5x7s or 6 1/2 component woofer

[pro-five-oh]

I am getting new components for my Mark VIII and found that JL Audio lists two types: a 5x7" woofer that is a direct bolt in for 90s Fords and a 6.5" woofer. Both come with the same tweeter. I already have the holes drilled in the stock speaker location for the 6.5s" (that what I have now) but should I use the 5x7s instead? The factory woofer was a 5x7...

Would 5x7s sound better because they will not leave a hole in my door like the 6.5s do???

Gotta make a decision pretty soon, advice is appreciated!

[Steven]

Is this the frame you have ?
http://www.infinitysystems.com/caraudio/product.aspx?ProdId='KAPPA572.5CF'&Ser=KAP&C at=MEL (http://www.infinitysystems.com/caraudio/product.aspx?ProdId='KAPPA572.5CF'&Ser=KAP&Cat=MEL)

http://www.infinitysystems.com/caraudio/images/productimages/largeimage/KAPPA572_5CF.jpg

My price: $54.07 /pair
MSRP U.S. $ $169.96 Pair
Power Handling, RMS 100 Watts
Power Handling, Peak 300 Watts
Frequency Response (±3dB) 40Hz - 21kHz
Sensitivity 90dB
Impedance 4 Ohms
Mounting Depth 2-3/8"
More specs... (http://myharman.com/search_browse/productspecs.asp?product=KAPPA572.5CF)

[ May 11, 2004: Message edited by: Steven ]

[pro-five-oh]

Yes, that's what drops into the Ford hole.

I have 6.5" Polk woofers there now, but I wonder if the 5x7 is a better design or would work better in the Ford enclosure.

[RJ Sclafani]

6.5. A perfect circle makes for the best audio sound. Is the 5x7 a component system too? If not, definetly get the 6.5's. Either way, I'd get the 6.5. HTH

[RJ Sclafani]

Also get a pair of foam baffles from crutchfield.com, it will fix the gap problem and keep your new speakers water resistant.

[pro-five-oh]

Both are JL audio XR-series components. 1" tweeter for both, just a different woofer.

If a perfect circle makes for the best audio sound I am leaning towards the 6.5s.

[RJ Sclafani]

Have you had a chance to listen to both? I would assume the 5x7 would get a bit louder and produce bass a bit better, but that is what a subwoofer is for, right?

[pro-five-oh]

Haven't heard them, but I might be looking for more boom from the doors anyway. My sub is kinda weak. (Bazooka)

[RJ Sclafani]

quote:Originally posted by pro-five-oh:
If a perfect circle makes for the best audio sound I am leaning towards the 6.5s.

Q. What does the most common speaker look like (with the exception of kicker and sony subwoofers)?

A. A circle

[RJ Sclafani]

Well if you have a Tweeter near by, I would suggest you go and listen to every brand they have before purchasing anything. JL is great, don't get me wrong, but maybe you will like something else you will hear better. Maybe the tweeter is too harsh for your ears, maybe it's not enough...etc.

I listened to a bunch of different component sets, and I had a perdicament. I loved the way the MB Quart woofers sounded, but loved the Boston Acoustic neo3 tweeters. I'm not one for hard dome titanium rip your ears apart loud, I like the silk domes from the Boston Rally series. It's what ever you like though.

[pro-five-oh]

I have the JLs in my Cougar, love them. And the local JL dealer is my friend so I get them for a very fair price. Its just easier to go with what you know. Ditto the amp: will probably get the JL 500/5 amp too.

I'll ask him about the woofer and go with what he recommends.

[RJ Sclafani]

Sounds good, it's always nice to have a JL hookup. How much is that 5th channel puttin out? is it a separate d class channel? I've never heard a bazooka in person, but would imagine it is close to a semi-stock 8" woofer in a little tube?

You can pick up a better sub for cheap that will give better bass response. Even a good pair of 6" JL drivers are great (6" woofers used for mid-bass) for putting out better sound quality than that bazooka.

[pro-five-oh]

Here's the two sets I'm looking at:
http://www.jlaudio.com/evolution/XR570CS.html
http://www.jlaudio.com/evolution/XR650CS.html

[SQ_LSC]

pro, If you have no way of listening to the 5 X 7, then go with what you know you already like. The oval XR's are new and have less years of refinement. I'm sure they CAN sound just as good but they may not, so why risk it.

P.S. you had better not have holes in your doors without some kind of trim flange closing it up!

[Steven]

quote:Originally posted by pro-five-oh:
Here's the two sets I'm looking at:
http://www.jlaudio.com/evolution/XR570CS.html
http://www.jlaudio.com/evolution/XR650CS.html

Very nice indeed

;)
Those JL's, and some JBL's use the same cone/compliance manufacturer.. Kurt Muller and Co.

[pro-five-oh]

quote:Originally posted by SQ_LSC:
I'm sure they CAN sound just as good but they may not, so why risk it.

P.S. you had better not have holes in your doors without some kind of trim flange closing it up!

Good idea on the 5x7s...I'll listen to them and if my guy convinces me to get them, I might.

And I meant I have drilled holes to screw in the 6.5s into the same hole that 5x7s go into. Just two extra holes for screws to fit, nothing else. ;)

Nice to see that JLs are up to Steven's approval, they must be better than I thought if a JBL guy can like them!

[RJ Sclafani]

Pro, I have another idea for you to try out. If you want to seal up the hole for a 6.5, or even dynamat your car for really cheap, you can get this stuff at home depot called peal and seal. It is located in the roofing dept usually near big buckets of tar-like substances. It costs about $25 a roll and is the exact same thing as dynamat, without the logo and half the price. There is all types of sizes (12", 6" etc..), and it usually runs about 30-35ft in length.

[pro-five-oh]

I looked for that stuff at Home Depot before, they couldn't find it. If I tell them the name is "peel and seal" I bet they would know where it is.

Already dynamatted the doors, so I guess its irrelevant. smile.gif

[pro-five-oh]

#$@&*!!!

The old Polk 6.5" woofer fit in the stock 5x7 location, but its chassis (sic?) is about 2mm narrower in diameter than the JL's. The JLs don't fit. :(

I ordered the 5x7s and they should be here sometime next week. In the meantime I'll just drive my other car while this one is taken apart. Grrr!!!

[ May 15, 2004: Message edited by: pro-five-oh ]