise ratio is worse at higher volumes. To get the best sound from the you'd be better off with a small amplifier with rms rating matched or slightly higher thanthe rms rating of your speakers

Thanks for the advice any you know of that you would recommend?

 

[Alex]

I'll have a look when I'm not on my phone

 

[Vauxhall jim]

Thanks mate

 

[Alex]

Somthing like this would be ideal http://caraudiosecurity.com/gt5-a402e-amplifier

 

[BenAstra]

You can still have decent sound quality but without chopping door cards etc. Just make sure the sizing is correct and they'll fit in the standard space. 16.5cm and 54mm mounting depth iirc