brand of speakers

Purestructure03 · Outlaw Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 140 City: Manteca

currently i have 4 Kicker K693 component speakers (6by9's) on the tower, they sound real good when they aren't cranked but once i crank the volume, they sound terrible (distortion). For all you stereo gurus i know car speakers aren't the best way to go, but what do you suggest? new speakers and a cleaner amp to power them?

btw i currently have two amps... 851x Fosgate Power, and an 851s Fosgate power

Xaggerate · Outlaw Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 135 City: SLO/Poway

The amps are fine...you are more than likely clipping the signal at high volume levels, thus causing distortion...where are your gains set??

If you had the money...NVS is the way to go..

If you are more conservative...look for an efficient 6 1/2". 6x9's are NOT what you want for something to sound "good"

Purestructure03 · Outlaw Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 140 City: Manteca

to be honest with you..i have no idea! i'll try to look figure that out either today or tomorrow... i have heard decent 6 by 9's on other people's boats but ours distorts terribly.. is there an ideal gain setting? if so, what's the best?

Xaggerate · Outlaw Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 135 City: SLO/Poway

Find out what kind of voltage your deck puts out...Typical decks will put out 2-4v......the signal gain on your amps should go from 4v-.8 or so...something to that affect. The further your turn clockwise, the lower the voltage level you are assigning the amp..With your amp(s) gain all the way counter clockwise, adjust your deck volume to 3/4, then slowly turn the amp(s) signal gain up until you hear distortion (or at the same voltage level your deck puts out), then back it down just a little. This will provide your amps a clean signal that is never clipped, and thus distortion free music. You may think that the volume may be lower if the gain is not turned up higher, but what is better, a blown amp, or continuous music?

Also, 6x9's typically never sound good, especially at a higher volume level...the reason why many manufacturers use them, is because they are cheap (honest truth), and they increase bass response.

Purestructure03 · Outlaw Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 140 City: Manteca

i appreciate you taking the time to help me understand what i have to do.. i was just outside trying to adjust the gain setting. I took off the side covers on the amplifier to find out where the gain settings were but the only knob i could find on the amplifier was the crossover frequency... i did find a left and right gain but had no idea how to adjust it.. it was a tiny circle with no knob to turn and no numbers to be read? i'll try to take a picture of what i see when i get back from my girlfriend's house...

i agree with you with 6x9's typically never sounding good, especially at higher volume.. and to be honest with you, i made a mistake thinking that they would be a lot louder (which is important on a boat)..

Another option i was thinking of doing is this... i have a Zapco 350 amplifier that i just pulled out of my car..rather than selling it, i was thinking of throwing that to the tower speakers...i know it would sound a little cleaner but i am not too sure whether or not it is sufficient enough to power them..

wakedude47 · Outlaw Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 159 City: discovery bay

has anyone heard of speakers called crystals? and if so tell me about them

Purestructure03 · Outlaw Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 140 City: Manteca

nope... can't say that i've heard of crystal myself...i've heard of diamond but not crystal..

Bruky · Guest

what company makes them, or are they a company?

Xaggerate · Outlaw Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 135 City: SLO/Poway