Question"I am looking into buy a new system for my 2004 dodge ram extended cab. I wanted to get an all alpine system. What size speakers do i need to get so it will fit in my truck. I think i need 5 1/4 inch speakers for the back and 6 1/2 speakers in the front is this correct? If I purchase the alpine type-s car speakers which handles up to 250 watts of peak power and 50(rms)for the front and 175 watts of peak power 35 (rms)in the back. would this make a huge difference in sound level than my original stock speakers which are NOT the infinity speakers? I also wanted to know if an alpine 50w x 4 cd deck by alpine would be a good idea and fit as well?
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
Sincerely - J.C."
AnswerI hesitate to give equipment recommendations because of the many subjective factors involved. But, Alpine is good stuff and you seldom go wrong.
As to sound differences between speakers; yes, there are sound differences from one unit to another; in fact, the same speakers mounted in the rear will sound quite differently from the same ones in the front due to the acoustic environment and and acoustic loading, so I would not worry about that aspect.
The greatest thing to match is sensitivity; this is the measure of how much electrical power input is required to produce a specified sound pressure level. You should try to match this figure within a db or 2.
Let me give you a lesson on sound, quickly. Sound intensity or loudness is not linear. Here is what I mean: IF you double the amount of power being applied to a speaker the increase in acoustic output is 3db. However, a 2 to 3 db increase is barely perceptible as an increase. It takes about 9 to 10 db, for most humans being tested, to perceive the sound pressure level as being twice as loud. But that takes about 9 to 10 times the power to produce it! So, if you want to have a system play twice as loud as the one before it you must increase the power amplifier by 10 times and have power ratings accordingly for the speakers and other components. End of lecture.
So, back to your system: The speakers are going to be adequate power wise. I would not worry about that. The amplifier you mentioned is a little weak; but if you want substantially more audio output you would have to increase the power largely. Doubling the power amplfier, for example, will not buy so much in output. You would have to go to around 200W x 4 to get a big and noticable improvement. For that you need an external amplifier and special wiring.
In any event, you can find out what fits your vehicle at
www.crutchfield.com
which is a good site for system compatibilities. Crutchfield engineers spend a lot of time making sure of their recommendations. They know the hole sizes and openings in almost every vehicle built and they keep track of the changes carefully. They are a leader in this regard.
The crutchfield site will not only give you headend units that will fit, but 4 or 7 speaker layouts, speaker sizes and depth, wiring harness kits and so on. You don't need to purchase from them, but their prices are competitive, I have found.
Next, for installation, you might take a look at
www.installdr.com
which is a little old for the RAM pickups, but still has some useful pictorals on how to remove, install, wiring harnesses and such.
Sounds like you will have a great system when all said and done. Hope this helps.
Cleggsan
PS: There is no such thing as "rms" power. It is a misnomer that I have been trying to correct in the industry. It has been promulgated by advertising and marketing people, but engineers know that rms voltage times rms current gives average power NOT rms power. When you see the term "rms power" it usually means continuous average power.
