2013 SS/RS audio upgrade (attn Snoman)

[Mudgett]

Hello all. I have a 2013 SS & looking for more volume out of my stereo. Looking for suggestions as I do not want to spend a mint. This is not a horribly vital thing for me. I'd just like to be able to crank her up a bit more. I am willing to change speakers and change amp (hopefully an amp that will replace the stock amp, in line). I do not want to change the head unit (myLink). This is not a BA system, just the stock speakers and tweets.

My limited audio experience is usually installing a head unit, 4 to 8 component speakers, and occasionally a sub. Almost always in old hot rods that have little to nothing to begin with. So looking at this system I have, I want to fiddle around as little as possible.

As always, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Snoman, in a previous post on a different thread, I mentioned a sub box that I build and find is good (probably not great) for all around sound on the low frequency spectrum. I'd like to politely say "concert quality" is subjective to the type of concert that is listened to. I'm sure a sealed box gives a tighter, less muddy sound in some cases, but this ported and baffled style that I build has many of friends/family more than happy with their systems, and gives them a variety of range for different music type played. Maybe concert quality wasn't the best term to use, but over all performance across a spectrum of music types.

[spyderbuddy]

Me to, Sounds like we are in the same boat, I just want to clean up my sound a little.

I'am thinking 400 watt amp with a s******p kit and then some 6.5's components up front

and leaving the back alone for awhile.

[Mudgett]

Originally Posted by spyderbuddy

Me to, Sounds like we are in the same boat, I just want to clean up my sound a little.

I'am thinking 400 watt amp with a s******p kit and then some 6.5's components up front

and leaving the back alone for awhile.

Keep an open mind to 6.5s for the rear, snoman (who will hopefully chime in soon), has a whole write up about old vs new tech and how oval speakers are obsolete. Some people strongly suggest ditching the 6x9s in the rear in favor of 6.5s, and I'm going to tend to believe them based on what I've read. I really think I just need some better speakers & amp. But I would like confirmation. Myself, I'd go infinity speakers all around, and Idk what to do for an amp or if an amp is needed front & rear.

[Snoman]

The other thread about "best 6x9 speakers" was meant for, related to bleeding SQ technology and well beyond $1000/pr level. I would never recommend 6.5 separates in the rear for a simple entry level system build.

I'd need some budget numbers, a stage 1 system upgrade is easily $1,500 without a head unit or labor.

Infinity 6x9's in the rear for $120/pr are probably the best entry level solution on the market, coupled with the 60.cs up front and simply call it a day.

[Mudgett]

Originally Posted by Snoman

The other thread about "best 6x9 speakers" was meant for, related to bleeding SQ technology and well beyond $1000/pr level. I would never recommend 6.5 separates in the rear for a simple entry level system build.

I'd need some budget numbers, a stage 1 system upgrade is easily $1,500 without a head unit or labor.

Infinity 6x9's in the rear for $120/pr are probably the best entry level solution on the market, coupled with the 60.cs up front and simply call it a day.

No need to upgrade amp for higher dBs? I'm not looking for boom boom. I just want to hear the music with the windows down in town, or Windows up cruising @ 140 which I do often on country roads.

[Mudgett]

Btw snoman, I edited a comment above to reflect that u did not say 6.5s over 6x9s, poor word choice on my part made it seem like you had when u hadnt, my bad.

[Mudgett]

Originally Posted by Snoman

The other thread about "best 6x9 speakers" was meant for, related to bleeding SQ technology and well beyond $1000/pr level. I would never recommend 6.5 separates in the rear for a simple entry level system build.

I'd need some budget numbers, a stage 1 system upgrade is easily $1,500 without a head unit or labor.

Infinity 6x9's in the rear for $120/pr are probably the best entry level solution on the market, coupled with the 60.cs up front and simply call it a day.

What is 60.cs (for up front) ?

Regarding a budget...I'd say maybe $500 - $750. If I can't upgrade the speakers (leave the tweets alone) and get some more power to the speakers for that amount, I'd just assume to leave it alone and spend money elsewhere on the car. Like Rally stripes. Or have my stock rims dipped in a maple wood grain. None of it is necessary, but I would like to hear my music while going down the road.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Mudgett

No need to upgrade amp for higher dBs? I'm not looking for boom boom. I just want to hear the music with the windows down in town, or Windows up cruising @ 140 which I do often on country roads.

Upgrading the amp was a given, yes. Alpine PDX-F4 (or F6), RF P400/4 or (P600), JL 300/4v2 (or v3), any 4 channel Zapco

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Mudgett

What is 60.cs (for up front) ?

Infinity Kappa 60.11CS

Originally $399.95/pr, speaker manufactures have been attempting (and failing miserably) to clone the Infinity sound quality at this price level for decades. The closest SQ comparison is the JL-C5 series and Hertz, which while they sound amazing, are over $500 /pr each.

I'll endorse the Phoenix Gold ELITE 65.CS, but they cost slightly more than the Infinity and are mail order only. Image Dynamics also has an mid-level that are good, but again not @ "entry level pricing"



Reputable re-sellers on amazon have the Kappa 60.11cs available for $170/pr

[Mudgett]

So, long story short, infinity 6x9s for the back, infinity kappas up front, and one of the amps that you previously mentioned.

Any of those amps a so called "plug & play" that can easily replace the amp in the trunk?

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Mudgett

So, long story short, infinity 6x9s for the back, infinity kappas up front, and one of the amps that you previously mentioned.

Any of those amps a so called "plug & play" that can easily replace the amp in the trunk?

Technically, all of them will work.

You'll need basic 12V knowledge along with splicing the wires or purchase a FARK kit to tap an input signal for the amp. Need a bit of basic ingenuity to replace the OEM amp rack or build your own. There are many DIY threads from amp installation to replacing speaker wire runs to disassembling the rear desk to everything in between.

[spyderbuddy]

Originally Posted by Snoman

Technically, all of them will work.

You'll need basic 12V knowledge along with splicing the wires or purchase a FARK kit to tap an input signal for the amp. Need a bit of basic ingenuity to replace the OEM amp rack or build your own. There are many DIY threads from amp installation to replacing speaker wire runs to disassembling the rear desk to everything in between.

Thanks for the info you emailed me also.

[Mudgett]

Doing a little research, being as I don't have the BA system, am I going to have a factory amp to start with? If so, where is this located....trunk?

[Antbox530]

Snoman, would you recommend replacing the stock amp or speakers for the biggest improvement on a non BA system.
I would like just a bit more SQ out of the stock system, nothing crazy.

My last car had a 400w Harmon Kardon system stock that I'd be happy with.