im thinking about replacing the factory door speaker with a Infinity Kappa component system. Ive read that the factory amp has a built in crossover. So does this mean im not to use the crossovers the component system???
Also, does any one know the out put of the factory amp?? whats the RMS?? i obviously know an aftermarket amp would be better for the speakers but if the factory RMS is decent, I would just stick with it. Any help would be appreciated

 

First:

Nice choice on the Kappas-I've owned 3 pairs.

Second:

Why not just install the door speakers and listen? If you are pleased, there will be no need to upgrade the factory amp.

Just an opinion.

 

thanks for the reply. what you said is true and thats probably what i will end up doing. i was just trying to get some specs on the factory amp.

 

Dynamat the crap out of the doors. I did, and probably added 6db to the low end of the speakers.

<EDITED> I forgot why I began to respond in the first place. The amplifier power is just one aspect. I would investigate the sensitivity of the speakers, too. Your back speakers may be difficult to match with an aftermarket pair if the fronts sensitivity is different. You may hear the rear speakers come to life at an uneven pace with the fronts after replacement. </EDITED>

 

Current Kappa will work well and drop into the factory holes (take the tweeter grill off carefully and it will drop in as well).

The current and new to come kappa models feature Infinitys "true 4 ohm technology" which really means it is better suited for a 2 ohm application such as in our cars. It starts at just around two ohms but as you use the system the impedance rises close to 4 ohms, normal 4 ohm drivers can rise past 6 ohms dc.

The amp has some eq, limiters, dsp in it, but from my own use you will be ok.

 

The Infinity amplifier is six channels of 40 Watts into 2 Ohms. That is 40 W for each front door and 80 W for each subwoofer.

 

A definite maybe What's the crossover frequency of the amp and the speakers? I take it you're planning to put in a sub woofer too? Tell us about it.

 

Harman/Becker keeps the DSP settings to themselves, so I don't know how the crossover is set up. The settings are adapted to the Harman speakers, so substituting others will probably worsen the tone balance.

 

well the install of the Infinty Kappa Component system was completed months ago. GREAT GREAT improvement over the stock. if anyone is thinking about.... just go ahead a do it.

now ive deciced that I need to get the most out of my component system.....

Ive now decided to redo the rest of the factory system.... with the following

Blaupunkt Memphis MP66 Head unit
replacing the rear subs with Kicker CVT 6 1/2 shallow mount subs
replacing the factory amp with an Alpine VPX 4.150, to power the rear subs and 6 1/2 components.

i should be receiving all the stuff this week and install should probably happen next weekend.

still thinking about adding a 10" sub with Nazar's custom box.... i will test how this set up works out first, then decide. plus I already shelled out enough coin with these upgrades and about to order a Needswings CAI, so I had to hold back for now.... ill keep an update once install is completed

 

I just installed the kicker 6.5" subs in my roadster. I believe you will be pleased. I went with a Crossfire XP6004 4 channel amp for my components and subs, I highly recommend you consider it over the Alpine. Crossfire has won 9 of the last national championships in car audio and their amps are rated at true RMS power...

I have owned Rockford, Kicker, Kenwood, Alpine and Hifonics amps prior to this Crossfire and I can tell you I will never go back, it's that good.

Plus, it lights up and says Crossfire, which is certainly not a reason to choose it, but a cool fringe benefit.

 

Orion makes 1 ohm competition speakers, which would effectively double the Crossfires amp output. I wonder if the amps are 1 ohm stable ? Anyone have a model # or link to the specs on the factory amp ?

I have Orion 2 ohm HCCA 6.5 component speakers in another car with an Orion HCCA 4 channel amp and the rear has Infinity Kappa 3-way 6x9's, the setup sounds great, plenty of bass and no subwoofer.

 

Some quick info on companies winning awards: Make sure you see what they won the award in. If they won 9 SPL awards, chances are they will sound like crap, but they can get loud. Kicker is a great example of this. All of their stuff I used to install 5 or so years ago got really really loud, but sounded terrible compared to my current MB Quart speakers. MB Quart never had to advertise about winning awards, neither do companies like Focal. The industry just knows that they are among the best. LISTEN BEFORE YOU BUY. make comparisons. Also, if you plan on using the factory amp and radio, do not buy high-end speakers. The sensitivity of the speakers will be too low. Basically, most higher end speakers need more power to work properly. more inexpensive speakers are designed to work with low power. Boston Acoustics would be an EXCELLENT choice. Their entry lines have great sound quality for the money. They are actually what chrysler put in the 300 for the premium system. Dynamat is a great addition as well, and there is no better time to put it in then when the door panels are off to put in the speakers. I have a base model so I will not be too helpful with the factory amp, other than to tell you that is does have built in crossovers for the bass cutout and a pre-defined EQ that can not be altered. This is to try to correct the acoustical problems with the lower quality speakers. SO, installing the speakers to the factory amp will affect the way the speakers are supposed to sound. The nice thing about our cars is that they are installer friendly (about the only easy thing to do in our cars). A good installer can install new components witout affecting the origonal integrity of the car. I have installed a ultra-high end system in my car, and I did not have to make one modification to anything. I could remove the entire system, install the factory equipment, and the only difference would be the dynamat left behind. There is even pleanty of room in the door gromets to run better speaker wire to the doors. Any other questions?