Improvement over stock speakers?

[GregoryRotter]

Hi all, I was just wondering what your opinion was on these speakers over the stock ones ??

The speakers are Kenwood model number KFC-M1642A.
Specs are;

Peak ouput power 280 watts
Rated input power 35mm watts

The car is a Punto (2001 version).

Regards,
-Greg

 

[V0NS73V3]

Heres a link to those who are too lazy: Clicky

I havent heard much about JVC stuff, there not the nicest looking and before anyone else says it peak power means nothing, its the RMS you need to look at.

 

[GregoryRotter]

I suppose it's just as well I had a look to see if they fitted, and they don't seem to be wide enough. Where the holes are, there is no plastic underneath it to screw it into, let alone to make a new hole to secure the speakers Around the outer edge of the speakers,

are what look like something I could put a screw through and into the plastic. Any ideas? ;

Any words of wisdom? Should I just return these? I'm afraid I'll make a hash job of this

 

[GregoryRotter]

*Edit* On second thought, I can use those points I marked. Had another look at the installation diagram on the back. One thing, do I have to solder the cables together or can I just sort of intertwine/crimp them together?

I guess the only question now is whether you could tell me whether you think I'll notice any difference in sound quality?????

 

[V0NS73V3]

*Edit* On second thought, I can use those points I marked. Had another look at the installation diagram on the back. One thing, do I have to solder the cables together or can I just sort of intertwine/crimp them together?

I guess the only question now is whether you could tell me whether you think I'll notice any difference in sound quality?????

Pop to halfrauds and get some speaker terminal end bits, cant think of the technical term, but they crimp onto the wire and plug onto the speaker terminals, your new speakers may have come with some. You can solder, but ive never done it with any of mine and ive never had any problems.

Over the standard speakers you should notice a difference in quality, they should also go louder before they start to sound distorted as well as a general better quality of sound

 

[GregoryRotter]

Thanks for the input. As you can see I'm a total rookie to I.C.E harware. Changing the head unit from a 'Felix' one that got put in when we bought the car in '01 (the display is no longer visible in daylight, and no longer plays cd's without skipping) to a Pioneer unit with Aux input was challenging enough. I'm more of a computer hardware person lol. I managed to crack one of the bits of plastic on the punto's speaker cover (there are 4). Hopefully I won't do the same with removing the other one from the other side. Sigh. All because some wan*er at an auto repair place in my area (i live in greece) decided he'd need 65 pounds just to install the head unit and the two speakers.

 

[V0NS73V3]

Well if you good with computers then sorting your car audio should be simple, its all about taking your time and trying to get it right first time.

My mum has just moved to the Greek part of Cyprus, think the weather out there is a bit better than it is here

 

[volxstu]

From what i remember of the MK2 if you snap that cover you have got a bit a mission to fix it. I think that a small metal type thing to snap the hook thing on. Sorry that was a really bad explination.

You need 6 1/2" speakers to go check that this is the size that you have otherwise it wont make an improvment because the speaker wont have anything to kick off of.

 

[GregoryRotter]

Can I not fit these in then? The edge bits I mentioned match two of the holes already in the door.

 

[volxstu]

Can I not fit these in then? The edge bits I mentioned match two of the holes already in the door.

It depends what you mean do the speakers fit the housing nicely with no gaps in the edges or are they too small. If they are too small then there will be no gain in putting them in if they fit snug then just drill holes in the plastic surrounding to match your speakers.

 

[GregoryRotter]

No, no gaps. There is a circular mould where the stock speaker sat, the new speaker just does'nt sit to the very edge of the area, but there is plastic to put the screws in.

Does anyone know what the stock speakers are normally rated to in rms??

 

[GregoryRotter]

Just finished installing them. Took me about 20 minutes in total. Definitely sounds better turned up, than the stock ones. There's definitely better bass. I wasn't expecting earth shattering bass, as that would involve amps and all the rest but on the whole it's a decent upgrade. Overall I saved myself the 70 euros this chump wanted to install the head unit and speakers, and learned something to boot. I so want to just go by there and say 'thank you so much for quoting me such a ridiculous price. I did it myself and saved giving you a cent', but obviously I wont haha. Thanks for the extra help guys

 

[volxstu]

Nice one £70 is prob the going rate now days but it is soo easy as you have found out.

RMS for standard is aroung 20w RMS but that is more than the HU gives out so a lot of the improvment is probably through upgrading the HU. Im glad you like do you have the bug yet and want to improve further?
If you do i would suggest that you do some sound deadening in the doors that is a good way to get more clarity without adding any equiptment.

 

[Punto Sam]

not sure if anyones said this but it aint just ur speakers, its the head unit too...you need to replace both to get better quality

 

[GregoryRotter]

First off hope you guys had a good xmas.

Last night I sat in the car for about half an hour listening to the new system, and this morning the car didn't want to start. Took about 3 times of turning the key in the ignition for it to start. Before these past two weeks it was around 20 degrees C, whereas in the past two weeks it's dropped to around 10. In the manual for the HU, it says if the car doesn't have an ACC position on the ignition, that battery drain may result and that a if the car doesn't have this ACC position, that I must 'wire a red cable to the terminal that can detect the operation of the ignition key'. Please tell me I don't have to start faffing more with this and that it's probably just the age of the battery showing in the cold weather!! The car has Park, stop, AVV and MAR positions. When I remove the key from the ignition it is at the Stop position. The car hasn't had a new battery in seven years, since we bought it though. Please advise :/

 

[volxstu]

Well it all depends on the conditions that you were playing the music in. Obviously if you didnt have the engine on and havnt used the car since playing the unit for a long period of time then the battery will be drained.
If you had the engine on then try taking the fascia off when not in use.
If this dont work then try swaping the red and the yellow wires over or conecting the red and yellow together.
If all else fails then im afraid you will have to connect the power to a switched live, there are a few to choose from.

 

[GregoryRotter]

Hmm I did have the car off during the listen. I also removed the faceplate when I left the car. Hmm. :/ This afternoon when leaving my aunt's house the car started fine.