jamesm113 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Is worth it to upgrade the speakers in a 97 Legacy L wagon? I have the stock 80W head unit and no amps/subs. Also, does the 80W rating mean RMS or peak? I know nothing about car audio, a lot about home audio... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zues Marine Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 i would just upgrade the front speakers, which are 6.5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesm113 Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Do I need 80 watt RMS speakers? I tried this link: http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Car/outfitmycar/MyCar.aspx but they only had 40W RMS EDIT: Also, do I need 4 ohm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulzcow Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 You would not ruin a set of new speakers by having an underpowered head unit, you just wouldn't get the maximum capacity of movement out of them...making less sound/dBs. Sounds like you are planning on using your stock headunit.....so my input may not be very helpful. But, I put 4 Alpine SPS-610's in my doors, each running at 125W I believe, and they sound great when powered by my Alpine CDA-107 (or some low number) deck. They are worth checking out, if you can get a good deal on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I have the alpine sps-600's and counldnt be happier with them. They make a kit for the front doors and for the rear deck. Front door kit comes with tweeters also. -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulzcow Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Classy choice, Subikid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Subikid, which head unit are you running? The OEM or a aftermarket one to power the Alpine sps 600's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Aftermarket alpine unit. I forget the model number, it is like 4 years old, but was once top of the line. -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Dual din Chasis? Or did you go with the Single DIN with the little storage compartment space? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 single din with the storage cubby -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David E Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 What I hope will be a quick tutorial on power (watts), volume and speakers. Smallest decibel change in volume human ear can hear = 3 decibels Wattage change to get 3 db increase is DOUBLE existing wattage. meaning if an 80 watt amp won't play loud enough for you a 160 watt amp will only be 3 db louder. Usually much more bang for buck to get more effecient speakers - particularly for home audio - Klipsch horns anyone? What generally "blows" speakers is an under powered amp being driven too loud into distortion. Speakers are designed along a power handling curve with most power in the bass region and much less in the high range. When an amplifier distorts or clips they typically shift energy into the higher frequencies - bye-bye tweeter. This is regardless of the wattage rating of the speaker. I once worked at a highend audio store and would routinely demonstrate this by playing a Phase Linear 1000 watt amp into a set of "15 watt" JVC car speakers with meters showing 500 watt per channel peaks. The speakers could handle the power for a short period of time (minutes), didn't play too long as the voice coil would then begin to overheat. This is where the wattage rating of the speaker comes in. The JVC speakers were designed to handle 15 watts continous power. Long story short, if your components are reasonably matched and the sound is not distorting you are unlikely to hurt either your amp or speakers. If it is distorting something is looking for an excuse to blow. As always - use this information at your own risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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