View Full Version : Speaker Wire Upgrade?
NHLEG
05-22-2006, 10:33 AM
If I'm just replacing the stock speakers and adding a cleansweep, do I need to replace the stock speaker wire as well? How much will just speakers and cs help the system? Also, does the oem sub I have connect to the cs as well? I don't need the "thump" of aftermarket amp and sub, but would like my oem sub to connect to the cs if possible. My primary audio goal is a better sounding system with increased volume as a secondary reason.
Boulderguy
05-22-2006, 02:06 PM
Yes, you'll need new speaker wires since you'll have to add an amp to use the CS. It doesn't need to be a big amp. The stock sub can work off that but with better speakers you probably won't want it. Spend a couple hundred on good front speakers & power them well, you shouldn't need a sub at all. Keep the stock rear speakers.
I'd recommend 50-75w x2 up front, maybe 25w x2 in back. That'll give you good bass response from just the door speakers w/o being terribly loud or boomy. This will sound a world better than stock.
NHLEG
05-22-2006, 02:30 PM
Thank you. I didn't realize the cs needed an amp. It's been almost 20 years (I was a teenager back then) since I did car stereo work so I know ALOT has changed since then. I put a new stereo in my boat last year (after 7 years in a boat, the speakers were spent and the hu blew anyway) and that was the first vehicle audio work I've done since my teenage years.
snoman
05-22-2006, 06:48 PM
I disagree... you won't need to upgrade the wires unless you are pushing HUNDREDS of watts to each speaker. The stock wires will be sufficient.
Just splice the stock speaker wires at the wiring harness to connect an amplifier... it will save you the hassle of trying to route wires through your doors.
agreed. running new wire is overkill. I could have save a day of install time if I just tapped into the OEM leads. My speakers have outboard crossover networks and I didn't want to stick them in the doors, so I ran new wire and put the crossovers under the floor in the hatch.
Boulderguy
05-22-2006, 09:20 PM
I mention running new wire simply b/c you've got to route signal from the amp to the OEM wires, might as well go the extra mile & keep the OEM's intact if switching speakers.
As to the power req's, I definitely get better low-end response from quality 16-18g wire over stock cable. Such a small price to pay for better sound. Beyond that I think is gross overkill with less than hundreds of watts per channel.
agreed. running new wire is overkill. I could have save a day of install time if I just tapped into the OEM leads. My speakers have outboard crossover networks and I didn't want to stick them in the doors, so I ran new wire and put the crossovers under the floor in the hatch.
+1
I just upgraded my speakers with JL VR series coax powered by e4300. Very clean sound. No need to upgrade speakers. I would however junk the stock sub. e1200 is a relatively inexpensive big upgrade.
Current setup:
JL CS
JL e1200 powering 12" cvr sub
JL e4300 powering 4 VR series coax speakers
Pics to come..once i clean up the rats nest. I live in Dover, and can help with the "setup" of the amps if you would like