I currently have the Infinity Reference components in my car and one woofer just blew. I can get basically the same thing (just 4 years newer), new, for about $60 on eBay. But I was thinking of getting the Kappa components because they handle more wattage. That'll cost me about $130 shipped on eBay (retail $299 or so?)

Anyone have any recommendations on something better for the same money? I'm guessing any $300 component system can be had for about the same price on eBay. I'm clueless about car audio brands. I don't really see any reason to stay loyal to Infinity except that I have 2-way Infinitys in the rear doors.

I just got a new (used) Toyota Tacoma and have started building a new system for myself. That being said I've spent a good deal of my spare time going from shop to shop listening to 5.25"s myself. My best advice is for you to do the same. Everyones tastes are different and what sounds good to me may not sound the same to you. Bring your own CD when you go - no sense in demo'ing a speaker using music you don't necessarily like

My findings were: The JL Audio XR series blew me away! Specifically the XR525-CSi's. The 6.5"s sounded even better but they won't fit without more work than I'm willing to do. The JL VR Series sounded good too but not as good as the XR's. The Polk DB's and the Infintiy reference's sound about the same with the Infinity's winning out based on power handeling. I didn't find any Kappa's to listen to and therefore couldn't consider them. Boston Acoustics had some good sounding offerings but only in their Pro series ($$$!) The Alpine S and R series sounded like the cones were too "heavy" (couldn't find any 5.25"s anyway.) I didn't listen to MTX's. The Sony's and Kickers sounded terrible.

I ended up spending a little more for the XR's. In all ~$210 on ebay including shipping. Keep in mind that heavily discounted prices on ebay usually mean NO manufacturers warranty. With some proper tuning of the system I'm sure I can get them to sound even better than they did on the demo board.

going from shop to shop listening to 5.25"s myself

That is place to start, but be aware that the sound you hear from a speaker set in the demo room of a stereo shop may or may not sound like those same speakers installed in your car. The acoustics (room size, wall shape, reflectivity, etc.), the sound source (head unit), and sound processing (amplifier) will be completely different between that room and your car, and all those things will color the sound considerably.

A speaker that sounds clean, accurate, and undistorted in the store will still be that way in your car -- but the... ummm... ambience of the sound may will be different.

You can get an idea of speaker quality, but don't expect that idea to translate literally into the environment of your car.

tanstaafl.

I've got Kappa's and are pleased with them except that they don't seem to have much low range. I driven them pretty hard (used my car for a few outside parties) and haven't blown them yet.

D-oh! I guess my speakers are 6 1/2" woofers. I had misread my install notes. It's a bummer that I need to buy a whole new set when I just blew one driver.. maybe a call to Infinity could take care of that?

Thanks for the tips and recommendations. I figure going to a shop is the best way, but I'd like to limit myself to a handful of brands because there are so many out there! So keep the opinions coming on preferences. Shallow mounting depth a plus.

Hey Brad... still in the WRX right?

I have a/d/s components in my rex front doors. I love them. They aren't too shallow though and needed to make a spacer for them.

Handy WRX install notes on the web (but you probably already knew about these)

http://users.wpi.edu/~elisab/wrx.htm

http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/mods/index.html


I'm happy with these cheapy JL Audio XR525-CSi... not nearly as pro as your former gear, but it works well for my amp. (geez, I just relized I havn't put any install porn up, I'm such a slacker)