Speaker Wattage Question

[Fresh 240SX]

Okay so the headunit im ordering.... is 60wX4 Channles....
im planning on having
1" dome tweeters
6.5" in the door
4X6 in the back
not really planning on subs right at the moment

Now i believe i read on here (i think Yoshi said it) that running the speakers off the HU is not a good idea because it sounds bad..
My question is.... would 60w be okay or should i invest in say a 200W amp and run the 6.5" off that and leave the 4x6's to run off the deck?

Im such a newbie when it comes to this :D

[misnomer]

We need to know the RMS output of your head unit and the RMS tolerance of your speakers. If the speakers aren't much over the output of the head unit, you won't have a huge difference in sound quality as opposed to an external amplifier.

[Fresh 240SX]

K i need some answers & guidance on what to buy so ill post as much specs as i can, hope this helps

Heres what i plan on ordering after i decide whats gonna work and whats gonna be crap.

Headunit

Sony CDX-MP70 CD/MP3 Receiver

http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/2002/158/h158CDXMP70-f.jpeg
23 watts RMS/52 peak x 4 channels


Front Speakers

Sony XS-HF600G 6-1/2" Component Speaker System


http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/2002/158/h158XSHF600.jpeg
power range 2-60 watts RMS


Rear Speakers Option #1

Sony XS-5726 5"x7" 2-way Speakers


http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/2001/158/h158XS5726.jpeg
recommended power range 2-40 watts RMS, peak power handling 120 watts


Rear Speakers Option #2 (The Ones Im Sure Will Fit)

Sony XS-4624 4"x6" 2-way Speakers


http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/2001/158/h158XS4624.jpeg
recommended power range 2-20 watts RMS, peak power handling 80 watts


Thats the stuff im looking into.... what do you think/reccomend

[Aubrey]

I really recommend a 4 channel amp to run your speakers. Espically your components (front speakers). Speaker sensitivity would also play a factor in your speaker choice as the higher the sensitivity, the easier it is for the radio or amp to move the speaker. Anyway, the rms wattage rating on those speakers is pretty low so you *could* run them off your radio. But here is what you will find:

You have just spent a lot of money on a nice radio and nice speakers and when you want to crank the volume up the speakers will sound muddy (not clear). They will distort, and if your not careful they could blow. If you use an external amp it would have to struggle much less to move each of those speakers. Therefore, at the same volume, your music would be much cleaner and clearer: Which is what everyone wants. That radio should have a crossover on it. If you run those speakers without an amp please use the crossover in the radio. 60hz shoudl be low enough. The only thing those speakers can do with any frequency lower than 60hz is create smoke. If you decide you want bass get a sub. However, those speakers should provide good mids and highs.

Good Luck.

[Fresh 240SX]

Thanks alot..... so the rears should be okay off the HU's power but its best if i amp the fronts.... okay.... as for the cross over.... they front set comes with one, but i dont think i would be wanting to amp the tweeters?

[azn_romeox]

friend has that deck.... trust me when i say this............NO USE. I don't see any difference in having a cd than mp3 cd. I mean you only listen to like 12 songs out of 300. You only listen to the songs that u realli like. And thats about 12 out of them all. i hate his knobs too.... everything looks sweet besides the knobs

[sxtasy]

I agree with Aubrey. I would definately get a 4 channel amp for this setup. First off, the deck has no crossover just a type of EQ, the front components won't need one because obviously they come with a passive cross-over network. The rears however WILL need one. The power of an external amplifier is a very "smooth" power as oposed to the internal amplifier of your Sony. You will also be able to correctly fade front to rear. One last thing, I would re think your speaker choice. If your going to go through the trouble of fitting a 6 1/2" speaker and tweeter into your doors I would get a little better quality speakers that will handle some more power and have a better sensativity, it will be way worth your while..........

[crioten]

speaking of high volume distortion, when i crank up the volume on my speakers, its gets a little distorted. i have pioneer 6x9's 3 ways in all four corners, would an amp fix this? if so what type of amp?

thanks
glen

[Aubrey]

Originally posted by Fresh 240SX
Thanks alot..... so the rears should be okay off the HU's power but its best if i amp the fronts.... okay.... as for the cross over.... they front set comes with one, but i dont think i would be wanting to amp the tweeters?

You definintely want to amp your components, tweeters and all. The crossover that they come with should only have one input. Thats what you run the speaker wire to from your amp. The crossover will seperate everything you need to be sure the tweets get the right amount of power. I really think you should amp everything. Thing is, its not much more expensive to get a 4 channel amp as opposed to a 2 channel. By the time you have bought all the wires and spent the time to install it you really would have wished you spent the extra bit of cash for the 4 channel.

I didnt want to say it but others already have, i am not too fond of sony car stereo equipment. They make awesome home stereo stuff (TV's, DVD's, etc) but are just not up to par in my book when it comes to car stereo. Most guys that are in to high performance car stereo will agree. Thing is, most people come in to stores and see the pretty red speakers and say "OOOHH! i want those" and dont car that the speakers that cost $20 less sound better. My advise to you is go into a store (Circuit city, Best Buy, HiFi buys, etc) and take a few of your own CD's. Pop in what ever you would listen to as if you were in your own car. Most sound boards in stores will let you switch around to different speakers by the touch of a button (or screen) while in the middle of the song. Then, click the button to add an amp (most differences will be noticed at a little higher volume for clarity as its hard to hear the little stuff when you have all that background noise around you in the store).

After doing this you will really know what sounds best to you and can make a decision accordingly.

crioten--6x9's are large speakers, and a lot for a radio to move. An amp will really make those puppies pump out some good mids and highs. I really love the sound of a powered 6x9.

Edit: Fresh--In case i didnt clarify, even though you would be running 6 speakers. Your 4 channel amp would only see 4. Reason being, there is only one input on each crossover. Thats why i said a 4 channel. If you were just going to amp the fronts you would only need a 2 channel.

[crioten]

so i would want a 4 way(1 way for each speaker)? or do i need a 3 way for eash speaker. and i love my speakers :) i recomend pioneer 6x9's to anyone who wants to do the work to stick em in a 240.

glen

[Fresh 240SX]

Okay so when looking for better speakers... what should i be looking for in watts/rms and what not? im not looking to spend $2000 on speakers... whats wrong with my deck choice?